Need input on combination of mods.

I first want to say that this board is the best resource I've found for Turbo Coupes and other 2.3 turbo cars. I've learned a lot from other posts, but I would like any additional help that anyone is willing to give. There is a friend of my brothers with an 86TC wanting to swap out his 2.3 for a 5.0 (go figure). The good news is that I can get his complete 2.3 for next to nothing. I know of a few things that I want to do to this motor and things that I want to use from my 88TC to build a pretty strong and as dependable as possible street machine that will see some strip time. I know that I want to use the 86's T3 turbo, 88 intercooler(would it be worth looking at another type of intercooler, Volvo etc) the computer from the 88, 3 in down pipe & exhaust, Already have K&N cone and boost controller. I would like to build a car that will also turn a little higher RPM than stock. Funds are limited and this project may take up to a couple years to complete. I wnat to take my time and learn and enjoy building this engine.

Which injectors should I use, from the 86 or 88?
What cam do you recommend, Ranger Roller or other?
Which exhaust manifold 86 or 88?
Port & polish stock head or aftermarket head?
Do I need to consider larger valves, springs etc?
How about fuel pumps and pressure?
What pistons, rods, connectors etc. do you recommend?
Finally, will the stock T5 tranny handle an honest 300 HP.
I'm sure I'm failing to ask about a lot of things I need to know and consider. Any input would be helpful.


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88 turbo coupe
410 gears
manual boost controller
K&N cone
Hurst Shifter

Which injectors should I use, from the 86 or 88?
Use the 88 injectors with the 88 computer

What cam do you recommend, Ranger Roller or other?
Range Roller, especially if the budget is tight. Note the RR is not a high rpm cam

Which exhaust manifold 86 or 88?
Use the 88 if different from the 86. The 88 will say E6 on the first part of the P/N near the runners. The 86 may be an E-6 or it could be en E3 which is not desirable

Port & polish stock head or aftermarket head?
Debatable. aftermarket is expensive, The tools and time to do it yourself are not cheap.

Do I need to consider larger valves, springs etc?
Yes consider it. New valve springs are a good idea. The stock one are fine with an RR. Bigger valve really depends on how far you want to go. You do not need them to make 300 HP

How about fuel pumps and pressure?
A Walbro 190 will do you but the 255 HP isn't that much more. Pressur is controled by the fuel pressure regulator. To change it you have to get an adjustable one.

What pistons, rods, connectors etc. do you recommend?
Are you going to bore it? Get new rod bolts no matter what. Forged pistons are a requirement. How high do you want it to rev?

Finally, will the stock T5 tranny handle an honest 300 HP.
If you don't abuse it.

I'm sure I'm failing to ask about a lot of things I need to know and consider. Any input would be helpful.
Yes and that's normal. Feel free to ask the questions as you think of them, that's why we are here
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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine: Total Seal rings and TRW pistons, ported and polished head w/ cc'd chambers,1.59"exhausts, SS valves, gutted upper, knife edged lower, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, and rod bolts. Walbro 255 HP pump and T-3. Centerforce II, KB subs and jack rails.

[This message has been edited by Pete D (edited 08-24-2001).]

Welcome! As far as the mods are concerned I can make a couple recommendations based on personal experience. First and foremost, though, I recommend going for at least a little suspension work before jacking up the power too much. Everything in my profile I love. Got rid of some crap stuff several times while trying things out and I love the combo. Anyway, I've had nothing put great experience with the keith black forged pistons and would recommend those. Porting the stock head is all good but hard to do. I'd recommend it for sure if you have or can get the tools if not, see if you can find someone to have it done. If you want to set the engine up for revs later gut the upper and port/polish the lower. If you plan to leave it mostly stock, i say half-gut the upper. (2 big runners instead of 4). For a stock motor a fully gutted one will loose too much torque to be worth it. Petes got the stuff covered well so I won't waste time retyping all his recommendations since I like em all. As far as the tranny I run a 5.0 t-5 but the conversion is a pain in the ass. I got hooked up for the parts and a friend did the work for me for free. a 5.0 won't break but the stock one...well...like Pete said...be careful and budget for a new one cuz you'll break if if you're not.

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87 TC 5-Speed. 5.0 T-5, .030 over 2.5 stroker, balanced, blueprinted, studded and strapped. Keith Black Forged Pistons, FMS Valves & FRPP springs. Gutted Upper, knifed lower & E6, Minor Head Porting. Esslinger alum. flywheel, FMS SVO clutch & plate, Esslinger cam pulley, unorthodox pulleys, K&N, VAM Mod, ETS 3" DP, Dual 2.5 dynomax, teflon impeller'd 15k mile IHI, Brembo evolution rotors & 4-piston calipers, HPM Rear lower C. Arms, Griggs front A Arms & K Member, Max. Motorsports Caster/Camber plates, Eibach pro kit, KYB AGX Struts, Tokico shocks & quads, Full KB Subframe, PST Polygraphite all around, Lincoln LSC anti-roll bar (f), 225/50zr16's. 2kWrms Infinity/Clarion Pro Audio Sound System

"Set gillis to Kill, prepare for launch"

Pete an Pathogen,

Thanks for your input. You've both given me some great advice and confirmed some of my own theories. Any further advice is welcome.
Sorry I haven't replied before today. My computer at home is shot and I have to sneak a few moments at work now and then to access the web.

Thanks again!

The stock computer of an 88 is rev limited to 6250. Superchips has a chip that will let you bypass this and the computer out of an 86 SVO (I think) lets the engine rev to 6750. Just some food for thought.

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Kev
88 TC 5spd
K&N in front of the radiator, no mufflers, no cat=straight pipes all the way out the duals, bypassed BCS
Car is all black, no red stripe, blackouts, and chrome duals, red leather interior
Mean Fast and Smooth