2.3 stroker?

Topic: 2.3 stroker? (Read 3797 times) previous topic - next topic

2.3 stroker?

November 25, 2011, 02:16:15 AM

i posted this over at NATO, as well.. posting here to get more opinions and possibly shed light on the subject for other guys with 2.3T's

Quote

Originally posted by Shadow:
i'm not posting this in the thread for my TC, because i figure there may be some controversy behind this.. buuuut..

randomly browsing ebay, i found this auction (link below) for a 99 ranger 2.5 crank and it states 'Make a stroker motor 2300cc to 2500cc!!! Use the small main caps to make a un-spinable main bearing insert using a stronger turbo large main journal block with the small main caps and 1/2 the bearing inserts'

is this plausible? it sounds a bit, well. really fishy with the 'single bearing insert' idea.. but would it work with the stock turbo main caps/bearings? and if so, what rods/pistons would be used?

i've never really heard of a 2.3 stroker, but as i've stated before, i'm new to these motors. this might be something i'd be interested in building, as i'm big on sbf strokers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-2-5-stroker-crankshaft-2-3-turbo-2300-mini-stock-/160486515409?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item255dbde2d1

2.3 stroker?

Reply #1 – November 25, 2011, 06:00:50 AM

I know a lot of guys that race a four cylinder, rearwheel drive class on dirt tracks around here. Most use the mustang's w/ 2.3L and stroke them to 2.5L.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #2 – November 25, 2011, 06:27:34 AM

i know a few guys around here that run the 4cyl stock class, but they're just that.. stock >:l

2.3 stroker?

Reply #3 – November 25, 2011, 09:22:08 AM

Yeah.....this is a similar class. Basically stock other than what you can sneak by.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #4 – November 25, 2011, 09:32:50 AM

they're not allowed to do anything except tuning and efi to carb swaps (which is actually mandatory).. they're allowed to upgrade the fuel system, but only to a small extent..

if this 2.5 ranger stuff is compatible with the TC 2.3T block, i think i'll start collecting parts over the spring/summer.. i also read somewhere that you can upgrade and run a DOHC head? that really makes me a little leary, but if it's possible and a healthy upgrade, i'm all for doing it next winter

2.3 stroker?

Reply #5 – November 25, 2011, 11:10:40 AM

Define "compatible"? To run the 2.5 crank requires using the main caps from a small journal block (which started in 88 with the Ranger), or using a small journal block. If you want to run just the main caps and a set of bearing spacers on a large journal turbo block, figure in the cost of a line bore at the machine shop to ensure everything will live happily. Using the small journal block required finding one that will clean up with a .010 or .020 overbore. You really can't go any larger on the later model blocks as the cylinder walls get thin.
Custom pistons are a must, at $550+ for a set. At least with the custom piston, you can specify what rod length you will be running, although anything over 5.2" (stock 2.3 length) puts the oil ring groove in the piston pin bore, which isn't real desirable.
As for the DOHC conversion, that uses a Volvo cylinder head. Info on that swap is pretty easy to come by. If you can't do your own fabrication, it gets pretty pricey. I've got a few of the heads stashed away, and I've converted two so far. There's also a method that some guys have used where they modify the block instead of the head, which has worked out well. You will need to fab up your own intake/fuel rail, and exhaust header. While the head does flow really well, it is fabrication intensive. Some people will say it's not worth the gain over a pro-ported stock iron head, but if you can do the fab work yourself, it does end up cheaper.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #6 – November 25, 2011, 12:24:31 PM

so more on this DOHC swap.. what needs to be modified on the head/block to be compatible? and how much of a gain is it over a stock head? building a header/intake/fuel rain shouldn't bee too difficult of a task.. i've built headers before and an intake shouldn't be too different, aside from the obvious 'bungs' and throttle body plate.. that might be something i want to look into building, even if i stay with the SOHC head, since there are zero (at least that i have found) aftermarket intakes for these motors

2.3 stroker?

Reply #7 – November 25, 2011, 01:26:07 PM

The hard part is getting the crank to work right. I havent researched it past needing crank spacers and stuff. The rods and pistons are easy. Just go to bo-port.com and order his 2.5L cp pistons and the 5.5" rods and you're all set.

You can go to turboford.org and research it some more too

2.3 stroker?

Reply #8 – November 25, 2011, 01:31:53 PM

Look up 2.3 Turbo with Volvo head on YouTube. There are several people on there that dospoogeented their Volvo head modification. The Volvo head is too short to cover the rear coolant passages, so there is some simple fabrications to solve that.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #9 – November 25, 2011, 03:38:55 PM

You can get stroker kits from Esslinger and Racer Walsh for large journal blocks, They're high dollar. I think they make one for the tall deck turbo block that strokes it to 2600CC. Im not sure but I think they make thick bearings for the 2.5 crank so that you dont need spacers. If I were going to run a different head Id get the aluminum D-port head from Esslinger. They're cheaper than volvo head after all the custom you'd have to pay for. Cams are alot cheaper for the 2.3 than the volvo too.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #10 – November 25, 2011, 05:51:37 PM

Quote from: Bruce M;373828

If I were going to run a different head Id get the aluminum D-port head from Esslinger. They're cheaper than volvo head after all the custom you'd have to pay for. Cams are alot cheaper for the 2.3 than the volvo too.

If you can do your own fab work, the Folvo swap comes in ALOT cheaper than any Esslinger aluminum head ever will. As far as cams go, just have the stock Volvo cams reground and shim the buckets to compensate. Costs under $200, with shipping both ways, to have them regound. Add a few more dollars for the correct shims. Or you could just get the Volvo Penta Z cams that have a bit more lift and duration for right at $300. The come up for sale frequently. Either way, much cheaper than a roller cam for a Ford 2.3. Not to mention no has truly maxed out the stock Volvo cams anyway.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #11 – November 25, 2011, 07:51:08 PM

I didnt say anything about roller cams, my crane cam was under $200. You can also find Ford racing roller cams cheap. A good solid roller set up can get up to $1000 fast. Im just a big fan of the factory design, And in my opinion a CNCed aluminum straight port esslinger head will make more power then the volvo, there is just too much after market go-fast parts for the 2.3. Just my opinion.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #12 – November 25, 2011, 08:04:00 PM

In my opinion, using anything other than a roller cam in a daily/street driven Ford 2.3 isn't desirable. Mini-stock racing is a different story, most classes are prohibited from running rollers. As for the old Ford Racing rollers, guys have made decent power with them, but nothing earth shattering. They've been replaced with more modern designs, especially for turbo use.
I've been bit twice by py factory slider cams. Never again. You want to run a slider, go ahead. Not me. There's several good reasons rolller cams are used to make big power.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #13 – November 25, 2011, 08:48:04 PM

Rollers are better, but as long as you break the cam in right and not run too much spring pressure, they're fine. I ran a Crane .510" cam with 90 pounds of spring pressure for 5 years with no trouble and that was with 7K rpm pulls.

2.3 stroker?

Reply #14 – November 25, 2011, 10:26:34 PM

Quote from: Bruce M;373828

If I were going to run a different head Id get the aluminum D-port head from Esslinger. They're cheaper than volvo head after all the custom you'd have to pay for.

i've seen the price on esslinger aluminum heads, i don't think so.. lol and pay for the fab work? nooo.. i do ALL of my own fab work, except what needs to be machined.. i do it for a living

i'll do some research and see if i can find some HP/TQ numbers for people running the volve head.. if they're not that impressive, i'll just port the living hell out of my head, build my own intake and header and call it a day with a boport cam.. of course, doing all that work, i may rebuild/machine the head and go bigger than the 1.9 ;)