2.3t questions

Topic: 2.3t questions (Read 9841 times) previous topic - next topic

2.3t questions

August 27, 2007, 09:30:58 AM

There may or may not be another thread that has this info in it, but I have been searching like crazy and can't find the answers to the questions that I have....ok, the skinny, I assume that this motor is stock, what can I do to improve it without dropping serious money into it? I don't wanna race it, just drive it, but right now it is a dog. VERY slow acceleration from a stop, but once it gets up to around 45-55 MPH the turbo spools up very nicely. On initial startup, it will run for a few seconds, then die. repeat this step and it will smooth out and run like normal.(although I don't really know what normal is) I have been reading the chiltons manual that came with it and have decided it is either some kinda of vacuum leak or something with the EGR not working properly. I know nothing about this kind of garbage really, only how to rip that off. But I want it to run good and get good mileage. So, without loosing gas mileage, what can I do to improve and fix that starting problem and the low power on takeoff?
Thanks to all that can help me. The 2.3t is a whole new animal to me.:hick:
brian
*edit* Oh yeah, and from what I can tell it has no intercooler either. Doesn't look like it ever had one. Either that or I don't know where it is. I am sure this would help overall performance?

2.3t questions

Reply #1 – August 27, 2007, 09:48:31 AM

alright. first off, as far as acceleration from a stop... it's an auto car. they're horrible for that. it won't get any better till you're making some serious power. you can turn up the boost a bit with a boost control valve. that'll help a lot in the whole rpm range. search turbo ford for a "gillis valve". that'll be a good initial mod. if you've got a vacuum leak, it needs to be fixed. your car won't be making the power that it can with a leak. boost will take the path of least resistance and a leak would be it. next would be exhaust... the factory exhaust on 2.3t cars sucks. start with a k&n cone and the gillis valve and you'll be much happier.... temporarily. lol.

2.3t questions

Reply #2 – August 27, 2007, 09:56:20 AM

So my acceleration from a stop will always suck?! IT WON"T EVEN SPIN THE TIRES ON DIRT!

2.3t questions

Reply #3 – August 27, 2007, 10:04:38 AM

it will if you brake boost. my last turbo coupe was an 85 auto and it would NEVER spin the tires. then again, it was bone stock. once you get the power levels up a bit, she'll scoot from a stop. ford limited the boost on the auto cars for the sole purpose of longevity of the a4ld transmission. what they don't tell you is that you can easily put a LOT more power through it without hurting it.... as long as you keep it cool. for anyone with an auto car, i suggest running an efficient tranny cooler. you'll thank me for it, trust me.

2.3t questions

Reply #4 – August 27, 2007, 10:06:28 AM

In other words, time for T-5 swap!!!

2.3t questions

Reply #5 – August 27, 2007, 10:09:09 AM

It has a trans cooler on it already. Looks like it came on it stock. I tried brake boosting it, but didn't want to push anything because I don't "know" the car yet. So you haven't commented on the no intercooler yet......

2.3t questions

Reply #6 – August 27, 2007, 10:13:47 AM

Do a tune-up and run codes before you go any further. That will most likely solve your start problem.

On the exhaust, get a real one. For most turbofords a single 3" is plenty. Might be a little much for your power goals though. At the very least a 3" DP and cat followed by a 2-1/2" single cat back should do you fine and not "cost" you any power at your level. Be sure to get a straight-through ler, no chambered ones. To help spool, replace the stock E3 exhaust manifold with one of the later E6's. You can sometimes even find one that has been ported. Obviously there are aftermarket options, but no need for them at your goals.

Upping the boost to about 15# will help with power w/o streesing the trans too much. If you're concerned, add an auxillary cooler. I swapped a T5 into mine because I hate autos. You have the smaller injectors, so you can't go too far.

An open cone filter into the hot engine was will NOT help you at all. Either find a way to route it into the fender (I ran mine there) or box it off from the rest of the engine bay. Otherwise just run a K&N in the stock airbox.

There was no intercooler stock.

There are also the options of adding an IC and upgrading to the later ECUs and larger air meters.

2.3t questions

Reply #7 – August 27, 2007, 10:22:50 AM

I have a big vam if you become interested in going that route that chuck mentioned

2.3t questions

Reply #8 – August 27, 2007, 10:26:27 AM

Quote from: daboss351;172314

I have a big vam if you become interested in going that route that chuck mentioned

No sense in complicating the issue at this point. He needs to figure out what to do with what he has first

2.3t questions

Reply #9 – August 27, 2007, 10:41:12 AM

I also say to brake boost that cat on take off. I kinda have to feather the clutch in my turbo coupe to get it to really take off quick. As for the manual boost controller don't buy one when you can build one. Look here http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=59089. I'd tell you to do a good tune up using NGK, Autolite, or Motorcraft plugs. Maybe throw in a new set of wires good ones. Maybe takeoff the IAC and clean that out really good. Also not sure what it is worth but some of the XR4TI's and such came with a intercooled pipe. Basiclly the pipe you have on there now with some heat sinks welded on. If anything get a front mount intercooler. The top mount is kinda a heater when you are going slow.

2.3t questions

Reply #10 – August 27, 2007, 10:44:22 AM

chuck went into a bit more detail then i did, but what he said pretty much backs up what i said. i do agree with him that you should run codes first and get all your "issues" squared away first. start with a good running motor before you mod it.
as for the parts that he recommended, he's right on the money. stinger performance has a real nice exhaust for our cars that includes a 3" down elbow and pipe, along with the full 3" system. stay away from ANY chambered ler... they're way too restrictive. for the exhaust manifold, let me know if you want a ported e6, i've got 3 of them. as for the injectors, i just sold my last spare set of brown tops (35#'rs that cam stock in the 87-88 turbocoupes.). they can usually be had for less then $100. the la3 computer coupled with the 35# injectors and a big vam, will be a nice upgrade a little later on.
as far as intercooler, only the 87-88 turbocoupes and the svo mustangs came with the intercooler. if it weren't for the fact that your compressor housing has the bolt on it, you could easily just bolt a stock turbocoupe intercooler on there, but being that it does, you'd either have to swap turbos, compressor housings, or cut the off to use an intercooler.

2.3t questions

Reply #11 – August 27, 2007, 11:12:39 AM

The 2.3Ts I've owned that had EVERYTHING verified as OK and still died on cold start, needed the injectors cleaned... Fixed two that had this problem after the weak fuel pump was replaced(Yours is pulling OK at higher RPM so I don't suspect the pump)...

For the turbo lag, this was the bitch of every test I've ever seen on the early cars with the T3... Everyone will scream, but IF you want a nice driver and aren't interested in all out HP, swap to a smaller unit... That's Ford's reasoning on the '87-'88 which have almost no lag... The intercooler doesn't do a thing for low speed performance, just cools the charge so higher boost levels can be used... The ones on the '87-'88 probably add heat when the car is puttering around in traffic... Only above 40mph can I see it as a benefit...

2.3t questions

Reply #12 – August 27, 2007, 12:47:15 PM

Also on a side note the Manual Boost Controller would help with some of getting boost a little quicker. With the MBC it has to move the ball bearing inside before any boost reaches the waste gate actuator.That makes the actuator say full seated until BAM it slams open the ball and reaches the actuator. That makes for peak boost quicker. Not much but everything helps.

2.3t questions

Reply #13 – August 27, 2007, 01:55:30 PM

:shoothead
ok, so tonight I will try and find out the starting problem. And, unfortunately, I am not too familiar with all this IAC and what not. But, as Chuck stated, get it running, and I will go from there. How do I do that code check with this car? Just in case after the tune up it still has the problem. And also, keeping that catalytic converter is a must? It is huge and takes up alot of room right behind the trans. Or does the 3" come with a different one? I hate asking such obvious questions for you guys but I know jack and shiznit about 4 cylinders. Thanks to all that gave advice. I'll PM you Turboranger about that e-6 when I get home from work. Thanks again!
brian

2.3t questions

Reply #14 – August 27, 2007, 01:59:44 PM

As far as the cat goes, whats your local emissions like? If you need to have it you can gut it, or buy a high flow cat.