Ford 2.3 Turbo guys in here

I'm gathering parts for my first turbo lima. I will be doing internals so I was wondering if the NA blocks have the turbo oil drain back on the side of block. Also, What in the hell is a slider cam?

No on the NA blocks. But you can dump into the pan instead.

Slider cam is a flat tappet cam equivalent. The follower is a "flat" hard surface, no roller. Reason for the ranger cam is a very common upgrade, as it is a roller.

Alright, whats the best NA head? I pulled a head off my old 88 TC and it was cracked. Is there a preferred block? is the ranger 2.5 crank worth it?

found a website called therangerstation and its got a lot of cylinder head info

Yeah, TheRangerStation has some good tech.

I'm swapping this into my old four eye fox. Its a base model stripper hatch that I snagged for 100 bucks. its a four speed stick and should be a light weight. <img src="" />

5 lug swap, or are those some cheap hubcaps?

What trans you putting behind it? Turbo? Intercooler? Engine Management?

IIRC the 4-speeds don't handle a whole lot of power and the ratios suck. 1:1 is 3rd, not 4th (i.e. 3spd + OD).

Maroon92 wrote: 5 lug swap, or are those some cheap hubcaps?

Cheap hub caps, its four lug. I haven't done anything to the car. that picture is how it was when I bought it

Raze wrote: What trans you putting behind it? Turbo? Intercooler? Engine Management?

Its has a T-4. But I'm searching for a cheap WC t-5. I have a T-56 off a LT1 but it will cost alot to swap it to the ford and I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway

and I'm MS'ing this thing. its carbed ATM

Blitzed306 wrote: Its has a T-4. But I'm searching for a cheap WC t-5. I have a T-56 off a LT1 but it will cost alot to swap it to the ford and I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway

I have a WC T5 from an 88 Turbo Coupe I would trade you for the T56 from the LT1.

Javelin wrote:

Blitzed306 wrote: Its has a T-4. But I'm searching for a cheap WC t-5. I have a T-56 off a LT1 but it will cost alot to swap it to the ford and I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway

I have a WC T5 from an 88 Turbo Coupe I would trade you for the T56 from the LT1.

I can't PM you for some reason. List of other parts from the TC would be nice. I also have a pro 5.0 shifter that would be going with the T-56

I have the shifter, clutch fork, and some other random bit. Haven't owned any TC's in 3 years, but I still have some parts for them.

Shoot me an email: amx310 AT gmail DOT com

Also, How much cash for the t-5? the T56 is in storage and 6 hours away. I'm trying to find the cheapest option here

also try ranger powersports forum lots or lima fans

WC T5 from TC = very short 1st gear, better check your rear end to see if it'll be ok, we have it in our XR4 which has a really short gear in the rear so our 1st is silly...

Blitzed306 wrote: Alright, whats the best NA head? I pulled a head off my old 88 TC and it was cracked. Is there a preferred block? is the ranger 2.5 crank worth it?

2.5 Crank wont clear the pan rails on a 2.3. You would need the 2.5 block and the structural oil pan and pick up. I designed the pan and pick up. Not shure if the pan will fit a car. Dont remember but I think the rods and pistons were different to. We did do some testing with the twin plug head and a turbo and it was a great improvement over the old pinto head. Ford shut it down though as did they with the split port head I did for the 2.3 / 2.5 along with a short and long runner Tickford inspired intake.

Raze wrote: WC T5 from TC = very short 1st gear, better check your rear end to see if it'll be ok, we have it in our XR4 which has a really short gear in the rear so our 1st is silly...

I'd love to snag that t-5 for the right price/trade

Thanks for the info Turbo, I'll look into all this more tomorrow

In a light car going with the V8 WC T5 is a better choise IMO. Most came with a 3.35 first but there is a 2.95 first version but I think is was only sold as a trans, not installed in any car that I know of. The input shaft is a bit shorter and thicker.then the 4 cyl. one. I fixed this by turning the V8 imput shaft down on a lathe, it's easy to remove, and got a special bearing to install in the end of the crank. It was a roller bearing just like the stock one but it stuck out about a 1/2 inch which was enough to support the imput shaft of the V8 T5.

V8 T5s have better torque rating but 4cyl turbo T5s are close (internals can be upgraded to match or exceed) and mate up directly, w/o any bushings or input changes, we haven't blown apart our used T5 (over 160k miles on it, syncros into reverse are buggared) and we can still put 30psi through our 2.3T and it hangs on all day. For the price/ease I think it's simpler just to get 4cyl Turbo T5s but gear ratio is the tough part, since most 4cyl T5s which are cheap come from TurboCoupes you get a junk 1st gear, SVOs have the desireable gearing but are hard to come by. Course this can all be metered out by swapping guts or upgrading to a V8 T5, just thought I'd share.