CEL3 Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 I was planning on doing the KA swap, but turns out we have a running Ford 2300 turbo out of a thunderbird ( race car parts car ). I've been doing searches and haven't found any threads. If anyone could share a thread or any info on this conversion I'd really appreciate it. Also I might convert it to carburetor. And how much cutting is involved. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
orangie Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Somebody on this forum has done one or starting one. I think they were from Nampa, ID. Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Carbing that motor is a bad idea, it would be sluggish. I have one in an mgb with a cam and big injectors running a modest 12lbs boost, it'll eat up kompressors and Maserati v8 spyders all day. Feed it well with 20lbs boost and they're scary fast. You should do it, it'll be sick as fuck. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Carbing that motor is a bad idea, it would be sluggish. What brought up carb comment. Quote Link to comment
Guest Rick-rat Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 OP's 1st post Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 I stopped at turbo. 1 Quote Link to comment
CEL3 Posted March 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 I know they're fast, my engine builder does a ton of these, and they put out good numbers. Alot of people race them apparently. The reason I'm looking into this engine is I have one behind the shop. The carburetor deal isn't a big deal. I'm wondering if someone has done a build thread. Motor mounts steering column clearance, if you have to cut the fire wall or floor, radiator support... etc etc Quote Link to comment
orangie Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Sorry it was twin falls http://community.ratsun.net/topic/59384-project-trubo-23-turbo-swap/?hl=%2Bford+%2Bturbo&do=findComment&comment=1039577 Quote Link to comment
620Turbo4X4 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 I agree with Dolomite. Don't carb it. My second car ever owned was a opel Kadett with a 2.3 transplanted in it. It first started out stock, till I picked up a carbed 79 mustang turbo setup which was kinda cool, but not that fast. I added water injection started cranking up the boost and eventually blew the turbo. After that, I found a complete 86 SVO setup. The difference between the carb turbo and the EFI was night and day. Huge difference. 140hp. at best carbed vs. 220+ Injected. These engines were popular and used in many types of racing in the day. Not so much now. Esslinger Engineering was the place to go for all the go fast parts 20 years ago. They are nearly out of business now... The wiring was easy. If I remember right there is only one plug that hooks the EFI harness to the chassis harness. I would recommend using a surge tank for the high pressure pump to avoid any fuel interruption issues with the old non-baffled datsun tank... I would think the whole conversion to be easy. The 2.3 already has the rear sump, so you won't have to mess with the steering link like the front sump KA swap. Here's my 2.3 now. Loaded with all the esslinger goodies. ARCA head .680 lift roller cam, JE pistons, crower rods, esslinger crank, the works...The SVO setup went into my 85 ranger. Well over 450 to the wheels... Quote Link to comment
orangie Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 This is funny. Why does the carb discussion keep coming back? This is like dealing with the fish with the short term memory problem in "Finding Nemo". Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 This is funny. Why does the carb discussion keep coming back? This is like dealing with the fish with the short term memory problem in "Finding Nemo". Because he says... The carburetor deal isn't a big deal. It is a big deal if you want good power. EFI is the way to go. The turbo Mustang was a draw through and very limited, probably the worst set up for a carb. Blow through is next best but lots of extra work to box the carb. Quote Link to comment
CEL3 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 So you don't think I'll have any problems with the engine fitting? I know I'll have to cut the radiator support probably. But the steering will have plenty of clearance? And you don't think wiring will be a big deal either? Quote Link to comment
ppeters914 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Oh....my..... Is it smaller or about the same size as the KA? Quote Link to comment
bananahamuck Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Was hell tryin to find this since title change to 5,0 and not SVO :P ,, but here is another in a 521 . http://community.ratsun.net/topic/39311-project-atpwalf-521-50/ Quote Link to comment
620Turbo4X4 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Because he says... It is a big deal if you want good power. EFI is the way to go. The turbo Mustang was a draw through and very limited, probably the worst set up for a carb. Blow through is next best but lots of extra work to box the carb. Exactly. A lot of extra work only to make it perform worse... Then have to deal with jetting issues and hodgepodge some ignition retard system. Not worth it... So you don't think I'll have any problems with the engine fitting? I know I'll have to cut the radiator support probably. But the steering will have plenty of clearance? And you don't think wiring will be a big deal either? I don't think there will be any steering issues. The 2.3 has the bulge for the auxiliary shaft one the side right where the l series smog pump sits. Don't see that being an issue. The radiator support shouldn't be a issue either. Oh....my..... Is it smaller or about the same size as the KA? Don't have a KA here to measure, but I did throw a tape on the 2.3. 25" from back of head to front of water pump. Will be tight, but should fit. Might need two small fans on either side of water pump? 21" from shallow part of pan to top of valve cover. On the t-bird the intake will be the tallest point. Quote Link to comment
620Turbo4X4 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 So you don't think I'll have any problems with the engine fitting? I know I'll have to cut the radiator support probably. But the steering will have plenty of clearance? And you don't think wiring will be a big deal either? And the wiring was easy. The EFI harness was separate from the chassis harness on my SVO. Should be the same on T-bird too. Find a wiring diagram on the net for your year and check it out. Just make sure it's the right model/year. Some of the pin outs changed year to year... Quote Link to comment
CEL3 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 Ok cool, the car I have still has all the wiring and everything. So you think there will be little cutting? What about the firewall? I'm going to put a t5 in it Quote Link to comment
620Turbo4X4 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Shouldn't have to do any cutting. The engine compartment is a little tighter front to back on the 73's vs the later years so you might have to roll the seam where tunnel meets firewall, but that would be about it. My 620 motor home has a Buick v6 mated to Camaro t-5 and the seam was the only tight spot. It also has a bigger bell housing than the 2.3. Height might be a issue with the intake running over the top of valve cover. Ford made a couple different intakes for these with ports arranged inline, and square pattern where upper bolts to lower. With the square pattern the upper can be cut shorter and rotated towards the front and re welded, then run front mount Intercooler which is better anyway. Don't forget about getting a surge tank for your fuel system and a extra low pressure pump to feed it. These old tanks were never intended for injection and have no baffling to keep fuel from sloshing around. Quote Link to comment
CEL3 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 So pretty easy swap ( as easy as it could be I guess ) awesome! I've been wondering how difficult it's going to be. Mine is a 73 btw Quote Link to comment
620Turbo4X4 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I would think so... The clutch might require some thinking... You'll want to use a ford clutch master and adapt it to the datsun. I believe the early T bird and mustangs use a cable which wouldn't work out so well. When I put the SVO in the ranger I switched bell housing to hydraulic, but can't remember what the heck I got if off of though. Sucks getting old... There is defiantly some serious power potential in the 2.3's. The forged Pistons ford used in the turbo engines are strong as hell. The stock heads suck and don't flow well. Esslinger used to make a bolt on aluminum D port head that flowed decent. If you can find one of those on eBay with roller valve train, that would be the shit. With the right turbo and tune 350hp easy. Quote Link to comment
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