The Last 2.3 I will Ever Build...w/ Part Numbers

Its time to slam the 2300GearJammer Mustang back together and get ready for the 2022 season. The uploads will be hitting in rapid fire so check back daily.
#2300gearjammer

[@trashman1694]

You're the only person who's ever convinced me to keep a 2.3 in my ranger 😂

[@2300gearjammer]

🤣 sorry to hear that

[@ChronicallySmokinChronic]

I'm putting a 2.3 turbo from the svo in my 2000 ranger

[@Dvyara]

Is the 2.3 known to be good or bad? I got a mint 97 ranger with a 2.3 and only 100k miles.. in great condition but she is kinda slow for moden traffic. Dont know what to do with her

[@trashman1694]

@@Dvyara The 2.3 is extremely reliable, my 1994 has 333,000 miles on it, but yes it is also extremely slow haha. If you can put up with it being slow it is a great small truck to have since it's so reliable and decent on gas, for a pickup anyway. See what gears are in your rear end, mine has 3.73 but I think 4.10 would be better even with stock size tires.

[@Davidsmith-uu4bl]

I raced the 2 3 for over 25 years on dirt and asphalt tracks I was getting 270 plus hp for less than 1000 in enginge , now that was a few years ago and I used what I could like chevy 202 valves and had a friend with machine shop but I raced same enginge for 5 years only changed oil till someone at track while I was at drivers meeting dropped a handful bbs in it .( I found out who did it 2 weeks later and let them pass on inside then put him in the wall and totaled his car I had change 1 tire valve stem got cut

[@shawnwalsh5430]

I used Esslinger and Racer Walsh back in the 80s for my 2.3. They both know what's going on.

[@spoolinsvt6489]

Just started to get back into my 2.3t stage again, been an ongoing project for the last 10 years with all sorts of other projects between it. You have helped me on many different occasions over the last 14 years. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Keep it up

[@2300gearjammer]

Thanks! Keep at it on yours.

[@kingsautonspeed]

Thanks for the videos, I'm resurrecting an 88 turbo coupe you've convinced me to put a 4-cylinder back in it 👍👏👏

[@2300gearjammer]

Nice! Those are some of the best driving cars I've been in.

[@phillipsgidney9323]

Clicked on this video for some ideas on my 88 turbo coupe! 20 years old,first car I bought out right.

[@joegabriel9803]

can't wait to hear it run!

[@2300gearjammer]

💯 hopefully it doesn't fly apart when I turn the key. 😂

[@brad5316]

I like your style! You would make a great neighbor!

[@CHVLKiD]

And SO glad to see that custom made timing pointer installed 👌🏼👍🏻

[@2300gearjammer]

Don't leave home without it. 💪

[@skylerfisher2934]

*pointed

[@2300gearjammer]

😆😅😂🤣

[@TennesseeArborist]

Man! I just found your channel - I recently bought a Bandit woodchipper with a 2.3 - your videos helped me get that motor rebuilt in no time and timed correctly. Not a lot of great text on this motor that i can find because ive been searching for lsg-423 thanks for your videos

[@2300gearjammer]

😂😂 that makes my day! I saw a floor cleaner last week with a 2.3. Now I just need somebody to comment about a sewage pump. 🤣

[@trashman1694]

As someone that owns a 2.3 ranger and 4.9/300 f150 all I can say is, yup

[@robbie103106]

Excited to see you hit the goal you wrote on the pistons!

[@2300gearjammer]

Either that or the Pistons are going to go flying out. 😂

[@robbie103106]

That’ll make for good content too 😂

[@CHVLKiD]

Dammit!!…more sweet shirts?!? I’m going to need yet another job🤣. Always love the black coupe!!

[@2300gearjammer]

😂 working several jobs is what got me into this whole mess. Save your pennies.

[@dirtyboy8336]

I have a 93 Ford Tempo GL and it haves an 2.3L 4cylinder in it. It’s a really good car for a starter. It’s a lot of Miles on it I wanted to do something to keep it going because Everyone say this is a No good car but it rides extremely good to me to be a slow car. I can say one thing no one never notice me on the road it’s like a ghost car😂😂

[@gravesgarage]

Very cool

[@TurboWorld]

Very Cool.

[@2300gearjammer]

Thanks a ton. 💪

[@eltalleratomico7751]

Love you 🐕

[@2300gearjammer]

🔥🔥🔥

[@markus9333]

Get the 2.5l Ranger block and fit Volvo 16v head on

[@jimmyjimbo61]

So... I've been thinking about building a bad ass lil 2.3L with turbo for years that I can throw in my little MG Midget (yes, its setup for a lot of V8 power as of now). Cam across this video by happenstance and truly enjoyed it. Question's 1. How much "real" power can I get out of a turbo 2.3L for the street? 400, 500, 600HP? And, 2: What cam should I run?

[@LaceyOGrady]

You should give us a dyno video of this motor, or a hot street run. I wanna see it roar.

[@2300gearjammer]

Check out the latest. It's been on the Dyno and new vids weekly.

[@expels]

I have a 2.3 turbo I'm trying to get together for a mustang as well. Your build seems to be going better than mine... I need to figure out what's causing my cylinder leakage, hoping just a valve. Over a 10% variance though. I've been waiting forever to get this thing together though hopefully your videos and updates can guide me a bit in the right direction to getting it together to go a few thousand miles... I'll probably run the stock IHI turbo for a good while

[@2300gearjammer]

That's the one good thing about doing a leak down test. You should be able to figure out where the air is going.

[@2300gearjammer]

Ooh...and I like an IHI and a T3. They are the most fun for daily driving.

[@wagnarangerbrown6744]

Thank you very much for the videos i have a 2.3l ford ranger with a 4 plugs disributor i want to know if the 8 plugs head can work with the distributor 4 plugs

[@stevearreola8217]

You bad ass 👍💪😁😁😎😎👍👍thanks for vids. I'm building a back up. 2.3.

[@oscarwalton1188]

Great Lil engine they had issues with cracking cylinder heads on the early turbo version wich was the bain of tbird and svo mustang owners but overall they were pretty good

[@2300gearjammer]

Yeah even the later ones are tough to find uncracked heads. I think I have a dozen cores and I bet only a few are good if that

[@alexzipp585]

@@2300gearjammer Is there a current aftermarket head to elimate this fear? Esslinger I think is no longer making them. I have a xr4ti project, and I am leaning towards a lsx swap because this head issue.

[@adrianomarques6450]

Dear Congrat about your engine!!!

[@2300gearjammer]

Thanks! 💪🐎🐎🐎

[@adrianomarques6450]

@@2300gearjammer dear I think to use this same project in street, is possible?

[@2300gearjammer]

Yes! This engine vibrates very bad. Other than that it is a great street engine.

[@adrianomarques6450]

@@2300gearjammer dear, how much psi of the boost do you use ? And do you use o stock block? Thanks

[@sebastianpina6909]

I have a 2.3 out of a mustang that we use for off road racing on a ford ranger, and weve been having a lot of issues with the distributor gears breaking, I just saw you mentioned having issues with the stock oil pump, what oil pump would you recommend for my application being N/A?

[@basedroots7857]

New to the foxbody world only 23 but ever since I’ve had a 2.3 I’ve wanted to build it instead of being like everyone else and 302 swapping ur vids give me so many ideas

[@2300gearjammer]

Ha good luck. Use some patience but they can certainly make you a better builder and driver because everything has to be just about perfect or else it's awful 😆

[@erniecochran350]

Look up SVO vs hellcat. The hellcat gets the jump off the line and the 89 mustang 2.3l turbo runs him down and gets 9.5 quarter mile. Then look up 2.3L t-bird drag car..... it runs low 7s.

[@andresm6114]

Hi awesome build, I have a question, there is a small little tank in between the oil filter and the intake manifold I believe is a vacuum Did you put a plug in there? Thank you!

[@2300gearjammer]

Im not a great example for that haha I did delete that metal oil separator can by using an expandable rubber freeze plug from the parts store.

[@user-jr4wz5nc2k]

Can you give us details (dimensions) of the sealing rings? I assume the I.D. is 3.800 and they are .050 tall? but what is the O.D.?

[@gerryseamans7971]

Still watching your video's. Are your engines stock bore or over size . Thanks for your input

[@2300gearjammer]

I do everything .020" overbore.

[@Nitro_John1]

Great video. What turbo/intake will you be running?

[@2300gearjammer]

Borg Warner. I'll try to hit those in the next vid or two.

[@ryansuiter6504]

What is your rpm application for the build? I’m Trying to figure out the advantages and disadvantages between a steel rod and aluminum rod as far as the 2.3. It would be a non aspirated build as well.

[@2300gearjammer]

I launch at 6600 and shift at 7600. The thought behind the alum rods was to keep the stock crank alive. I think for 99% of applications a steel rod would likely be fine

[@only_the_truth_]

why no head studs?

[@thenewBH]

Any street use planned on the aluminum rods? What's their lifespan?

[@2300gearjammer]

GRP said they are good to 200hp per cylinder for about 100 1/4 passes and absolutely zero street use. I ran them through my test driving and through drag week so I was close to 60passes and 1400miles driving. I'll still try them in another engine just to see what's left.

[@eltalleratomico7751]

I got a block that i want to set up just like your's. What would i have to tell the machine shop thats doing the work? Thank you in advanced 😁

[@2300gearjammer]

The main thing. Cut the deck as little as possible just to get it flat, .020" overbore, line hone, cut the crank .010/.010.

[@shaunsavage1726]

I can smoke a cigarette before my rangers hits 60. Good old 2.3

[@2300gearjammer]

Haha maybe a whole pack if it's uphill.

[@gerryseamans7971]

What head is better to start with. I have a 1977 engine with Offy dual plane intake . also have newer head with fuel injection. I'll be using a magnesian super charger.

[@2300gearjammer]

That's hard to answer because they all need a lot of work. I prefer to start with a non turbo, 4 plug, fuel injected iron Dport head. Because there are a bunch of them out there.

[@smokindiesel2650]

Do u use the 8 plug heads an do u run on pump gas also one more question wich is better coil packs or distributor

[@2300gearjammer]

I have an 8plug head on my ranger. I prefer a distributor over anything. It's simple and works.

[@dannygantt5643]

What size bolts are used to bolt pressure plate and what size for bellhousing to the block

[@2300gearjammer]

Ooof that I don't know off the top of my head

[@robertbairt928]

Why the change in top comp ring? Best brand of turbo piston & rings still avail?

[@2300gearjammer]

I think these CP pistons are as good as you can get for a 2.3. I went to a slightly thicker top ring just to try and dissipate heat. The plan is to turn the boost up some.

[@kevinvincent9908]

I'm looking for a ranger engine but sadly live in England 🇬🇧 any good places you know where I can get one ???

[@turbovert8683]

Are the aluminum rods custom made or something u can call grp and order?

[@2300gearjammer]

I forget the fellas name but they had a sales tech help and we got it squared away. This time, I just reordered the same exact set that I got in 2013. Basically I preassemble with a factory rod and measure piston to deck and they use that to build in a little cushion for the Aluminum rods to grow when they are up to temperature.

[@swlhonda1]

Can you just block off the crankcase breter like that?

[@2300gearjammer]

That's still up for debate. I've run it that way for 15years but when I get the pinto together I'll test things like that

[@Z3R0F0CUS]

Do you still have the turbo ranger you had that had the hood liner caught fire from the exhaust side if the turbo? Lol

[@Z3R0F0CUS]

And when are you coming back to Eastside to shut all the honda boys up 🤣

[@2300gearjammer]

Rumor has it that hoodliner is still on fire somewhere 😂 I see Eastside closed now. Dang

[@jvogler_art4708]

do you think the 2.3 lima is better than the 2.3 or 2.5 duratec for building? My goal is a 400-500hp turbo 4 banger in a fox, I don't need 1000hp or anything crazy, just trying to make a predictable fun daily driver. just haven't decided on the engine. Heavily considering a 2.5 duratec with the ford m5od transmission from a ranger.. what do you think of crate/prebuilt engines for what i'm going for?

[@2300gearjammer]

500hp is asking a whole out of Lima. A duratec can make the power but that m5od is going to be hating life haha

[@jvogler_art4708]

@@2300gearjammer lol learned a lot since making that comment. now i'm considering an ecoboost 2.3 and a tremec transmission, possibly even an auto.. 400-500 is a lot to ask for from a daily too. definitely looking for 300-400 territory... ecoboost should do that right out of the box no problem... only problem is reliability. the fox chassis i'm buying comes from an 82 GL i6. the thing is gutless with no power and i probably have to update the whole suspension, drive shaft and rear diff to get it running... also need a k member/mounts for the engine to fit.

[@deanvardy686]

can we have more info on that oil pan baffle pls

[@2300gearjammer]

That's tricky to answer. It's thin sheet with a small hinge l. I got them off eBay a very long time ago. Not sure if they still exist.

[@djlyfe557]

Hey all. Just found your channel. Do you have videos on the 2.3 with 8 spark plugs? Wondering if there any turbos out there that will fit it. Good videos. Been looking at rough t- birds for a swap.

[@2300gearjammer]

My ranger is an 8plug cylinder head but I only use 4. Check out those vids.

[@djlyfe557]

@@2300gearjammer what?! 😳😆 Ok will do, thanks!

[@2300gearjammer]

Budget cuts. I had to sell the other plug wires 😂

[@djlyfe557]

@@2300gearjammer 🤣😳🤔🤣

[@djlyfe557]

I have a 88 super coupe computer. Is it possible to use that with your setup. I got it for a 89 gt escort. 😁

[@67cudaksa34]

i am thinking about building an 88 mustang with the 2300 to rin in nhra stock eliminator. could i ask you question about the build?

[@2300gearjammer]

Shew the stock eliminator is a unique crowd. I envy the stuff those guys figure out. I can try but I might not be much help.

[@67cudaksa34]

@@2300gearjammer tiy know far more than i do on these. any help would be good

[@Zach-sg5uu]

Cork valve cover gaskets are still the best! Because they won’t break seal!

[@Davidsmith-uu4bl]

Rubber better if you glue to cover not block easy to adjust solid lifters and last way longer than cork raced 2.3 for 30 years I clean build 1 blindfolded and I did 1 time to prove it

[@Zach-sg5uu]

@@Davidsmith-uu4bl They last longer for normal people in normal engines. Especially for Ford ranger and other oil pans!! And some transmission pans. They don’t slip out as often as rubber!! Because rubber becomes more slippery!

[@Zach-sg5uu]

@@Davidsmith-uu4bl It could be that a lot of technicians are doing things worse then a Home Technician & Home part installers. There are plenty of certified technicians that do things for five times the cost and half as well in sometimes a third as well as someone working on their car them self who’s not certified and shouldn’t know better than a certified technician. But they’re not doing a very good job much these days!

[@shawnwade302]

I'm considering putting a 2.3 turbo in a 1st gen Mazda Miata.

[@2300gearjammer]

That would be a killer swap.

[@shawnwade302]

@@2300gearjammer years ago I remember drooling when they came out with the monster Miata. A 302 either stock like it came in a mustang or even with lots of performance goodies, it was a serious performance car. Now with today's technology the 2.3 l EcoBoost out of a modern mustang I believe is putting out 310 horsepower and that's quite a bit more than the stock 302 from the mid to late 80s through the 90s . Another thing I like is that you can basically keep the stock suspension if you use a 2.3 EcoBoost or a 2.3 turbo out of a late 80s to early 90s mustang.

[@martywolf1819]

I'm not sure what your trying to do it's just a pricey stock 2.3 right ? I have 2 turbo coupe setups and building a third for a 84 ranger I have one with a 2500 crank offset grind with 5.7 rods I had violia ( I think that's how it's spelt ) alum rods but dropped a valve so so much for those nice light rods

[@2300gearjammer]

Check out the other vids to see what I do with the car. I'll have of drag vids of it up soon. I hope... 😂

[@wvragtopsestep2165]

What kind of power you think will be making? I was wondering what kind of dive ability it will have?

[@2300gearjammer]

That's a really good question. Let's start with idling and not flying apart. Then I'll try to make 200whp. Then 300 and so on. 😂

[@kobracommader]

#500HP2PT3

[@2300gearjammer]

@@kobracommader 🐎🐎point🐎🐎🐎

[@79beans347]

This thing is going to be a beast, running 9s in the 1/8th ......................... I bet you wrote that on the piston . I don't know that is pretty optimistic, 9s in the 1/8th is going to be a challenge in the least but I will be pulling for ya to do it, fingers crossed 🤞🏼🤣😂 nah man if it runs like that one you showed in the video or faster your going to upset the LS fanboys Club by outrunning them with the ford 4banger 🤣😂👍🏽

[@2300gearjammer]

I never know until we get there. Compared to not running for a few years I'd take 9's in the 1/8 😂

[@79beans347]

@@2300gearjammer 😂🤣😂 Its a little better than your personal best in the pinto isn't it?!?🤣

[@2300gearjammer]

@@79beans347 oh yeah. The pinto is half the track away from 9's 😆😆😆 😭

[@79beans347]

@@2300gearjammer 🤣😂🤣😅😝 She'll get there , I think that the distributor is going to need another slight touch towards the advance direction and I believe that she'll do it now, especially since she has had a pound or two in weight reduction since she last ran her personal best, you know that she set 2 personal best in one night so she's on a roll now with all of her powah 💪🏻😎🚙💨💨💨😅🤣😂😝🤣🤪🤪

[@2300gearjammer]

@@79beans347 and if not I'll pour all the nitrous on the east coast at it.

[@esdraszuniga5653]

Can I use a bulid like this on a Ford ranger?

[@2300gearjammer]

Yes. Check out the vids for my ranger too. These engine parts would work on that.

[@JORSOCR]

Leaner meaner!

[@2300gearjammer]

That applies to the driver as well

[@mikes02ls1]

Any chance you plan on building a ranger 2.5 for turbo? I have a 95 ranger that I want to boost it with a T56 trans. Shooting for 600 to the tire. Just have to figure out what EFI system with display.

[@2300gearjammer]

Check the more recent uploads. I have a turbo 93 ranger.

[@mikes02ls1]

I did but I want to see a coil pack truck built like your mustang

[@2300gearjammer]

Ooh gotcha. I've kept the ranger for pretty tough daily work and not done too much for power on that one.

[@mikes02ls1]

I want to do a 2.5 built with a T56 to try for a single digit pass. Need to figure what all the fast Lima engines are using for a stand alone ecu

[@2300gearjammer]

@@mikes02ls1 I'm with you. That's a tough one on the ecu because out of anybody that's been in the 9's or faster, everybody runs a different system. I think 9's would be an awesome goal, it'll be tough to launch and drive though.

[@politicalmechanic9501]

Dang, I told myself not get get back into the 2.3T world but….

[@2300gearjammer]

I can tell you that now if it helps. 😂

[@politicalmechanic9501]

@@2300gearjammer the 89 stang “ Thunderstang” was a quick car but couldn’t get the mega squirt and larger injectors to work right. Used data log viewer and everything but the computer wouldn’t save tunes. Anyways it was just different than what everyone else had and I beat up on a lot of V8’s.

[@billwelter4101]

Any 4-valve heads for that block?

[@2300gearjammer]

There's a Volvo dual cam head that can be made to work. I haven't seen one run hard enough to make it worth the hassle though.

[@markus9333]

​@@2300gearjammerHere one in a drag car over 800hp

[@caseyhunt3602]

Do you think KMAC really loves brandy?

[@2300gearjammer]

You know...people change, people grow. Id like to think at one point he really did. I assume that was before she set his house and car on fire.

[@anthonylittleton7929]

So why the last one to build

[@2300gearjammer]

Hopefully I'll get smart at some point. 😂

[@mchristr]

Instead of the o-ring/gasket trickery, why not just weld the the head to the block? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[@2300gearjammer]

😂 I wouldn't give away all my ideas at once.

[@timothypremo6954]

Arebthe stock cranks forged?

[@2300gearjammer]

Cast. Based on how the parting lines look.

[@timothypremo6954]

I broke multiple 2.2 mopar forged cranks because they dont flex. Never broke a mopar 2.5 or or srt4 2.4 cast crank

[@2300gearjammer]

Wow. What kind of power was it making when it broke?

[@timothypremo6954]

Couldnt pass the 550 mark

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Oh, it's a Lima :/

[@kevinlewis9151]

It's your bill if it works f*** with anybody else thinks

[@2300gearjammer]

💯💯💯💪💪

[@fredfuchs3573]

Don't be a girl better than a 2.3 Mazda in a ranger😁😁

[@2300gearjammer]

😂😂

[@notsogreat123]

Then I guess you''ll have to change your channel name LOL