StreetStangs.net - View Single Post

shiftless · 11-23-2006, 01:09 PM

Here's my list, in order of importance and "bang for your buck". Detailed instructions for each of these can be found on TurboFord.org:

#1 -- 3" downpipe. Mandrel bent if possible, but crush bent is fine. This makes a HUGE difference. For best results, use with a free flowing (straight through) 3" muffler such as a Magnaflow, Borla XR1, Dynomax, etc. The turbo will spool up a LOT faster and you will gain quite a bit of power.

#2 -- boost controller, such as the one like this (http://www.3barracing.com/product_7.htm) or this (http://www.boostvalve.com). This will greatly improve your spool up time as well and enable you to easily turn up your boost.

#3 -- Disconnect knock sensor. The 2.3's knock sensor has the bad habit of falsely detecting knock and pulling out timing when it shouldn't. Just run good gas and keep your ears open when tuning.

#4 -- Advance initial timing to 12-14*. This must be done with the SPOUT connector (the little plug just off the ignition module) disconnected. If it pings, back it off a hair until it quits pinging.

#5 -- Turn up boost. If you have a non intercooler car, you may be able to run 15 psi or so, maybe a little less, without pinging. Intercooled cars (87-88 TC, SVO) can be safely turned up to 18 psi.

#6 -- Install a front mount intercooler and plumb it in. A good choice for Fox body cars (SVO, T-bird) is the Isuzu NPR intercooler. It will bolt in very easily. Not only will you gain a good bit of power just from the intercooler, you will also be able to turn your boost up for even more power. 87-88 TCs shouldn't exceed 18 psi, but all other cars (with the T3 turbo) can be turned up to 24. Better install some "oh s--t" handles.

Those are the basic ones you can do without much money or a lot of work. If you are handy with a die grinder, here are a few more you can do:

#7 - Port the exhaust manifold. The main area to work on is the plenum where it dumps into the turbo. Hog the s--t out of it, radius the turns, and smooth it out good. There will be noticeable gains in spoolup time and power.

#8 - Gut the upper intake and "knife edge" the lower. By knife edge, I mean smooth it out so that air can flow smoothly into the four individual runners. There will be a slight loss in low end power but big gains in top end power.

Well, there is more you can do. You can port the head, install a good cam, better valve springs, etc. But this list ought to get you started and keep you busy for a while. If you do everything on the list, you will see BIG gains in power, and you don't have to spend much money to do it either.

11-23-2006, 01:09 PM	#3
shiftless Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gadsden, AL Posts: 21	Here's my list, in order of importance and "bang for your buck". Detailed instructions for each of these can be found on TurboFord.org: #1 -- 3" downpipe. Mandrel bent if possible, but crush bent is fine. This makes a HUGE difference. For best results, use with a free flowing (straight through) 3" muffler such as a Magnaflow, Borla XR1, Dynomax, etc. The turbo will spool up a LOT faster and you will gain quite a bit of power. #2 -- boost controller, such as the one like this (http://www.3barracing.com/product_7.htm) or this (http://www.boostvalve.com). This will greatly improve your spool up time as well and enable you to easily turn up your boost. #3 -- Disconnect knock sensor. The 2.3's knock sensor has the bad habit of falsely detecting knock and pulling out timing when it shouldn't. Just run good gas and keep your ears open when tuning. #4 -- Advance initial timing to 12-14*. This must be done with the SPOUT connector (the little plug just off the ignition module) disconnected. If it pings, back it off a hair until it quits pinging. #5 -- Turn up boost. If you have a non intercooler car, you may be able to run 15 psi or so, maybe a little less, without pinging. Intercooled cars (87-88 TC, SVO) can be safely turned up to 18 psi. #6 -- Install a front mount intercooler and plumb it in. A good choice for Fox body cars (SVO, T-bird) is the Isuzu NPR intercooler. It will bolt in very easily. Not only will you gain a good bit of power just from the intercooler, you will also be able to turn your boost up for even more power. 87-88 TCs shouldn't exceed 18 psi, but all other cars (with the T3 turbo) can be turned up to 24. Better install some "oh s--t" handles. Those are the basic ones you can do without much money or a lot of work. If you are handy with a die grinder, here are a few more you can do: #7 - Port the exhaust manifold. The main area to work on is the plenum where it dumps into the turbo. Hog the s--t out of it, radius the turns, and smooth it out good. There will be noticeable gains in spoolup time and power. #8 - Gut the upper intake and "knife edge" the lower. By knife edge, I mean smooth it out so that air can flow smoothly into the four individual runners. There will be a slight loss in low end power but big gains in top end power. Well, there is more you can do. You can port the head, install a good cam, better valve springs, etc. But this list ought to get you started and keep you busy for a while. If you do everything on the list, you will see BIG gains in power, and you don't have to spend much money to do it either.