Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: RareBreed 5.0 on March 02, 2009, 10:40:57 AM

Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: RareBreed 5.0 on March 02, 2009, 10:40:57 AM
I have a nonturbo 2.3, 3.8 v6 and a 5.0 witch one will make the most horse power with out blowing the motor? I was thinking of putting a BIG turbo on the 2.3 and modding the  out of it, but i was wanting to know witch is the best?
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on March 02, 2009, 06:50:00 PM
Don't even think about blowing on a NA 2.3, the cast pistons won't stand more than 4-5lb boost...

A HO 5.0 with forged pistons(pre '93)will stand enough boost to split the block...

I'd use the 3.8 as a urinal...
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 02, 2009, 07:40:14 PM
I agree 100%

Did you know the rods on turbo 2.3s are Boss 302 rods?
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: V8Demon on March 02, 2009, 07:42:10 PM
Quote
A HO 5.0 with forged pistons(pre '93)will stand enough boost to split the block...

The post '93 pistons will in most cases as well....Nitrous may be another story.
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: gumby on March 02, 2009, 08:02:30 PM
i heard the wicked witch of the west is one mean bitch :hick:


FWIW, its not the boost level that hurts NA 2.3 pistons, its generally poor tuning. ive seen a couple combos that "shouldnt" work, but did with very watchful tuning
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: t3skidoo on March 02, 2009, 08:27:56 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;259262

A HO 5.0 with forged pistons(pre '93)will stand enough boost to split the block...


Which is more, or less, power than can be had from a 2.3?
.
.
.
Or shorter Gumby, "which witch is which?"
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Cougar5.0 on March 02, 2009, 09:25:35 PM
Quote from: gumby;259273
i heard the wicked witch of the west is one mean bitch :hick:


Beat me to it, but I came with a picture :rollin:

(http://www.poddys.com/jokes/cartoons/halloween/the_witch.jpg)
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: 86Tbuzzard on March 03, 2009, 01:09:30 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;259262

I'd use the 3.8 as a urinal...


$50 fine for eating the mint in there:toilet:
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Cougar5.0 on March 03, 2009, 04:31:46 PM
Quote from: 86Tbuzzard;259355
$50 fine for eating the mint in there:toilet:


Oh, are they really mints? :toilet::catbang:
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: V8Demon on March 03, 2009, 04:49:59 PM
You've eaten them before, haven't you??
:hick:
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 03, 2009, 05:49:40 PM
Don't eat it! They are not as good as people say...
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Cougar5.0 on March 03, 2009, 06:38:06 PM
But... But... what about the minty fresh breath they give you :)
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Haystack on March 03, 2009, 08:56:52 PM
a stock 2.3 will be able to handle more power, but would be alot harder to drive, find parts for, and probably more expensive. The 302 can withstand as much as you want to throw at it, if its aftermarket.
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 03, 2009, 08:59:18 PM
Quote from: Cougar5.0;259377
But... But... what about the minty fresh breath they give you :)


Its all a lie! Not as good as advertised!
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: JeremyB on March 04, 2009, 10:25:49 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;259262
I'd use the 3.8 as a urinal...

2.3 - retired 1997
5.0 - retired 2001
3.8 - retired 2007

5.0 - 47 hp/L
2.3 - 49 hp/L
3.8 - 53 hp/L

What other useless metrics can I come up with? :hick:
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Chuck W on March 04, 2009, 12:10:09 PM
Quote from: JeremyB;259469
2.3 - retired 1997
5.0 - retired 2001
3.8 - retired 2007

5.0 - 47 hp/L
2.3 - 49 hp/L
3.8 - 53 hp/L

What other useless metrics can I come up with? :hick:


Actally in its max stock form (the 2.3T) the 2.3 output was 85 hp/L in the TC and 91 hp/L in the SVO ;)
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: jangus on March 04, 2009, 12:24:48 PM
Quote from: Haystack;259401
a stock 2.3 will be able to handle more power, but would be alot harder to drive, find parts for, and probably more expensive. The 302 can withstand as much as you want to throw at it, if its aftermarket.


2.3T's are not that hard to shop for. Several companies stock some serious parts for them.  My stock short block in the TC can handle 500 horse all day long. Mines not there, but they can. A stock 302 is living on borrowed time at that level.
Not to mention, my TC  is basically normally aspirated until I feel like spooling the turbo up, which helps with the milage.
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: Chuck W on March 04, 2009, 12:53:01 PM
The 2.3T mileage thing is a myth...and this coming from a guy who likes them.  Around town they will do no better than a 5.0.  They can pull down some decent numbers on the interstate though (30-ish).  They need to be in boost a lot around town, esp to get a heavy car like the later TC's underway.
Some of the issue is in the stock tune.  They are overly rich in factory trim.  When you can get in a tweak things a bit that improves.
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: jangus on March 04, 2009, 03:15:42 PM
I've managed a best of 20.3mpg on a tank with only city driving on it with my 88TC 5speed. Truth be told, I was rather well behaved, and stayed out of boost for the most part. My normal mileage is around 18mpg, which is much better than my sons 5.0 has ever gotten. Both are kept in good tune.
The TC is just a big car with a 4cylinder if you can keep your foot out of it. If you insist upon using it's full potential every time you take it out (and we all know it's fun) milage is going to suffer.
This is my first TC, I have no experience with the earlier cars.
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: V8Demon on March 04, 2009, 04:46:27 PM
I average 21-22 MPG with my H/C/I 5.0 with 3.45's out back and a 26" tall tire...That's my combined average....Most of it highway, about 65%

I'm NOT gentle....
Title: Witch will handle the most Hp?
Post by: 86Tbuzzard on March 05, 2009, 10:03:53 AM
Quote from: V8Demon;259362
You've eaten them before, haven't you??
:hick:


i'm not at liberty to say...