I am going to the junkyard in a week or two to pick up a new 2.3l block to build the turrbo motor off of since I have had a really long wait for the manifold. I am running boost and nitrous so I figured it owuld be who of me to have an extra motor laying around. What I am going to do is build this one with the new head and custom manifolds and the turbo system all hooked up and then swap the whole motor in which should cut down the down time for the install. I am wondering which 2.3l block would be best to use. I can get them with relatively low milage of ANY type. I want the LO block to keep 9.5:1 compression. I was thinking I should get a block from one of the SOHC quads since there is no way it could have been pushed as hard in it's life. I am pretty sure it is the same block and it has the same 2.3l oil pump as the 2.4 guys swap to with no balance shafts so I figured I may actually see some gain from it. What do you guys think? Are there any extra sensors I would need to make this block work with OBD2? Thanks in advanced guys!
Cardomain|
Myspace
You want a 442 block or 326 block.
The problem with the 927 block is that it has probably seen way more coolant leaks than any other block. So the oil pump would probably be worst than a Dohc 2.3. And the other component may be worn.
The 326 and 442 block have been use in the Ho and the Lo and the it's suppose to have a better oil system. The blocks are stronger too.
So I would say find a 90-94 Lo. You'll have the Ho manifold on some of the Lo and you can get the 086 head too.
As for the sensor, you won't have anything to modify from what I can see. the cam sensor is on the cam housing so it's no problem. The crank position sensor seem to use the same plug on the 2.3 and the 2.4.
I'll build a 2.4/2.3 too. I'll find a 2.4 in a junk yard and I'll build it slowly with all the love I can give to it.
But why find a Lo when you're going to change the pistons? Btw, the OHC engine are probably the engine with the most wear.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
Just like Gille's said.... the 442 block is the strongest you'll find in the 2.3
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This is not for the hybrid. Sorry Gilles, I thought I had given you an update. I am still building my 2.4/2.3 hybrid motor. I am no changing the pistons with this lower end. I am doing this small swap for now until my hybrid motor is done. The plan was to get accustomed to nitrous and turbos before I decide what direction to go with the computers. Right now I am trying out a Greddy rebic 3 extra injector controller with the rebic 3 simmulator and the MSD programmable DIS-2. I want to see what kind of numbers this combo can throw down, then I am going to throw on the nitrous as soon as I put the base set-up on the dyno and see where I can use it to help me out. But anyway, I am using the 086 head with this motor, but I wanted to use an LO block to keep 9.5:1 compression. I am not replacing the pistons in this block. I am keeping it exactly how I pull it and throwing the head I got on it. The reason I am taking an older 2.3 block is to get rid of the balance shafts and have the better oiling system. I figured since I bought an 086 head I might as well have a whole spare working engine laying around too. It has to have the LO pistons in it though. I am going to hone the cylinder walls with the pistons at BDC and take a ridge reamer to the top but that is going to be it as far as block work goes. I don't want to take the crank or anything off this block. Thanks for the info though though Gilles. I am going to take your advice and look 90-94 and see what I can find. By the way, know anything about the torque converters that they use in the quads? Will the one from a 3-spd work in a 4T40-E 4-spd? Is it any smaller and if so, can it still take as much abuse? I figured if it was smaller and would still match the 4-spd input shaft, I may be able to get better launches with it. Thanks again for the info about the years.
Cardomain|
Myspace
You probably wont even need a ridge reamer.... I've taken apart atleast 6 different Quad's that had over 150,000 miles on all of them, with no ridge at all and cylinders that looked really good. A buddy of mine pulled his at 285,000miles and no ridge, actually when he took it to the machine shop they were amazed at how little wear was in the bores and didn't have to do much at all to clean it up, just a quick honing operation.
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^^^ That's cool. I have one if it comes up that I actually have a ridge to cut off. I think I am going to look for a 1990 grand am vin D or something with the 442 block and what not. It might be hard to find. If I can't find on eI will just take what I can get. I have another question about the SOHC quads. They use the same blocks as the vin A and vin D motors of the same years from 92-94. That means that have the same head patterns and same head gaskets. Where are the coolant leaks that you are talking about come from? I wasunder the impression that the engine is less pwoerfull and therefore would have less stress throughout the engine because of it?
Cardomain|
Myspace
Is it a good answer?
Yes for the 92+ block but the 326 and 442 blocks were the racing block don't forget. Better desing and power in mind, not Customer happyness.
I will go for an Hybrid engine. I'll build one but I'll take my time since the engine I have now only has 1500km and the turbo is on it.
And yes the 2.3 block are really good even with high mileage. I only had a .003 to .006 wear on mine when I took it appart at 240 000km.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
^^^welll that is a good enough answer for me. I wasn't aware that the head sucked so much. I guess I have competition now for my high boost hybrid motor. If you want to bore your 2.4 block 2mm over and have roughly 8.3:1 compression, want to order pistons at the same time as me so we can get a discount? I'm taking my time too.... mostly because of money. I am saving right now for the 2.3 pump conversion and the sleeves with the 2mm larger bore (2.5L). If you are interested also, I am going to try and find a few people who are willing to buy forged cranks for the 2.4 with me. We have to have them specially made and will cost about $2.5k alone (I checked). If we get a few orders we might be able to drive the price down to around 1.5k. My fingers are crossed on that one
Cardomain|
Myspace
I'm not in for the crank.
But for the pistons, why have some custom made 2.4 pistons? Buy a set of 2.3 pistons. Cheaper than custom and still easy to find.
But I will go with High compression for sure. 11.4 is around what I want. 11:1 is the lowest I'll go. I want to be around 11-12 :1. High but I can run it with race gas or 94 octane.
So if there's enough meat on the 2.4 block to put sleeves in it, I'll run a set of 2.3 pistons.
I won't run boost with the 2.5l engine unless I change my mind. I would probably sell my turbo stuff(turbo, intercooler, charges pipes, Haltech, ...)
I'll see if I like the turbo better than NA but as of now, I just want to build an engine. Any kind, as long as I can make more power than it came with.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
Gilles, I am having custom pistons made for a really big reason. The wrist pins are being raised 4.5mm into the piston (flat top) making 8.35:1 compression WITH the 086 head AND the 2mm bore. Your are going high compression N/A, I am going low compression/high boost.
Cardomain|
Myspace
