4cylinder sleeper racer

[PNYXPS66]

Hey folks -
It's been a while since I've posted, but I'm trynig to get my pony built like I want it; and RIGHT!

I'm looking for serious thinkers and non theological debates on who's exhaust pipe is bigger as I've seen ni other parts of these forums.

I've got a running 88 pony lx 4banger. I know that these little ponies can push up to 350 HP if done right. We race'em close to where I live. Just wish I could get some inside tracks on these guys, but no luck so far.

This is what I've done so far: I rebuilt the head, increased the cam size to the maximum allowable and still keep it computer friendly. I installed 1.89/1.59 cheater valves, heavier springs, and anti-pumpup hyd. lifters. Increased the compression ratio to 10:1. I've also installed a 3" exhaust pipe that replaced the intake pipe and restricter/baffle. I've also custom built/installed a 2.5" dual exhaust system with a bullet "pre" muffler and twin flowmaster mufflers. This helped mellow out the "buzz" characteristic of 4 bangers.

What I plan to do is increase the size of the TB (Racer Walsh), install a shorty header(Racer Walsh), and go with a 2.5L stroker kit for the bottom end. I plan on rebuilding the T-5 to gear with a v-8's, and go to 3.43 ring gear.

Will the 2.5 stroker crank shorten the strok or lengthen the stroke of the piston in the cylinder? Other ideas on the tranny?

End result is a sleeper car that I can use as a daily ride and spook some honda's in the process.

Thanks for the attention, I look forward to your responses.

[tireburner163]

What you have is a 17 second car.

If you want big power from a 2.3 lift the motor from a Thunderbird turbo coupe. These motors can make 250hp with minor mods and upping the boost a little bit.


-Josh, aka the tireburner

[EZRIDN]

I agree buy a Turbo Coupe motor.

4 cyl sleepers can be fun. I ran one at the track last week. The honda had no stickers or anything and ran 13.4 @ 118!

[PNYXPS66]

OK, you've told me to buy stuff that I may or may not need. can you explaind the major differences between the two motors?

Ports can be bored, cranks replaced, cams changed, valves changed.

If the only reason to go with a "TurboCoupe" motor is the turbo, I can install one.

I'm looking for serious talk, not go buy parts.

[PNYXPS66]

Didn't mean to sound mean.

There's not much difference in the castings of the head and block between them to my knowledge. I'm willing to be shown otherwise. If I need to get a crank kit for a Tbird, ok.

What are the specs on the Tbird cam? I'll compare them with the ones on my new cam. The Compression ration on a tCoupe is 8:1, giving allowances for the turbo. A tCoupe does not have the larger valves that I already have in my head.

Can someone give me numbers to crunch?

Thanks folks.

[Ackbar00]

Well, the Turbocoupe motors I am told have stronger bottom ends than the standard 2.3. However, I remember MM&FF trying to kill one with a lot of NOS and could not do it. A lot of people are going to suggest the Turbocoupe/SVO route, because it is a lot easier to go fast for less money on your part. These two websites have prolly more info for what you are wanting to do however.

www.turboford.com

www.turbotbird.com

[tireburner163]

the turbocoupe/svo's have forged cranks, rods, and pistons. Thus a much stronger bottom end.

-Josh, aka the tireburner

[PNYXPS66]

Advice taken to heart guys/gals(?). I will search for a replacement bottom end kit for a turbocoupe. Aftermarket cranks should beef that up. Anyone know about engine stroke? Is the 2.5L Ranger crank a shorter stroke crank than a tbird or pony?

TAlking cams - anyone know specs on the turbo coupe? (guess I should go to a TCoupe forum. ~)

Tranny ideas? Should I try to customize the gearing, or should I go with a v-8 build? I have a spare T-5 that I could rebuild to V-8 specs.

Am I over anyone's head here?

[PNYXPS66]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
Well, the Turbocoupe motors I am told have stronger bottom ends than the standard 2.3. However, I remember MM&FF trying to kill one with a lot of NOS and could not do it. A lot of people are going to suggest the Turbocoupe/SVO route, because it is a lot easier to go fast for less money on your part. These two websites have prolly more info for what you are wanting to do however.

www.turboford.com

www.turbotbird.com

The actual URL for anyone interested is www.turboford.org. Common mistake, done it myself. Just thought the info should be right. Thanks!

[Ackbar00]

Originally posted by PNYXPS66
The actual URL for anyone interested is www.turboford.org. Common mistake, done it myself. Just thought the info should be right. Thanks!

Thank you sir.

No ideas on strokers, sorry

[PNYXPS66]

Looks like you got the right stroke on Janet there Ackbar00!

[Skyman]

Im putting together an 88 merkur xr4 as we speak. Been a long process but shooting for trap speeds around 107mph.

I have a big vavle head, Bigger turbo, ported upper and lower intakes, intercooler full 3" exhaust, 46lb injectors, new computer tables, and probably a few little things im forgetting.

Skyler

[84LX89GT]

If you'd use the 4 banger as a sleeper building the engine with either the forged internals or 2.5L bottom end and nitrous would work pretty well and you wouldn't have to do as much rewiring, plumbing and parts finding as you would if you bought a turbo coupe engine. If you drill into the lower intake and use direct port "wet" nitrous kit you can get some serious power out of that 4 banger and not worry about distribution among cylinders....but that would be more expensive than a normal single nozzle in the intake tube or into the upper intake manifold. I honestly would go steeper than 3.43 ring and pinion, 4.10 would help you make up the torque loss of the engine and keep it up in the power band better.
With the trans, i don't believe you'll really need to rebuild it since the 4 banger T-5 has a steeper 1st gear to help get off the line, having the V8 ratios will increase the torque rating of the trans but will reduce torque mulitplication for low engine speeds. Also you won't max out the torque rating on launch with a 4 cylinder because stock they make like 135 lb/ft and you may get it up to 200 or so lb/ft with alot of work, and i believe the 4 banger T-5's are rated at 260 lb/ft so you aren't very likely to scatter the trans.

Just some ideas