So, i my friend told me Duratech is making a DOHC 2.3L which i believe are in the newer Rangers and Focus's, any idea if the head would bolt up to an older older 2.3T? or If the motor (Assuming i could find one in a junk yard that still works from a totalled Focus, etc.) would be ideal for a boosted application? i would really like to buy another Ranger with 4x4 and build a 2.3T for it. So what do ya guys think?

 

No

 

there totally diff yo!

 

Completely different motor, but they do apparently take very well to turbo, if you want to fab it up. FocusSport claims 260hp at the wheels, with 12lbs of boost, intercooled on stock internals in a Focus.
When I get around to it, I would like to turbo mine, but its my daily, so I don't have time for all the custom fitting.

 

Even if you swap a Duratec 2.3 in and boost it, you wont get 4x4 without some customizing. Ford never made a 2.3Duratec with 4x4. So it's not as easy as doing an old Lima 2.3T with a 4x4 drive line as Ford did a 2.3 Lima and 4x4 combination for a few years.

 

alright, well thanks for clearing that up guys. so getting an old lima 2.3 is going to be the only realistic route i guess. but if i was planning on turbo-ing it and only pushing at most 250 at the wheels, you think i could get away with just putting in pistons and leaving the stock rods? or would it be fine with stock internals at that much power?

 

The rods are the real weak point.

 

Wait, turboing which engine? If the Lima, the rods in the N/A engine and the 2.3T are the same. So you won't have a problem there. IF the Duratec, then John already answered.

 

D94R - I did mean turbo-ing the Lima. Duratec would be way to much work, when the Lima will do exactly what i want. what about pistons in the Lima? would i be ok with the stock N/A ones with AT MOST 250whp?

 

Find some used Turbo 2.3 pistons. The pistons are lower compression and forged. If you're going to make 250HP, you're going to blow on the engine pretty hard (~20PSI) if everything else is stock and untouched (no porting/polishing of head). The cast pistons might be able to take that, IF everything is tuned 110%. But, one hiccup in fueling and those pistons will bight the dust pretty fast. It's just safer to go forged in these engines if you're doing a simple build, but trying to make decent power.

 

alright, that makes sense. I don't want to build a race truck or anything, i just want a light weight, powerful motor that has enough power to have some off road fun and maybe pull a light trailer if i have to. thanks for all the help guys