Some questions about a track only car

[plowboytc]

Hey guys, I'm new to the whole 2.3 motor. I got really lucky and scored an 83 Turbocoupe, with a T-5, 3.55 posi, and only 90,000 on the clock. My goal is to get it between 12.50-13.00 to start with. I was just wanting to know what anyone thinks it'll take to get it into that range.

Thank ya

[Stinger]

Well, you'll need less than 300rwhp to get there so it shouldn't be very hard as long as you've got slicks and know how to drive at the track. If you look at our FAQ page (What mods for "X" hp) you can look at the mods listed in the 250-300hp range and you're set.

[plowboytc]

Thank you very much, but yes I do have slicks, driving experience is somewhat limited, I have made a few 13.XX passes in my Powerstroke truck, but I know for sure this'll be different

[Stinger]

It will certainly be different. A turbo 4 cylinder is one of the harder cars to drive well because there is a fine line between bog and spin off the line. With slicks it makes it easier to not spin but also harder to not bog lol.

[plowboytc]

the biggest problem I am having is with the tuning, I want to get the software to load it on my laptop. But I would have no idea what I'm looking at.

[Stinger]

Well, you can't tune without the hardware as well (not just software). Your hp goal can be reached without ecu tuning if you can read plugs or have a wideband and mess with the fuel pressure. Otherwise, the only way to learn how to tune is to do research, read all you can find, and then start doing it asking questions when you don't understand something. I created a tuning guide for how to use our soon to be released ecu kit in the ecu tech section.

[Matt Culpepper 2300gearjammer]

Was the powerstroke stick by any chance?

[plowboytc]

my daily driver is, but the 13 second truck is an auto, I've raced my DD a few times as well, it's nowhere near as fast. On a side note, can anyone tell me how much roughly this car weighs?

[Stinger]

Should be around 3300 without driver.

[plowboytc]

any opinions about a T3/T4 HYBRID T04E T70 turbo? I've been looking around to see what's out there and this came up

[75pinto]

i dont think for the goals you have posted for car that a turbo upgrade is at all necessary, your stock T 3 should get you there or REALLY close. I would add fuel pressure, an intercooler, good gas, some kind of boost control,exhaust and see where u are at there. I willing to bet you would be pretty close. with your stock turbo and the above upgrades you will see quicker spool and better low end, not to mention the fact you cant really optimize a larger turbo without the above upgrades anyways. its not ass simple as just putting a larger turbo on it, it needs to breath better and get more fuel. I would focus on air and fuel upgrades first.

[75pinto]

OR you could just put it all in a pinto or mustang and run low 13's stock ;D

[plowboytc]

I was just gathering some parts for the future, as soon I will a few more 2.3 motors sitting in the garage, as well as a liberty pro shifted tremec 5 speed. I've been around race cars and other high horsepower machines for a long time, and the 13.0 won't keep me happy for very long. The main reason I asked about this turbo is because a friend of mine has one brand new for cheap.

but here is one pinto project that rolled outta the shop this past spring, I know its a SBC, but it's a motor I'm pretty proud of

[75pinto]

not a chevy sbc! ech... anyways, i would just go with a holset. plenty of room for improvement, will put out 30+ pounds of boost, and RELIABLE. alot of the hybrids runnin around are cheap ebay chinese crap, I wouldnt risk it.

[plowboytc]

an hx35 or 40 work? I do a lot of diesel work, so coming up with one of those isn't a problem, as far as the durability of one, I can certainly go along with that, I've seen those turbos take a beating first hand