Ford 2.3

[craveman85]

Have any of you on here swapped a Ford 2.3 into your cj? Preferably an 80s one? I'm thinking a pinto or Thunderbird turbo coupe bellhousing may bolt up to the Jeep transmissions. If not a 2.3 to sbf bellhousing adapter is available. I may go this route in my 81. Pretty much any year stock 2.3 has more power than the iron Duke and I know the stock internals will handle much more power than an iron Duke could dream of. It's also relatively easy to turbo the 2.3 should the need arise.

 

[HackFabrication]

I have not, but the various hardware is available to do it. There is even a company that makes a stand alone harness for the 2.3L TurboBird engine. Your best option, IMHO, would be the T-176 4spd, or if you've got the wheelbase an automatic.

Had I to do it all over again (and trust me, I won't...Ever.), I would have seriously considered going that route, rather than the Ford Racing 5.0L I swapped in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai9rSHA6SC8

 

[jp360cj]

I had a 2.3 Ranger in college. It was a bare bones '97 (reg cab, short bed, 5 speed, 2wd, manual everything). I think the only options it had were carpet and tan paint. Never had any trouble out of it, but it was painfully weak, even with 2 spark plugs per cylinder. If I wanted to pull a jet ski or lawn mower trailer, I couldn't run the A/C and go over 45mph. I know there were a lot of variations of the 2.3, but I wouldn't recommend that one.

I've never driven (or even ridden) in one, but I hear the turbo versions were very impressive, and I think that's the only way the swap would be worth it.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

if your going to go thru the hassle of an engine swap why not put a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l inline 6 in it and have factory parts that will bolt up not to mention the engines are cheap fairly plentiful. or if u want fuel inject go the 4.0 route they are even more plentiful and darn near indestructible. but thats just my opion

 

[Fdpwr2a]

How about the GM 4.3 v-6?

 

[mtnwhlr]

I would go with the 4.0 the best motor Jeep used and very available. Keep it all Jeep.