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Old 05-09-2010, 07:08 AM
salaciouse1 salaciouse1 is offline
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Default 89 4cyl 5speed unfamiliar with this engine but was told it had potential

I bought this truck years ago and finally have the opportunity to start workin on it. I am unfamiliar with this engine(2.3 4cyl 8plugs) but was told that it has lots of potential. Aside from header/ intake, turbo which are obviouse what can be done on a reasonable budget? Not looking for a race engine but deffinitely needs more umph!
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1989 rust pilefirst vehicle I ever bought; splitfire 4cyl, 5speed no mods

Plans-fix body(shaved),overhaul motor, air ride, body drop, etc...
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Old 05-09-2010, 09:18 AM
bagdranger bagdranger is offline
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Default Re: 89 4cyl 5speed unfamiliar with this engine but was told it had potential

Good maint items (plugs wires fuel filter etc) is a good start for more ump. Intake and more free flowing exhaust would get a little more. Maint goes a LONG way. I just put E3 plugs in my 2.9 with a heavier coil pack and i can feel a pretty good bump in performance.
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Old 05-09-2010, 09:33 PM
salaciouse1 salaciouse1 is offline
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Default Re: 89 4cyl 5speed unfamiliar with this engine but was told it had potential

Thanx man. I'm not looking for a huge increase, just enough to get up those hills without so much effort. Thanx for the info though. The truck has been poorly taken care of so the engine could probably use a rebuild, but for the cost it might be cheaper to go v8...no idea just thikin out loud.
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1989 rust pilefirst vehicle I ever bought; splitfire 4cyl, 5speed no mods

Plans-fix body(shaved),overhaul motor, air ride, body drop, etc...
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Old 05-10-2010, 04:18 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: 89 4cyl 5speed unfamiliar with this engine but was told it had potential

A lot of older designed engines were pretty roughly designed and built compared to modern engines, so there is a lot of tweaking you can do. Like porting, converting to electric fans, and so on. Unlike a V-8, you won't get a huge performance gains but you can get some. A turbo would probably give you the biggest boost.
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