hey guys i am new here and just looking for some answers...what i do is probably way off from what you guys do...i race dirt track mini stock mustang...i am just curious about the 2.3 duratec and the possibilities that i have noticed...what i am getting at can anyone give me any information on the possiblity of putting the 2.3 duratec in a fox bodies mustang and what trans to use....i am looking to build a new engine and any information will help...like where i can find a block and general stuff like that...i have been to serveal boards and get stupid answer like they didn't make that for the Focus or the Ranger and that i didn't know what i was talking about...so please any help is appreciated.
well they did use a 2.3 in the ranger, it is slightly different, though it is "possible" that you could use the tranny out of that, coupled with the 2.3 from a focus (the 2.3 from a focus makes more power, and has more aftermarket support).
I'm not sure if you can buy the 2.3 from Ford Racing or not, I don't think I've seen many places selling the 2.3 outright, most still sell the 2.0 zetec and 2.0 SVT variant.
From what I know the 01(I think) + ranger 2.3 Duratec is the same as the 03+ Focus 2.3L.
Either way i say get a wrecked Focus with a 2.3L in it. Yse the engine and tranny and with a complete car you will also have the ECU (computer) to get the motor and tranny to orun correctly without buying a stand alone engine management system. Unless you wanna go that route.
The MTX75 found in all 00+ Focus with Zetec (SPI-SOHC motors have a differant weaker tranny) is a pretty bullit proof tranny and holds some decent power in stock form. There are also aftermarket support for the MTX75. I don't know anything about the Ranger tranny. The only bad part about the MTX75 I can think of is that there is only a short shifter and not a "true" short throw shifter like you can get for Mustang 5 speeds.
The Ranger 2.3 is not the same, it has 8 spark plugs and is not the same exact engine, it may have some things in common but it is not the same, I know this from experience.
I was suggesting the ranger tranny because I figured you'd probably want to stay with RWD, if not, then yes the MTX-75 tranny is pretty bullet proof, even more so if you get the euro synchros or reinforce the synchros.
thanks for the help guys..and yes i do want to stay with RWD...so from what i am gathering i need a focu 2.3 and a ranger 2.3 tranny...the other guestion i have is about the heads...i know the ranger is a dual plug what about the foucs? also is it possible to run either of these with a carb and do away with the EFI...thanks for all the help
The focus has only 4 plugs and is a coil-on-plug setup. No plug wires on the Focus Duratec (2.0L and 2.3L). It has 4 coil packs and 4 plugs. Its actually a better setup than having plug wires. You probably already know that though.
As for the Focsu 2.3L head in stock form it flows the same or pretty close to the same as the Ford Racing aftermarket head they make to beef up the 2.0L Zetec motor. A good port and valve job will have the 2.3L pushing some nice power.
There is also a stroker kit for the Focus 2.3L that punches it out to a 2.5L. I was going to say check out http://www.marcymotorsport.com/ but it looks like the site has changed a bit and there is no focus section. Maybe call them and see waht they have.
As for carboration I think you would have to make a custom intake manifold.
Look at the pic
The tranny sits on the right side when looking at it. As it is now the throttle body will be facing the firewall in a RWD application.
