Quick questions on the Tempo 2.3L pistons

[Anonymous]

I hear the Ford Tempo 2.3L HSC pistons are a perfect fit for the 200 block and a great performance upgrade. Just a few questions though:

- Where can I get them? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=33623

- How much do they usually cost?

- How significant of an upgrade are they for a newbie with limited engine knowledge?

- Any connecting rod modifications required?

 

[Anlushac11]

8)

Adding new pistons to a motor is something you do when the motor is rebuilt, It is not a casual upgrade. The motor has to come apart, be disassembled, cleaned, because you have changed internal pieces it will have to be rebalanced, reassembled, and run in. You are looking at what would be considered a very major upgrade.

 

[Anonymous]

I was planning a rebuild. This is basically a learning project for me with my dad as the teacher. He's pretty good when it comes to fixing and building motors (especially in old cars).

I guess you are right though. It would be a pain to go with the first rebuild, then tear it down again just to put in the new pistons. If I were to do it, might as well do it from the start...

 

[Anonymous]

My only advice is to not worry too much about the cost - get the best quality pistons you can find! I'd get Ford OEM parts if TRW, Speed Pro, or one of the other big names doesn't have them on hand. This is no area to cut costs - poor quality parts won't last.

Good Luck, sounds like an excellent father/son type project!

 

[Anlushac11]

8)

I would be suprised if anyone carries them in stock but you should be able to have them ordered and come in within a couple of days to a week.

I have not priced the Tempo pistons yet but they are cast so the price should not be too bad.

That ad says for a Mustang 2.3L HSC but the Mustang was never offered with that engine. Tempo, Taurus and Aerostar IIRC in the Ford family.

 

[Anonymous]

I used the 2.3 HSC pistons in my 200. They where like $11 each so that was not bad at all. They are cast pistons. I don't think you can get them in forged. No real mods to install them. They use the same rings and everything. Just put them on your rods and throw them in! And for the same money as some stockers you can have some nice flat tops. The only thing that sucks is they are cast.

Dan

 

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between fordged and cast pistons?

Advantages/disadvantages?

 

[Anlushac11]

8)

With cast aluminum the aluminum is poured into a mold with inserts then any finish machining is done.

With forged aluminum the aluminum is forged using heat and pressure. The molecules are compressed more tightly resulting in a much stronger material which is then machined to the final shape.

Forged pistons are much more resistant to heat and stress like detonation and pinging.

 

[addo]

And, as I understand it, forged slugs need greater cold clearances, and different ring gapping. Before metallurgy reached its current giddy heights, they were the high performance "must-have".

A eutectic or hypereutectic (depending on the level of ruggedness required) cast item will be better in almost any situation except extreme boost levels. FTF runs hypereutectics.

Regards, Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

 

[jamerson84]

How much more HP would you get with the flat piston compared to the stock?

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Jameson,

Go to the web site in my signature and click on compression calculator.

Run the calculator just as it is once and look at the numbers on the bottom of the screen. Then change the piston dich cc to zero and re-calculate.

This will give you an idea.

Be aware that any single change doesn't do much. You need a planned and balanced series of modifications.

Good Luck