Here is the build thread for my current project, a 2.3L Bronco II. This came about from a desire to have a small 4x4 for commuting/off roading. My current 4x4, a 1994 F150 extended cab is just too big for this. Plus, it's setup for towing. The Samurai's I've had were too small, and underpowered.
I wanted a Cherokee. Unfortunately, anything with a Jeep logo was way overpriced for my purposes.
Why 2.3? Well, I've built 7 of them, two turbo cars and a Mazda B2300 among the 7. Here are some examples:
2.3 Turbo Pinto, blow-through carb, at a local car show.
Megasquirted 2.5 Lima turbo Mustang Notch.
Mazda B2300 with a BW T5 transmission.
The general consensus on the -net is a 2300 BII will be underpowered. But a BII is only going to be 300 lbs heavier than a Ranger 2wd. And that Mazda I built ran great.
I briefly thought about building a 2.8L Cologne V6. I have Sven Pruett's book on the Cologne. Two things dissuaded me. Reports of 2.8L mpg numbers and those crack-prone cylinder heads.
Something else to consider. The carbed 2.8 was only rated at 115 HP. It won't take much to exceed that number with a Lima.
So without further comment, here it is....
And here is the powerplant mocked up with header and EFI (although I've decided on a Holley 2300 instead).
This build thread will be loaded with 2300 tech. Much more to come...
I wanted a Cherokee. Unfortunately, anything with a Jeep logo was way overpriced for my purposes.
Why 2.3? Well, I've built 7 of them, two turbo cars and a Mazda B2300 among the 7. Here are some examples:
2.3 Turbo Pinto, blow-through carb, at a local car show.
Megasquirted 2.5 Lima turbo Mustang Notch.
Mazda B2300 with a BW T5 transmission.
The general consensus on the -net is a 2300 BII will be underpowered. But a BII is only going to be 300 lbs heavier than a Ranger 2wd. And that Mazda I built ran great.
I briefly thought about building a 2.8L Cologne V6. I have Sven Pruett's book on the Cologne. Two things dissuaded me. Reports of 2.8L mpg numbers and those crack-prone cylinder heads.
Something else to consider. The carbed 2.8 was only rated at 115 HP. It won't take much to exceed that number with a Lima.
So without further comment, here it is....
And here is the powerplant mocked up with header and EFI (although I've decided on a Holley 2300 instead).
This build thread will be loaded with 2300 tech. Much more to come...