more power from 2.3 liter

[aquajunkie]

just wondering if any of you guys have squeezed a few more ponies from the 2.3? im assuming the usuall things like air filter, carb and spacer, adjustable timing gear, but what else has worked?

 

[Bondo]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

but what else has worked?

Ayuh,... Trading for a boat with a Bigger Motor works Best...

 

[aquajunkie]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Ayuh,... Trading for a boat with a Bigger Motor works Best...

wow thanks!! you are so smart! i would have never thought of that. what would this forum do without you?

 

[Bondo]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Ayuh,... You've got the Smallest, Lamest motor Ever put in front of an I/O...
There's No more Power to be Found....

I gave you an Honest, Truthful answer....
If you don't like it,... Move on.....

what would this forum do without you?

I'll let somebodyelse answer that 1 for you.....

 

[medic181075]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Depending on what you are trying to achieve, swapping out the points for an electronic ignition and adding some Nauticus Smart Tabs may just give you that little bit extra that you're looking for (quicker planing). It'll cost less than $200 for these mods. Much cheaper than a new boat. This won't be the miracle cure, but it will give you a noticeable improvement in planing time. You MAY lose some WOT speed with the Smart Tabs.

FWIW, its not quite the smallest motor. There are some bayliners wandering around with 2.1L decals on the side of them. For all intensive purposes, they are very similar to the AQ131.

I always wanted add a supercharger to my old AQ131D....just to see what would happen.

 

[indy440]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

I always wanted add a supercharger to my old AQ131D....just to see what would happen.

If I had access to an engine dyno I would build a turbo setup for a 3.0 just to see what would happen. Build a megasquirt EFI setup, tune it with that, and then add forced induction... It could probably be done on a small budget too, say 1000 dollars for everything and maybe 100 hours of my own labor... the hardest part would probably be building new manifolds for it. I think 200hp would be achievable and maybe reliable...

would it make sense to do this? no way, buy a boat with the power you want
would it be freaking cool? hell yes.

 

[medic181075]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

the hardest part would probably be building new manifolds for it

That's where the supercharger idea came in. A small supercharger wouldn't require any change in the exhaust. Maybe just some rejeting of the carb and you're ready to roll (or float in this case). Volvo made a turbo charged version of this engine for the their cars, so I know the engine can handle it.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

wow thanks!! you are so smart! i would have never thought of that. what would this forum do without you?

Bond-o is one of the most valuable members on here. The forum would be in sad shape without him. (Bond-o PM me and I will give you my address so you can send me the money.... )

 

[aquajunkie]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Ayuh,... You've got the Smallest, Lamest motor Ever put in front of an I/O...
There's No more Power to be Found....

I gave you an Honest, Truthful answer....
If you don't like it,... Move on.....


I'll let somebodyelse answer that 1 for you.....

plain and simple i asked a question. you decided not to suggest anything helpful.

as for the no more power to be found from a 2.3 ..... last i knew a svo 2.3L turbo mustang was doing low 10's... anyway that dosnt matter.

ive been a ford mechanic for 11 years. i wasnt sure about things like the smart tabs as medic so helpfuly suggested.

im going to do some research into the smart tabs as well as see how much the electronic ignition would be. i know esslinger enginering carrys msd's and a full stand alone for the 2.3 car motor.

why would the smart tabs hurt top end? the freedom actually moves pretty well ( in comparison to my very heavy bayliner cuddy) like i said im not looking to make a drag boat but 10 more hp would be nice.

thanks for the suggestions guys got any more?



medic and indy building a manifold for a turbo isnt that bad and setting it up for a blow threw carb wouldnt be that difficult. tuning would be a pain.
i'llhave to dig out my old single turbo 372 long rod stroker (351 windsor block, mopar rods, cleveland 4 bbl heads ect ect ect) %100 home built.

 

[jtybt]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

I love it when an auto mechanic comes to boating and tries to equate automotive values to marine engines.

Anyway, stick around and learn the differences.

...and just so you get some idea of the differences...a good healthy fart will add more to your performance than 10 HP.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

You will not even notice 10hp. I believe I have seen on here somehwere that 10hp is about 1mph gain on the water. Is that worth the money spent to gain the 1mph?

 

[meesh]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

If your thinking of going to electronic ignition, remember it has to be marine. Automotive is not safe or legal.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Find someway to add 350 cubic inches and your there.
There is no substitute for CUBIC INCHES,Auto and marine are 2 different animals.

 

[jtybt]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

And just so you know...The exhaust manifolds are No longer available...anywhere. In otherwords, you engine will only last as long as your present manifolds. As soon as they go, you'll have to junk the engine.

I pulled a 2.3 for that exact reason and am in the process of dropping in a 4.3 for a friend.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

The Experienced Marine Mechanics said the same thing I am going to say in fewer words

www.procivic.com/pages-horsepower_torque/index.html

horsepower = torque * rpm / 5252

a = F / m

"So, our acceleration at any given moment is only dependent on the torque at the wheels (again, assuming that traction is not broken). That means the acceleration of the car is constantly changing to match the torque curve, and the car accelerates hardest at the torque peak. The name of the game is to keep your car producing as much torque as possible, for the longest amount of time possible."

Just replace wheel with prop and car with boat.

So, the little engine makes little torque and since we can't shift to stay in the torque peak ---- well --- it's all it can do.


OFM

 

[aquajunkie]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

And just so you know...The exhaust manifolds are No longer available...anywhere. In otherwords, you engine will only last as long as your present manifolds. As soon as they go, you'll have to junk the engine.

I pulled a 2.3 for that exact reason and am in the process of dropping in a 4.3 for a friend.

are these worth anything? when i bought the boat he told me the same thing and gave me 3 of them.

the boat is a 1991 four winns freedom that is absolutly as clean as can be in and out. i traded my 1988 bayliner capri cuddy with a 125 force for it. good trade in my eyes considering i payed $400 for the bayliner and did nothing but put fuel in it.

i know that automotive and marine are 2 completly different animals thats why im here.

if im not mistaken the marine parts are designed as no sparks as not to ignite vapors correct?

the boat pulls off the line great, i wouldnt mind seeing plane a bit sooner.
what im figuring is with the smart tabs, a different prop, adjustable timing gear(that i have) and a better ignition i should see a noticable difference.

anyone know what the factory 2.3 hp rating is? i cant seem to get a straight awnser from anyone. is the 3.0 merc a better choice performance wise?
im not looking for a speed boat, if i was i would have bought one. i love everything about the four winns and i think i'll keep it for a while. i just like the thought of having a few extra ponies more than it has.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Well, your a mechanic --- how do you make more torque ?

More compression, cam, etc.

Horsepower means very little in a pleasure boat --- if you were going to turn that engine 6000 rpm then horsepower would come into play.

The engine has a fixed load pretty much with a prop -- can't shift gears to increase torque while accelerating like a car.

If you change the prop --- less pitch > increase hole shot a little --- more pitch > decrease hole shot and higher top speed if you have the extra torque to turn the prop faster.

I would add some tabs to plane a little faster and maybe a lower pitch prop if you want to pull a tube etc.

Either increase torque somehow or live with the limitations.

A "100 shot of NOS" will increase the torque for about a second until it flies apart

Good Luck

OFM

 

[Apollo75]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Just an after thought about all this talk about new ignitions.

When the power plant was being designed --- I am talking any marine engine --- it was designed with a certain cam, gear ratio, prop etc.

Unless you are drastically modifying a power plant (engine) a new ignition is not recommended --- the timing, advance curve for the maximum torque and the amount of spark needed was already calculated.

Most ignition systems will fire up to 40,000 volts --- more than enough for marine engines. HEI's will fire 80,000 volts or more but only when needed.

Only high compression, extreme rpm, drastically modified engines should be modified --- if the advance comes in too early serious damage can occur to an engine that cannot increase its speed fast enough ---- loss of power in this situation is all you'll see along with shortened engine life and maybe damaged parts.

If the advance comes in too late ---- a loss of torque and acceleration.

Pick your poision


OFM

 

[45Auto]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

is the 3.0 merc a better choice performance wise?

Your boat is the nautical equivalent of an F350 dually pickup with a 2.3L 4 cylinder in it. There's a reason Ford doesn't sell that particular combination ....

Replacing it with the 3.0 GM won't buy you enough to speak of.

You can hot-rod it to your heart's content. It's your money. What Bond-O and everyone else is trying to tell you is that it would be much more cost-effective to start with a more appropriate power plant.

why would the smart tabs hurt top end?

The Smart Tabs are spring-loaded to be forced down into the water, thereby lifting the back of your boat. They are not manually retractable. As your speed increases the water pressure forces them up. As a general rule, ANYTHING hanging down in the water increases your drag and lowers your speed. Some people have reported no speed loss or even greater top speeds, but some people have also reported greater top speeds from changing the color of their keychain ......

 

[Bondo]

Re: more power from 2.3 liter

Bond-o is one of the most valuable members on here. The forum would be in sad shape without him. (Bond-o PM me and I will give you my address so you can send me the money.... )

Ayuh,.... OK Mark,... How much this time,..??..??

anyone know what the factory 2.3 hp rating is?

A Wopping 128hp....