Help!!! I need help I got beat by a Cavalier

Well I just got this mustang its a 1993 Lx (MT) I've Always thought that mustangs had alot of stock power well obviously not ..well Tonight I went to go test the Power of the Mustang and I raced against my friends cavalier pretty much barebone stock except a Intake well yea I had him at beggining but then when I got to around 3-4 gear he passed me I dont really know what Is wrong but It just seems like it doesnt have any power Could somebody please tell me what I can do to make my car faster?

Im new to the amercian car Im used to Ricers I have a 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si 4Ws and that car runs great ive won a few of races with it but I also have money invested into the engine but any way can somebody please help me on what to do to make my Mustang better?

Thanks,
-Jeff

The reason you got passed is because you have a 2.3 with like 100 horsepower. Swapping it for a 2.3 turbo motor or a V8 are the only ways to get respectable performance out of them.

Yea I just found that out......
so there is nothing I can do to make it run better or get any kind of better performance?
and what do you mean by Turbo engine Like get a turbo Kit for it?

:rolleyes: :cwm27:

Yea I just found that out......
so there is nothing I can do to make it run better or get any kind of better performance?
and what do you mean by Turbo engine Like get a turbo Kit for it?

no turbo kit... a stock n/a 2.3 isnt' going to hold up to the boost. you need to find a 2.3 from either an SVO stang (84-86) or a thunderbird turbocoupe and swap. either that and find a 5.0 and swap, mod it a little, and find out what american muscle is really about. the first time you rev the motor in park and the driver's side of the car lurches upward, you'll know what i mean!


as far as n/a 2.3 performance goes, there's not much... the biggest limiter on a 2.3 is the cam and valvetrain... a fresh comp cams grind and roller followers would net you decent gains... and maybe an intake/throttle body. but it's still a 4-banger and unless heavily modified all around, it can't compare to a good 5.0 with basic boltons.

2.3: 90 HP @ 3800; 130 TQ @ 2800
5.0: 225 HP @ 4200; 300 TQ @ 3200

and a side note:

SVO 2.3: 200 HP @ 5000; 240 TQ @ 3200

Im new to the amercian car Im used to Ricers I have a 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si 4Ws

:rolleyes: used to ricers

but in any case if the car was given to u...u have a project on ur hands...if u brought it...should have did ur research 1st

It was given to me and it is in great condition but overall Im a strict Honda guy =P Thanks for the Post Ill take some stuff into mind

I'd personally pass the "turbo kit" and do the "double my cylinder count kit". Just my opinion.

And then turbo it.

So Just Go with the V8 5 banger? wouldnt I have to Mod the Mounts? How hard is that? Ive never really done a Swap before.. I was going to try and put a H22 in my prelude to replace the b22a5 dont really know if Its worth it tho ,Even tho I would be gaining by getting the V-tec

A 2.3 turbo will drop into your existing motor mounts and is a much easier swap than the 5.0 With some minimal mods 300 HP isn't out of reach. Do the 2.3T.

Ok cool do u know how much a low milege engine of that type runs?

v8 5banger? we need to get you straight on your terms... a v8 means that it has 8 cylinders (8-banger? :screwy: ) which are arranged in 2 banks of 4. the banks are set up so that they form a v when viewed from the front or rear. i-4 means 4 cylinders in one bank that are in line with each other.

i'd do the v8 myself. it's not that much more difficult than the 2.3 it'll drop right onto your stock motor mount pads and the transmission will fall right into place. if it's a carbed motor, even better cuz there's little or not wiring to worry about. biggest thing with a v8 is prolly exhaust and rear end.

i imagine you could get a decent 2.3T for a grand or two, or pay about the same for a 5.0 and trans and sell your 2.3 and trans.

just can't compare with a v8's torque tho... unless you have more than 8 cylinders =D

Ok cool do u know how much a low milege engine of that type runs?

I know you can get a good 2.3 Turbo motor with everything including the wiring harnes and computer out of the Turbo coupes for $800 in local junkyards around here.

Because you are not familiar with Mustangs I think this would be the cheapest and most economical swap for you. And the 2.3 Turbo has good modding potential.

Thanks for the help Gusy yea some about the whole Not getting the right terminology thing lol Thanks for informing me on it now I wont make an Ass of my self anymore thanks guys Ill take the turbo into mind