I'm about to get a 2.3T out of a mustang SVO. what things can i do to the engine to make it handle more boost? I know I need to get a copper gasket for the head, but what other things? I'm planning on running an intercooler (largest one i can possibly fit in my truck) and i'm going to do a full rebuild along with adding some higher performance parts. I am also planning on porting and polishing the heads along with oversized valves. This engine is for a 94 Ranger so i'm wanting to get as much power out of if as i can. I'm also thinking about running NOS and was wondering what i would have to do to the engine to make it handle the NOS. when running NOS do you have to run less boost or does it matter? thanx for the help ahead of time.

One other thing - you might want to re-think the copper head gasket. The popular head gasket is the Fel-Pro 1035, but it will blow. It'll take a lot to do it, but at that level, wouldn't you rather change a gasket than a piston? If something has to be the "fuse", changing the head gasket is a lot cheaper and easier than pulling the engine because pieces of the piston are scattered throughout it...

good idea. totally forgot that it's good to make the "fuse" something that's not expensive to change. that's why i love these forums. people help me get my head straight.

Heads how many heads do you have on your 2.3? :) If you want to save some money you could just put the engine in without doing any interior mods. With a decent intercooler you could run 18 psi all day long without any worries. You can take the money you didn't spend on the motor and buy a T3/T04 hybrid turbo. Before you get a big valve head, you need some major flow mods. I would just get a 3 angle valve job, new cam bearings, and get the head resurfaced. A roller cam is also a nice mod. There is a big debate as to what one you want. Either the stock Ranger roller cam, the motorsports cam, or the new one that came out that isn't made by ford. A lot of guys run NOS to help get off the line. You don't have to lower the boost at all. You just can't go crazy with how big of a shot you are running. Good luck!