The stock turbo motors had forged pistons with 8.5:1 compression ratio while your N/A motor has cast pistons with 9:1 ratio. Rods and crank are the same
The turbo block is basically the same except for the oil return fitting for the turbo on the right side of the block (a bit of trivia, all 2.3's had the boss for the oil return, as the blocks were coming down the assembly line, they were weighed. The heaviest blocks were set aside to have the oil return drilled. Ford's theory being the heavier blocks were stronger). You could either drill and tap your block for the oil return or drill and weld the pan.
What year is your 2.3 car? If its 91 or newer, it will have the DIS (Distributorless Ignition System) which isn't as flexible as the older distributor style.
Either way you'll need the computer, vane meter (like a mass air meter) and injectors from a turbo car. You may be OK for low boost with the stock injectors and pump, but the timing curve will be all wrong for the turbo setup.
Basically I'm politely telling you to save your time and money for the 5.0. I wouldn't recommend trying to turbo a N/A daily driver as it won't be worth it in the long run.
Last edited by Fordified; 01-28-2005 at 05:31 AM.