Anything is possible, but to put the 2.3in is a beotch because the engine platforms are completely different. He would have to use the fwd transmission from a topaz or something to make that mess work or a custom trans adapter. The old 2.3 made less power than a late model escort as well, be much better off converting it to the mazda bp motor from the escort gt's. There's a guy in canada that put the 3.0 vulcan v-6 in there as well but it's entirely not worth the trouble.

If you want to get a little more go for cheap in one of those cars, buy a dsm manifold and turbo, flip it upside down and run 5-7lbs that will get you up to about 160-180whp w/out any problem .