The 2.3 has a taller block, and a different crankshaft. It's basically a stroked 2.0 Duratec. That's where the vast majority of the extra power comes from.

PS: Omni, the thread two down from here where he mentions his '06 ZX3 is a clue.

 

Assuming you have a 2.0L Duratec, and not a 2.0L Zetec, then yes, the engines are almost identical.

The primary difference is the block, which is taller to accomodate the longer stroke crank needed to get to 2.3L. There are some other supporting details that are different, but that is the key element. Bore, bore centers, and bolt centers are identical.

If you have a 2.0L Zetec, then it is nothing alike... but I bet you knew that when you cleverly posted in the Duratec forum.

 

Okay I appreciate your help. Now the longer rods of the duratec 2.3L will probably not fit in the 2.0L engine if im correct, because of the bigger deck height on the block of the 2.3L.

Yes it is the 2.0L Duratec that I have...

So It looks like I can start modding the 2.0L and if I end up transferring a 2.3L in the engine bay then I can just swap parts over to it.

I appreciate all your help.

Austin

 

The 2.3's rods are the same (or at least the same length) as the 2.0's. It's the crankshaft that makes the difference. I don't think the crank could be swapped without valve reliefs in the pistons and possibly an extra-thick gasket of the type used for lowering compression.

 

Yes. The price and effort involved in stroking a 2.0L would most likely far exceed the cost of a low-miles junkyard 2.3L shortblock.

I *believe* (and correct me if I'm wrong), that some of the supporting accessories like timing chain, adjusters, etc. are different between the two engines as well, so expect to swap more than just the block.

 

I think the 2.0 will be a motor to recon with as the aftermarket catches on, there's not that much difference between the 2. There's some fast 2.0's out there, and there gonna get faster.

 

it's funny i actually have a lot of 2.3 parts on my 2.0. My intake, throttle body, and flywheel are technecally 2.3 parts but they work on the 2.0 and my motor pull pretty strong.

 

I personally can tell you that a few parts from cosworth are best on 2.3 and not 2.0 i have a 2.0 and the cossie header hits my rack and pinion every time i take of hard also the intake manifold you lose almost 40 lb of torque and on the 2.3 you bearly loose torque so this tells that yes they fit but be ready for the aftermath

 

Sure... but if you're reving to 15k that cosi manifold will perform magnificently!!

 

So most of the performance parts for the 2.3 duratec will fit my 2.0 duratec? Intake, cams, exhaust Etc.

Tim

 

What you want is a 2.3 bottom end with 2.0 miata pistons an a 2.0 head with the high ports an thick short turns.

Erik

 

I believe you have things backwards there. The 2.3 has the better head. 2.0 pistons dropped in a 2.3 motor would increase the compression ratio, but there are no valve reliefs IIRC. That would limit the cam selection and installation angle greatly.

 

No the 2.0 head is better ask anyone who has ported both an dynoed both setups like me.The 2.0 has higher ports an thicker short turns.Its a 15 hp bolt on ask anyone at cosworth who is involved with racing 2.0 an 2.3 duratecs.Valve reliefs can be machined so cam selection is a non issue with the 2.0 pistons I have done that also.

Erik

 

The 2.0 head is the same as the 2.3 head from the ranger. The bowl shape is different. I've held the two up side by side.

The 2.3 focus head has more potential for porting. Walter hit the pathways for the water much earlier on the 2.0 head than the 2.3 head.

That's everything I've seen from Walter Marcy and a few other engine builders I know.

 

The 2.0 head is the same as the 2.3 head from the ranger. The bowl shape is different. I've held the two up side by side.

The 2.3 focus head has more potential for porting. Walter hit the pathways for the water much earlier on the 2.0 head than the 2.3 head.

That's everything I've seen from Walter Marcy and a few other engine builders I know.

Bigger is not always better.:thumbup:An also to hold it up an look at it an to really measure something is not quite the same.

 

Bigger is not always better.:thumbup:An also to hold it up an look at it an to really measure something is not quite the same.

I have had the 2.0L Mondeo, 2.3L Ranger, 2.3L Focus, and 2.3L Mazda 3 heads in the same room at the same time. I will continue to run the 2.3L Focus and Mazda 3 castings as they are essentially identical aside from the VVT provisions on the MZR head.

I have seen some very good numbers from the truck head, but I have seen better numbers from the Focus casting.

 

To add to the intake manifold, throttle body, and many other parts listed above, I have the water pump & thermostat from a 2.3L ecoboost Lincoln. The water pump has less rotating mass and makes a small difference in how fast things rev up. Almost everything externally from the 2.3L motors are a bolt on part for the 2.0L motors.