Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine (before it’s name was changed to that) used to do an article a month for almost 2 years on “Alternative Engines”. People were sick seeing small block Chevies in every street rod I guess.

They did everything from mid-50’s Hemi’s, aluminum Olds and Buick V8’s (now Rover), to the Buick 3.8L V6. Not only did it tell you about the engine’s specs, they listed where you could get performance and stock parts, who the experts were on these engines and places to find them used.

The Ford “Lima” 2.3L was one of those engines. There is a place about a mile from my house called Modern Performance (West Long Branch, NJ) that was routinely makng over 500 hp with these little beasts using (huge) turbo chargers. Nick Manarino, the owner, mostly worked on the Merkur XR4Ti, which was 2.3L Lima powered. One made over 700 hp! He claims the bottom end of these 4 bangers are bullet proof to well over 450 hp before you have to start going to aftermarket connecting rods, forged pistons and such.

Esslinger in CA still produces methanol burning USAC Midget motors out of the Lima. They make over 400 hp normally aspirated (mechanical fuel injection).

Here is another article on getting the best performace from the Ford 2.3L engine

http://www.cadvision.com/blanchas/Ranger/index.html