OK, not really. But I'd like to wake it up a little.
I am thinking of a complete rebuild, including a .040 overbore, and the calmini cam, and header.
I am also thinking, that since this would be a trail only truck, running propane may be a good option.
Propane would let me increase the CR to 10.5, or 11:1, aside from the other benefits.
Would milling the deck increase the CR, or would I have to buy the high CR pistons from Calmini also?
Would building this be a complete waste of time?
what do you think?
BTW, truck is an '86 troop. It is the 3rd first gen I've owned, so i am familiar with them.
Thanks!
Cheaper alternatives?

Are you talking about adding propane to the existing gas burner or going full propane?

If you are considering as an adder, it's not the best option.
Nitrous would be a much better option. Propane is a good
replacement for nitrous in diesel applications, but not
really that good for gasoline.

If you are considering propane as the primary fuel,
propane is not as efficient and as gasoline as far
as producing energy. Yes, you could increase the compression ratio, but I doubt you'll get anywhere near
the power output on propane as you would gasoline.
It would be a very clean burner compared to gasoline, but
would most likely be a pretty good loss in power.

litin is correct.

On top of that, don't. Just don't try and build the 2.3 for more power. It is not worth the time/effort involved to do it. Even for "fun" or a "challenge" or for "just because" it is not worth it.

One option is to get a 2.6 and put the 2.3 carb intake on top of it. You are going to pay the same amount to rebuild a 2.3 as a 2.6 and you might as well put your resources into the larger displacement. If you are feeling ambitious, you could try and add the electronics to the 2.6 to get FI, but that is a nightmare amount of work.

With the 2.6, you can take an older block (pre-`93) and put a post '93 head on top of it. With the head (smaller combustion chambers), decking and boring the block you will get about 9.3:1 on the compression ratio. With some carb work/tuning, this should work well, especially with a Delta cam (you probably won't be happy with the CALMINI cam and a carb). Delta actually has a grind for carb'd engines. You don't need the pistons. Oversize replacements are available through any parts house for $35-$50 each.

If you are not wanting to do that, I would suggest sticking to a basic rebuild. Decking, milling, boring and balancing will make a nice running engine, but it will never be a powerhouse. The isuzu 2.3/2.6 blocks are much more torquier engines than HP producing engines. They are limited by their bore:stroke ratio and you just can't machine/build around that.

There are a few threads around, look in the Archives Forum, about working on the 2.6. Even if you don't go that route, the principles are the same, regardless of what engine you are working on.

Good Luck,
Michael

PS. I warn you. You are looking down a path that will cost you $1500-$2000 for a full and proper rebuild. At this point, on an '86 rig, you should also be considering finding another vehicle. For that price (plus maybe a bit more) you can find an '88-'91 Trooper with FI and have a much better base to work off of.

I have a '90 and an '86 trooper. I like the carbureted trooper for reliability and ease of work. I will go down the route of rebuilding her one day and keep the carburetor set up. Even if it will cost up to $2000, you can do it in chunks... much better than having to pay a car note.

does anybody know where you could buy a propane conversion kit for a 2.3L engine? That might be something I might look into.

Lucas

gotpropane.com has a bunch of kits and they are very knowledgable. you might be able to cannibalize something that was made for the 22r toyota engine (2.4l). I'm sure they would be happy to help you out.

I seem to keep returning to the same conclusion. Its not worth the effort. Its too bad, cuz its just sitting there, and slowly being cannibalized for parts for my DD. (also an 86)
But everytime I start thinking about putting it on the trail. The cons start adding up.
My hope was that i could get enough power out of that 2.3 to turn a 32 inch tire. Thats pretty much going to be the max on the 8 bolt/10 combo thats under there. My buddies wheel YJ's on 33's, but I am pretty confident that the troop on 32's with a welded rear would be fine in most instances.
My DD has 30x9.50's, and does fine, but street use and trail use are a bit different.
I liked the idea of LPG, for its simplicity. No fuel pump, no electrical nightmare issues like FI, and running a higher CR seemed like a way to make a little power. Heck, I was even envisioning being able to ditch some of the miles of vacuum lines that are under there.(whats up with that anyway?)
I guess my buddy was right when he said, "just pick up a 4.3/700R4/241 combo for it, and throw an axle under it!"
Unfotunately, thats a yearlong project, compared to a month long project.
I dunno, maybe I'll just piece it back together, and wheel it til it breaks.

I take particular issue with the "not worth it" statement. It all depends on what you want.

My 91 2.6 was a complete dog when I got it. After getting the timing set right (was like 15 degrees retarded!), a complete tune-up, etc., it still was dangerous to drive in traffic.

I've got some engine experience behind me and I'm by no means anything more than a shadetree builder. I never touched the bottom end but did do a complete head job w/port and polish (lots of shaping), mill, newer Amigo IM, TB, MAF, filter, Calmini header, custom mandrel exhaust (all 2.25"), Delta cam... the thing is definitely a lot peppier. Sure, I have more hours in the truck than I'd like to recall, but it's all been a learning experience. I'm now extremely comfortable around a motor that when I first got the truck, I refused to work on.

If you are looking for higher CR there are a lot of things you can do- if you search for my posts here you can find some more performance discussion as well as info on the newer 2.3 heads which will seriously bump compression on the older blocks...

For more info, I'm uploading my old Trooper pages as we speak...

http://www.marcuccimotorsports.com/trooper/

Todd-

That comment was directed at trying to do what you did, to a 2.3. The success you saw (an myself, as I have done most of what you did and more), was inherantly part of the FI and electronic engine control. That same effort, put under a carb will not produce nearly the same result.

Generally, the same $$ and time would be spent on building a 2.3 or a 2.6. The gain from the 2.6 makes it worthwhile (and it is generally also in a "better" generation of Isuzu), while I don't think the return from the same work put into the 2.3 is worth it. Again, IMHO.

Good Luck,
Michael

I guess what it comes down to, is that I am trying to compensate for the lack of gear-down options, with a little bit more power.
I have no delusions of running down mustangs, and riced out civics.
You guys think 32's are a no-go? I know I can make them fit, thats not the issue. I need to be able to climb with them.
The stock troop has enough power with the 30 inchers, but I have the feeling that the 32's would drag things down too much.
Anyone run 32's and stock gears with a 2.3? I am not worried about highway use. I have a suburban with a 454 to bring this to the trail. I am talking about trail speeds, and steep grades.
This is AZ, so rocky trails are the norm. For good example of the terrain, check out Triathlete's thread on Charlou Gap.
Also, i know this is not ideal. But I already have this truck, and I am partial to 1st gen troops. If I were able to accomplis the ideal, I would just buy a buggy and be done with it.