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Horsepower & Heels

Celebrating, promoting and supporting female racers and women in motorsports

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Kelly Morris

You are here: Home / Archives for Kelly Morris

Kelly Morris 2.3L Engine Build

March 15, 2016 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Kelly Morris 2.3L Engine Build

Our very own Horsepower & Heels staff contributor Kelly Morris has been busy in the shop working on her own project – a 1982 Mercury Capri drag racing build.    

With the help of her family and friends, Kelly is learning first hand about drag racing by taking part in her own race car build.   The plan: a mid 11-second turbocharged 2.3L powerplant that will give Kelly some great experience both on the track and in the engine bay.

Kelly Morris 2.3L Engine Build

Kelly Morris hones her stock connecting rodsThis week, Kelly tacked assembling the bottom end of her 2.3L turbo engine.    After sending the stock crank out to RPM Machine Inc. to be cleaned and polished, and the stock block also sent out to Tim McMasters Machine Shop to be bored 0.030 over, Kelly got to work on honing the stock connecting rods to ensure a snug fit.

Honing Connecting RodsARP provided new hardware for the bottom end, new main and rod bearings were sourced, along with rings for the new pistons, and by the time the crank and block returned, Kelly was ready to begin assembly on her short block.    She set to work measuring and weighing the crank, rods and pistons.     A brand new set of Icon forged pistons were selected to handle additional boost by the turbocharged powerplant.

Kelly Morris 2.3L Engine BuildKelly took her time and great care during the assembly process.  By turning the crank by hand, they were able to verify that the finished product had the piston clearances exactly where they wanted them.

It has been an exciting experience for me,” said Kelly of her first engine build.  “I thought taking it apart was the best part. But actually seeing it slowly pulling together like a puzzle has been. I’m excited, and I am pretty anxious (to finish), even though I know I have to take my time & be patient.”

Kelly Morris gets the block ready for some finishing touchesWith the rotating assembly in place, Kelly decided to give the block a finishing touch, and a little extra dose of personality.   She carefully prepped and taped off the newly assembled block and laid down a couple coats of engine paint.  But instead of the standard Ford Blue, Kelly opted for a Bright Pink color for her 2.3L engine block.

“I’m very pleased,” said Kelly on her Pretty in Pink engine painting handiwork.

 

Kelly Morris 2.3L Engine BuildThe finished product: a bright pink block ready for the next steps of the build.

Next up, Kelly plans to assemble the upper engine/valvetrain. Kelly Morris’ 2.3L engine build will retain the factory cylinder heads, ported with a combo of Manley  1.89 intake/ 1.95 exhaust valves and Comp Cam Beehive Valve Springs, paired with an Esslinger 2267 cam (242/ 0.460 lift).   The extra fuel demands will be met by a Stinger Fuel Injection system with 80 lb. fuel injectors.   Extra boost will come courtesy of an upgraded T4 turbocharger with a .70 AR Compressor trim and .84 AR exhaust trim.

All her hard work will pay off soon enough, when she is able to take to her local dragstrip in a car she ‘built, not bought’ herself.

One thing is certain, there is no one underestimating Kelly Morris and her 2.3L Mercury Capri!

Category: Heel ClicksTag: Drag Racing, Horsepower & Heels, In the Shop, Kelly Morris, project car, Women Racing

Fast Women Friday #3 SEMA Edition

November 6, 2015 //  by Horsepower & Heels

Another Fast Women Friday!   This week is the SEMA Special Edition, so I’m sure there’s tons of cool new things to share!

Last week was a slow week, but we heard from a few new women for Fast Women Friday #2.

  1. Kelly Morris RacingKelly Morris stopped by to share her Kelly Morris Racing page.  Kelly is building her own drag racing ride, and helps her dad in his shop working on and building cars for drag racing competition.  Kelly has big dreams to pursue in racing, and she’s just getting started on her journey.  Stop by and check her out on her Facebook page, and stick around to stay tuned into her career progression.
  2. Feel the Horsepower Chocolate BarsGina Woods returned to share her Feel the Horsepower Chocolate Bar project.    Tired of the same terrible food choices that typically represent the average track/bike rally events, Gina wanted to create something she could take with her on the go for a healthier, tastier option.   These new healthy chocolate bars are not only delicious, but a great nourishing option for the horsepower-fueled lives of those constantly on-the-go and living life in the fast lane.
  3. Flyin Faith from WA11 year-old Flyin’ Faith, a racer from Washington, stopped in to share her website with us.   Faith has already been racing for 6 years, and is doing a great job!   She was named rookie of the year this season in the bandit division of the Bandolero’s at Spartan Speedway, finishing 3rd in points and attending every race.

Fast Women Friday: SEMA edition

Fast Women FridayThis Fast Women Friday Link Party  is hosted to feature more amazing content and resources that help and highlight female racers, women working in motorsports, and any of the ladies in the automotive/gearhead spaces.

This week, the SEMA show is dominating headlines in auto and motorsports worlds, we can’t wait to see what everyone is raving about!    Got something interesting to share?   This is a great way to mingle and discover others around the net who are just as passionate about Women in Motorsports!    Join up below!

How this works

  1. The party will be open through next Tuesday evening to share your posts and other content related to or helpful for Women in Motorsports or Automotive.
  2. Each week, we’ll feature the most popular finds from the party scene + share them to our social circles. Sharing is caring, it’s how we all grow!
  3. To enter your posts, just click the You’re Next link below (under the party posts).   They will automatically update onto the party space.   You can share your race news posts, your personal pages, or anything that relates to women in automotive.
  4. Be sure to visit other party goers blogs and comment – mingle with the party attendees!   Fast Women Friday is about connecting and interacting with others!
  5. I’d love for you to give a little share love to this party post and invite your friends!   Feel free to use the graphic above and link back to this post.
  6. HAVE FUN!

Fast Women Friday SEMA Edition Party Posts



Category: Featured, Horsepower & Heels BlogTag: Gina Woods, Kelly Morris, Women Racing

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