I have a 1989 Ford Tempo
I know it sucks
but are there any hints to play with the 2.3L motor?
I originally thought about getting a turbo from and SVT Mustang, (because I figured the same displacement motors would be interchangeable), but the engine blocks are substantially different. All I've seen on NOPI are some replacement shocks. Anything I can swap over from other Fords? I tried the 15" aluminum wheels from my old mans focus, and the bolt pattern is the same, just the offset is different.
Anything I could do on a limited budget????  

Trade in?

Sorry, I wish I had some good news for you...but I don't...good luck with your project!  

I know it's all you can afford, but you need to get rid of it and get something else.  Toyota Tercels have more upgradeability than your Tempo.  

I'll just keep driving this boring car until it breaks, or until I start making more money and can afford something better  

you sound like your all about ford. so my advice to you would be get rid of the car you got now and go buy a 97 probe gt. you can do more to it than the thing your driving now. i know a budget is an issue but i sure if you play your cards right and just wait you'll find one cheap. check ebay.  

cheap speed?

DSM.  

You can do any thing with any type of motor,but it is goingtocost you.  especialy on a Ford  Tempo.  

one of my old mans friends has done out an 86 SVO Mustang, and I thought that the turbo parts would just bolt right over, cuz both cars use a 2.3L block. But appareantly, there are many differences, and not as much room. I know there were AWD Tempo's, and some had V6 motors. All it takes is money!!!  

keep the tempo until you can afford a more upgradeable car. In the meantime be saving for that car. don't waste the money on a vehicle that is not worth it.
There are lots of different cars to choose from, SI civic, turbo dodge, GT Mustang, Camaro, Supra, the list goes on and on.  

I'm saving up with this car. Though reading SCC makes me want to build up a sweet street ride, I can't afford something sweet, so I'll just stick with my tempo until my funds increase signifigantly!!
I still can't help having a mind that wanders about what all I "might" be able to do.  

I know how it is. I used to have a basket-case automatic S13 that died in January. I loved it to pieces (figureatively, and probably literally). Decent-condition 240SXs are hard to find in New England and I needed a car ASAP, so I bit the bullet and bought a manual non-turbo Saab 900. Without the turbo engine, it's not really tuneable for speed, but that doesn't mean I don't plan to gain experience on it. I haven't driven a stick in a long time, so I'm getting reaquainted, plus unlike the Nissan it's in decent enough condition that it's worth fixing and maintaining myself. Once I get a better job, I'll go S13 hunting again.  The Saab's beginning to grow on me, so maybe I'll upgrade to a turbo 900 as a winter beater/project car.  

some guys have done the conversion, taking teh Yamaha V6 out of a Taurus SHO, and put them into Tempo's. I've seen some pics of their work, and it looks pretty intense!! Imagine, a Ford Tempo that can do sub 14sec down the 1/4
just google SHO TEMPO  

Sorry dude, on another post I jokingly said that my dream car was an 88 Tempo before reading this. My advice is to keep the Tempo as a daily driver. Go to WalMart and get some of those plastic spinners, and enjoy having a car that you can fealessly park anywhere, drive over curbs with, or bump into your garage door with (many times). Trust me, I've done all of the above in my personal beater, a 1993 Buick Century. It's the best.  

I was already thinking of getting some cheap plastic spinners, and a motorcycle baffle with a 4" chrome exhaust tip, just to be obnoxious.
and I was thinkin of getting a "TYPE-R" seat belt cover and some NOS stickers as a joke  

I love this guys attitude. The only way to get power out of a boring car is to keep it in the best possible running condition. From sutff from the local autoparts store. Flush the engine and put some synthetic in there, get a K&N filter that's made for you car, Then some Iridium tipped spark plugs, Decent spark plug wires not the yellow or red "racing" crap they sell, flush out the radiator put on some half and half of distilled water-antifreeze and a water wetter (or all distilled water with a water wetter), and finally a new oxigen sensor. Combined you get a cooler engine with the synthec and watter wetter for a cooler burn, better fuel efficiency and burn efficiency because of the air filter, O sensor, and spark plugs. Because now you're running on the nominal. Almost all of the gas turned into mist not fumes and so forth turned to power. Plus the synthecic stopped friction and absorbed some of the heat too. So there. You don't need a lot of money Probably 100 bucks and a weekend's worth of your time.