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Author Topic: 2.3EFI N/A swap  (Read 6840 times)

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Offline Blue79Pinto

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2.3EFI N/A swap
« on: May 11, 2013, 05:19:58 PM »
If I wanted to swap an EFI out of a 86 it 93 mustang, as I have access to both, would they mate to my existing transmission?  I do not know it it is a C3 or C4.

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2013, 06:33:58 PM »
I believe either engine will bolt in (after swapping on the Pinto oil pan,etc.), somebody please correct if wrong.  Recommend you check the height of the manifolds above valve cover rail to see if you will have a hood clearance issue.  The dual plug 93 should get better mileage but the wiring will be more involved.  According to the Ford manual, the NA 86 Mustang 2.3 used a carb while the Ranger 2.3 had EFI.  If the NA 86 Mustang 2.3 has EFI, maybe it is not stock or the manuals did not catch up.  The turbo 86 Mustang 2.3 EFI has simpler wiring than the 93 and there is more after market support for increased power modifications, even without the turbo.  It always seems to come down to compromises.
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2013, 11:53:37 AM »
It will bolt up to the trans. The wiring for the single plug should be fairly easy to swap in. I was planning this swap myself but got delayed by at least a year.
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Offline Blue79Pinto

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2013, 07:00:02 PM »
Well I actually ended up finding a 2.3L out of a 91 Ranger.  It has the double plug head which has better power than the stock.  I think that's the one I am going to go for.

Offline Blue79Pinto

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2013, 11:04:04 PM »
Has anyone done the double plug head and if so do you have any advice or a how to on the wiring of the ecu? 

Offline pintoguy76

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2013, 07:37:15 PM »
I'm going to do this same swap until I get my 2.3T back together. Im sick of the carbed 2.3 with points that doesnt run right anyways. I dont think the double plug engine should be any harder to wire than the single plug.... Pin 1 to 12v at all times, oxygen sensor + wire to 12v in run, and one other hot wire from the ignition module to 12v in run/start. And then a few grounds and that should be it...
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon with 1991 Mustang DIS EFI 2.3 and stock Pinto 4 Speed
 
1996 Chevy C2500 Suburban with 6.5L Turbo Diesel/4L80E 4x2

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Offline OhSix9

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2013, 12:45:14 AM »
there is no difference in the wiring when it comes to interfacing it with the car no matter if it is 4 plug or 8.  everything is self contained in the ecu wiring harness Instead of a plug at the distributor and single coil it has a pair of coil packs and a crank trigger The only thing that is harder is you need 8 plug wires instead of 4, everything else is the same. still takes power, ignition and ground
Modest beginnings start with the single blow of a horn man..    Now when you get through with this thing every dickhead in the world is gonna wanna own it.   Do you know anything at all about the internal combustion engine?

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Offline pintoguy76

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2013, 12:07:35 PM »
That's what I was thinking too. Really doesn't sound like any big deal to me. Cant wait to get this new engine in my car! It should run and drive so much better and get better mileage.
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon with 1991 Mustang DIS EFI 2.3 and stock Pinto 4 Speed
 
1996 Chevy C2500 Suburban with 6.5L Turbo Diesel/4L80E 4x2

1980 Volvo 265 with 1997 S-10 4.3 and a modified 700R4

2010 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x2 5.3 6L80E

Offline pintoguy76

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2013, 12:09:53 PM »
One more thing. What do I do with the VSS +/- wires in the wiring harness? My car wont have a VSS since I am using the pinto 4 speed (atleast for now) Will it run fine and not throw any codes without the VSS connected?
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon with 1991 Mustang DIS EFI 2.3 and stock Pinto 4 Speed
 
1996 Chevy C2500 Suburban with 6.5L Turbo Diesel/4L80E 4x2

1980 Volvo 265 with 1997 S-10 4.3 and a modified 700R4

2010 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x2 5.3 6L80E

Offline D.R.Ball

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2013, 08:36:03 PM »
It might throw codes however check the Rangerstation. com for more info on your swap. Why ? Because others have added a late model EFI to an early Ranger and they have allot of info on their F.A.Q. section etc..

Offline pintoguy76

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2013, 09:51:03 PM »
There has been a bit of a change in plans.  The guy that had the Ranger engine sold it out from under me. However I found a 91 mustang engine, also DIS/8 plug/MAF for $200. Supposed to have a few thousand less miles on it than the ranger engine did too. Plus the mustang engine accessories are in the correct place for the pinto vs the ranger.


The only issue i see is the mustang engine doesn't have a fan on it since it used an electric fan. I don't know if the pinto fan will work or not, it probably will, but still yet I don't want to use it since its a solid direct drive fan (no clutch, and not a flex fan either). The ranger engine had a nice clutch fan on it.


Anyways, the mustang engine came with a computer but it was for an automatic car, so today I snagged a computer from another 91 at the pick n pull that came with a 2.3 and a 5 speed. I also started removing the wiring harness for it, but the yard closed before i got it all unhooked so i am going back in the morning for the rest of it.


Also got a stock high pressure inline fuel pump from a fuel injected V6 Volvo today too, so pretty much I am ready for the swap except for the harness (which i will have in the morning) and a couple other little things like the connectors for the fuel lines (they were disconnected at that special spring lock connector on the rail so i need something to connect the pinto lines to the mustang fuel rail) and an oil pan gasket.
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon with 1991 Mustang DIS EFI 2.3 and stock Pinto 4 Speed
 
1996 Chevy C2500 Suburban with 6.5L Turbo Diesel/4L80E 4x2

1980 Volvo 265 with 1997 S-10 4.3 and a modified 700R4

2010 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x2 5.3 6L80E

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2013, 03:34:07 AM »
Make sure you pick up the "integrated relay control module" and wiring from the front of the right shock tower.  It controls power to the computer, ignition, fan, A/C, and fuel pump.  Also pick up the other sensors, solenoids, and wiring not attached to the engine but on the right inner fender and fire wall.  There is the inertia switch for fuel pump safety located in the rear of the trunk.
 
Suggest you get a "electrical & vacuum troubleshootin g manual" (EVTM) for the 91 or 92 Mustang.  It has the wiring diagrams and will save a lot of time and frustration.  I found "ebay motors - parts & accessories" the easiest place to find them.
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Daniel76706

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2013, 10:10:33 PM »
What throttle cable did you use with the efi swap?

Offline D.R.Ball

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2013, 02:03:10 PM »
Use the cable from a EFI car and your good to good. I'm hooking up a 2.3T from a Merkur and the Thunderbird throttle cable. Yes they fit, just ensure the cable is long enough. Short cable = stuck gas pedal.

Offline Daniel76706

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2013, 09:07:33 PM »
Thank you for the info.  :)

Offline pintoguy76

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2013, 06:57:38 PM »
I too used a thunderbird TC throttle cable. It seems too short tho. The engine is at WOT long before the pedal has a chance to reach the floor.
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon with 1991 Mustang DIS EFI 2.3 and stock Pinto 4 Speed
 
1996 Chevy C2500 Suburban with 6.5L Turbo Diesel/4L80E 4x2

1980 Volvo 265 with 1997 S-10 4.3 and a modified 700R4

2010 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x2 5.3 6L80E

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #16 on: July 31, 2013, 08:58:05 PM »
I too used a thunderbird TC throttle cable. It seems too short tho. The engine is at WOT long before the pedal has a chance to reach the floor.

 
That has to do with the throttle body taking less cable length to fully open compared to a carb. I'd make an adjustable throttle stop under the gas pedal to stop from going too far
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Offline D.R.Ball

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Re: 2.3EFI N/A swap
« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2013, 11:23:38 AM »
For the cooling fan issue you can use the  mechanical one you already have without issue. The fan switch is on the lower intake and it just goes from the fan relay to the engine cooling fan and not the EEC.  If you are going to do a Turbo swap the single electric fan and shroud from a Ford Tempo fits, I do not remember what year. Yes it fits perfectly on the radiator and I will see how the whole thing fits on the car by Saturday, if I do not get rained out again.....Darn pop up thunder storms. As for the throttle cable I will check out that issue as well.