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Author Topic: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto  (Read 4998 times)

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Offline oldschool787

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how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« on: November 16, 2012, 08:11:18 PM »
so i wrecked my tbird with a 2.3 turbo motor and 5 speed trans just had them rebuilt not to long ago and would hate to see them set so i also got a 71 pinto runabout been setting for years it has the 2.0 with a 4speed in it the trans is good motor toasted i was wondering is it possible to do this swap what trans should i use would it bolt up or is there a lot of fab work how hard is it to wire the efi?
I might own one FORD but, I own a Chevy and a trailer.

Offline johnbigman2011

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2012, 08:22:16 PM »
Oldschool I'm new to the turbo pinto scene, but I do read allot and have a 79 turbo pinto wagon.

I know that you will have to change the motor mounts. Save the wiring harness from your TC.

5 speed from the TC will work just fine with little mods.

Is it the 87-88 model? If it is, that is the perfered choice for HP!!

Heck I'll let the Pros chime in. Allot of good reading on this forum on installation of the TC motor into your 71. And good members that can help with any of your questions.

Have FUN!!!!

Also we have a Turbo section that's here on the forum as well.
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Offline cabecho

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2012, 08:32:15 PM »
it all depends. i will use the 5 speed. you can actually transfer everything from the tbird to the pinto.
you will have to play with the wiring harness and modules, but nothing bad, just to fine the right place for it, as far as been strait bolt on im not sure what 2.3 you have. but if is not a strait bolt on you can get a motor plate to drop it in, to me that has been the easiest way make any swap. that way you can also move your motor around if you needed to.
 
Aerodynamics is for those who can't build engines

If ford pintos are not fast then why chevy's have to use there parts to make them fast?

Offline oldschool787

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2012, 08:43:31 PM »
the motor i have is in a 86 tbird
 
I might own one FORD but, I own a Chevy and a trailer.

Offline johnbigman2011

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2012, 08:49:50 PM »
The one in my 79 is from the 85.. Easy bolt on's for more HP after you get it installed. Do your self a favor and don't cut up your hood to make everything work.. Mods for that too.

I enjoy my 79... plenty fast, trust me. Do go with the 5 speed. Not 10's in the 1/4 or nothing like that fast.
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Offline oldschool787

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2012, 08:54:40 PM »
im really not looking for power just need better mpg lol my daily driver is a 750hp bbc 1 ton or 600hp bbc k5 and i drive 80 miles round trip for work lol
I might own one FORD but, I own a Chevy and a trailer.

Offline johnbigman2011

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2012, 08:57:46 PM »
You'll get better milage with the motor in the Pinto then the TC.
1972 Trunk Model..... Yeller Feller
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Offline oldschool787

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2012, 09:01:34 PM »
pinto motor snapped a rod 4 years ago and never thought about rebuilding it
I might own one FORD but, I own a Chevy and a trailer.

Offline johnbigman2011

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2012, 09:06:50 PM »
Go  with the Turbo.. Like night and day!!!
1972 Trunk Model..... Yeller Feller
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Offline cabecho

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2012, 09:24:51 PM »
that will be a fun car to drive, post pictures when you start the project.
the motor is a bolt on engine. is actually the same block as the 2.3 that came on the pintos. the one thing that you may have to do is cut the drive shaft.
Aerodynamics is for those who can't build engines

If ford pintos are not fast then why chevy's have to use there parts to make them fast?

Offline oldschool787

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2012, 10:14:09 PM »
that will be a fun car to drive, post pictures when you start the project.
the motor is a bolt on engine. is actually the same block as the 2.3 that came on the pintos. the one thing that you may have to do is cut the drive shaft.

so as far as motor and trans mount go do i take the ones off the tc and adapt them to the pinto or try and find a pinto with the 2.3 and pull them I'm looking to start this project in the next few days getting a week off for thanksgiving and nothing to do then get 2 more weeks off for Xmas and new year and ill post pics as i go for help lol this is my first ford/car i ever done myself I'm a v8 Chevy truck and jeep guy  ;D
I might own one FORD but, I own a Chevy and a trailer.

Offline johnbigman2011

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2012, 11:01:41 PM »
That should work being you'll have to take the 71's out. Trans mount is basically just elongating the holes in it and a small cut in the trans tunnel for the shifter to work..
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Offline oldkayaker

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2012, 04:17:10 AM »
Unless you have all the parts available, your time frame may be a bit optimistic.  Since the 71 did not come with the 2.3, some more work is needed than the 74-80 Pinto's.  You need to cut off the 71 motor mount frame brackets and add the later Pinto brackets and motor mounts.  You will also need the Pinto oil pan (front sump), oil pump pickup, and dip stick.  Some people find the rewiring the most daunting.  If you keep the boost real low, the stock 6.75" rear end may live.  There are numerous turbo swap threads here, but here a few I like to get started with.  There are also numerous methods of doing the swap.  Sounds like a fun project.
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/so-you-want-to-build-a-turbo-pinto-part-1/msg76893/#msg76893
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/so-you-want-to-build-a-turbo-pinto-part-2/msg76894/#msg76894
http://www.fordpinto.com/your-pintos/72-2-5-turbo-pinto/30/
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Wittsend

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2012, 05:28:05 PM »
Thanks, Old Kayaker.  When I saw the original post I was lost as to where to direct this person to my "So you want to build a Turbo Pinto" two part-er post.

 Old School, I'm not trying to discourage you, but what I have posted is how it goes. If you cut corners you will have issues you don't want. Sure you can get by with the 6-3/4" rear, 17" radiator and just pulling the heater but at some point that will come back to bit you. Finding/pulling the 2.3 Pinto oil pan and engine mounts are necessary before you can even start. Be darn sure you have the engine where you want it before you weld the mounts in.  All the best.

Tom

Offline fast64ranchero

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2012, 10:21:43 AM »
Couple things I didn't see mentioned,
the intake will not clear the hood,
the 5 speed shifter will sit back about 3" compaired to where the 4sp shifter sits,
the 2.0L mounts have to come off the frame Rails and the 2.3 mounts have to be bolted or welded in place,
you'll not have room for a mechanical fan unless you use a fan from a fox body inline 6 car. 
and then there's the wiring, you'll need to spend some time sorting out the computor wiring, you really only need to use 15 wires to make it run correctly, more if you want stuff like CEL, Fuel switch (did they have that in 86?)
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Offline Pinturbo75

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Re: how hard is a 2.3 turbo swap in 71 pinto
« Reply #15 on: November 20, 2012, 11:36:17 AM »
if he uses the 87-88 tbird intake, it should clear the hood, it did on both of mine..... the shifter on a t5 will sit 2 inches forward of the origonal shifter not behind... thats why all the build threads say to cut the hole 2 inches out of the front of the shifter hole..... im running a slimline fan on one of mine and the stock 4 blade on the other.......
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