Okay, so this winter will be the time for me to update the engine & trans in my Pinto, due to the current motor smoking and burning oil.
Currently, it has the stock 2.3 motor, with a Offy intake and Holly 390 4-barrel, and stock 4-speed manual. Car is a 1980 ESS.
My plans are as follows. Instal new motor, convert to mustang T5, swap out the 3.00's in the 8" rear for different gears, and install a LSD.
I recently came across, and bought, a race car (Moddified Mini-stock) from my grandfathers brother. In it is a 2.5 liter truck motor, out of a Ranger. It has a ported head, is bored .030 over, and has a 4-speed on it. I also have a line on a 2.3 liter mustang with a T5, that I can get the whole motor & tranny out of.
So, my plan is to use the 2.5 liter motor & head, use the bell-housing and tranny out of the mustang, and swap out the gears in the rear end.
So here's my questions, I have a few.
1.) What mods are needed to install the T5? If I recall correctly, I need to do something with the clutch cable, and cut a wider hole in the floor for the shifter. Con someone please outline these issues?
2.) What fly-wheel do use? Do I use the one off the 2.3? Or does the 2.5 require a different one?
3.) The current 2.5 has an underdrive pulley due to being a race motor. What harmonic ballancer should I use in place of it?
4.) The cam that's in it now is an esslinger 2259, power ranger from 3500 to 7500. I think this will be a little too high for my liking. What would be a better cam to run?
5.) What carb should I run? Should I stick with the Offy intake and Holley 390? Or should I convert to a 2-barrel?
6.) Other? Anything else I should know before tackling this project?
Thanks so much guys!
Edit: Thought of another question. What gears should I swap to with the LSD? 3.55's? 3.72's? Rear tire size is 245-60-R14's. I don't need them to bake the tires at every launch, but a good burnout would be nice to be able to do, but highway cruising is a must, so I don't want the motor to be at 4k when doing 70 cause of the gears.