Author Topic: Need tips/advice/instructions. Swapping in an 89 Mustang 2.3 with EFI into a 79?  (Read 1072 times)

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Offline russosborne

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I'm really confused with all the reading I've been doing on here and other forums.  :-[

I have the donor car, so I can take whatever I need off.  ;D

So my question is what all do I really need? Oh, taking the A4LD trans as well, need the O/D so feel free to add that into your replies.  ;D

Oh, in case it comes up. The 79 has had the crossmember modified to fit the Mustang rear sump oil pan. So I don't need to change anything there.

My main concern is the computer and wiring.
I also need to know what to do with for a fuel pump. I don't want to use the tank from the Mustang, I have a fuel cell I bought for the 74 that I would like to use, but have heard the fuel pump is controlled by the computer on EFI cars. True? Or will any EFI rated pump work? This car is not anything close to stock, so that isn't an issue.  ;D

I will be taking the radiator and fan as well, since the 79 has neither.

Any tips or help appreciated. Been trying to search here, but haven't found what I was hoping for so far.

Thanks,
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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So my question is what all do I really need?

Pretty much all the wiring and hardware related to the EFI. Don't cut anything up if you can avoid it.

Quote
have heard the fuel pump is controlled by the computer on EFI cars. True? Or will any EFI rated pump work?

True, but the ECU only controls the fuel pump relay. It doesn't know what kind of pump is attached to it.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline pinto_one

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I done it to my 76 and a 78 years ago, I can send you some photos of my pump and filter set up , the A4LD is a good swap , have it in mine , look in the photo gallery under my user name and you will see the cross member , you also will have to shorten the drive shaft 4 1/2 inch’s , use the pinto 2.3 oils pan and pick up , I put my computer above the glove box out of the way , make sure you grab the speedometer cable , it has a vss on the end that goes to the trans and the other end will plug into the pinto speedometer , this will help you get started , later Blaine

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Offline russosborne

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Pretty much all the wiring and hardware related to the EFI. Don't cut anything up if you can avoid it.

True, but the ECU only controls the fuel pump relay. It doesn't know what kind of pump is attached to it.

Thanks. You really eased my mind and I appreciate it. ;D

I shouldn't have to cut any wires. I hope. Not on purpose anyway. I have the Mustang factory service manual, hoping it helps show what isn't obvious. I was just out taking a look at it. Thinking it isn't as bad as I had thought. A lot of the wire harness I was seeing does not go to the engine as I had thought. Course I have a tendency to make simple stuff hard.

And that relay answer is what I needed to hear. I was imagining some special pump. Relay is easy.

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline russosborne

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I done it to my 76 and a 78 years ago, I can send you some photos of my pump and filter set up , the A4LD is a good swap , have it in mine , look in the photo gallery under my user name and you will see the cross member , you also will have to shorten the drive shaft 4 1/2 inch’s , use the pinto 2.3 oils pan and pick up , I put my computer above the glove box out of the way , make sure you grab the speedometer cable , it has a vss on the end that goes to the trans and the other end will plug into the pinto speedometer , this will help you get started , later Blaine

Thanks, big big help.

I'll take a look at your pictures.

I've sort of been in panic mode(hey, I am good at that at least), but hopefully I will have the time to calm down and time needed to pull everything from my 89 Mustang without getting into city zoning trouble as I have to do it in the front driveway. If I can force myself to get started I should be able to do it in a weekend if not one day. Once I get started I am a terror. Until then it is a terror.  :-[

The drive shaft that is coming with the car was for a T5 trans. So I don't know what I will need to do there. Although I am hoping to somehow finagle a T5 deal as I really prefer shifting gears. I am going to keep the Mustang driveshaft just in case I need the front from it. I really don't know much about the Fox Mustangs and what works with what. I tried getting into them, but to me they just aren't real Mustangs. None of them past '73 are to me.

No Pinto engine/trans stuff coming with it. The po had an SVO 2.3 turbo in it. He modified the cross member to fit a rear sump Mustang oil pan. Makes my life a ton easier.

Good to know about the speedometer cable. I would have left it dangling.

Any other little tidbits of wisdom very much appreciated.

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.