PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: 76hotrodpinto on January 09, 2015, 10:27:29 AM

Title: Price check...
Post by: 76hotrodpinto on January 09, 2015, 10:27:29 AM
I found a complete 2.3 turbo motor, 5000 miles on rebuild, with a t5 and beefy clutch. All the wiring and other crap is there too. I can get it all for about $700. Is that a fair deal? I wasn't looking to go this route, but it has dropped in my lap, and I don't want to pass up a good deal.
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: mightyss1 on January 11, 2015, 09:50:07 AM
sounds like a hell of a deal to me....just be prepared for some work swapin everything to ur car, that could add up $$ fast...
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: 76hotrodpinto on January 12, 2015, 02:07:33 PM
I'm thinking I'll get it, but I will save it for the next pinto project. I have this one all planned out.
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on January 17, 2015, 01:01:28 PM
A lot of people are trying to get a lot more than that for high mileage 2.3T drivelines, so I would say it's probably worth getting for $700 if it really has been rebuilt recently. I paid $800 for a parts car just to get the 2.3T and T5, but still had to go get it, store the car, and pull everything myself. Some of the purchase price will be offset by selling parts but there will be a lot of hours tied up in it.

One caveat is exactly how the rebuild was done. Forged OEM replacement pistons specifically for the 2.3T have been obsolete for years. Unless it was rebuilt a long time ago or with old stock TRW/Speedpro slugs, then the only possibilities are flat-top forged pistons or worse, cast flat-tops for a non-turbo. I suppose aftermarket forged pistons could be in it, but it's not likely given the asking price.
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: 76hotrodpinto on January 17, 2015, 01:32:25 PM
Any idea on what the compression should read on a "fresh" turbo motor? It does run really good, but I trust nobody when it comes to buying used motors. Especially one outside my realm of expertise.
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on January 17, 2015, 05:26:22 PM
You heard it run? Is it in a vehicle?

I've never had a fresh 2.3T  ??? , but good runners often blow around 145psi regardless of mileage.

2.3Ts with the easier-to-get flat-top pistons will often ping at stock boost levels (14-15psi on "premium" mode, ~9-10psi on "regular). In factory 2.3T cars with the knock sensor still connected, they will nose over dramatically when pinging as the ECU pulls a truckload of timing to keep it together...and they may still audibly ping.
Title: Re: Price check...
Post by: 76hotrodpinto on January 17, 2015, 08:56:21 PM
He made a video of it before pulling. Sounded really good, and snappy on the response. The last rig it was in was a courier truck, so it has been swapped around before too.