PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: lpblauvelt on June 02, 2014, 09:36:13 AM

Title: RestoMod 1980 Pinto
Post by: lpblauvelt on June 02, 2014, 09:36:13 AM
Hey all - just joined up on here and hope to use this forum as a base of info for this project.. I could use some advice on a restoration a friend and I are starting to part together.
This might have been answered 100 times already..

My buddy bought a '80 Pinto about two years back from a Ford dealer for a steal. It was partially restored, but still all original and in working order. A few months ago the motor started knocking and he parked it and just saved up for a newer FI engine and manual trans (something he wanted to do since he bought it) Now that he's got the cash, he's looking to resto-mod the car and make it a daily driver.

Question is- which drive train would be the best for this project (in your opinion)?

Any advice is appreciated!

-Levi
Title: Re: RestoMod 1980 Pinto
Post by: waldo786 on June 15, 2014, 11:35:56 AM
Most people go with the 87/88 TurboCoupe engine.  I thought about doing this swap myself, but I don't want to break the bank on the car.  It's not all that expensive if you can do the work yourself, but I am not good at wiring (needed for ecu etc.), and I don't have the tools or knowledge to remove the engine and drivetrain.  I decided to restomod the engine a bit to get some more power - ranger roller cam, ranger header, offy 4 barrel intake, holley 390 carb, new stainless swirl port valves, and contemplating milling the heads and an adjustable cam gear.  Good luck with whatever route you choose.
Title: Re: RestoMod 1980 Pinto
Post by: derekrichmond15@yahoo.com on June 29, 2014, 05:04:15 PM
my 77 is definitely keeping the bank broken the engine alone 3 years of Mack & cheese,corn dogs to have one hell of a fast car!!! Ford 351w 5.8L turned into a 408w 6.7L 500+HP
Title: Re: RestoMod 1980 Pinto
Post by: 80_2.3_ESS on July 22, 2014, 11:24:43 AM
I just finished a swap in my 80 Pinto. Went with a 2.5 out of a Ranger, bored .030 over with new pistons, had the hydraulic lifter head milled, ported & flow tested, new Esslinger cam, Offenhauser intake, and a Holley 360 4-barrel. Behind it is a T-5 from a Mustang. Behind that is a Ford racing 3 1/2" aluminum driveshaft, mated to a Ford 8" rear end with 3.00 gears and a limited slip diff.

Not the fastest car on the road, but it has decent pep to it and rides nicely.