There is often talk here about building Turbo Pinto's, or trying to talk people out of building V-8 Pinto's and building a Turbo Pinto.  However, I got to thinking..., where will the donor car come from??? Surely no one will hack a SVO Mustang or a Merkur as those are getting very rare.

 So, I just looked through Craigslist Los Angeles (#2 population area in the nation) and out of 200 cars listed under T-Bird/Thunderbird there were three 83-88 Thunderbirds. Only one of those three was a Turbo Coupe. And it was an early one, not the more desirable 87-88's. And while used as a donor car it is not a problem, it did have registration issues and was listed as running hot so the engine might be questionable. Thus in the #2 population area of the nation a questionable Turbo Coupe represented one half percent (.5) of the total Thunderbirds available.

I started my Turbo Pinto project in 2008 having had the donor 88 T/C as my daily driver for ten years.  At that time I'd find three to five Turbo Coupes between the two self serve yards I frequented on a monthly basis. However..., in less than six months that immediately trickled down to  one or two.  Of late I have found ONE Turbo Coupe in the past three years (36 yard trips).

The newest Turbo Coupe (an 88) is nearly 30 years old. The engine originated in the USA 43 years ago! How many more can be expected to be found?  Perhaps it is time the Pinto community moves on to a different, more modern engine swap?

Anyway, just some rambling thoughts rolling through my head.  What rolls through your's?

I don't know what would be involved, or if it's even possible, but a four cylinder Ecoboost engine would be awesome in a Pinto.

Dwayne

Oh it's possible, and the English are already doing it, as the EAO 2.0 L pinto is getting scarce over the other side of the pond. The main issue in the Oil pan and the water outlets in the block. Ford Racing is already offering the 2.3 Ecoboost crate motor from the newer Mustang with the harness included. (315HP?)
 Always..
 A bit of wheelspin upon exit, Pintosopher

Eight grand!!!! You could spend that much on new parts making 310 / 315 HP out of a 2300 Pinto Lima. Triple the stock 2300 HP and carry a big basket with you. There's always the junk yards

The person in the thread below is gradually making progress on installing a 2.0L Ecoboost in a 1980 Bobcat wagon utilizing mainly used components.  There has been no mention of how it will fit yet, i.e. cross member, rack, or transmission tunnel interference.  The addition of EPAS was nicely done.
https://www.facebook.com/Project-Milk-Run-20L-Ecoboost-Swap-917953094951393/timeline/