Pinto Car Club of America

Ok, before too much longer I'm gonna start restoring my pinto.  I've got a few ideas in my head as for what I'm gonna do to it.  Some are set, some I'm still debating.

Right now its all stock except for the rear flipper windows and cd player.  Its green (or Ivy glow as ford called it) with a light green interior. 

My plans are to convert it to 71 specs as far as possible.  bumpers (73's stick out a little further), Interior (black) and maybe the doors as they would make the car lighter, yet I'd loose the side impact bracing.  Not sure on that one yet.  I'm also not sure if I want the small glass hatch (not even sure if it'll work with my car.)

So here's what I want your input on:

Engines: 2.0 with performance parts (cam, blah blah) or a decked out 2.8 v6.  I've got all the parts I need to seriously hop it up (cam, 4bbl intake, headers, and 2.9 "stroker" crank.  That'll put me in the 220 hp area.

I'm leaning twords the 2.8 because everyone has done a turbo 2.3 and v8 swap (not dogging them) and I'd like to be different.  I should also add that I'm gonna be keeping a manual tranny behind either engine.

So what do you guys think?

-Harry

I think it's your decision. After all, it's your car and it's your take on the hobby.

Do you want a light car with pavement pounding capabilities?

Do you want a stock '71 spec car?

Do you want a daily driver?

Do you want a show car?

How you answer those questions determines how you approach redoing your car.

oddly enough, i have a 71 pinto i have swapped a 2.8 into. If you choose to go that route, i will help you if i can. It's up to you what you do. as i said, if you go with the 2.8 though, i can help you out if you need it.

If you keep the visible stuff stock and boost the motor with performance parts or turbo you get a taste of both worlds.