I'm suffering from three things- Cabin Fever, a love for Pintos, but an inherent love of speed. I don't want a blistering fast racecar or I'd keep the Pinto that I already have. I want something fun. This cabin fever has me thinking about the engine in my Pinto I haven't even picked up yet... its a 2.3L that has been totally overhauled and has under 900 miles on the fresh rebuilt. Its in a 1979. What kind of performance can I expect. And would you take out this engine to put in a 2.3L Turbo or keep it original for the love of the car?
-beegle55
Well, if you already have a fast modified one, a stock one would be a nice comparison to have on hand. If the 2.3 is in good tune you can probably expect to keep up with but not outrun urban traffic.
Chuck
That's what I have been afraid to hear. Imagine how bad it must feel to have a N/A 2.3L Mustang. 88HP to the Mustangs fuller-sized body. I've been looking at performance adders for the N/A 2.3L and it seems like it's best to just swap a turbo in. I think that might be the route I eventually go. I'm going to see how I think it goes personally and might just stick through it. The car is just going to be a fun weekend warrior I'm not going to drive it daily so we shall see...
-beegle55
I drive mine daily. It has a stock 2.3 and 4 speed. Aproximately 86,000 miles, never been rebuilt, but the oil has always been fresh and the carb has been rebuilt (twice). 2 barrel Holley 5200 and all the smog equipment. It can cruise at 75 on 14 inch rims. It will go faster, but it doesn't like to. Around town, if I pay attention I can beat a lot of newer stuff off the light, but they catch up to me by the time I'm doing 45.
Chuck
I think I'm just going to keep my eyes open for a turbo set up to slowly build and enjoy the Pinto the way it was from the factory then install the other engine once I'm happy with it. There is a junkyard about 30 miles from me that had a Thunderbird TC with some of the engine, mainly the block and main block components with it. Electronics were gone but you have to start somewhere and if I could get it cheap...
-beegle55
stock 2.3 turbo set up from an 87-88 turbo coupe or svo. 195-205hp, depending on what car. or better yet, depending on what eec iv. youll get great drivabilaty and fuel economy from the f/i and 5 speed. plus enough power to beat most of the factory "hot" cars. although, boost is like crack, highly addictive. next thing you know, youll have a big injector, big valve ported head wicking up a hybrid or holset to 25+lbs.
bob
Well if I can come up with the money... I have two good engine connections that I will be able to work with to build a good setup. One owns an all-Ford junkyard in OH and builds/races turbo Fords. The other is a master engine builder in the city next to where I live and I'm not sure how good he is with 4 cyl engines but he's a pro...scratch that... god with V8's. He helped us build the engine in our 92' Mustang. Ended up expecting 500-550 HP, Came out with 750 and a 250 N2O setup that runs a full-bodied 9 sec 1/4 mi. I'm going to do some calling...
-beegle55
First let me say that is one nice Pinto you have. I have a turbo car and love it. It's fast and reliable and like was said before BOOST is addictive. I am thinking the oppisite of you. I Love my turbo but now I am looking for a wagon I can put a V8 in. But I would never get rid of the turbo, I just want one of each. Just a hot rodder at heart. So bottom line I would go for the turbo swap, not that hard to do and well worth it.
Ray