Well, I just picked up a '87 2.3 turbo running motor with harness and ECU yesterday. It came out of a 94 Mustang. I am going with a C4 trans because I have bad hips. My car was a drag car, and I am making it back to a street car. It had a 351C in it. So there are no motor mounts on the frame. Will I need to use the frame mounts from 2.3 car? And what converter should I use?
'71 Pinto
Stock '87 2.3 turbo motor
9" narrowed rear, 33 spline Moser axles, Richmond 5:66 gears w/ full spool, coil overs, ladder bar set up
I saw your car for sale a while back w/o engine,
you need to find frame mounts from a 74 and up pinto with a 2.3L, you also need to get the oil pad from the same car, (front sump)
if it is from a 87 you should have a LA2 computor, if this is the case you'll have to have a intercooler also...
you will have to have a convertor made if you want any type of higher than stock stall speed, in fact the later 2.3L engines have a stepped alignment, convertor for the crank,,, No big deal just have one built, $300 for a stock lid convertor or so..
A couple of things to add... :
The mentioned "frame mounts" are part of the three piece (per side) engine mount arrangement. One all metal piece bolts to the engine, one all metal piece bolts to the frame rail. Most people actually weld them in because there are not any "dead on" bolt holes to use. Lastly, there is the rubber mount (the third piece) that goes between the two all metal pieces.
You will need the oil pick up in addition to the '74 and up oil pan. They have the star type head on the bolts - so be prepared. One of the bolts is rather difficult get any socket rotation on.
You state your going to run an Automatic. The LA-2 computer mentioned is for the '87 Turbo Coupe MANUAL 5 Speed. Being that you are running a non electronic C-4 it still might work. An important FYI. The C-4 to 2.3 bellhousing is quite rare. I found one last year, listed it on Ebay and got $180 for it.
You can thank "Old Yayaker" for digging these up. The first two are mine.
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/so-you-want-to-build-a-turbo-pinto-part-1/msg76893/#msg76893
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/so-you-want-to-build-a-turbo-pinto-part-2/msg76894/#msg76894
http://www.fordpinto.com/your-pintos/72-2-5-turbo-pinto/30/
All the best, Tom
Thanks for the info from both of you guys with the links. I just picked up a TCI trans locally, but it has a SBF bell housing for 157t flywheel. I am thinking of just getting the Lakewood bell housing and flex plate, as I plan on building another motor for a lot more power! Also thinking of making custom motor mounts so I can use Mustang polyurethane mounts. Already have the trans poly mount.
Also having a hard time trying to figure what wheel size to use. The backs are 15x10, 31x14.4 slicks. 15x4 on front. I did put the shell combo from my Ranger before I sold it. I like it, but the quarter panels are cut out to fit the big meats. Also on the front, I would like to run a little bigger tire, since this will be a daily driver (Hehehe). Her's a pic of the ranger wheels
There are other options for a C4 besides the Pinto
bell.I have 2 2.3s and 1 2.0 C4 bellhousings and dont
use them.
Ok an update. I have a '87 2.3 turbo motor w/ harness and LA2 computer. I have a C4 trans and just bought a bell housing from a guy along with a Lokar dipstick for it.
Now thinking of selling the narrowed 9" for a longer 1 so I can put a smaller tire on. Plan is to make it look as stock as possible, a sleeper! 9" has 33 spline M/W axles, Richmond full spool, Richmond 5:66 gears in it, and I just picked up a set of 4:56 gears for it. The rear end is set up with a ladder bar setup.
Will be taking the cage out and put in a 6 point made for the Pinto. Plan to try and put a rear seat in it so my granddaughter can ride in it.
So a couple of questions.
1) Can I use my MSD 6AL box and Blaster coil? And if so, how would I wire it in? And anything else I would need with it?
2) Since I have never done this before, how do I hook up the harness to the car to power it?
Thanks, Eugene
http://rothfam.com/svo/reference/87Thunderbird.pdf
Where's a good place to get a 3000 stall convertor for pinto bell housing. I need it to bolt to '87 2.3T flex plate. Also is there anything special I need to do to crank for convertor to fit?
Also I just picked up another turbo motor. I got it because it needs rebuilt, but I got it to strip and use as a mock up motor. Going to gut motor and head so I can mock up motor mount location. I also got 1 couple of SVO lower and upper intakes.
So I am wondering which intake I should use? I like the idea of the SVO lower, and having a custom upper made. What do you think?
The rear wheels are 12" w/ 5 1/2" backspace. 31x14.5x15 Goodyear slicks (16" overall wide!!).
I am going with a 10" wheel and probably a 325/50 tire on rear.
Fronts are 4" skinnies
I am wanting to put a wider wheel & tire on front so it will handle better. Any ideas what I can put there?
And does anyone know where I can get quarter panels for my Pinto? I want to have the stock wheel opening. I also need the front inner fender wells as the guy before me took a torch to them for the 351C motor:(
I can be reached at 316-204-6933. Thanks, Eugene
Here are the pics of the current w&t's
I have a set of M/T Sportsman radial 29-15-15 that I plan to run on 12" wheels on my '73 when I get to it. Those would fit nicely out back on yours as well. Then get a lip & stretch it & weld it to finish your quarters off.
I want to stick around a 28" tall tire on back
Ok, I bought another 2.3T motor! But this 1 is a fresh build, zero miles. Got it to cheap!!! Actually traded 1 of my 50 size nitro helicopters and $650! I hope to get it shipped to me by the end of the week! I also got a MegaSquirt 2 for engine management. Will be getting a 3500 stall convertor. I trade the other 2 motors to a guy in Oklahoma to build me a custom header. Getting closer..... :o
Motor finally shipped yesterday! Should get it Thursday or Friday at the latest!!! Getting closer. Getting a custom header that will mount the turbo about where the alternator goes. I want to be able to remove plugs, turbo or valve cover with ease! ;D
Quote from: tintmaster on February 11, 2013, 01:47:18 PM
I want to stick around a 28" tall tire on back
275/60/15 is equivalent to a 10x28.
Might be a biotch on a 12 inch wheel but
it can be done.
Motor is here!!!
Now trying to figure if I want to do a 28 or 26" tall tire. Will be putting quarter panels on to put stock wheel opening back. I am wanting to try and make it look like a sleeper. Thinking of an 8" wide wheel out back and a 6 or 7" up front. That way I can do a 26x10 out back. And not look to intimidating!