Pinto Car Club of America

hey i got my pinto for free. it is a 1978 runabout v6 with most options. i have been looking around because I want to make my pinto a nice one that can kick some butt at the local track. now i dont want to swap the engine but i would like to know because I have been looking and it seems to me that the mustang 2's are similar to the pinto. now my pinto is a 78 and i have found lots of aftermarket parts for a 1979-1993 mustang and i wonder if someone could tell me what is different and what parts if any I can use..
thank you so much

new comer.

The '79 & up Mustang is a totally different car & chasis then the '78. They changed the suspention, steering and rear end as well as all body parts. The wheel bolt pattern remaines the same. The 4 banger parts will interchange (which is a gutless joke in this year) but I believe the 6 might have been a straight 6.

I can't tell you much about the difference, but I can tell you my experience.  I have a 1971 Pinto and have a 1978 Mustang II rear-end installed.  I had no problems bolting it right to the chassis.  When I went to get new wheel cylinders for the rear wheels, I discovered that the cylinders (or maybe the entire rear hubs) are from a 1979 Mustang.  So, I am not sure if my rearend is out of a 1979 and was put in the '78 or if the ring/pinion/axles are from a 78 with 79 wheel parts.  nevertheless, it bolted right up to my 1971 Pinto frame with not a problem at all.  Good luck with yours!