Hey all - just joined up on here and hope to use this forum as a base of info for this project.. I could use some advice on a restoration a friend and I are starting to part together.
This might have been answered 100 times already..
My buddy bought a '80 Pinto about two years back from a Ford dealer for a steal. It was partially restored, but still all original and in working order. A few months ago the motor started knocking and he parked it and just saved up for a newer FI engine and manual trans (something he wanted to do since he bought it) Now that he's got the cash, he's looking to resto-mod the car and make it a daily driver.
Question is- which drive train would be the best for this project (in your opinion)?
Any advice is appreciated!
-Levi
Most people go with the 87/88 TurboCoupe engine. I thought about doing this swap myself, but I don't want to break the bank on the car. It's not all that expensive if you can do the work yourself, but I am not good at wiring (needed for ecu etc.), and I don't have the tools or knowledge to remove the engine and drivetrain. I decided to restomod the engine a bit to get some more power - ranger roller cam, ranger header, offy 4 barrel intake, holley 390 carb, new stainless swirl port valves, and contemplating milling the heads and an adjustable cam gear. Good luck with whatever route you choose.
my 77 is definitely keeping the bank broken the engine alone 3 years of Mack & cheese,corn dogs to have one hell of a fast car!!! Ford 351w 5.8L turned into a 408w 6.7L 500+HP
I just finished a swap in my 80 Pinto. Went with a 2.5 out of a Ranger, bored .030 over with new pistons, had the hydraulic lifter head milled, ported & flow tested, new Esslinger cam, Offenhauser intake, and a Holley 360 4-barrel. Behind it is a T-5 from a Mustang. Behind that is a Ford racing 3 1/2" aluminum driveshaft, mated to a Ford 8" rear end with 3.00 gears and a limited slip diff.
Not the fastest car on the road, but it has decent pep to it and rides nicely.