Pinto Car Club of America

I may be forced to scrap my 1980 project, but I want to build a raceable daily driver (over 20 mpg preferred) and am starting to make a list of the things that would be best to go into the project...

first off, engines,

2.3 carb, 2.3 injected, 2.3 turbo, 2.8 v6 or v8?

tranny? from what i understand most have a c4? what transmission is recommended? (given that i will probably need a new one anyway)

rear? Ive heard people with all kinds of crazy gear ratios, and throwing out terms i am unfamiliar with, In newbie builders terms, what rear end both fits and operates efficiently?

debating between a cruising wagon and a sedan trunk model, not too hot on the hatchbacks but ill start with whatever comes up first.

I have also heard cutting out the catalytic converter helps engine performance in carburetted engines? i don't even know what a catalytic converter is let alone why i would want to cut one off,


basically, I want to be able to take this car apart blindfolded.

on that note, Chilton's or Haynes? (repair manuals) or do i wait and see if i get lucky on ebay and buy a ford dealer repair manual?


k Ive spent my 5 minute break, back to my math homework, ugh.

I would suggest the 2.3 EFI turbo made from 1983-1989 sold in thunderbirds, cougars, mustangs, and merkurs... backed up by a T5 5 speed. You can run the 4 cyl T5 with 3.55 gears and it will be a BALL of fun. If you decide to run it with an automatic for the drag strip I would suggest 4.10 gears. These wont be too bad with a nicely built A4LD tranny with 4.0 explorer internals. With the C4 you may have trouble hitting your MPG goals.

If you decide to go with this swap good infor is to be found at www.turbopinto.com and www.turboforg.org as well as here at fordpinto.com .
Good luck.


Jim

yeah i just located a 88 turbocoupe with front end damage for 500 here in phx, hoping i can get it.