How easy would it be to swap in a turbo coupe engine? The pinto has a 2.3L engine so I figure it wouldn't have to be that much work.
thanks.
Eddie
Heres my site about my Pinto
http://myweb.cableone.net/SVOwagon
Great site! Was it a difficult swap or fairly easy? Any thing I should out for?
Thanks.
Eddie
I haven't done the turbo mdification yet, but I have all the parts for it. It seems to me the biggest obstacle will be the lack of clearance for the heater motor and battery.
With a center mount header, you will have the clearance for the heater motor, but you will still have to relocate the battery, and probably cut out or reshape the sheetmetal under the battery for turbo clearance.
I "think" if you use an intake/valve cover from an '87-'88 turbo T-bird you may have enough hood clearance.
(How is that for being definitive..."I think...you may") :)
even with the lower 87/88 tc intake you have to cut the hood a tad to clear the throttle body.
you can use the heater box from an a/c car for clearance.
you need a fuel return line.
I had to remove some metal from the fender where the battery was for turbo clearance on mine. I just put the battery in the hatch.
I have a rotated intake that has been shortened some and fits under the hood.
Im swapping an 88 engine and t-5 into my 79 wagon. Ive had to cut away metal at the battery area for the exhaust fange also. It looks like I need the longer trottle cable from the TC. I had to swap bellhousings and fork to be able to use the Pinto clutch cable. I might have to use the cable that came with the bell because its looking like the Pinto cable wont have enough adjustment.
I bought a used A/C heater box so I can keep my heat. That hasnt gone in yet. The non A/C box was a ton of fun ::) to get out so Im expecting the A/C one to be a blast. :-\ ::)
Im still researching the trans mount. Im not sure what to do there.
Quote from: Glassman on May 02, 2004, 05:26:53 PM
I had to swap bellhousings and fork to be able to use the Pinto clutch cable. I might have to use the cable that came with the bell because its looking like the Pinto cable wont have enough adjustment.
So does your bellhousing have the bellcrank with the short cable pulling the fork arm toward the rear? That's the one I have and I am not sure if that setup will move the clutch cable too far down and hit the front crossmember. It also looks like I may have to do a little hammer work on the floor for some clearance for the bellcrank.
Is there a T-5 bellhousing that is set up so the cable pulls the clutch fork forward, like the 4 speed transmission?
oh, p.s.
My signature shows a 5 speed already installed in my Pinto. Right now, I have the light duty 5 speed, which came out of an '83 Mustang. I believe it is a Tremec RAP trans. I want to swap it out for a T-5.
Yes I have the same bellcrank setup. I didnt study it that much but it looks like it will clear. One thing that looks like its going to be a problem is the hole on the bell for the clutch cable end looks to be below the front crossmember. Doesnt look like the cable will have a straight shot to the bell crank. Also the brace on the drivers side that goes from the engine to the flexplate and bellhouse hit the crossmember and makes it real tight to get the engine/trans in.
I found out on TF that I can notch the Pinto trans mount and weld a plate to it so it will work.
A couple guys have said that they used the Pinto clucth cable. Ill find out if I can too.