PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Pinto FAQ => Topic started by: johnnyb on April 23, 2013, 09:39:44 PM
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How much trouble is it to swap a 4 cyl to the 2.8 V6
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Unless you have a killer V6 it's not worth the trouble. If you crave power then a turbo 2300 is the way to go.
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Way to much work for a very old lower power engine...Now the new V-6 from a 2012 Mustang....Now your talking...
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It isn't a hard job (if you have the bits plus the springs). Problem with the engine is that it isnt American, it is German. This means go fast goodies we are used to ruin the 2.8. That is why no one likes it, they just don't understand the motor. I own 3 of them and have rebuilt an additional 4. This is a high rev-ing engine that output 150 HP in European guise. The federalized version developed 105. Unless you add the euro bits like I did (cam, pistons, carb) to bump up compression, then you would be happy with the install if you are looking for performance. This is not a drag racing engine; ie it has no low end. Doing the usual American stuff to it (headers, 4bbl, port and polish) will not get you numbers like it would on a US engine. I will say that the Federal engine tuned with all the stock internal bits runs awesome. I average 28-32 MPG on the highway at 3200 rpm and I pass CA smog on all 3 of my V6's. They are the best engine the Pinto ever got and was the least understood by far. A 2.3 turbo is a WELL understood engine and therefore easy to manage.