Author Topic: How to Turbo a 2.3 (Read 16115 times)

fomocolover · « **on:** April 29, 2011, 12:17:18 AM »

Hi,i need a little help i just bought a 1978 ford pinto cruising wagon 2.3 litre 4 speed in great shape all original panels ( 32nd pinto ive owned )i was wondering how rare this car is,its the tangerine color with the tangerine / black interior.way cool car my first cruising wagon,anyway i want to turbo charge it and not sure what direction to go in,i can get a complete setup out of a 1984 ford mustang gt turbo or should i go with a 1988 thunderbird turbo coupe,i heard the turbo on the mustang is bigger but it doesnt have an intercooler... ....confused in salt lake...thanks,kenny

Skratch · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2011, 05:51:40 AM »

The Turbo Coupe has bigger injectors, an intercooler, better computer and if it's 5 speed it is the world class T5. It also has the short upper intake and dipped valve cover necessary for hood clearence on the Pinto. If I already had the 84 GT donor car, I would definately ise it, but if not, I would find an 87/88 Turbo Coupe. Updating the turbo to a T3 is a bolt on swap on the TC manifold. Just my opinion.

fomocolover · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:35:15 AM »

ok cool, so which is the better way to go ?.i can get the complete 84 stang for about 400.00,the 88 tc for about 700.00 complete,and can i just bolt the turbo stuff to my engine in the pinto or should i use the whole engine and trans ?.thanks,kenny

Skratch · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:43:39 PM »

I personally would go with the Turbo Coupe. That way you are starting out with the best parts except for the turbo and that's a cheap enough swap. All the turbo parts will physically bolt on the Pinto engine, but it won't live long and you would also have to fabricate some way for the oil to return from the turbo to the pan. Also, the Pinto engine has cast pistons which aren't going to last long with any kind of boost. The Turbo Coupe engine already has the oil return and good forged pistons. You will come out miles ahead using a donor car, but you have to make the decision as to which one you want to go with. Hope this helps.

fomocolover · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2011, 12:13:43 AM »

Hi skratch,Its me again fomocolover, i got the 1988 T/C as you suggested . I got a great deal at 600.00 for the entire car 111.000 miles on the engine and it runs like a champ and was very well maintained .I got the engine pulled from the T/C and the Pinto i noticed the oil pans are different which one should i use ?. will the T/C oilpan work its a rear sump and the pinto is a front sump ?.Im assuming i need to use the Pinto Motor mounts, Also Pulled all the wiring thats needed ( thats looks like alot of fun to figure out...lol.. but thats later.Anyway i hate to keep bugging you is there a certain section on this website that will help me through this process i really dont like bothering people and im sure its probably annoying.Im sure theres a section were i can just go and search for info but cant seem to locate it.So far you have been a great wealth of info and i apreciate it.If you could send me in the right direction i would appreciate it that way i wouldnt have to bother you........... .Lyn Leishman S.LC. UTAH Pinto

Skratch · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2011, 05:18:33 AM »

You need to use the Pinto front sump pan, pump pickup and dipstick. Knock the little plug out of the front dipstick hole and move the dipstick to the front, then put the knocked out plug in the rear where the old dipstick was. You will need to use the Pinto engine mounts. There is a diference in the bolt holes in the Pinto and TC pans, but use the one piece oil pan gasket from the TC. It works just fine where as the Pinto gasket won't. Hope this helps. When you get ready for the wiring, there are several sites that are very helpful. One of the best is Blind Chicken Racing. It takes you through the steps necessary for only the wiring and sensors needed to run the engine. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of more help.

fomocolover · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2011, 11:42:06 PM »

Thanks,You are the Man...The Pinto Man that is...Ok changed the oil pan,Pick up tube,Relocated the dipstick and plug as suggested,Worked out very nice and easy.Installed the Pinto mounts on the TC engine.Install ed the engine and T5 into the Pinto tonight.I cut the battery tray out ( Rusty anyway ) removed the heater box so there was no clearance issues with the Turbo hitting the heater motor or battery tray.everythin g looks good,I took and precut the hole were the shifter comes through about 2 inch's so the new T5 shifter would clear,i took the stock Pinto crossmember and drilled 1 hole in the back of the crossmember from the Pinto and used the stock rubber trans mount from the TC it looks good.BUT i need to know how i hook up the clutch cable should i try and fab the Hydraulic set up from the TC or is there an easy way to go with the cable setup that came stock on the Pinto ?.Also the input shaft on the back of the trans is huge and heavy is there a better one i can use ?.or do i have to use this one for balance purposes ?.Also on the pulley setup on the front of the engine the Pinto had a V-belt setup but the TC has a serpintine setup,My Pinto doesnt have A/C or Power steering.The only option my Pinto CW had was Power Brakes....My question is can i go ahead and reinstall the V-belt setup that came stock on the Pinto originally ( Alt,crank pully,water pump,4 blade fan, ( 2 core radiator from a 1980 pinto with ac ) I think i have most of this figured out except for these things im sure i'll need more info as i go along.......Th anks again you have been a Huge Help...Lyn

Bigtimmay · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:44:23 PM »

Gonna be easier to just use the cable for the clutch and to do that you either need a rare D9 (came on the 79-80 carbed turbo cars) bell or just get one from a 87-93 4cylinder stang. I was lucky enough to find a D9 bell when i started my swap.

You can reinstall the vbelt setup or do what i did and use a pinto/ranger alt bracket and i still have the serpentine but no power steering or a/c.

The input shaft if your talking about the big ring that goes around it held on by rubber. Its just a vibration damper but i removed mine and it doesn't vibrate any more or less then it did with it. SO its pretty good to say its pointless, plus I'm not the only one to remove it.

fomocolover · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2011, 08:00:37 PM »

PLEASE HELP.....NO SPARK....Ok got everything done from the driveline to the radiator,Ive been tring to tackle the wiring,But i got no spark from the coil,I changed the Pinto Coil to the TC one and still nothin,I disconected the Pinto Computer,Dist,coil,Ect.Do i need thethe stock Pinto computer hooked up ?.what a pain...Im about ready to go nuts been working on this car for an entire week I thought i had the wiring figured out seemed pretty straght foreward i used the diagram from Racing Chicken dot com.Im getting power to the computer everything is grounded ,kept all the wires that were listed hooked up but it wont start,No fuel pump yet but shouldnt it still start with starting fluid

.Any help would be great...Thanks .Lyn

fomocolover · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:52:18 PM »

Ok,After further review i tested the T/C computer and realized i wasnt getting power to // Red key on: pin #37 & #57 i hot wired the 2 it still wouldnt START,after getting frustrated i took a break.....TICK TOCK TICK TOCK.....with a fresh attitude grrrrrr,,,i started checking wires i took the red/green wire that runs from the distributor wired it to the r/g wire on the coil took the Pinto r/g wire that runs from the car ( not the TC computer )wired the black and green from the coil into the wiring that runs to the distributor and WALLA SHE FIRED RIGHT UP.....WHOOO.. ..HOOOO......a nyway is it safe to keep it wired like this ?

Thanks,Lyn

fomocolover · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2011, 10:21:59 PM »

Also before i forget, should i use the Pinto coil or the 88 TC coil ?,how can i mount the intercooler to fit under the hood without cutting the hood ?,Does anyone know what U-joint i should get it appears the end that goes to the 3rd member is smaller that the 89 mustang driveline one im using......... ...

oldkayaker · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2011, 11:38:18 AM »

The diagram on the BlindChickenRa cing.com site has several ommisions/errors when used with the 88TC. Suspect it may have been made for an earlier set up. Suggest you get the "electrical & vacuum trouble-shooting manual" (EVTM) for both your 78 Pinto and the 88TC. Ebay is usually the easiest source for these. Using the "integrated controller module" (group of relays) form the TC88 may be good until you get things sorted out. These two links show the differences between the years (accuracy not checked).
http://rothfam.com/svo/reference/PEtoLA.pdf
http://www.gt350mustang.com/eecspecsturbo.htm

I would use the TC coil since it was designed for that system. I do not know if there is a electrical difference.

77turbopinto has an answer for the U-joint in this thread.
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/t5-install/msg40867/#msg40867

Have fun with the swap.

don33 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2011, 03:14:05 PM »

Are you able to save/retain the heater motor ? Looking at mine ,I know it looks pretty tight . but I really want my heater.

fomocolover · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2011, 11:21:46 PM »

Im with you don33 im going to retain my heater also i had my heater box in when i installed my Turbo motor but found clearance issues,my o2 sensor actually was hitting my heater motor.So i went ahead and removed the heater box im going to try and research one that will fit it needs to be about 2 inch's shorter its summer so i figured id just pull the whole thing and worry about it later.But as soon as i find the ONE i will post it here.How far along are you ?.Have you got to the wiring yet ?.I'll tell you at first i was thinking what the hell did i get myself into.But after driving it yesterday im very pleased with the results,This baby pulls like no other 2.3 4cyl. ive ever drove and i used to race 2.3's in a mini stock class,ive also put V8's in pintos and this car would kick the crap out of them..Very frustrateing sometimes but well worth the swap,I still have a couple of bugs to work out but shes up and running.....an ymore question dont hesitate to ask...Lyn

don33 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:27:44 AM »

Well, I just pulled the old NA 2.3 out today. I've got to tow it down to the car wash or rent a pressure washer and do some serious cleaning now. I have two complete wiring harnesses, one out of a 86 Turbo coupe and one out of a Merkur XR4Ti. so as you can tell I am just getting started... OH and let me make this Bold statement..... ..A 4 cyl Turbo pinto will allways beat a V8 pinto...! there's several reasons for this, I won't go into them now, but the nonbelievers should just accept this and go on with life. I used to race 2.3's in ministock also, I had a 1976 Mercury Capri . it can be frustrating at times until you get the bugs worked out, but the results are very rewarding. I will keep a eye on this post, I really need my heater. I'm sure I'll have a few questions so stay tuned.

Don.

oldkayaker · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2011, 07:06:03 AM »

On the heater motor to sensor interference, some of the solutions read about:
1)Wittsend used a shorter MG motor.
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/87-turbocoupe-engine-into-74-pinto/msg91208/#msg91208
2) Use a heater box that came with factory A/C which locates the motor in side the car.
3) Relocate sensor, engine, etc.

don33 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:45:55 PM »

thats great oldkayaker, I knew there had to be away to do this, other than, remove heater.

don33 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:53:17 PM »

fomocolover, I see you picked the 87/88 bird for your doner car, that tells me you love a challenge. they are the most complicated, all kinds of unneeded wiring, ETC. anyway you got it going.

old kayaker came up with some solutions for the heater...

Also there is a wealth of information on the 2.3 turbo motor/cars over on
http://www.turboford.org/index.shtml

fomocolover · « **Reply #18 on:** June 08, 2011, 01:21:15 AM »

Got a quick qeustion for any turbo pros it seems that the fuel pump of choice for this swap is the walboro 255 lph at 80psi,im using a summit #sum-g3138 it has a free flow rate of 43gph (258lbs./hr. ) at 40 psi is this pump atiquate for this application,the car runs great at idle and normal driving but under hard exceleration it tends to stutter and hesitate and the turbo doesnt seem to kick in all the time it will grab and then fall on its face...any suggestions ?.....thanks in advance this sight has been a huge source of info.....Lyn

don33 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 08, 2011, 06:53:13 AM »

Lyn, I'm not really sure about that pump your using, I don't believe it is adequate. convert gph to lph, I think it comes up short. I use the Walbro 255 lph, your right it is the pump of choice.

have you registered at http://www.turboford.org/index.HTML yet ? I would highly recommend it. all your questions can be answered there. they are a 2.3 turbo oriented site. there are a lot of very knowledgeable people there who are willing to help.

Don.

fomocolover · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2011, 11:47:14 PM »

Thanks Don,Im not sure how to convert from Litres to Gallons.I read some stuff that said the Walbro pumps 35 Gallons per hour and my Summit pump,pumps 43 Gallons per hour im wondering if its my cheap spark plug wires im using i found some stock motorcrafts on ebay but they havent got here yet...Also if i change to the walbro will i have to use a Fuel Regulater

80 PSI is alot of pressure.....T hanks for all the help,Lyn

don33 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 09, 2011, 01:37:53 AM »

you should be using a regulator allready, I assume your using the stock regulator on the fuel rail. the stock unit is very good and if you dont want to ever play with fuel pressure it will serve you well. the aftermarket regulator of choice is the Kirban regulator. oh, and gereraly speaking, theres nothing better for these motors than stock motorcraft parts.

http://www.jdsperformance.com/index.asp?initemuid=147&fcmd=item&inmake=0

Don.

baflinn · « **Reply #22 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:57:10 PM »

fomocolover - since you're running a boosted engine now I would seriously recommend getting some engine management gauges installed in you car. This will give you valuable information on whether you are running a rich or even worse a lean situation which sounds like maybe you are with your current fuel pump.

I would hate to hear that after all your hard work you melted a piston or two because you ran lean under hard acceleration.

Here is a thread on TurboFord that talks about the different sensors you may want to look into getting:
http://forum.turboford.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=003456#000000

Good luck and sounds like an awesome setup.

fomocolover · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:53:41 PM »

First off Thanks for all the great help and info from this sight !!!!.It is truly a wealth of info,I got the Walbro 255lph fuel pump hooked up and now she runs like a champ,You were right Don it was way under for the fuel pressure.The Walbro was the right decision and it was about the same money as the Summit pump,Anyway now im ready to install the MII 8 inch rearend i now ive asked this before but what U-joint am I going to need i know its smaller on the Diff end, the driveline came out of a 87 Stang / 88TC t5 input yoke / 78 MII 8 Inch rearend / a member sent me a link on the u-joint but i cant seem to locate it,ive searched the sight and cant really find the info that im looking for,,,Does any one have a part number for this U-joint i know ford motorsport makes one but i cant find that info either........ ....any help would be helpfull thanks again to all my pinto lovers out there... :hypno: Lyn

oldkayaker · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2011, 06:50:35 AM »

Below are some more of Bill's threads on the swap including the driveshaft and U-joint info. Not having done the swap, I would rather not interrupt the threads.
http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/turbo-coupesvo-engine-swap/
http://www.turbopinto.com/index.php?topic=852.0
http://forum.turboford.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=040352

don33 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:31:38 AM »

hey that's great, I was pretty sure the summit pump was not up to the task. I don't think I can help you to much on the mustang II axle swap. as for gauges, your going to want a wideband AFR gauge, a boost gauge and a fuel pressure gauge. the wideband I would recommend is this one .....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AVM-30-4100/

Pretty much, as long as you keep your AFR correct, your motor and you will be happy. the other gauges just need to be quality gauges such as Autogauge, autometer etc.
those three gauges will tell you pretty much all you need to know about whats going on with your engine. they will keep you from causing any harm to your engine. and if you ever do any upgrading on your engine they become even more important. well, keep us updated with your progress.

fomocolover · « **Reply #26 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:53:56 PM »

I must say this sight is the s#!t i cant believe how you guys have made my project as painless as possible ( not that it hasnt had its challenges ) i really dont think i could have done it without all the great info and insight from this wonderfull sight and its people.......A nyway just wanted to Thank everyone....Ok got the correct u-joint ( NAPA Part # ruj-372 ) today, going to go get the 8 inch rear tommorow i dont think it will be an issue putting it in as far as i can tell it should be a direct bolt in...Man im getting excited.....It s getting closer to being done as far as the drivetrain is concerned what a journey its been He,He,He.... Gotta love the Classics ....Thanks again guys...Lyn

P.S. Dan33,looking foreward to reading your post on your progress on the 1980 Pinto conversion

fomocolover · « **Reply #27 on:** July 10, 2011, 11:05:28 PM »

fomocolover · « **Reply #28 on:** July 10, 2011, 11:48:53 PM »

1978 ford pinto cruising wagon
88 T/C 2.3 Turbo / T5 Trans / 8 Inch rear / all stock

Got my first victim on friday it was a 2011 chevy camaro he and his buddy's were laughing at the old girl , he actually requested a grudge match.... ( MISTAKE ) i pulled him by 1 1/2 car lenghts at the lights.. Poor guy never did see him or his buddys again......LOL .....i loved it....... This winter i will take her apart and get her all prettied up .....but for now im just enjoying the ride

don33 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2011, 12:13:47 AM »

lookin good, Awesome kill story, I'll bet the guy in the Camaro is still scratching his head trying to figure that one out. He probably made his buddy swear to never tell anyone he got beat by a pinto, cant wait to get mine running. I see you pulled the stock heater motor. I did the same, I'm thinking about replacing it with an aftermarket heater sold by Speedway motors. it mounts where the stock heater resided but does not have a heater motor that protrudes thru the firewall...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flex-a-lite-Mojave-Universal-Heater,304.html

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Author Topic: How to Turbo a 2.3 (Read 16115 times)