2.9 swap for 2.3 turbo


Xandor

Xandor

15+ Year Member

TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
375
Points
3,101
City
Bloomfield IN
Vehicle Year
88, 89, 89
Transmission
Automatic
Ok I have a 88 bronco II auto. I found a running 88 tbird turbo 5sp for $500. The bird is running but he said the turbo quit working so its not running well.

I just wana check on a few things befor I make the purchase.

1 Will the 2.3 bolt right up to my tranny? Its fresh rebuilt so I'd like to keep it, that and my wife cant/wont drive a stick.

Other than rebuilding the 2.3 and a turbo rebuild kit what else am I going to need to factor in for price here?
 
2.9 and 2.3 have different bellhousing bolt pattern, so no, it wont bolt up to your tranny.

Make sure you get the comp. and harness, as you'll need it all. I'd get some wiring diagrams and start splicing.
 
Darn I need to find an auto tranny then....
 
tell your wife to grow a pair!

... or make it an auto (happy wife, happy life?). You could probly find an A4LD with the 4 cylinder bellhousing pretty easy. I dont know if it needs an auto computer then, though.
 
Can an A4LD hold up to a turbo 2.3 for long?
 
So what are my options for an auo tranny? Just another tbird thats auto? For $500 i'm gona buy the 2.3. Pritty good prices seeing as how I could scrap the car for $150 afther I take everything I want.
 
How will you keep you BII 4wd then if you use the T-birds tranny? Just find a M5OD like Davis said.
 
BlackBII said:
:icon_rofl:
Click to expand...

the turbo birds came with auto's in them and they lived a decent life though they had larger bands on the planetaries...

how does the guy know the turbo is toast?? is it frozen?? I'd pull the intake hose off the turbo and see if you can spin the wheel with your fingers...it may simply be a case of the timing belt slipping a tooth.

also, if the turbo is toast...its an 87-88 tbird IHI turbo. I'd just source a t3 for it which you can normally find used on ebay or turboford for a little more than the price of a rebuild kit for the IHI and its a much better turbo.
 
Wow the dude sold the car already. Oh well, guess I can look for a M5OD frsit anyways.

What trucks and years are going to have the M5OD?
 
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