Two 2.3’s walk into a bar...

[neinnein_nein]

To make a long story short I accidentally picked up two (2) engine+trans combos in the past 3 days:

This guy 2.3 from a 93 mustang, not turbo, was running until recently, looks good, electronic ignition, came with the computer, it has the 8 spark plug setup and a 4-speed auto (I think it’s a A4LD?)


This kinda older and somewhat rustier 88 turbo coupe engine with a T5 manual. No computer or harness but all sensors are there as far as I can tell, apparently came from a good running car that was wrecked and sat 10 years. Seems like it needs more of a cleanup but the turbo stuff seems complete and rust seems to be mostly on the exhaust manifold.



The plan is to:
1-decide on a build and what transmission goes in 2-Frankenstein the stuff together. 3-put resulting engine+trans in my 84 2wd that currently has the carbed 2.0 lima.. 4- experience frustrating problems/solve the problems. 5-have turbo and sell/give away leftover stuff

Have been reading the 2.3 turbo install and swap articles in the tech section and most of this stuff is new to me but I’m trying to absorb and understand..

I’m sure this will be full of oversights but just so I can get started mentally, how does this sound:

1- assume the T5 doesn’t need a rebuild, bolt it to cleaned up 93 mustang block
2- take apart the turbo coupe head, buy gaskets, belt timing belt for it, clean it up/paint it, port it, put it on mustang block.
3- get 36lph injectors, maybe upgrade pistons
4- take turbo stuff from coupe, clean, Install on head
5- get a boost gauge and hook it up (I don’t have the tbird dash)
6- reuse my stock distributor and try to find a tbird coupe computer because the mustang one will be looking for 8 plugs and that won’t work
7- figure out how to hook up computer to dash—truck starts instantly and is ready to get an exhaust put in
8- have a good laugh at how easy this all was and crack open a cold one


sorry I’m sure this sounds insane, I’m hoping to come out of this less stupid! Any suggestions on improving the plan?

 

[Alan_nc]

I think I would rebuild whichever engine you decide on prior to install. You are going to go to a bunch of work and maybe find out that you need to pull it all apart again and do a rebuild.

Just my .02

 

[neinnein_nein]

I think I would rebuild whichever engine you decide on prior to install. You are going to go to a bunch of work and maybe find out that you need to pull it all apart again and do a rebuild.

Just my .02

Oh yeah i’m def rebuilding—as soon as i can figure out what parts of what engine I can use.

I’m trying to decide whether toI build and clean up the older tbird engine (For which I don’t have ecu or harness, doesn’t have electronic ignition, seems rustier) or if it’s possible to just take the turbo stuff from it and put it on the mustang 2.3 that’s newer, has coil packs and computer and harness. From what I’m reading, it sounds like the mustang engine could receive the Heavier duty pistons, 36lph injectors And turbo parts from the tbird engine, but maybe I’m living in a DREAM?

 

[Ranger850]

Just want to make sure the Mustang 2.3 can handle the added pressures of a turbo. I'm no expert, but one guy put a EcoBoost 2.3 in his Ranger and used his old trans and ECU with the newer motor. IIRC.

2002 Ecoboost swapped Ranger build thread

Intro First off you have to consider what you are starting with. Any ranger that has a 2.3 duratec (2001 1/2+) and is 2wd and 5 speed (mazda m5od-r1 tranny) will be a perfect candidate for this swap. I am not familiar with the auto transmission and same goes for the 4x4. You would have to do...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just want to make sure the Mustang 2.3 can handle the added pressures of a turbo. I'm no expert, but one guy put a EcoBoost 2.3 in his Ranger and used his old trans and ECU with the newer motor. IIRC.

2002 Ecoboost swapped Ranger build thread

Intro First off you have to consider what you are starting with. Any ranger that has a 2.3 duratec (2001 1/2+) and is 2wd and 5 speed (mazda m5od-r1 tranny) will be a perfect candidate for this swap. I am not familiar with the auto transmission and same goes for the 4x4. You would have to do...

www.therangerstation.com

Neither here nor there but he put a 2.0 Ecoboost in his truck. The 2.3 Duratech (very related to the 2.0/2.3 Ecoboost) has a different bellhousing bolt pattern than the older 2.3/2.5 Lima so in this case you couldn't reuse the original transmission.

You can build a 2.3 Lima to be whatever you want it to be.

 

[Ranger850]

Neither here nor there but he put a 2.0 Ecoboost in his truck. The 2.3 Duratech (very related to the 2.0/2.3 Ecoboost) has a different bellhousing bolt pattern than the older 2.3/2.5 Lima so in this case you couldn't reuse the original transmission.

You can build a 2.3 Lima to be whatever you want it to be.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I tend to jumble things up.

 

[19Walt93]

The turbo coupe bottom end is more rugged, forged pistons and better rods if I remember right.

 

[Ranger850]

So, @19Walt93 how much of the old stuff can @neinnein_nein use of the turbo engine?

 

[19Walt93]

I'm not sure if the oil pan will fit but the rest of it should, you'll need a wiring harness and pcm from a turbo bird or a turbo Mustang from the same era. There weren't many turbo Mustangs because the 5.0 was cheaper and more powerful.

 

[adsm08]

If you weld them together you can have a 4.6

 

[neinnein_nein]

The turbo coupe bottom end is more rugged, forged pistons and better rods if I remember right.

Yeah so far that’s what I‘m understanding: forged pistons, better rods (?) and different injectors in the turbo engine vs the 93 mustang 2.3. So even though the mustang engine is cleaner and has electronic ignition, it sounds like I have to forget about that and just rebuild the Tbird 2.3 if I want turbo, right?
Putting turbo stuff and pistons on the mustang engine is tempting especially since the transmission has been rebuilt and I have no Idea of the condition of the T5 currently coupled to the ole’ turbo coupe.. But I guess ok, it’s not happening.

If you weld them together you can have a 4.6

Lol don’t threaten me with a good time! It would be sick..
My friend has a mercury grandma with a really nice exhaust manifold leak for added cool sound, I think it’s also a 4.6..

 

[Bgunner]

Any time a turbo or super charger is used, the low end is comprised of more durable parts as 19walt93 mentioned. This means if you want to turbo/charge and engine you must add in forged pistons, stronger connecting rods to handle the extra forces applied to them or you blow holes in the pistons or bend connecting rods leading to a blown motor.

Your budget will determine the best way to go for the build but for my .02 cents build the bird motor and enjoy the horse power that comes with it. Turbos are finicky at times when it comes to spark. You can not run a hot spark or you get what they refer to as blow out so don't try and add in a MSD or Accel coil or you will end up with run-ability issues. I know this first hand with a Dodge 2.2 turbo, lesson learned.

 

[19Walt93]

The turbo coupe engine will make more power but either engine will be an upgrade from the 2.0. I bought my father's 83 Ranger 2.0, 4 speed after he died. It had 3.08 gears and didn't have enough power to pull it's hat off. If I had the PCM and all the wiring to install the 93 engine, I'd be tempted to use that with the T5 and swap to 3.55 or 3.73 gears, assuming you have 3.08's like I did. A T5 from a 2.3 had a 3.95 low and a .80 overdrive,so: 3.73 x .80 = 2.98. That would put your highway revs close to where they are now and it feel a lot better on takeoff. I don't remember the low gear ratio in the C3 that you've probably got, a C4 was 2.40, so It's probably close to that. 2.40 x 3.08 = 7.39 multiplication in low. 3.95 x 3.73 = 14.73 multiplication. It'll launch like a bear but you'll have to shift pretty quick. I'm a big fan of use what you've got.

 

[neinnein_nein]

The turbo coupe engine will make more power but either engine will be an upgrade from the 2.0. I bought my father's 83 Ranger 2.0, 4 speed after he died. It had 3.08 gears and didn't have enough power to pull it's hat off. If I had the PCM and all the wiring to install the 93 engine, I'd be tempted to use that with the T5 and swap to 3.55 or 3.73 gears, assuming you have 3.08's like I did. A T5 from a 2.3 had a 3.95 low and a .80 overdrive,so: 3.73 x .80 = 2.98. That would put your highway revs close to where they are now and it feel a lot better on takeoff. I don't remember the low gear ratio in the C3 that you've probably got, a C4 was 2.40, so It's probably close to that. 2.40 x 3.08 = 7.39 multiplication in low. 3.95 x 3.73 = 14.73 multiplication. It'll launch like a bear but you'll have to shift pretty quick. I'm a big fan of use what you've got.

Yeah i’m tempted to put the 93 in right now since it pretty much has everything and take my time rebuilding and restoring the tbird one while it’s in there. It’s already bolted to a a4dl that looks rebuilt and judging by the length, it seems like it would even fit my driveshaft without any mods, if I’m lucky..

 

[19Walt93]

If you have 3.08's- and I expect you do because that was the standard gear behind a 2.0- sticking and overdrive in front of that rear end is going to create a whole new breed of dog.