Hey, everybody. Ive got a chance at a really cheap fox body mustang. car was originally a 6 cyl, it blew, 4cyl was swapped in. I know the people who did the work well, so no funny buisness. they needed it to run, and had a 4cyl handy.
I need info on what it would take to put a v8/manual in the car... im fairly new to fords (except my econoline) and dont know of any good websites where i can read up on this. Any GRM style suggestions?
Also... Would that 2.3T be even feasable?
Here is the deal: you need to find out if they swapped K-members when they did the 4-swap. See, the Fox's use the same K-members for the 4 cylinder and 8 cylinder, but use a completely different K-member for the 6 cylinder. The 4-cylinder mounts are simply built on top of the v8 mounts. The 2.3 is feasible (is that spelled correctly), but keep in mind that an aluminum-headed 302 only weighs about 45 lbs. heavier than a 2.3 with the turbo and all on it. Remember, the 2.3 doesn't get an aluminum head unless you get an ARCA head (at LEAST $2500 complete). I believe Esslinger makes their own aluminum 2300 head, too. Hell, they may even make the ARCA head.....dunno, I can't remember. They probably used a 4-cylinder T-5 to do the swap, or used an auto (a4ld). The T-5 has a different pilot bearing than the v8 T-5 IIRC, but use the v8 T-5 because the gear ratios are closer together. The 1-2 shift in a 4-pot T-5 is STEEEEEEEEP! You can get a set of GT-40P heads for the v8 pretty cheap (I have seen them at swap meets for $350/set), but remember that they take a weird header due to the angle of the spark plugs. If you look, you could probably find a set of aluminum heads (complete) for around $550. If you find a T-5, anything '86 and up is a World Class IIRC, but they are still only good to about 300 lbs./ft. if they are in great shape. The 6 cylinder would have had a 7.5" rear, I am pretty sure, just like the 2.3 (unless it was a turbo 2.3, like in the SVO). They are okay (if you are making less than 10 hp), but the axles twist pretty easily in them. Find an 8.8 out of a T-bird (good gear, trac-loc, disc brakes).
-Les
BTW, please verify all this stuff elsewhere as it has been a while since I did anything with a 2.3 Ford. Try www.turboford.com .
Ah, ok, thanks.
I was thinking of something that would be fun while placing last in rallycrosses, honestly, so power upgrades would be low on the list. But the rear issues suggest the project won't be as quick as I hoped, and I ought to just help her sell the car...
Thanks for the info!
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