I received an 88 lx 2.3l as a gift in February. Just the standard car, not convertible or anything - only has 45k original miles. It had some major issues running but it turned out to just be the FPR. After I replaced that it ran pretty well. Its not as smooth as other cars I've driven but I'm assuming that is simply because its only 88hp. Recently things have went down hill. First the heater core went then I started having problems with the car getting too hot. I have the heater core bypassed for now. I know I need a new radiator. Its not leaking but its rusted and flaking away. There's quite a bit of rust under the car (it resided in northern Illinois for most of its life). I think the body is still in good condition though - I'm no expert there though. I just know that for the most part nothing is rusted through. Just a little more background and I'll get to the points. I'm 16 and I've never really been interested in cars. That all changed when I got my car. Now I'm addicted and I've been cramming my head ever since. I never imagined myself as the type of person that would spend days working on their car and have black hands covered in oil and grease. I lack experience and I don't know everything yet. A good example would be that I just learned what a "rearend" was last week.
Now that you have some idea of my car and myself I'll get on with it. I absolutely love my car. It just doesn't have the power I would like and theres not much to argue about when someone makes a negative comment about the car. If I don't get a good start I end up at 55 going up a hill on the highway. Basically it comes out something like: as my car is falling apart I'm trying to find ways of making it faster.
The 2.3 turbo swap looks great. I've been thinking about it for a couple months and researching. Now that its summer I actually have the money and time to go for it. I still have many questions though and thats the purpose of this post.
First, should I be able to pull off this swap? Unbolt the original engine and remove it - drop the new one in, bolt it, and modify a few wires. That seems to be what most people say but then you see guides and they get complicated.
I'm not going for much though, I just want the car to be stable and without much maintenance. Some of the engines are 200HP stock and that sounds ideal to me.
Second, what would I need other than tools and the block? I know there are many guides on this but they all differ and seem to require several things. Intercooler? The cold air intake should be no problem. Better fuel pump? Boost regulator? Boost gauge?
Third, from what I've read I may have issues with my transmission. Its automatic. I'm under the impression the turbo will be too hard on it as its not designed for a turbo. Really I think I would prefer a manual transmission. More power, better gas mileage...and to be honest it just sounds funner. I've looked into switching the transmission and that starts looking pretty difficult. A transmission rebuild looks near impossible to me - not sure if that would even be something I would need to do. How hard is it to switch the transmission and is it something that needs to be done the same time you switch the engine? If I could delay that part a while it would be easier (financially). But if its straight forward and needs to be done at the same time then I can manage.
Fourth, engine rebuild - How difficult is it? I'm going to be looking in junkyards and it just seems like a really good idea to rebuild the engine before I put it in. Is it something that can be done with little experience? (but with lots of research)
Fifth, junkyards - I've never been to one. I've already looked up all the surrounding junkyards and have their numbers/addresses. But, I have no idea what to expect. What is the general etiquette? Also what should I be looking for when I find a possibly suitable engine.
Sixth, the rust - Is it going to be an issue? Structure-wise? I'm going to replace the radiator before I mess with the engine. Any recommendations for a good aftermarket radiator thats under $150? Also, I plan to spend some major time working on taking the rust off the underside and painting the surfaces.
Seventh, Exhaust - I know, everyone asks about exhaust. How much would it cost me to replace the exhaust? I don't want duals or anything too fancy, just something thats reliable and won't sound too bad. (and cheap) The manifold is pretty rusted also - should I just clean it up or buy a new one? Fairly low end ones are in the $150-$200 range right? (manifolds)
Eighth, Whats the typical price to have a shop paint a car? I'm under the impression its around $400 to $500.
Ninth, What about tires? How much would a full set of wider tires cost me? I will need wider wheels correct? How much extra handling would be achieved? I would have to put this part off until my budget allowed it.
Tenth, In the end will this all be worth it? Does anyone else care to share an estimate of what they paid to swap for the turbo? Should I follow my dreams and pour the money or just sell the car and find a new one?
I have a distant friend who I talked to briefly a while back about this and he seemed to know what he was talking about. At least more than I know. I think he has a late 60's Mustang. I think he would be willing to help me out. If everything worked out I think it would be a pretty nice little car. I live in a small town of about 830 people and there are easily 12 Mustangs. But they are all 99+. I have yet to see a single fox body in town other than my own. (Or at least since I've been looking.) Lastly, Thank you so much for reading all of that - its hard for me to keep things brief.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Now that you have some idea of my car and myself I'll get on with it. I absolutely love my car. It just doesn't have the power I would like and theres not much to argue about when someone makes a negative comment about the car. If I don't get a good start I end up at 55 going up a hill on the highway. Basically it comes out something like: as my car is falling apart I'm trying to find ways of making it faster.
The 2.3 turbo swap looks great. I've been thinking about it for a couple months and researching. Now that its summer I actually have the money and time to go for it. I still have many questions though and thats the purpose of this post.
First, should I be able to pull off this swap? Unbolt the original engine and remove it - drop the new one in, bolt it, and modify a few wires. That seems to be what most people say but then you see guides and they get complicated.
I'm not going for much though, I just want the car to be stable and without much maintenance. Some of the engines are 200HP stock and that sounds ideal to me.
Second, what would I need other than tools and the block? I know there are many guides on this but they all differ and seem to require several things. Intercooler? The cold air intake should be no problem. Better fuel pump? Boost regulator? Boost gauge?
Third, from what I've read I may have issues with my transmission. Its automatic. I'm under the impression the turbo will be too hard on it as its not designed for a turbo. Really I think I would prefer a manual transmission. More power, better gas mileage...and to be honest it just sounds funner. I've looked into switching the transmission and that starts looking pretty difficult. A transmission rebuild looks near impossible to me - not sure if that would even be something I would need to do. How hard is it to switch the transmission and is it something that needs to be done the same time you switch the engine? If I could delay that part a while it would be easier (financially). But if its straight forward and needs to be done at the same time then I can manage.
Fourth, engine rebuild - How difficult is it? I'm going to be looking in junkyards and it just seems like a really good idea to rebuild the engine before I put it in. Is it something that can be done with little experience? (but with lots of research)
Fifth, junkyards - I've never been to one. I've already looked up all the surrounding junkyards and have their numbers/addresses. But, I have no idea what to expect. What is the general etiquette? Also what should I be looking for when I find a possibly suitable engine.
Sixth, the rust - Is it going to be an issue? Structure-wise? I'm going to replace the radiator before I mess with the engine. Any recommendations for a good aftermarket radiator thats under $150? Also, I plan to spend some major time working on taking the rust off the underside and painting the surfaces.
Seventh, Exhaust - I know, everyone asks about exhaust. How much would it cost me to replace the exhaust? I don't want duals or anything too fancy, just something thats reliable and won't sound too bad. (and cheap) The manifold is pretty rusted also - should I just clean it up or buy a new one? Fairly low end ones are in the $150-$200 range right? (manifolds)
Eighth, Whats the typical price to have a shop paint a car? I'm under the impression its around $400 to $500.
Ninth, What about tires? How much would a full set of wider tires cost me? I will need wider wheels correct? How much extra handling would be achieved? I would have to put this part off until my budget allowed it.
Tenth, In the end will this all be worth it? Does anyone else care to share an estimate of what they paid to swap for the turbo? Should I follow my dreams and pour the money or just sell the car and find a new one?
I have a distant friend who I talked to briefly a while back about this and he seemed to know what he was talking about. At least more than I know. I think he has a late 60's Mustang. I think he would be willing to help me out. If everything worked out I think it would be a pretty nice little car. I live in a small town of about 830 people and there are easily 12 Mustangs. But they are all 99+. I have yet to see a single fox body in town other than my own. (Or at least since I've been looking.) Lastly, Thank you so much for reading all of that - its hard for me to keep things brief.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
