Turbo or New Car

[Quorrock]

Ok basically this summer I'm planning on either adding a turbo to my '93 2.3L LX, or selling it and buying a newer ('94-'00 V 6) mustang. The only question I have is how much is a Turbo going to cost, parts and installation? I have no experience with turbos of any kind, so its out of the question if I could install it myself. I'm trying to decide if, depending on the price, turboing the 2.3 would be worth all the hassle, or if I should just upgrade my car? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[rd]

Not sure that the turbo install is a good bet if you are not at least somewhat familiar with doing some stuff yourself. But I would go that route, because the 2.3's seem to be very durable and easy to keep up.

I am not a fan of the 3.8 l v6 engine. Everyone I have known with one, be it a Mustang, T-bird, Windstar, (we had that) has had the head gaskets fail. Its otherwise a nice motor, but the 2.3/5.0/4.6 are worlds ahead in reliability. The 4.0 in the new Mustang is based on the 4.0 Ranger/Explorer motor and is much better.

 

[ZeroCulture]

99 - 04 V6 does not have the head gasket problem that the older models did.

 

[myboyhasa66]

yeah but hes looking for a 94-00. i had a 95 v6 once and i did not like it. the quality of the parts are not very good and since the interior is so thick everything starts to sag and break. i know mine was falling apart. i bought my 91 and i am glad i did it. i also think that thev6 would be more expensive to keep up since the parts are more expensive. i would not recommend you do the swap if you dont work on cars or dont know someone who does

 

[88stangmangt]

i wouldnt waste time upgrading a non turbo motor...we got a 88turbo coupe motor and trans for 250$ if you go that route slap a rebuild on it and let it eat.

 

[Red_LX]

If you're going after a V6, I dunno if I would even bother with a '94-98...all the good power parts on the aftermarket are for '99-04's anyway.