Hi all, never posted on 2.3L forums before....always been on the 4.6L Forums.
I just picked up a 1992 2.3L LX Notchback with automatic trans. It has about 175,000 miles on the original engine. The transmission needs to be replaced/rebuilt....1st and 2nd gears are gone and it sounds like something is winding/spinning near the shifter when you first try to move it. As for the engine, I think only 2 of the 4 cylinders are firing, but I really haven't looked at it yet. There's no rust on the body and, aside from needing a new front bumper cover, everything is straight and true. The interior is beat up a bit, too. All in all, not bad for only $200.
I plan on restoring it as a daily commuter car and am looking at my options.
Here's what I'm considering:
1. Just rebuild what I have and stay with the 2.3L N/A with auto -- I drove one for 2 years...what a dog on the highway.
2. Stay with 2.3L N/A, but swap in a T-5 -- Still a dog, but a little more zip
3. Swap in a 2.3Turbo with a T-5 -- sounds like fun, but a little intimidating to do the swap considering the wiring nightmare. Also, finding all the parts may prove challenging.
4. Swap in a 5.0L with a T-5 -- probably the best option as far as HP goes, but a lot of parts would be needed.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm looking for a fun car for daily commuting that gets decent gas mileage. No looking for balls-out performance (that's what the 2001 GT is for), just a fun unique daily driver. I commute 80 miles per day so I'm thinking the 2.3 is the way to go over a 5.0 swap. Does the 2.3Turbo get decent mileage? what grade of fuel is needed for the Turbo??
Thanks in advance for any info you have.
WES
I just picked up a 1992 2.3L LX Notchback with automatic trans. It has about 175,000 miles on the original engine. The transmission needs to be replaced/rebuilt....1st and 2nd gears are gone and it sounds like something is winding/spinning near the shifter when you first try to move it. As for the engine, I think only 2 of the 4 cylinders are firing, but I really haven't looked at it yet. There's no rust on the body and, aside from needing a new front bumper cover, everything is straight and true. The interior is beat up a bit, too. All in all, not bad for only $200.
I plan on restoring it as a daily commuter car and am looking at my options.
Here's what I'm considering:
1. Just rebuild what I have and stay with the 2.3L N/A with auto -- I drove one for 2 years...what a dog on the highway.
2. Stay with 2.3L N/A, but swap in a T-5 -- Still a dog, but a little more zip
3. Swap in a 2.3Turbo with a T-5 -- sounds like fun, but a little intimidating to do the swap considering the wiring nightmare. Also, finding all the parts may prove challenging.
4. Swap in a 5.0L with a T-5 -- probably the best option as far as HP goes, but a lot of parts would be needed.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm looking for a fun car for daily commuting that gets decent gas mileage. No looking for balls-out performance (that's what the 2001 GT is for), just a fun unique daily driver. I commute 80 miles per day so I'm thinking the 2.3 is the way to go over a 5.0 swap. Does the 2.3Turbo get decent mileage? what grade of fuel is needed for the Turbo??
Thanks in advance for any info you have.
WES