Decisions Decisions

[kiddiccarus]

I am at a crossroad here guys. I have already posted this in the OT forum and got an answer so I am coming here to ask the same thing. I know that you all are partial to the 2.3T but I ask this from you all that have one installed already and need honest answers not just BS spewing.

I need to make a decisison soon on what engine I am going to put in the 93. I have just gotten her back from the shop to have the front end straightened out and ready for body parts.

I have 2 86 Merkur Blocks in the garage and was thinking of building one up to a 86 SVO spec and then some. My other option would be to make a 302 sleeper out of it.

Now these are the questions that I need to answer before I make a final decision.

1. How hard has it been for you all to find parts for general maint on the SVO's?

2. I know that I can get 25-30 mpg out of the SVO if I keep out of the turbine but would the mpg on a 302 be that much worse? This is not planned to be a DD, it will be a spare car and a play thing for me and the G/F

3. I want a fun car to play with and to show off. I know that some of you have both a V8/V6 and a 2.3t so which car gives you the most pleasure honestly?

I dont want a Money Pit but I do intend on spending some money on the car to make it enjoyable. As always I do not care about "stock" looks at all and Unique is a good thing too. If I do stick with the 2.3T I plan to visit Stingers shop for parts, if not I will sell it all for a new powerplant.

 

[rgosulliv]

my opinion...

I like the Unique which is personally why I went with the two mustangs I have. A 2.3L turbo powered stang and a '04 Mach 1. Both cars different from the "norm" that you don't see much of.

As for which one gives me more pleasure I'd say they are both about the same. The V8 has the reliable power that is always there and the turbo four has the put you in the back of your seat torque that's there when you spool it up.

I think whichever way you go you'll be happy with the result.

 

[stykthyn]

I think a built v8 would be a more reliable powerplant.

 

[kiddiccarus]

Yeah I am thinking the same thing and also the parts are easier to find and less manufactuing involved. Price is not my major factor in this decision but ease and dependiability is

 

[mg man]

Here is my 2 cents worth. My wife's is a 88 2.3 turbo I piece together. We went to NMRA in Bowling Green KY entered the car in the car show.Remember daily drive 18 year old paint. One dent. People would pass up the other v-8's to look at ours. Really surprized me. As far as being dependable we've put about 8,000 miles on it in about 10 months on a junkyard not rebuilt motor. Good Luck with your car which every way you go.

 

[kiddiccarus]

I have a lead on the body parts locally here in the Louisville area so the decision will have to be made sooner than I thought.

I know this question has been asked over and over but I forgot the answer. I am planning a V8 T5 Trans on the 4 Cyl engine. so am I right on that the bell has to be 4cyl and the input shaft needs to be milled down but the V8 T5 will bolt right up to the bell>?

 

[Dan P.]

Yes the 5.0 T-5 will bolt to the bell and the input shaft is too large for the 2.3.

Dan

 

[kiddiccarus]

Sweet, it is so much easier to find a V8 T5 than a 4cyl one around here. I thought I had a lead on body parts for the car but it looks like that will be a something I need to work on or find another source.

I would like to dry the DOHC setup if I can get the correct informaion on how to do it. I have not found the proper information yet though.

So, it looks like I will begin to tear down the SVO engine this weekend and begin to re-build it. Once that is successfully put into the car I may look more into the DOHC setup for the second block I have.

 

[351wcoupe]

HEY RICH.

I got your email and haven't had a chance to reply. I got 30mpg out of the green car in full street/race form. I haven't checked the mileage on the Project Bolt-On but its probably in the ball bark of the green car. As for reliability? My engine has over 320k miles and 100 sprays of 100shot or more.

As for an engine choice.
You know by the difficulty of the swap its probably a slight bit easier to do a turbo 2.3. I did dog the absolute hell out of the green car every single day and I drove it about 40k miles after the swap. I've dealt with some electrical problems that I never ran into with the 351w.

You know what I'm leaning towards but I would let it come down to whatever you have around or can get.

Here's stingers page for my car: http://www.stinger-performance.com/bolton.html

 

[kiddiccarus]

I checked out the page. I am looking to get the SVO up in there in Stock Trim and Intercooled. Once I get it running I will make the decisions needed to make engancements. I want to begin with a serpentine set up and a 3g alt though.