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http://www.rehermorrison.com/techTalk/20.htm

Advice regarding engine size. They are talking small block V8 versus big block for racing, but the same logic applies to 4 cylinder versus small block V8 for fun street driving.

Getting 2 horsepower per cubic inch into a package that will last 100,000 miles is a real challenge. Most factory pushrod 8s don't get 1 horse per ci (with the modern method of measuring it). The NA overhead cam engines are making slightly over 1 hp per cube, but I'm not aware of any making more than 1.5...

How many miles do crotch rocket engines last? The same logic applies to NA and boosted engines - boost adds stress to the engine (more pressure, heat, etc.) and that reduces longevity. Longevity can be increased, but that also increases cost. Getting a given amount of power from a small package just plain costs more than the same power from a larger package.
 
You need to "find" the engine first. They haven't been made for quite some time so junk yards are going to be your cheapest route. of course you are not going to find a complete 84-85 SVO powertrain that is rebuildable in a junk yard, and buying a crate version will cost a ton.

Once you HAVE an engine that is rebuildable folks here can give you an estimate on putting it into your car. The motor mounts are going to have to be fabricated from scratch, maybe using a I6 mounting system to start with.
 
Thats true, an SVO powertrain will be hard to find, but there is usually a cluster of Merkur XR4Ti and Thunderbird TurboCoupes at decent wreckers.

I had an idea that would be REALLY off-the-wall; how about converting to a Taurus SHO engine? It would be the biggest expense and PITA, but hey, quad cam Yamaha-designed V6. You wouldnt need forced induction.
 
65ShelbyClone said:
This forum is harsh.
Perhaps you are right, but most of the comments are right on the money. Better to be honest than not say anything in the belief that you are being nice, IMO. Hopefully people aren't crushed by the comments.:SNSign:
 
65ShelbyClone said:
This forum is harsh.
Usually the harshness is only directed to japcrap and FWD cars, though in this case the Mazda 4-cylinder was enough to set it off :D

Speaking personally I think it would be kinda cool to see an SVO powered classic. I don't think it is practical or cost effective, but it would be kinda cool to see it done, not as sacriligous as that Toyota powered 65 that was posted here not too long ago, of couse since he lived in Sri-Freaking-Lanka (or wherever) it was excused.
 
No, you wouldn't need a FWD conversion to use a SHO engine in a RWD application. There is a Aerostar tranny that will bolt right up to it, voila, RWD.

I already went thru the whole "putting a SHO engine in a...." deal back when I had my '89 Isuzu minitruck. SHO's can be had pretty cheap now too.

How about a 3.8 Super Coupe engine? I wanted to put one in my wife's '95 Windstar for S&Gs but we just sold it. :(
 
Edbert said:
Usually the harshness is only directed to japcrap and FWD cars, though in this case the Mazda 4-cylinder was enough to set it off :D

Did I miss the part about a Mazda engine?

1320stang said:
No, you wouldn't need a FWD conversion to use a SHO engine in a RWD application. There is a Aerostar tranny that will bolt right up to it, voila, RWD.

How about a 3.8 Super Coupe engine?

Yeah, but how much fabrication is inolved with getting the Aerostar trans in a classic? It would be fun to put one in a Pinto :D

The SuperCoupe engine is interesting too. I think I read in another thread that the 3.8-4.2L V6 has the same bellhousing pattern as a smallblock. If thats true, its would be alot more practical than most other engines.
 
HOLD THE PHONES!!!!!

Ok dude, you need to listen to me. Ive been racing 2.3 turbo cars for years now. My daily driver is a 1988 Turbo Coupe Thunderbird. It weighs 3380 EMPTY, thats a bit more than your mustang. (by swapping you will lose a bit more) I get almost 30 MPG, it runs a modest 14.0 everytime, and more or less its stock. It has 248,000 miles on it and still preforms. I have several cars with this drivetrain and they are THE ONLY FOUR CYLINDER EXCEPTION to the mighty V8 America blessed us with.

I always hated "4 bangers" and I still do, a 1.9L is insulting to a Mustang. But it sounds like that idea is dead now anyway.

Lets all take a step back and remember history. The 2.3 was taken from the design of the late Pintos, and first introduced into a what? A Mustang, I know, I know. Those are the "dark ages" and we arent supposed to talk about that.

Anyway, my current "race car" makes over 400 Hp to the wheels, enough to swing the posi rear end all criss cross in 4th gear, and still gets 25 MPG. (overall cost around $2000 more than half of that to buy the car) 2.3T makes good healthy reliable power with wonderful economy. They are a terrific engine and are very cheap and sturdy. (Stock bottom end is capable of 700+ horsepower)

I paid 500 bucks for my Tbird and havent done much. So go to a j/y find a turbo coupe buy the whole thing and take engine, tranny, cross members, driveshaft, ecu, engine wiring harness, cooling systme ect.

Plenty of guys put a T5 in their Mustang, so figure out how to bolt the engine onto a cradle. Now for me personally, I will put an EFI 5.0 in my 70 fastback before I use a 2.3......but thats just me.
-Michael-
 
Since my last post I picked up the '84 SVO in my sig and have learned a lot about the 2.3Ts. Its funny, you can get a used 5.0 engine for about $500 and a used TurboCoupe engine for the same. They are actually about the same dollars-to-horsepower, except the 2.3 block has a higher power ceiling than even a 351W.

turborscapri198 said:
(Stock bottom end is capable of 700+ horsepower)

Eh, I don't know about that.....the block maybe and perhaps the pistons, but no one is doing that on stock rods or non-strapped main caps.
 
351W [old, non-roller] can make some serious hp. Do you really think that 2.3 block can hold 700 hp???

If you guys are going put this thread back on the front page, I will bring up my LS2 in a classic mustang thread!
 
if you was gogin to go the route of putting a whole new motor,tranny, computer system, ect in a car. how about a 3.8 or 4.0 v6 out of a newer mustang? you got the fule economy of a sixxer and decent power. plus its a mustang to mustang swap, not a escort motor lol
 
There is a guy in the next town that has a falcon with an escort driveline. Not sure how he did it, but if I'll I ever get to look at it or talk to him again, I'll find out what I can. Since the Mustang uses the falcon platform, it should basically be the same.

I'm trying to be helpful, but I really can't say that I approve of that kind of thing, but it's your car, build it the way you want if it makes you happy that way.