91 2.3L to 3.8 or 4.2 swap.

[Sucellos]

Interested in swaping in a V6 engine into my 91 fox. Has anyone done this? What all needs to be changed? Imput anyone?

 

[Shawneebear93]

Search these boards, I've never done it nor do I know anyone who has. But from '79-'86 the Mustangs had a few 6 cylinder engine options so I'm sure it's been done and there are parts to source from these cars.
I would assume it's not quite as easy as a 2.3 turbo swap though, only because if it were I think I would have heard more about it.

 

[Red_LX]

I knew a guy that did the swap once...said it was a pain in the ass. Didn't go inton much detail but I assume he means because of the wiring.

 

[Swarzkopf]

If you're swapping to a V6, why not swap to a V8?

Seems to me that the turbo 2.3 makes the most sense by far.

 

[Sucellos]

If you're swapping to a V6, why not swap to a V8?

Seems to me that the turbo 2.3 makes the most sense by far.

Well first the 99 and up V6's have just as much power as the stock 5.0's and 2.3 turbos did back in the day (10-20 hp diff max). Second the V6 gets about the same mileage as the 2.3 and a lot better then the 5.0 and with gas $3 a gallon I am not wanting a gas hog. The V6 seems to be the best compromise to me. Plus I wont have to buy a 8.8 rear, or do much to the brake system. I am tring to find out if the fuel lines would work as is and would the 2.3 radiator be able to cool the 3.8l. Electrical shouldnt be any more difficult then transplanting any other engine just have to get the main engine harness and ECM along with the engine. Not to mention I can get a engine with auto tranny for under $700.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Well first the 99 and up V6's have just as much power as the stock 5.0's and 2.3 turbos did back in the day (10-20 hp diff max).

190hp compared to 225hp...and that's PEAK. There's a reason why 99-04 V6s run mid-low 16s, compared to 5.0s which run mid-high 14s. Ever heard the terms "powerband" and "torque"?

Second the V6 gets about the same mileage as the 2.3 and a lot better then the 5.0 and with gas $3 a gallon I am not wanting a gas hog.

No, it doesn't get near the gas mileage of the 2.3. It's about the same as the 5.0. How do I know? I've owned all three. If you don't want a gas hog you want an economy car, not a performance car. If it's that big of an issue stick with a 2.3, turbo or otherwise. The V6 would be a mistake.

The V6 seems to be the best compromise to me. Plus I wont have to buy a 8.8 rear, or do much to the brake system.

You do realize that a 3.8L is not that much lighter than a 5.0, right?

Electrical shouldnt be any more difficult then transplanting any other engine just have to get the main engine harness and ECM along with the engine.

Have you ever swapped an FI engine into a car where it wasn't stock before? It's not "easy" and if I were to do it, I'd want some kind of reward.

Not to mention I can get a engine with auto tranny for under $700.

You could probably do a 2.3T/5speed for the same price, it'd be ALOT easy, and you'd have a better runner...

Not to mention I can get a engine with auto tranny for under $700.

 

[Sucellos]

190hp compared to 225hp...and that's PEAK. There's a reason why 99-04 V6s run mid-low 16s, compared to 5.0s which run mid-high 14s. Ever heard the terms "powerband" and "torque"?

More like 205hp. The 225 estimate was over rated. read under 1993. http://home.pon.net/hunnicutt/history_79_93.htm
Did you also account for the ~310lb weight difference between a fox and a sn95 car? And yea I know the 5.0 makes more torque, but I'm not planning on drag racing this car, so in my case the 6's torque is enough which is why no worries about the rear end being a 7.5.

No, it doesn't get near the gas mileage of the 2.3. It's about the same as the 5.0. How do I know? I've owned all three. If you don't want a gas hog you want an economy car, not a performance car. If it's that big of an issue stick with a 2.3, turbo or otherwise. The V6 would be a mistake

weight also plays a factor here. 5.0 got ~19mpg, 3.8 ~23mpg, 2.3 ~24mpg (note these are averages from what I have read). In reality they are close.

You do realize that a 3.8L is not that much lighter than a 5.0, right?

3.8l weights 311 lbs, 5.0 weights 450 lbs, and for kicks 2.3l weights 307 lbs, 2.3t weights 380 lbs. 3.8 weights about the same as the 2.3l. (and these are fully dressed weights.) http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/engineweights.html

Have you ever swapped an FI engine into a car where it wasn't stock before? It's not "easy" and if I were to do it, I'd want some kind of reward.

No but considering earlier fox body cars had the 3.8 as an option it should not be that difficult. Wiring it up should be no different then if swaping in a EFI 5.0! I am not worried about the electrical. Long as one has the proper harness and ECM for the engine used its not a problem. I just need to know about the fuel lines and what size pump to use. and what would need to be done far as cooling is concerned.

You could probably do a 2.3T/5speed for the same price, it'd be ALOT easy, and you'd have a better runner...

Probably, but I dont like turbos. If I did I still would use a 3.8SC engine rather then a 2.3T! Call it personal preference. Now can we stop the

 

[Red_LX]

Sucellos, you sure seem to have some odd reasons for picking a V6 over a 2.3 Turbo if you want gas mileage...honeslty, if you're dead set on the V6, more power to ya. I doubt any of us will be able to give you much help with swapping it in though.

And BTW, in '93 the 5.0 was rated at 215 hp, 87-92 was still 225 hp.

Anyway...if you like the 3.8 so much, why aren't you over on the V6 forums?

 

[Swarzkopf]

More like 205hp. The 225 estimate was over rated. read under 1993.

Ford lowered the "rated" hp in 94-95 to make the upcoming 4.6 look better.

In reality, stock 5.0s put down ~190RWHP on the dyno...which at 15% drivetrain loss puts them pretty close to 225.

Did you also account for the ~310lb weight difference between a fox and a sn95 car?

There is no "310lb difference" across the board for foxes and SN95s. A factory stripper 95 GTS weighs about the same as a loaded fox GT.

What does that have to do with anything here anyway?

And yea I know the 5.0 makes more torque, but I'm not planning on drag racing this car

So leave it as is and enjoy the excellent gas mileage of the 2.3...my 93 LX 2.3 gets better gas mileage than my 01 ZX2 Escort.

weight also plays a factor here. 5.0 got ~19mpg, 3.8 ~23mpg, 2.3 ~24mpg (note these are averages from what I have read). In reality they are close.

You can read whatever you want. I've owned all three. You aren't going to get 23 MPG out of a 3.8...you won't get close to that.

My 4.6 got better gas mileage than my 3.8 did (20MPG combined city/highway for the 4.6, 18 for the 3.8). My 5.0 is pretty close. And it's alot more fun than the 3.8 was.

Probably, but I dont like turbos. If I did I still would use a 3.8SC engine rather then a 2.3T!

I don't think I've ever met anyone with a hard-on for the Ford 3.8. I guess there's a first for everything. Personally, I despised my 3.8 Mustang and regretted buying it almost immediately.

 

[Sucellos]

Anyway...if you like the 3.8 so much, why aren't you over on the V6 forums?

After posting this, I will be moving on elsewhere. I asked this here because the car it is going into is a 1991 lx fox hatch with a 2.3l t5. I figured seeing as how this is the forum for these cars it would be a good place to start, guess not as everyone wants to holler 2.3t and give no thought to anything else. Needless to say yea I am going to use a V6 if for nothing else except to be different.

 

[RustBucket]

I always thought the 3.8 was a head-crackin, head gasket poppin' POS Thunderbird motor. I've walked away from very clean T-Birds simply because they had the 3.8 in them.

If you're gonna go V6, go BIG. Grab a 4.0 SOHC from an Exploder or new Stang.

P.S. One of the deals I turned down was a clean, complete, non-running SC for $700.00

Seriously, if it's fuel efficiency you want, stay with the ol' dual plug slug ya got. I'm knockin down 27-30mpg on a regular basis in mixed driving. I ain't gonna run 14's, but then I'm not really concerned with that either. Right now if I wanna go fast, I've got my boat. I've got everything here to do the 2.3T swap, but I'm enjoying the 30mpg and don't want to take the car off the road and start driving my 5.9L Ram 1500 back and forth to work while I do the swap.

I've seen one 3.8 swap and I believe it was an SC motor. I also remember the owner saying "never again". ymmv

 

[Shawneebear93]

I don't remember what month or anything, but in MM&FF (within the last 9 months) someone had an '87-'93 LX with a 3.8. I forget what it ran, but it must have run well to be a feature car. I'll dig it up in a few weeks when I'm home for summer and try and e-mail it to you. Good luck with your project.

 

[Red_LX]

After posting this, I will be moving on elsewhere. I asked this here because the car it is going into is a 1991 lx fox hatch with a 2.3l t5. I figured seeing as how this is the forum for these cars it would be a good place to start, guess not as everyone wants to holler 2.3t and give no thought to anything else. Needless to say yea I am going to use a V6 if for nothing else except to be different.

Well in case you didn't notice, this IS the 2.3L & 2.3L Turbo forum so-

#1, how can you not expect us to encourage swapping in a 2.3L turbo, and

#2, what the hell are we supposed to know about V6's or swapping them in?

God, you're as bad as the people that come in here asking how to swap a 5.0 into a 2.3L car, then get all uppity when we tell them to go ask on the 5.0 forum

 

[Swarzkopf]

Needless to say yea I am going to use a V6 if for nothing else except to be different.

Being "different" would be putting a mod motor in or even a small block Chevy...putting a 3.8 in would be...yeah.

I always thought the 3.8 was a head-crackin, head gasket poppin' POS Thunderbird motor. I've walked away from very clean T-Birds simply because they had the 3.8 in them.

Exactly.

If you're gonna go V6, go BIG. Grab a 4.0 SOHC from an Exploder or new Stang.

Yeah, the SOHC 4.0 is a BIG improvement over the old 3.8.

I'm knockin down 27-30mpg on a regular basis in mixed driving.

Yeah, me too. I get WELL over 30 on the highway. Really amazes me as my 2.0 Escort doesn't even get that MPG.