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Topic: 2.3 to 7.5 >:) (Read 12528 times) previous topic - next topic

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

I may be in over my head on this swap but.... Being me ive decided to do it anyway lol. About 3 months ago i picked up a D1VE 460 engine with about 80k miles and c6 trans for $250. The idea for this project is just to get it in and running for now and build it up later.

(The ole 2.3)





 In some ways im gonna miss the lil bugger. :(

This will also take a bit of time but i will update as things come together. :)

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #1 –
Got the 2.3 out. now i get to take care of my rust problem before the 7.5 goes in.
Empty engine bay. :)


Nasty rust :(


More rust :(


I plan to clean up the engine bay fix the rust, fill in the un-needed holes and paint it soon. (crosses fingers) i hope this goes well lol.

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #2 –
Heres a few pics i took of the 7.5 on its way home :)






Yeah its a lil dirty but it will be cleaned up a bit :)

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #3 –
Well you are going to catch hell from some of the 2.3 guys, but I wish you luck on your swap.  There is no replacement for displacement, but turbo motors are pretty darn cool too.  Hey I have an idea, you should turbo that 460 so it can still be considered a turbo coupe!
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #4 –
I dropped a v8 (302) in my tc as well. Motor mounts and headers will be your main issues.

GL and keep us posted
88 Turbocoupe: Coast High Performance 331 kit 28oz balance, Comp XE264HR14 cam, 58cc 185 afr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Mass-Flo EFI (was POS to setup and their techline is a joke at best)
Full 1 5/8 primary equal length headers, 2 1/2 exhaust, Full manual reverse VB c4 and baked off clear coat "BECAUSE RACECAR"

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #5 –
I think a lot of the draw behind a 460 is a lack of "good" efi intakes that could fit under the hood. Its your car, do what you want with it. Just watch out for gas prices.

As kentioned, your going to have to make your own motor mounts, or swap k-members.

Good luck.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #6 –
I actually have a DOVE 460 I have been wanting to shove into one of my TC's. I don't think the mpg would be awful if you geared it high enough to make up for the lack of OD, that beast easily creates enough torque to handle a pretty high gear. Look forward to see what you do for exhaust, keep us updated! :P
...and there was light!

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #7 –
Tell that to my dads fuel injected 460 van, with overdrive. It generally hits right at 6mpg. You might be able to hit 10mpg if you keep it running good enough.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Haystack;390025
Tell that to my dads fuel injected 460 van, with overdrive. It generally hits right at 6mpg. You might be able to hit 10mpg if you keep it running good enough.

You can't compare the newer FI 460 to that beast he has here.
...and there was light!

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #10 –
my 500whp 545 used to get 8mpg but so far this year, i've seen about 6 1/2mpg, lol.  Thats in a 5200# truck with a manual trans and a 1050cfm carb.  I have really thought about yanking that engine out and putting it in one of my other birds to see if I could knock out 9's on motor or not.  If  it doesn't, its got a 200 shot on it too:)

88 t-bird tc - 14.97 @ 90  IHI 18 psi + k+n filter...so far - NOW HX-35 @25psi - 12.75@112    348rwhp/395rwtq
78 F-150 - 11.61@120 on 175shot N20 - 12.55@110 on motor - 5200# race weight:hick:

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Haystack;390025
Tell that to my dads fuel injected 460 van, with overdrive. It generally hits right at 6mpg. You might be able to hit 10mpg if you keep it running good enough.



meh, gas mileage is over rated. Bring on the big block!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

My Bebe! 1980 Thunderbird, 302 & AOD are the only option boxes checked

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #12 –
There are Fox 460 swap kits.....no need to break out the welding helmet to make your mounts.

But, you WILL need to change to a Stang or pre-'86 Tbird K member. If I was going to go this route, I'd use a '94-'95 Stang k member so I could use the stock Tbird control arms, or even the '03 Cobra control arms.
'84 Mustang
'98 Explorer 5.0
'03 Focus, dropped a valve seat. yay. freakin' split port engines...
'06 Explorer EB 4.6

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #13 –
i found an 88 stang k member im going to pick up in a day or 2 for $30 so i think ill use FMS mounts and oil pan and hooker headers :)

whats the diffrence between the 79-93 mustang k member and the 94-95 stang k member?

2.3 to 7.5 >:)

Reply #14 –
What are your plans for the 2.3? Is that a Holset on there that might be for sale?