So, I am under the impression that the engine in my 87 Turbo Coupe is on the way out, found bits of metal in the oil, so its only a matter of time before the motor is completely dead. To avoid having to do a complete engine rebuild, I was considering swapping a new 2.3 turbo from the current generation Mustang in place of the old motor. To handle the extra 100 horsepower this engine puts out, the trans from the stang would probably stay with the motor and get put in the old 'bird. I was wondering if anyone with a bit more experience swapping motors in this car could tell me how stupid of an idea this would be. :hick: :burnout:
To me it's not a stupid idea. I've contemplated that very same swap. I even located several engine/trans combinations between 6 to 8k. There of course would be a lot, and I mean a lot of custom fab work that would need to be done. I can't start another project like that until I get my blue bird finished and running...........
Where in NM are you located?? I'm in Santa Fe.
I'm currently in Las Cruces. I imagine it would require new motor mounts, new trans mounts, possibly (probably) a different length drive shaft, some sort of frankenstein of the ECU and fuse boxes, new exhaust, new fuel system, and moving everything around the engine bay. Probably more work and way more money than just re-building the engine itself, but where would be the fun in that?
The new Stang uses a returnless fuel system, so, new lines. Figure a custom tank setup, or at least a new fuel pump. I think the Ecoboost 2.3 is direct injection...has more PSI than our cars fuel systems do.
You'll probably be better off using standalone engine management, but that's delving into territory I'm unfamiliar with.
I'd love to Coyote swap my '84, but my skill, budget, and time all say that's a pipe dream at best, and shaging nigh impossible unless I win the lottery and can "retire"...
Now, if you find a lightly wrecked parts car and get the whole ed thing...;)
There are a few 2.3 Ecoboost swapped foxbodies out there now and I think the biggest issue has been the modifying of the firewall to clear the rear of the head.
http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/1503-1986-ford-mustang-svo-2-0l-ecoboost/photo-gallery/#/
The fuel system swap will be a huge deal to swap as well.
I always thought about a 2.3L duratec from a Ranger, a 2.3L Focus ST (06-07) head, and a quads4rods bellhousing to make it fit. Add a huge FMIC, and a T3 side header to it, and you've got a 2.3 turbo that can breathe.
I have seen a more than a few of the Coyote swaps and Coyote Mustangs with return style fuel systems as the returnless has its limit on hp. IF those jackasses on Gas Monkey Garage can swap a V6 Ecoboost into an old Pantera then this can be done.
Seems like this could happen! Probably would use standalone ECU for the engine (probably from the donor vehicle), Hopefully the fuel pump from the Mustang could be used as well just to keep the system consistent, fuel lines will be a pain to install, but that should only need to be done once in theory. This will be a daily driver more than a tuned performance car, so I'm not particularly worried about the limit on the horsepower based on the returnless system. I fully intend to buy a whole wrecked car and use as much of it as I can. Now I just need a garage, more money than I have, and a similar amount of time.