I am going in the ways of the TC Motor. Is it a BIG step up for a 3.8?i know 4-cyl can be built real nice unlike the 3.8
i have any wiring diagrams you might need in my carstuff folder so holler when you get to that point.
Id carry over the engine and harness with eec from a doner and undress the old 3.8 harness compelely.
OK thanks much bro. but all im trying to figure out is if this swap is worth it?
Well that kinda depends, are you planning on leaving it all stock or what? I have about $1500 in my engine including all the machine work and everything, I'm currently running about 17 psi, and according to my Gtec the car should run mid-high 14's at the track.
no im gonna build it up... what is the most do you think i can get out of that motor
Yeah...whatever. Just how much are you planning on spending? What does "building it up" entail?
I know guys who have gotten 450-500+hp out of them. Are you? Doubtful.
Go do some reading over at turboford.org to hepl educate yourself a bit on the 2.3T
thanks chuck
The power depends on what you are planning. You can build a 2.3 to over 400HP. Just depends on how much you want and how much you are gonna spend. I know my current engine works but is basically stock and it whoops some ass. It even took a 96 stang gt 4.6 in some stop light racing. If does have a t3/4 hybrid but I'm only running 15psi. I've had this 2.3t for many years and I tell you to get a known good motor up and runing before you dump lots of cash into a motor. To many times I've read about people just throwing money at it when they find a problem. Then after they still have the same problem. So go low buck and get it running good first. My current bottom end is a factory 86 with over 130,000mi when I got it. I did put a remaned head I got for cheap though. I did run it with the yard head for over a year. Got tired of the leaking valve seals. Any I say go for it. I love my 2.3t's
im gonna do it these kids are telling me that one of these motors are just plain garbage and i already beat him in his little nissan stanza. i beat him with my 3.8 with a heavy box in the back too and a clogged exhaust which is fixed now but. some of the things i would imagine doing to it first is.... cleaning it up getting it running great. Bored Out, Stroked, Motor rebuild kit, cammed, aftermarket turbo, AEM EMS but like you said its gonna be an assload of cash to get it running good and im willing to spend it
All you just did was rattle off a list of mostly worthless mods.
Boring and stroking a 2.3T really gain you nothing but a lighter wallet. "Cammed", "Aftermarket turbo"....really? What ones?
My suggestion...
Do a mostly stock swap with the only mods being exhaust, fuel pump upgrade, an intercooler and slightly higher boost. Figure out how to work with that first.
Oh yeah head over to http://www.turboford.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=2
a dig though all the info. if you ask right of they might just jump your ass but deal with it and somone should pop in that is decent and knows somthing
ok i called up a yard that has the motor and it is running perfect. he said 600.00 for the whole thing wiring harness and everything.... 75,000 mi.... i asked him whats the warranty 90 days. he does complete inspections infront of you for leaks etc. is that a good deal im getting?
I wouldn't pay $600 for just an engine...hell I bought a whole car to pull an engine from for $150.
That seems to be normal for a yard. Yeah, you could get a better deal buying a whole TC like I did. I wanted the 8.8 rear and that was the main reason for buying the car anyways. The guy was going to keep the engine and transmission, but ended up selling it with the car for an extra $200. So basicly I got the engine/tranny for $200 with 100k
Are you going to swap in a T-5? Never driven a TC with an auto, can't imagine it would be near as much fun.
its guaranteed running in tip top shape. no leaks, mint condition
You can find a "tip top" running (not looking) TC for less than $600 if you look for it.
go to turboford, read and you [COLOR="LemonChiffon"]might[/COLOR] have a chance of getting this done.
Or you could sell your car and buy a TC, which is a better car anyways.
I bought my current engine for $200 complete with harness. It didn't have a turbo. But still. I also bought a 85 cougar xr7 for $100 motor was toast. So if you want pay the $600 bones for the motor but also see if you can get the harness and the computer.
or, you could do the smart thing and just swap right over to the 302 ;)... Think about it this way... Your gonna hafta gut everything anyway so hers what you gotta know:
1. Will the 4banger even bolt upto the tranny?
2. Would it be easier to just buy a TC?
3. Are you ready for an electrical wiring nightmare?
4. Would it be easier to just buy a TC?!?!?
They've got better suspensions then stock t-birds! They've got the bigger rear-ends with 4 wheel disc brakes as opposed to the 2 drums on the 7'5!
So wouldnt it be more logical to just buy a turbocoupe with a decent engine and rebuild it from there?
$600 is a bit much, but then again you are in the South. TCs are pretty hard to come by down there. Sounds like you need to take a road trip and c00ch up a TC to drive or at least for parts. It's been said time and time again, the little things will nickel and dime you to death.