4 Cyl Engine + Auto: How good?

MLC Stang

Founding Member

Aug 23, 2002

210

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Atlanta, GA

Dec 17, 2003

#1

• Dec 17, 2003

• #1

Sorry about the newbie 4 Cyl question... I'm a 5.0 guy.

Looking at a '93 Mustang with 4 Cylinder engine and Auto transmission for a new teenage driver.

How stout is this engine/drivetrain combo? Will it last a long time if cared for, or are there things I should know about, or check, before I buy.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

T

TheNoachSHO

New Member

Nov 1, 2003

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Dec 17, 2003

#2

• Dec 17, 2003

• #2

Anything will last a long tim e if cared for but anyway...

I have the same combo on my 93 as well. It's held up very well. My only conceren would be the trans as long as the motor is running good and not throwing codes. How much is the asking price and milage?

 

MLC Stang

Founding Member

Aug 23, 2002

210

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Atlanta, GA

Dec 17, 2003

#3

• Dec 17, 2003

• #3

The mileage is just over 100K. Asking price is $2,500.

Has power, air bags, a/c, new tires. Paint and interior both good.

Ad says "runs fine, no problems". Haven't looked at car yet.

 

M

MustangPatty

Founding Member

Jun 5, 2002

292

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Sallisaw OK

Dec 17, 2003

#4

• Dec 17, 2003

• #4

I just sold my '93 Vert Auto. Had the car for 5 years and it ran great. If its taken care of, shouldnt give you any problems.

 

Lx89Stang05

Founding Member

Oct 18, 2002

1,005

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S.E. Mass

Dec 17, 2003

#5

• Dec 17, 2003

• #5

my tranny has alittle over 100k and i have a turbo motor, and i always shift it manually all the time and it hasnt broke anything yet, only problem i get its that it over heats when driving long distences.

__________________
89' Mustang Lx 2.3T 5spd,Smoke Metallic
Engine Mods:
2.3 Turbo Merkur Motor, Garrett T3 Turbo Set@10-25psi, .60 Trim Compressor .63 A/R Turbine, Fully Ported And Polished Head, 35 lb/hr Injectors, Gutted Upper Intake, Ported and Knifed Lower Intake, K&N Filter, Cold Air Intake, Stock Forged Pistons, Adjustable Boost Valve, LA3 ECM, Big VAM, A/C Delete, Removed Air Box and Silencer,Bailey Evo BOV.
Exhuast Mods:
2.5" Dual 2 Chamber Flowmasters 40's, Ported E6 Exhaust Manifold, SVO Y-Pipe, 2.5" Down Pipe No Cats, 2.5 SS Tail Pipes
Suspension/Body/Interior Mods:
17" AFS Cobra R Rims, 94' Cobra springs, Rear GT Sway Bar, 88' Ranger Air Dam, GT Spoiler, GT Escort seats, Phantom Boost Guage
In The Works:
Supercoupe Intercooler,5spd Trans., 8.8' Rear End, SVO 73mm calipers
Future Mods:
Rods Header, Pro5.0 Short Throw Sifter. SVO Brakes, Brake Ducts, Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump, Kirban Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator, Cam, Adjustable Cam Pulley.

For Sale:
15"X7" Hand Polished American Racing Rims

 

Asha'man

Founding Member

Feb 5, 2002

1,909

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Denver

Dec 17, 2003

#6

• Dec 17, 2003

• #6

The motor is good, but the tranny sucks. With a hundred thousand, it's possible that it could crap out pretty quick. But then again, I have 153K on mine and it still runs - it sucks power and slips occasionally, but runs. Keep in mind that it'll be a 20-second car with the auto at sea level (low 22's at my altitude), which is why I'm T5-swapping.

Ash

 

T

TheNoachSHO

New Member

Nov 1, 2003

79

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0

Dec 17, 2003

#7

• Dec 17, 2003

• #7

The price seems a bit steep especially without knowing how the trans is FOR SURE. I picked my 93 up with 89k on it for $1600. It's got 135k on it now and the trans has been going south for about 10k now.

 

rgosulliv

Founding Member

Aug 10, 2001

430

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Lawrenceville NJ

Dec 17, 2003

#8

• Dec 17, 2003

• #8

my al4d died but it had over 140k on it and I beat on it.

 

Dan P.

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

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27

N.C.

Dec 17, 2003

#9

• Dec 17, 2003

• #9

The A4LD is a piece of crap mine went at 100,000. But the 2.3 is a good motor it will last for a long time. Mine has about 115,000 now and still running strong.

 

conor

New Member

Aug 13, 2003

46

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San Diego, CA

Dec 17, 2003

#10

• Dec 17, 2003

• #10

Well, the 2.3 I4 is certainly slow enough for a new driver..

 

D

Dan'l

Founding Member

Aug 2, 2001

1,539

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wisconsin

Dec 17, 2003

#11

• Dec 17, 2003

• #11

my 2.3 has 189,000 hard miles, I would trust that motor(good running ones in the junk yard go @$225. The price seems a little high unless it's immaculate. Similar age convertibles with comparable miles go @$14-$1600. Up here in the rust belt the car you're looking at would probably bring low 2's.

 

MSM0075

Member

May 13, 2003

741

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16

Central Jersey

Dec 17, 2003

#12

• Dec 17, 2003

• #12

2,500 isnt that bad, its a '93 guys, with just about 100K miles.

I'm selling my '93 auto 2.3L hatchback for cheep though cause the trans is on its way, plus i got my third stang not to long ago..

 

mr_woodster

Active Member

Jul 28, 2003

1,314

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36

Riverside, CA

Dec 17, 2003

#13

• Dec 17, 2003

• #13

conor said:

Well, the 2.3 I4 is certainly slow enough for a new driver..

Click to expand...

here here . The only real worry on a drive train that has had basic service over the years is the a4ld aka the poopy trans. Some people have had them for years with no problems, most 5speed swap, or toss the car. The i4 motor is tough and reliable , the T5 that came in other mustangs of the same year are tough aswell. the weakest link is usualy the tranny! Oh well your teenager will join these boards and want to turboswap with a t5 in a matter of time anyways ;o) enjoy

 

HOWNDOG

Member

Aug 24, 2003

186

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16

Vancouver Island

Dec 17, 2003

#14

• Dec 17, 2003

• #14

I wouldn't say no to my kid if he wanted to get one but I'd probably help him try knock a couple hundred off the price.

HD

 

P

Pro-Hawk

New Member

Dec 4, 2003

971

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West Texas

Dec 18, 2003

#15

• Dec 18, 2003

• #15

MLC Stang said:

Sorry about the newbie 4 Cyl question... I'm a 5.0 guy.

Looking at a '93 Mustang with 4 Cylinder engine and Auto transmission for a new teenage driver.

How stout is this engine/drivetrain combo? Will it last a long time if cared for, or are there things I should know about, or check, before I buy.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Click to expand...

I got a 93' 2.3L A4LD and I got it around 89k and its right at 125k now. Only proublems I've had is minor like radiator, water pump, altanaitor etc. The A4LD has skiped a beat once but for some reason its right on track now. I guess if I drove it like a normal person it would be ok

Its baicaly like the group says anything will last if taken care of, but the A4LD is a question mark. Check the gear box out and make sure the timing belt is good amung other things, then drive the wheels off it.

as for it being a car for a new driver, not sure on that one.

 

CruzNlife1

Founding Member

Feb 17, 2002

1,419

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0

West Palm Beach

Dec 18, 2003

#16

• Dec 18, 2003

• #16

I can vouch for this motor... My "Estimated" miles changed alot, cause I can never remember, but the 2.3 in my ranger ((EXACT SAME MOTOR AS THE MUSTANG)) Has WELL OVER 275-300 Thousand miles... Regular maintenance my ass, I never took care of the damn thing.... About 50 of those thousand is me beating the hell out of it, bouncing off teh rev limiter, doing burnouts, offroading it, towing, whatever, it always starts right up, never left me stranded, the bottom end knocks a bit for a couple seconds when I start it in the morning, NO SMOKE, and it still gets 19-21 MPG !! I love this truck, And I love this motor, but it is coming out next month for the turbo swap. Just have to give it some credit...

 

M

mustangjoshs

New Member

Dec 18, 2003

14

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0

florida

Dec 18, 2003

#17

• Dec 18, 2003

• #17

great first car

hey all, i'm new here, I bought my 92 2.3 lx hatchback four years back, got it for 3200 bucks with 18000 miles. God bless little old ladies! as far as fix or repair daily, in four years i've been through some rear-end body work, ( it wasn't my fault) two radiators, an oil pump, an alternator, 3 sets of used lock solenoids, rear shocks, a muffler, and she's in the shop for a timing belt tonight... up to about 60,000 miles now, the last 40000 or so have been driven HARD. that tranny just wasn't made to take the abuse. new modulator valve got it working, but it's still slippery. had the car been driven gently.... it'd be a totally different story

bottom line though, i love this car, it's been great to me, it still looks great, still gets me on those lonely 300 mile rides from campus back to my parents' house without any real worries.
knock the price down a bit with that kind of miles on the car, and get it.

 

DeadHead23

New Member

Dec 15, 2003

12

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0

Dela-Where?

Dec 18, 2003

#18

• Dec 18, 2003

• #18

I have a 91 vert lx with same a4ld and 2.3 setup and my dad bought it for me as my first "teen" car. I bought it with 74k on both engine and tranny, but the whole engine went on me at 76k miles because it apparently had sat and rotted the gaskets. But before it had good power and pick up, plus it looked good so as a first car I would recommend it just make sure you find out ALL you can, but you know that.

Peace

 

MSM0075

Member

May 13, 2003

741

0

16

Central Jersey

Dec 18, 2003

#19

• Dec 18, 2003

• #19

CruzNlife1 said:

I can vouch for this motor... My "Estimated" miles changed alot, cause I can never remember, but the 2.3 in my ranger ((EXACT SAME MOTOR AS THE MUSTANG)) Has WELL OVER 275-300 Thousand miles... Regular maintenance my ass, I never took care of the damn thing.... About 50 of those thousand is me beating the hell out of it, bouncing off teh rev limiter, doing burnouts, offroading it, towing, whatever, it always starts right up, never left me stranded, the bottom end knocks a bit for a couple seconds when I start it in the morning, NO SMOKE, and it still gets 19-21 MPG !! I love this truck, And I love this motor, but it is coming out next month for the turbo swap. Just have to give it some credit...

Click to expand...

I hear ya dude. I don't have a 4cyl but my Bronco II 2.9L v6 is the same way. we got it with about 120K miles. It now has over 150K and I dont think we've had a problem yet. It always ticked in the morning for a minute or so. but only did it if it was real cold outside. People come into my work with that same motor, and i ask them how many miles they got on it, they say, close to 300K....its pretty cool...

 

K

ka0tyk

Founding Member

Oct 10, 2001

1,610

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0

Los Angeles, CA

Dec 18, 2003

#20

• Dec 18, 2003

• #20

yah... the a4ld is a great transmission...

for a garage ornament... get the T5... nuff said. please come again. I've broken 4 A4LD's... the last one had a shift kit and explorer hard-parts... still busted. The A4LD is a pile of crud.