i have a few questions for the knowledged 2.3 turbo guys.....ok, im new to the mustangs. i have owned dsm sports cars for a few years now. im 19 years old and i have always liked the fox body style. 2 weeks ago i ran into a guy that has a 1986 svo for sale.... i love the fact that ford made a turbo 4 banger mustang that is very capable of shutting down V8's!!! so i reaserched the car a little and found out some things. but what i really wanted to know is how dependable these cars are?? how often are they known for breaking down?? are they hard to work on?? my dad has a mechanics shop so tools are not a problem... i would just like to know what i would be getting into. i took it for a drive yesterday and all that i can tell is that 2nd gear grinds....easy fix?? it also needs a radiator, battery, tires, corner light and some body work on the front passenger side. the car is completely original!!! he wants $1200 for the car. so please somebody give me some good advise!!! thanks sooooo much!!!!!
HELPPPPP!!!!!!
- Thread starter t3t4_4g63
- Start date
Well they arent really all that hard to work on. In stock form they can be very reliable, a lot of the Turbocoupes (used the same engine with a different turbo) have gone well over 100k miles, and usually end up closer to 150k. And they can last longer than that....if you go to turboford.net, youll learn all you ever need to know. It s best to do searches for information first though, as much of it has been covered.
Even when they start to be modified a bit they still are fairly reliable, most things that happen are very minor.
As far as your second gear goes, it sounds like the synchros are getting worn in the transmission, the only cure for it is a rebuild. Or you can just get another T-5 as tehy are rather plentiful, a regular 4cyl t-5 will be fine.
Radiator and Batteries are easy items. tires of course are easy. They use the same bolt pattern as all 5-lug mustangs, so you can use any of those wheels. The only thing is that the front center cap may not fit. And actually an '05 and up mustang wheel fits better due to its having more backspacing. So if you wanted to go this route, you caould get some takeoff wheels and tires, and then if the SVO wheels were in good shape, im sure you could find someone to buy them
What kind of front end damage is there? SVO front bumpers are hard to find, and id find out if it had ever been wrecked otherwise
What color is it, and does it have a sunroof? If you ever want to resell it, these are things that people look for. A rare color without a sunroof is a good thing
Overall, if the car is in decent shape, and runs and drives well, id say think hard about it, because 1200 really isnt that bad of a price, and hell, you might be able to get him to go lower
Even when they start to be modified a bit they still are fairly reliable, most things that happen are very minor.
As far as your second gear goes, it sounds like the synchros are getting worn in the transmission, the only cure for it is a rebuild. Or you can just get another T-5 as tehy are rather plentiful, a regular 4cyl t-5 will be fine.
Radiator and Batteries are easy items. tires of course are easy. They use the same bolt pattern as all 5-lug mustangs, so you can use any of those wheels. The only thing is that the front center cap may not fit. And actually an '05 and up mustang wheel fits better due to its having more backspacing. So if you wanted to go this route, you caould get some takeoff wheels and tires, and then if the SVO wheels were in good shape, im sure you could find someone to buy them
What kind of front end damage is there? SVO front bumpers are hard to find, and id find out if it had ever been wrecked otherwise
What color is it, and does it have a sunroof? If you ever want to resell it, these are things that people look for. A rare color without a sunroof is a good thing
Overall, if the car is in decent shape, and runs and drives well, id say think hard about it, because 1200 really isnt that bad of a price, and hell, you might be able to get him to go lower
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
1.) No more than a ~20 year old Mitsubishi.....probably less often.
2.) No more than ANY Mitsubishi, probably easier.
3.) As easy as it is to change the 2nd gear blocker ring.
4.) It needs the passenger corner light, doesn't it? Good luck with that. The driver's side is still somewhat available, the passenger side has been obsolete for a decade or longer.
Despite all that, I'd take a running, driving SVO for $1200. Are you in CA? I'll go get it if you don't.
Reliability on the 2.3L often points back to maintenance...
Some people have all kinds of problems.
I have had virtually zero problems with mine since I rebuilt it 3 years ago (knock on wood), and that was just a basic rebuild reusing several stock parts.
It's super easy to work on, which is what I love about it.
Some people have all kinds of problems.
I have had virtually zero problems with mine since I rebuilt it 3 years ago (knock on wood), and that was just a basic rebuild reusing several stock parts.
It's super easy to work on, which is what I love about it.
the car has only been i one wreck..... the guy who ownes it now got it from his father 3 years ago when he past away. his dad had it since 1988. he hit "clipped" a deer on the right front corner. its nothing major. i think a little body work will fix it. the hood is also a little dented in the corner....no biggy. the car is dark gray with no sunroof, all leather interior. a.c., power doors and locks, am fm radio(still works). thanks a lot for the help guys!!! if anybody else has any advise or links to were i can find good performance parts please let me know!!! thanks a lot!!!
Stinger
Founding Member
Same things as any other turbo car, exhaust, k&n, boost controller, front mount intercooler, etc...cost is cheaper than the mitsu parts. See my sig for some of those items...
sleeper_inc
New Member
It just helps you mount the intercoler piping for a shorter run and less bends. Some people say boost comes on faster.
Use a 3" or bigger exhaust and make sure its free flowing, not baffled. The new cherry bomb muffle might work
sleeper_inc
New Member
Stinger
Founding Member
As I assume you know, I sell complete exhaust kits too. Matter of fact, I'm the only one that does so.
As stated on my site, the FMIC kit is a bolt on deal. No mods needed. Rotating the intake is for aesthetic reasons, not for performance.
As stated on my site, the FMIC kit is a bolt on deal. No mods needed. Rotating the intake is for aesthetic reasons, not for performance.
