I have 4 turbo motors to choose from, help me out with mods!

[JadeFalcon]

Alright! I found a good deal. I have someone who has 4 2.3T motors to choose from for 400 dollars, I pull everything I want from the car, I told him I want the computer, wiring harness, coil, vam, all that stuff, he said thats fine.

So, heres the motors I have to choose from:

"I have one motor out of the car 112k miles, it has had the fuel rail removed, but I can put it back on. The tranny went out in the car is was in and before I bought it for parts cranked the motor and it ran fine.....smooth as silk and no smoke. Rear freeze plug is leaking a little so I replaced it, but other then that motor runs great.

Of the two motors in the cars, that you could hear run, one 130k miles, is running WAY rich, so rich it pluged the cat (I removed it), I haven't done any checking as to why it's so rich but I suspect a bad sensor or VAM. It runs strong and there is no knocking....it does put out a pretty healthy cloud of black smoke though.

The other motor 125k miles, seems to run strong as well, I've actualy driven the car a little, it does have some decent sized oil leaks though.

all will come with accsesories, turbo and sensors and coresponding computer. (LB2 I think since all were auto cars)"

Is there any particular engine that would be a better choice, as far as the model/year... and how about the computer? I've browsed several websites covering the different swaps and pin out changes, etc.. but no clear cut information on what you really want.

Also, I want to go fast as well, why not. Should I be looking into performance rods/pistons/bearings... a girdle.. windage tray? I don't mind spending a few months putting one together. I was thinking about using a hogged out intake from 40bob.com and one of stingers turbo manifolds for a T3/T4 hybrid and use methanol injection to cool the air charge for some higher pumpgas numbers... It works great on supercharged cars and turbocharged cars. I'm still trying to take in all the 2.3T knowledge I can, I just would really like some insight on the guys in the trenches. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[mr_woodster]

well 87-88 turbo coupes were rated at 190hp
the rest were 175hp.

86.5 is what i have for these reasons: brown top injectors + T3 turbo...i just used a computer+vam out of an 88 tc.

87-88 motors have a IHI turbo on an E6 casting # exhuast manifold(the IHI is smaller than the t3 and less desirable) , but they are setup for intercooling and a better computer.

The best of both worlds would be...87-88 setup with a 85-86 T3 turbo. Or like i did (and alot of people do) buy a 86, and add the computer+vam+intercooler from an 87-88.

What car is this going into? if its going into a mustang 87-93, there is no need for the wiring harness, just the Vam plug (plus a few inches of spare wire connected to it)

 

[Stinger]

What cars are these out of?

 

[JadeFalcon]

turbocoupe... He tells me I want to get his Merkur harness for some reason, do I want that?

 

[Stinger]

I was really asking for years...that's more important than anything in telling me what accessories it comes with.

You don't need any harness, just the vam plug and a few inches of wire with it. If it's all the same price you might as well get the whole harness though.

Stinger

 

[351wcoupe]

I was really asking for years...that's more important than anything in telling me what accessories it comes with.

You don't need any harness, just the vam plug and a few inches of wire with it. If it's all the same price you might as well get the whole harness though.

Stinger

Hey man if you can get a merkur harness for free I'll give you $15 plus shipping if you would help somebody out. I may need another spare. For your swap wiring is about the easiest.

Are these prices $400 each. If thats the case be extremely picky and get everything you can. I got everything for the first swap for about $175.

 

[JadeFalcon]

yes 400 for the complete motor, I pick.

I think I'll be offering 300 or so when I see the motors.

Here are some important questions that I'm worried about.

1) Just how difficult is the 2.3T swap on a 92 mustang? I'm putting in an 88 Turbocoupe motor. I've done several 5.0 projects but never a 2.3 -> 2.3T swap, I'm new to the 4 bangers.

2) How difficult is the re-pinning of the wiring harness? What exactly am I re-pinning... is it the harness coming from the comptuer to the turbo coupe motor? I'm intimidated by wiring... this is my daily driver so failure and delays are out of the question.

3) 112k is on the ticker. I Was going to have the whole motor machined and rebuilt by a local race shop. All new bearings, hone the cylinders, re-ring. Should I look into aftermarket rods/pistons? Does anyone know any manufacturers/prices/websites? Will a 2.3T rebuilt be able to take a T3/T4 hybrid?

4) I plan on putting the motor back to relatively stock at first and upgrading it later, what are some cheap power mods to start with?

5) Can a VAM 88 TC motor vent BOV to atmosphere? How are the injectors with power changes, they are low-impedence so I assume the computer and motor should still be streetable with upgrades.

6) How dependible are these motors? I've heard bad things.

Thanks so much for your knowledge!

 

[Stinger]

1) check my site, it's all there.
2) You are repinning the plug that connects to the computer...and modifying the ignition harness that plugs into the TFI.
3) If you pick up one of the motors that runs good, don't waste your money. Motors with over 200k on the clock have made over 350hp. If it's not broke, don't fix it. Only look at aftermarket rods/pistons if you plan to make over 400rwhp in the near future. Being able to "take" a hybrid makes no sense...you can put a hybrid on a stock motor and still make 150rwhp if you feel like it. The hybrid is no harder on anything.
4) 3" mandrel bent exhaust, gillis valve (www.boostvalve.com), K&N cone.
5) Yes, if you get the right BOV. Injectors are good to ~300rwhp. I don't know why they wouldn't be streetable?
6) They are just as dependable as any other 20 year old motor.