I found an xr4ti and was wondering if this engine was the same as the other 2.3 turbos? I think I can pick up the entire car for 400, currently not running. They said it needed a head gasket when they parked it 2 years ago. Is this swap the same?
Yes it is! You can't use the tranny or rearend in a Mustang swap but the motor itself is exactly the same. The turbo will be a T3 60/48. It could be a head gasket or a cracked head, pretty common occurance. There's usually a head or two on ebay. I'd grab it, swap the motor and part out the XR to recoup some of your $400, if not all of it!
the engine came in turbo coupe t-birds, SVOs, and the merkur (87-89). im buying one not running (electrical probs) for $400 too! im buying it to swap the engine in my 79 cobra. the engines specs are 170hp and 240ft.lbs of torque, from the factory. IMO, its totally worth the money! goodluck!
jeff
cool. I'll go back and knock on their door and try to strike a deal. What are some good mods for about 700 bucks I can do while the motor is out? Exhaust, injectors, intake, upgraded head gasket? Will my stock 5spd with an upgraded clutch handle the power in my 93?
Most of the more beneficial mods aren't done to the engine...rather they are external things like exhaust, cone filter, adjustable boost controller, etc.
I would suggest you get an 87-88 Turbo Coupe ECU (as you'll need it to follow the swap instructions) as well as the larger air meter from the same vehicle. The Merk should already have 35lb injectors. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator would be a good idea as well...that's only a couple hundred bux total though. You may want to look into an intercooler kit or exhaust to spend the rest of your money.
The upgaded clutch may or may not hold...it's smaller than the turbo version. Trans will be fine.