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t-bird 3.8 to 2.3T swap?

  • Thread starter Thread starter durty85
  • Start date Start date Nov 11, 2006
D

durty85

New Member
Nov 11, 2006
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joplin, mo
Nov 11, 2006
#1
  • Nov 11, 2006
  • #1
hey guys i have an 88 thunderbird, it has the 3.8 FI with an automatic, i was wondering what it would take to swap in a 2.3T and a five speed, i wanna make it a daily driver, what would i do about the wiring harness and everything. the 3.8 has some problems, overheating and lower end noise, i have heard the 3.8s had alot of problems with this. thanks in advance for any help

tim
 

Shawneebear93

20+ Year Stangneter
May 4, 2004
518
17
49
Salisbury Twp, Allentown, PA
Nov 13, 2006
#2
  • Nov 13, 2006
  • #2
The 3.8's also have a lot of problems with blowing headgaskets so watch out for that.
Anyways, for a 2.3T swap, you'll need the motor/transmission and complete wiring harness and I don't know personally but I'd assume you'll need motor mounts. You're toughest part may actually be getting some motor mounts in your engine bay, everything else is straightforward.
 
4

4bangen

Member
Nov 3, 2004
143
0
16
Nov 13, 2006
#3
  • Nov 13, 2006
  • #3
go to www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Nov 13, 2006
#4
  • Nov 13, 2006
  • #4
Yep definitely check out the FTCF listed above.

Anyway a short list of what you'd need....Engine, tranny, motor mounts, tranny mount, probably driveshaft, computer, harness, fuel lines, clutch master & slave cylinder (unless you want to use a cable-operated tranny), and if your car has the digital dash I don't think the 2.3 stuff will work with that as all turbo coupes had analog gauges, you could just swap to a TC gauge cluster though. Of course you'll also need the exhaust and that sort of stuff too.

Might be easier to just swap a 5.0 into the thing, I dunno
 
D

durty85

New Member
Nov 11, 2006
7
0
0
joplin, mo
Nov 13, 2006
#5
  • Nov 13, 2006
  • #5
yea i have thought about just swapping in a 302, but i have always liked the little 2.3t cars....i have an 88 lx 5.0 coupe so i have the v8 covered, i was wanting to build the 2.3t car for a daily driver and winter beater.
 
4

4bangen

Member
Nov 3, 2004
143
0
16
Nov 22, 2006
#6
  • Nov 22, 2006
  • #6
there is a guy on the site I mentioned that did a 3.8 to 2.3 swap. looks real nice ill try to point you in his direction.
 
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