TC LX Coupe project...

[KurtPB]

hey, yes this is my first post and so far i am loving this forum. i was hoping some knowledgeable people could help me out with a project i had in mind. in a local town, there's an old beat-up turbo-coupe tbird. well, i was curious about a possible engine/tranny swap into a LX Coupe stang. would the wire harness' simply plug in? are there years that the TC 2.3 wouldnt bolt into or do all 2.3 stangs have the same engine mount set-up? also, i wouldnt really leave the 2.3 stock very long and it needs work because a girl at my school that lives near the place said that the guy cant get it started. i'll just say thanks for any help, it's greatly appreciated and if there's any specifics that i missed, please mention it.

 

[ACSPONY]

Just do a search on this forum for the turbo swap. You'll find a bunch of threads with parts and install tips. ALSO, check out http://www.projecthp.ford23.com. It's Stinger's (forum member) website.

 

[KurtPB]

thanks for the link. i would have searched but i had to post and go to school shortly after so i didnt have time.

EDIT: looks like i'll want to find a 87-90 mustang, much simpler... or at least there's less text than the 91-93.

 

[JosephB]

tc in lx

I have a turbo coupe engine in a lx mustang coupe body. The tranny is the mustangs because the tc has a different way of working the clutch. the tc works off of vacuum and the stabg tranny uses a cable linkage. Use the tc injectors and get an aftermarket fule pump at least 190lph.

 

[KurtPB]

hey, thanks for the tips. i kinda assumed the TC injectors since i'd be using the TC engine and i thought about a fuel pump and figured i'd just get a 255 to be safe.

 

[myboyhasa66]

you wont be needing the fuel pump anytime soon. you will need the complete engine, wiring and computer. most of the mustang harness bolts upto the tc engine but you will need to repin the computer and redo a couple of conectors. Make sure you read stinger's website, a lot of people have trouble with their swaps because they miss a detail. use the mustang motor mounts. you will need to use the mustang t-5 bellhousing, the tc clutch, everything else is pretty easy. make sure you use motorcraft parts

 

[KurtPB]

thanks. and yes, i've been reading stinger's swaps multiple times. is the T-5 bellhousing available in certain years like 87-90 or what and the clutch because of performance reasons? also, why motorcraft? quality?

 

[88stangmangt]

I have a turbo coupe engine in a lx mustang coupe body. The tranny is the mustangs because the tc has a different way of working the clutch. the tc works off of vacuum and the stabg tranny uses a cable linkage. Use the tc injectors and get an aftermarket fule pump at least 190lph.

TC'S have a hydralic clutch which is a pain but can be swaped over to cable so id grab the engine and trans...dont forget the ecu...

 

[NjccBflo]

this swaps been done many a time.

take the whole motor; drop the ecu from under the dash; maybe the rear end (8.8" and hopefully disc); part out the rest of the car.

Compression check the TCoupe motor before You pull it. This way You'll have a good idea of wether or not You have to tear it down before You put it into the mustang.

Swaping into the mustang shouldnt take more then a good day. Weekend at the most.

 

[KurtPB]

well somebody at my school was saying that the owner couldnt get the TC started so i was thinking a head gasket but that wouldnt keep it from running.

 

[myboyhasa66]

these motors are finicky. a headgasket might not let it start. even if it doesn't start you can do a compression test as long as it cranks. the compression tester is 20 bucks and youll lose it more then one its a good buy. any 4cylinder mustang bellhousing will work the tc bellhousing is different. the clutch in your mustang will not work with the tc its a different size. if i were you i would not deal with the tc tranny right now. Its a pain in the ars and youll have enough fun with the electrical. if you part out the car youll wind up getting more money then you paid for it.

 

[KurtPB]

i'd be able to do a compression test myself int he garage and i hope to get it around $50 because it's been sitting a while and i'm sure the owner would have no problem with letting it go cheap plus some of the interior is gone like door panels and whatnot. and when you talk about the clutch and bellhousing, are you saying that the 2.3 can simply bolt up to the stang tranny and depending on the shape of the clutch, it'd work fine with the newfound power?

 

[myboyhasa66]

umm kinda. you are gonna use the mustang tranny, the mustang bellhousing, the bolt pattern is the same and they bolt right up. you need a turbocoupe clutch though.

 

[myboyhasa66]

when i pulled my engine i didnt even take out the tranny. i just unbolted the bellhousing took out the bellhousing with the mustang engine. put the bell on the tc and put it in. everything bolts in.

 

[KurtPB]

yea, i knew everything bolted up. i just read your post wrong.

EDIT: also, does anyone really notice any difference between the stock IC and a volvo? it's just that i have one on hand and i do plan on moving as much air as i can afford.

 

[88stangmangt]

yes it will make a diff...specially if you plan on pumping boost.

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

You might as well do it, its basically free power if you have one lying around.

Josh

 

[KurtPB]

i just wasnt sure. i figured if there wasnt much of a diference, i'd keep the factory IC since it's smaller but i'll definatly get the volvo on it if the guy lets it go cheap.

i've got another question because i'm new to fords but did the 2.3Ts have any real serious problems?

 

[5.0ina66]

i've got another question because i'm new to fords but did the 2.3Ts have any real serious problems?

2.3s in general are d@mn near un-killable unless you run it out of oil or water. My cousin's tempo has 260k on it, no noises, doesn't burn oil, and it'll still go about as good as one of those POS Tempos ever did. :rofl:

 

[KurtPB]

awesome. i wasnt sure if there was anything i'd really want to look for since it doesnt run. i think the owner is mechanically inclined but a rebuild wont be as intimidating as it would have been a few months ago before i did one on my 2.5.