Turbocoupe drivetrain into 87 4 banger, wiring how hard?

[stackz]

I've had a little 4cylinder auto 87 mustang sitting out in the back for about 3 years as a donor car that I never got around to using stuff from.

Just got in a driver's door wrecked turbocoupe (think it's an 86 since no intercooler, can't tell since I can't read the door tag). It's an automatic also. Cogs in my brain started turning that since both were auto cars it should be easy to take everything from the Turbocoupe and toss in the mustang and bada bing bada bang....

first is first, no keys with the turbocoupe, is there an easy way to crank it from under the hood or dash to see if it even runs??

am i right in assuming that the engine harness from the turbocoupe will plug into the underdash harness in the mustang?? exactly how hard would this swap be? pull out everything from turbocoupe and toss into mustang, plug up a few harnesses, and turn the key?

or what problems would I run into??

thanks guys, any help would be greatly appreciated. I'd really like to do this and get it running because having an 87 4cylinder mustang as daily driver would be WONDERS for my insurance

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

87 isnt a bad swap, check stingers site for wiring. i believe there is only a couple of changes. you will want to use the mustang harness and not the TC harness. It takes an Rocket scientist to make heads and tales of the TC harness

Dr

 

[tiny4lx]

Its easy it took me about an hour to do all the wireing.And that was taking my time.

 

[mr_woodster]

yes, and with all that extra time your going to save on the wiring, maybe it could be invested into a T-5 swap. Save yourself the headache now, if your already going this deep, might aswell.

 

[³à³]

That easy huh? Well Ive been thinking of doing the 5.0 swap but now what am I to do.
Where is this site with the wiring info? Is the Merkur XR4TI the same as the TCs?

 

[stackz]

yes, and with all that extra time your going to save on the wiring, maybe it could be invested into a T-5 swap. Save yourself the headache now, if your already going this deep, might aswell.

actually, I've got another 2 4cylinder 5speeds sitting out back and was thinking I might toss one of those 5speeds behind it but I really dont want this to be a stickshift. I need at least one "hungover" driveable car

Um, you guys say to use the mustang's engine harness? but I use the TC ecu right?

where is stinger's website at? I think I really need to take a look at it to get a better understanding of what I need to do.

Would it be a good idea to take the TC's fuel pump also?

 

[tiny4lx]

Stinger Performance"click" when page comes up look to the left in box and "click" on 2.3 tech.

 

[G-90]

Turbo's work well in an automatic anyway.
Floor it and build boost and keep going and going.
Sure there is a little driveline loss but it gets made up for.

I have 2 TC 5 spds and what got me thinking about auto was when I purchaced an 86 TC automatic.
Driving home I thought, "this is fun. I'm going to build a fast auto turbo car."
And then I found the Notch and so it began.

 

[stackz]

Stinger Performance"click" when page comes up look to the left in box and "click" on 2.3 tech.

was on stinger's website and his info is only for 87-88 TC's into 87 mustangs.

is there much of a difference wiring/ecu wise on the 86 TC's?? as this is what I believe I have.

 

[tiny4lx]

The only dirrerent i think is pre 87 wasnt i/c. I've got a 86 and 87 t/c and theres is no diff. in elect. except the comp. are different. Factory, ones i/c [87-88]and one[86]isnt.
To get started do like i did SCREWDRIVER

 

[tiny4lx]

''The only different" i forgot how to spell. If any body sees something wrong please correct. Information that is.

 

[stackz]

The only dirrerent i think is pre 87 wasnt i/c. I've got a 86 and 87 t/c and theres is no diff. in elect. except the comp. are different. Factory, ones i/c [87-88]and one[86]isnt.
To get started do like i did SCREWDRIVER

lol, I thought about the screwdriver but I dont want to completely mess up that ignition and never be able to start it haha. I do want to try to get it cranked in car before pulling it so I'll know what I'm working with from the outset.

Um here's a good question. Why is everyone saying to use the mustang harness and re-pin and add pins to the ecu and all?? I mean, if I just take the TC harness out with the engine and toss it all in...then all I would have to do is wire it into the underdash harness versus re-do'ing underhood sensors and ecu stuff.

or is this too simple that it's unbelievably crazy??

 

[Bearded Forever]

Turbo's work well in an automatic anyway.
Floor it and build boost and keep going and going.
Sure there is a little driveline loss but it gets made up for.

Bhuff's car proves otherwise. He posted a timeslip running half a second slower, with over 35hp more than me and an a4ld, than my fastest slip with a manual.

 

[tiny4lx]

Ok stackz,if you change the harness you will need all the sensors and what not. If you use the stang harness you will only need to splice 3 vam wires into you egr and run the other vam wire to the comp. Next you will jump the premium mode wire. So in all it is about an hour worth of work compared to hours of work. And the screwdriver works good and all you got to do is brake it haha.

 

[G-90]

Bhuff's car proves otherwise. He posted a timeslip running half a second slower, with over 35hp more than me and an a4ld, than my fastest slip with a manual.

Was he turbo then?
I'll take you on with my 3 spd auto anyday.

 

[stackz]

Ok stackz,if you change the harness you will need all the sensors and what not. If you use the stang harness you will only need to splice 3 vam wires into you egr and run the other vam wire to the comp. Next you will jump the premium mode wire. So in all it is about an hour worth of work compared to hours of work. And the screwdriver works good and all you got to do is brake it haha.

would the car pass smog this way?? does the nonturbo harness use the knock sensors or not?? thanks for the help thus far.

 

[Stinger]

Best thing to do is upgrade to 87-88 TC spec as it will have more power (195hp)...that is why my site only covers those cars. You'll need to pick up an 87-88 computer, large vam, and act sensor. You should already have the brown top injectors. Then just follow my swap directions.

It will pass a sniffer test...not a visual though.

Oh, and put a T5 in it while it's apart.

Stinger

 

[stackz]

Best thing to do is upgrade to 87-88 TC spec as it will have more power (195hp)...that is why my site only covers those cars. You'll need to pick up an 87-88 computer, large vam, and act sensor. You should already have the brown top injectors. Then just follow my swap directions.

It will pass a sniffer test...not a visual though.

Oh, and put a T5 in it while it's apart.

Stinger

it wont matter if the ecu is manual or automatic will it? like it wont run richer with an auto ecu? I'll need to get an intercooler? I remember reading something like running an 87-88 setup without intercooler will make it run rough or something in that FAQ sticky thread or something like that.

is it not possible to remove the gas switch and all from the thunderbird and make it work in the mustang or is the "high octane" splice completely necessary and does it affect smog on the sniffer machine??

 

[Stinger]

Either computer is fine if you are running a 5 speed...you will need an auto computer to use an auto trans.

Running it without an IC won't make it run rough...it will limit the amount of boost you can run without detonating though.

You can remove the gas switch and wire it into the Mustang if you want...no real need though, you can just wire it to be on premium all the time. It will run "cleaner" on premium for the sniffer.

Stinger

 

[stackz]

Either computer is fine if you are running a 5 speed...you will need an auto computer to use an auto trans.

Running it without an IC won't make it run rough...it will limit the amount of boost you can run without detonating though.

You can remove the gas switch and wire it into the Mustang if you want...no real need though, you can just wire it to be on premium all the time. It will run "cleaner" on premium for the sniffer.

Stinger

ok thanks man! that helps out. I'll probably have more questions this weekend on the board when I actually get out there in front of the cars to start on the whole thing.

um, you know anything about late model wheel fitment issues with the various 5-lug swaps??