[JakeM]

Hey guys. I think lucked out and found a rust free, 5.0 rolling chassis. Waiting on a bit more info, but I can get it for $1500, maybe $1000. It doesn't have Trans or Motor but has everything else. It was a 1991 5.0. Has a bunch of aftermarket suspension goodies so I'm pretty excited. My questions are: what to look for in a used turbocoupe motor or SVO motor? What should I replace even before dropping it in? How much should I look to spend on a good running motor? Which ECU/harness should I get? I would like to tune on Quarterhorse as I have a bit of experience with it already. I also already have a brand new NGK Wideband with a NTK sensor. How much should I look to spend on a harness? I'll be deleting A/C and the heater core as this will be a autocross/road coarse build. I'm also looking for a SN95 Cobra trans, rear end and spindles. Will I need anything to adapt the trans to the 2.3? What k-member is compatible or should I use? What motor mounts?

I know it is a lot of questions so I'm not expecting quick and easy answer's. I've done a bit of research and it seems there is a lot of turbocoupe/SVO motors out there for $500 but that seems almost too good to be true?

Thanks a bunch fella's!

Jake

[ranger50toy]

You cant use the SN95 trans because the Input shaft is too long.

[Mikel89us]

They make an adapter plate that bolts to the 2.3 block and uses the 5.0 bellhousing pattern. this will allow you to use anything that bolts up to the old 5.0, and you can buy a larger diameter flywheel to use the 5.0 clutch and starter.

STINGER PERFORMANCE PARTS - 2.3 Turbo Performance Parts for Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Merkur XR4Ti, Pinto, Ranger, and Sand Rails

all the components are located here^

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by ranger50toy You cant use the SN95 trans because the Input shaft is too long.

Thanks for the heads up. What is the best option? I plan on making about 300HP and as close to 300FT/LB's of torque as I can get. I won't do auto.

Originally Posted by Mikel89us They make an adapter plate that bolts to the 2.3 block and uses the 5.0 bellhousing pattern. this will allow you to use anything that bolts up to the old 5.0, and you can buy a larger diameter flywheel to use the 5.0 clutch and starter. STINGER PERFORMANCE PARTS - 2.3 Turbo Performance Parts for Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Merkur XR4Ti, Pinto, Ranger, and Sand Rails all the components are located here^

It says "No longer available" for that adapter plate..

[JakeM]

Also, is Megasquirt a better idea? Or maybe even Stinger's "Pimp" Stand alone? Not really looking to spend $650, but if that is the best I could plan on adding that in the future. I'm not afraid of installing a stand alone as long as it is more ideal. Even with quarter horse it would still be speed density right? I'd rather use speed density so I don't have to run a MAF sensor or Alpha-N.

[JakeM]

I found it for sure! Guy sent me Pic's today. Going to go look at it this weekend! Thing is damn near mint and I wasn't even really looking for a mint car...

[ranger50toy]

I am running an 88 GT t5 with the 4 cyl bellhousing and 4.10 gears and a stock TC clutch.

[ChrisJ]

Go with Megasquirt IMHO

[MustangMatt96GT]

Big stuff 3

Or a carb like the cool cats

[ReverendDexter]

You know, another option is to look outside Ford. If you're looking at a 2.3T, you might also consider an SR20DET. I'm not a Nissan fan, but the SR is just one of the best 4-cylinder performance motors out there, and IIRC Nissan even used a version of the T5 behind it.

Too bad the Ecoboost 3.5L hasn't been out long enough to get one cheap and there's no RWD manual trannies for 'em (that I'm aware of)... I think an Ecoboost foxbody could be a scary, scary car.

[Mikel89us]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter You know, another option is to look outside Ford. If you're looking at a 2.3T, you might also consider an SR20DET. I'm not a Nissan fan, but the SR is just one of the best 4-cylinder performance motors out there, and IIRC Nissan even used a version of the T5 behind it. Too bad the Ecoboost 3.5L hasn't been out long enough to get one cheap and there's no RWD manual trannies for 'em (that I'm aware of)... I think an Ecoboost foxbody could be a scary, scary car.

There are RWD ecoboost trannies, you would have to get one out of a 2wd F150. You need a lot of electronics to go with it though to make it work. It is out there and can be done. I see those trucks every day.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by Mikel89us There are RWD ecoboost trannies, you would have to get one out of a 2wd F150.

I thought the EcoBoost F150 was only offered with an automatic.

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by ChrisJ Go with Megasquirt IMHO

Being that they have a PnP eec-iv setup I think I will.. I think it will cut out a bunch of hurdles. Easier to datalog as well.

Originally Posted by MustangMatt96GT Big stuff 3 Or a carb like the cool cats

No carb's for me.. Silly black magic... We use BS3 on our dragster, but I don't have the budget that my uncle does. LoL If I could, I would. I LOVE BS3... I mean seriously.

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter You know, another option is to look outside Ford. If you're looking at a 2.3T, you might also consider an SR20DET. I'm not a Nissan fan, but the SR is just one of the best 4-cylinder performance motors out there, and IIRC Nissan even used a version of the T5 behind it. Too bad the Ecoboost 3.5L hasn't been out long enough to get one cheap and there's no RWD manual trannies for 'em (that I'm aware of)... I think an Ecoboost foxbody could be a scary, scary car.

Too out of the box. If I had the budget I would do a First/Second GEN SHO motor. De-stroke it and rev the piss out of it. I still really wanna do this, but I won't be able to afford it for the time being. P.S. The 3.7 TiVct in the 2011+ Mustangs would be the motor to have right now if I was going to go new Ford Tech... American Muscle just ran 11.7 with there's on mild boost and still gets retarded good gas mileage. But again, don't have the budget.

I can get a Turbocoupe motor for between $500-$800, long block with the turbo and all. If I get this chassis I think I could do it for under $3000. Which would be PERFECT. Then after I get a season out of it I could do all the suspension and motor. This chassis has full suspension short of a T/A PHB setup.

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by ranger50toy I am running an 88 GT t5 with the 4 cyl bellhousing and 4.10 gears and a stock TC clutch.

No adapter's or anything? Wouldn't that be a T45?

[JakeM]

Still need advice on sourcing wiring harness (assuming I use megasquirt eec-iv PnP), what transmission to use (has to be manual) and what fuel pump to use? Anyone have experience with the aeromotive 340 stealth fuel pump? Link here. Should I just do a 255 walbro and call it a day? Fairly certain I'm going to get the stock Mustang GT Fuel pump and all the lines with the chassis. The tank and all that for sure. I know i want to remove the heater core and all that stuff, what do I need to block off or modify on the SVO/TC motor?

Blah.. LoL The farther I get into this the more questions I have. I've been searching the net, but I haven't gotten a lot of clear answers.

[Mikel89us]

Originally Posted by JakeM No adapter's or anything? Wouldn't that be a T45?

The T45 was only used in 96 to 99

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by Mikel89us The T45 was only used in 96 to 99

Huh. Learn something new every day. Ty.

[ranger50toy]

Originally Posted by JakeM No adapter's or anything? Wouldn't that be a T45?

No adapter. Just a pilot bushing until I get the input shaft cut for the bearing.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by Mikel89us The T45 was only used in 96 to 99

Longer than that, 96 to mid '01; that's when they switched over to the 3650. And the T5 was still in use then behind the V6s - the last of the T5s are in the 2010 4.0L cars.

[Mikel89us]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter Longer than that, 96 to mid '01; that's when they switched over to the 3650. And the T5 was still in use then behind the V6s - the last of the T5s are in the 2010 4.0L cars.

Modern Driveline T-45 Transmission, quality rebuilds, & conversions

They say that in 2000 tremec replaced it with the TR-3650. That doesnt mean tthat ford didnt have spares laying around, but the T45 production was stopped in 99