Possible 2.3L motor swap

Enzo_Guy · October 29th, 2007, 03:57 PM

I can get my hands on a 1988 Ford Mustang 2.3L 4-banger for $1,000. The only things I really want on this car are the body, the interior, and the 5-speed transmission. I am looking at doing an engine swap as I already have a 4-banger Cobalt that gets good gas mileage. The beautiful loophole in Maryland's emissions laws is that any car with historic plates does not have to get tested, and this car will be eligible for such plates next year (car has to be 20 years old) so that leaves my options pretty wide open as far as what I can toss in this car and still be able to drive it to the local drag strip and car shows.
I am currently considering just about any engine from a Chevy 350 to a Nissan SR20 or even a Toyota 2JZ-GTE. I have worked as a mechanic, my dad is a mechanic, and we have the tools to swap in just about any motor we want. I'm looking for something that won't break my bank (let's say under $5K for the motor) and won't be the world's hardest swap, but at the same time I'm looking for some originality so then when I pop the hood people have to look twice and make sure the motor they see is really in a Mustang.

SUMMARY (for you lazy people): I am looking for a motor (domestic or foreign) to put in an '88 Mustang that costs under $5K and will not require replacing the suspension to support the added weight, what would you guys suggest?

TurboLX · November 1st, 2007, 04:29 PM

whatch fast and the furious much?

Enzo_Guy · November 1st, 2007, 09:25 PM

Haha, not really. I know, I sound like some punk kid that just rolled off the street in a fart-can import. I ruled out being able to mount up a foreign motor (I was looking at those because they are cheap) but I got my hands on a Chevy 350 for free so I am going to use that if I get the car.

TurboLX · November 2nd, 2007, 07:08 AM

lol jk

Im not the one to talk about going about a setup like that

find Darrell or maybe JBIGBOOSTY

they could help

Speedstang302 · November 2nd, 2007, 09:47 AM

i would stay away from the chevy 350 in that..dont be different, be correct, you could build a 400-450hp 331 or 347 stroker for about $5k...

4.6 88mustang · November 2nd, 2007, 12:30 PM

Hey, you could always do what I did. Pull the 4 banger and put a 94 4.6 police intercepter. Use complete wiring harness from 94 T-Bird. Realitivly cheap to do.

Enzo_Guy · November 2nd, 2007, 02:16 PM

I actually got my hands on a good Chevy 350, which is what I'm going to use.

Speedstang302 · November 2nd, 2007, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Enzo_Guy

I actually got my hands on a good Chevy 350, which is what I'm going to use.

i wouldnt put a chevy in my mustang if they paid me $5k

Z28Eater · December 24th, 2007, 11:10 AM

No i would for $5k because you'd use every penny fixing it everytime you run to the store. Then you have towing finances and all that. Dont put the 350 in it man. You just cant!

HMUSN · December 24th, 2007, 11:22 AM

It's your ride. Do what you want to it bro.

350 Small Block Chevy Conversion for Fox Mustangs - SBC Mustang Conversion - 350 Mustang Swap

October 29th, 2007, 03:57 PM	#1
Enzo_Guy Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 962 iTrader: 0 reviews	Possible 2.3L motor swap I can get my hands on a 1988 Ford Mustang 2.3L 4-banger for $1,000. The only things I really want on this car are the body, the interior, and the 5-speed transmission. I am looking at doing an engine swap as I already have a 4-banger Cobalt that gets good gas mileage. The beautiful loophole in Maryland's emissions laws is that any car with historic plates does not have to get tested, and this car will be eligible for such plates next year (car has to be 20 years old) so that leaves my options pretty wide open as far as what I can toss in this car and still be able to drive it to the local drag strip and car shows. I am currently considering just about any engine from a Chevy 350 to a Nissan SR20 or even a Toyota 2JZ-GTE. I have worked as a mechanic, my dad is a mechanic, and we have the tools to swap in just about any motor we want. I'm looking for something that won't break my bank (let's say under $5K for the motor) and won't be the world's hardest swap, but at the same time I'm looking for some originality so then when I pop the hood people have to look twice and make sure the motor they see is really in a Mustang. SUMMARY (for you lazy people): I am looking for a motor (domestic or foreign) to put in an '88 Mustang that costs under $5K and will not require replacing the suspension to support the added weight, what would you guys suggest? __________________ Muscle car? No Import? No Lifted truck? No Lowered truck? No When you have a Ford Ranger packing a turbo 4-cylinder, all you can do is park in the back of the car show and realize that you're one-of-a-kind.

November 1st, 2007, 04:29 PM	#2
TurboLX I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1988 Mustang LX Turbo Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NY Posts: 8,778 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	whatch fast and the furious much? __________________ 1988 LX Coupe 2.5L, GT35R, 44mm WG, 32psi, C16.

November 1st, 2007, 09:25 PM	#3
Enzo_Guy Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 962 iTrader: 0 reviews	Haha, not really. I know, I sound like some punk kid that just rolled off the street in a fart-can import. I ruled out being able to mount up a foreign motor (I was looking at those because they are cheap) but I got my hands on a Chevy 350 for free so I am going to use that if I get the car. __________________ Muscle car? No Import? No Lifted truck? No Lowered truck? No When you have a Ford Ranger packing a turbo 4-cylinder, all you can do is park in the back of the car show and realize that you're one-of-a-kind.

November 2nd, 2007, 07:08 AM	#4
TurboLX I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1988 Mustang LX Turbo Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NY Posts: 8,778 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	lol jk Im not the one to talk about going about a setup like that find Darrell or maybe JBIGBOOSTY they could help __________________ 1988 LX Coupe 2.5L, GT35R, 44mm WG, 32psi, C16.

November 2nd, 2007, 09:47 AM	#5
Speedstang302 I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1996 Mustang GT 13.64@101mph Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Massachusetss Posts: 5,824 iTrader: 1 reviews	i would stay away from the chevy 350 in that..dont be different, be correct, you could build a 400-450hp 331 or 347 stroker for about $5k... __________________ 1990 GT- GT40p Heads\| Anderson N41 cam\| Crane 1.6 RR's\| Trickflow Intake\|MGW Short Throw\| Aluminum d/s\| 3.73's.....still slow....

November 2nd, 2007, 12:30 PM	#6
4.6 88mustang Look Ma! My First Post! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	Hey, you could always do what I did. Pull the 4 banger and put a 94 4.6 police intercepter. Use complete wiring harness from 94 T-Bird. Realitivly cheap to do.

November 2nd, 2007, 02:16 PM	#7
Enzo_Guy Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 962 iTrader: 0 reviews	I actually got my hands on a good Chevy 350, which is what I'm going to use. __________________ Muscle car? No Import? No Lifted truck? No Lowered truck? No When you have a Ford Ranger packing a turbo 4-cylinder, all you can do is park in the back of the car show and realize that you're one-of-a-kind.

December 24th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#9
Z28Eater Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	No i would for $5k because you'd use every penny fixing it everytime you run to the store. Then you have towing finances and all that. Dont put the 350 in it man. You just cant!

December 24th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#10
HMUSN Doc 1986 SVO 48.47@ 12.58 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 37,044 iTrader: 10 reviews	It's your ride. Do what you want to it bro. 350 Small Block Chevy Conversion for Fox Mustangs - SBC Mustang Conversion - 350 Mustang Swap __________________

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