I picked up a 91 Stang coupe with a 2.3 and 5 spd. I thought I would drive it this winter rather than drive my 06 GT in the snow.
The question I have for you 2.3 owners is, have you driven your 2.3 in the snow and how did it handle?
No mustang regardless of engine goes well in snow. If you must, air down the tires and put some bags of sand or gravel over the rear tires.
Yo i donno about yall but i love drivin my stang in the snow. I feel mine handles fine, granted im not moving in 4 inches of snow, but for the most part if you dont get on the throttle too hard (not hard to do in at 2.3n/a) and dont try to brake from 50-0 mph in 20 ft then you can drive fine.
I also find that the manual tranny helps alot. Down shifting early and letting the clutch out very slowly is an effective way to slow the car down w/o braking and locking the wheels. Sure its not great for the clutch, but imma get a performance clutch when i upgrade to a turbo anyway!
Of course, rear wheel drive vehicles have issues, just like he said, try some weight in the back (i have a 50 pound sub box~not kidding~) keep the tank full, and relax. Ill never forget watching 4x4 suvs slid off the road as i zip past then im a 2.3l mustang with rear wheel drive and stock skinny tires....at 50 mph when the snows coming down.
hey i said its fine, but who said it was smart?
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As you may have guessed- I'm a young gun with dreams of pimpin' my baby 2.3n/a into a fire-breathin Shadow Runner.
so far:
1987 hatchback mustang
2.3L, replaced to a '89
Air silencer removed
t-5 all the way
1400 watt sound system w/ twin 12" chrome subs
-The shadow runner was a legendary chinese horse that could outrun its own shadow[/size]
My 5.0 was completely unbearable in icy/snowy weather (both days of it we get in my part of Texas). But the 2.3 LX I drove was almost pleasant in it, the lack of torque is an odd but welcome blessing, and the lack of nose-heaviness makes handling a bit more predictable compared to a 5.0 stang.
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1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
First time driving it in snow...about 2 inches, but very wet, and frozen roads in alot of places. Decent all seasons. Lets just say Ive never been stuck on a flat driveway before.
2 much power...and maybe try clearing your drive way? i made it up about a 45* incline (my driveway). i spun the wheels for a sec cause i hit a patch of ice...which could be expect of every car on the road.
the manual can do it. try using 2nd instead of 1st.
__________________
As you may have guessed- I'm a young gun with dreams of pimpin' my baby 2.3n/a into a fire-breathin Shadow Runner.
so far:
1987 hatchback mustang
2.3L, replaced to a '89
Air silencer removed
t-5 all the way
1400 watt sound system w/ twin 12" chrome subs
-The shadow runner was a legendary chinese horse that could outrun its own shadow[/size]
i just got done driving my 91 2.3L. in the snow. it runs fine. like others said its not the fastest but it gets the job done and is kinda fun to drive in to.
Mine was great in the snow. I just had some good winter tires on the back... But stay out of the 6" ruts thats when problems start....
yea them 6" ruts can do that... sorry to see that. hope its a managable repair.
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As you may have guessed- I'm a young gun with dreams of pimpin' my baby 2.3n/a into a fire-breathin Shadow Runner.
so far:
1987 hatchback mustang
2.3L, replaced to a '89
Air silencer removed
t-5 all the way
1400 watt sound system w/ twin 12" chrome subs
-The shadow runner was a legendary chinese horse that could outrun its own shadow[/size]
i drove the piss out of my 88 in the snow it handels well on mismacthed 15 in tires and 1 14 inch i kept it around 3 grand when drifting and sliding around stuff.....only recomended if your a seasoned driver
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out for a non-honda 4 cyl KILLER!
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1988 Lx
T-5
3" stainless mass air
MSD tfi coil
GRANT steering wheel
HURST short shift (ranger headers straight pipe comeing soon)
Snow- a precipitation in the form of ice crystals, mainly of intricately branched, hexagonal form and often agglomerated into snowflakes, formed directly from the freezing of the water vapor in the air.
Also cold, slippery, can be fun at times, hurt my car! (Not one of the fun times)
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1986 Mustang LX 3.8l- Blown Engine and Sold
1990 Mustang LX 2.3l- Totaled (Rust in peace)
1998 Escort ZX2 2.0l- Totaled (Rust in peace)
2000 Escort ZX2 S/R 2.0l- B&M short throw shifter, Borla Muffler, Iceman Intake, Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, Visteon PCM CWQ3 (Oct 91+), Tokico Struts, Energy suspension bushings, Eibach Lowering Springs. (all from factory)
Driving a 2.3 Mustang in the snow 
