[Torque454]

I recent bought a 1990 mustang 2.3 engine (single plug distributor style) and would like to install it into a 1974 ford pinto wagon that originally had a 2.3 in it (its basically a Mustang II, since they were built on the same suspension). It will bolt in just fine, but i have a few questions.

Does it have a roller cam? 2nd, whats the stock HP and TQ? 3rd. It came with the a wiring harness on it, but it is only a part of it. It looks like it splits off at the rear of the intake. There arent any cuts or anything so I would assume there are two parts to the harness. The part of the harness that i have doesnt appear to have the connector for the O2 sensor, and I dont have the part that connects to the computer. I dont know what all else is missing. Also this engine came with an automatic transmission, but my car is 4 speed and i dont plan to convert it over. Since i'm going to need atleast part of the harness anyways, i should probably just get the full harness from a 5 speed car. When it comes to a 2.3 turbo, the computer for the 5 speed cars are better so im guessing the ones for the N/A 2.3s are better too. Either way i think i might as well switch out the entire engine harness. Is there a better harness that i should use? Any certain year better than another (but will still interchange with an n/a 2.3)? The reason i ask is because when using a 2.3 Turbo, an xrt4i harness is best because it has less junk to eliminate and all you have to do is add a wire and move a few around to make it compatible for the LA3 computer (5 speed TC computer).

I have also seen some stuff about the 80s and early 90s 2.3s being
a speed density setup. I dont really know what that means other than it doesnt have a mass airflow sensor. Can i use a different harness to get the MAF setup or do i have to modify a 1990 harness for the MAF? What all is involved in swapping from speed density to MAF? I might as well convert it before i install it.

Is a ranger header any better than the manifold thats on this engine? It looks alot like a header except its cast iron.

Finally, does anyone have any wiring diagrams for this? Or should i just buy a chiltons? Hate to do that since i dont actually have a 1990 mustang, but if i have to have it for the wiring then thats what i'll do.

Thanks ahead of time. Any help is appreciated.

[b_chandler]

I can help a little.

That motor didn't leave the factory with a roller cam, only the dual plug motors.

Up to 1990, the 2.3L EFI motors were rated at 88hp.

A lot has changed between 1974 and 1990. So if you plan to keep the EFI, you're going to have to do quite a bit of work to get it all to play nice. Before you even get to the wiring, there's the fuel system issue. The carbureted motor that was originally in the car ran a mechanical fuel pump that put out probably 5-7psi to keep the float bowl full. The EFI requires somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-35+psi. In the Mustang, it's fed by an in-tank electric fuel pump, something the Pinto never had. There's guys running EFI turbo motors in Pintos so I'm sure there's a fix for it either in the tank or external.

You'll need wiring diagrams for both cars. You'll need to sort out the differences in the charging system and the ignition system. It shouldn't be all that difficult, but it will take some time.

As for the Ranger header, I don't know that's it's a major improvement, but it's also lighter and less prone to cracking than the cast iron manifold.

[Torque454]

Thanks for the reply. Yes i plan to keep the fuel injection. That is the only reason I am changing engines anyways. The one in it is fine, still runs good and all that, but im tired of messing with the carburetor and the points.

I knew the fuel system would have to have a high pressure pump (i will install an inline pump instead of an in take pump, although an in tank pump would be quieter) but i figured more like 40psi. The regulator on the fuel rail should set the pressure wherever it needs to be tho just as long as the pump i get puts out the minimum pressure.

The alternator wiring should be mostly independent i think but i may have to do a little work to make the stock pinto alternator wiring work with the mustang alternator. I am keeping the serpentine belt setup.

I think I have wiring for the pinto in my manual but i'll need diagrams for the mustang for sure.