[John_FL]

Hello!

New here - I'm hoping some of you would be willing to assist me with your 2.3 expertise.

I have a 1990 Mustang hatch with a 2.3 motor which runs, but could use replacing - Searching for options, I got a heck of a deal on a complete running 1993 mustang vert with a low mileage engine - trashed body - both are automatics...

My question is, what would be the best strategy to swap the 93 engine into my 90 chassis?

I'm quite capable when it comes to Mustangs and mechanics in general, just not familiar with what this 2.3 swap project would entail - the main sticking point being how to address the two different ignition systems.

I might figure the simplest way to go would be to use the existing distributor out of the 90, in the 93 engine and be done with it - what am I missing there? (Only use one plug per cylinder)

Or is there a way to upgrade my 90 TFI car to use the 93 DIS? I'd prefer going this route but what's involved with any re-wiring, computer swapping etc? Mass air conversion would be nice as well...

Please feel free to point me to any previous posts, PDFs etc - I scanned Google and this site but could not find specifics...

Thanks in advance!

1990 Engine

1993 Engine

[b_chandler]

I'm thinking if you have the entire '93 donor car, it's a done deal. You've got everything you need sitting in the vert.

The key items would be

engine wiring harness(es)
engine bay harness (all the way to the firewall bulkhead)
Everything on the motor from the air cleaner box on down.
ECU

Label all o fthe plugs when you remove them in order to make life easier during reassembly. There's a pretty good nest of wires at the intake manifold on the 91-93 cars most are color coded or otherwise idiot proof, but like condoms, it only takes that .1% to get you in trouble.

[TOM RENZO]

+++++ chandler is on the money again.

[John_FL]

Thanks for writing guys - I sure do appreciate it!

I'm leaning towards swapping out the whole nine yards too. What I worry about are the hidden little incompatibilities with what's left on the 90 car, compared to the new fangled 93 harness?

Off hand, do you know if I swap that whole engine harness, will the connections to the dash harness etc be proper? Are there any other "heads up" issues I should be aware of?

How about schematics? Where could I get a 90 & a 93 schematic to research some these things?

[b_chandler]

90 was the last year of the TFI cars. I don't think there were any deal-breaking differences between it and the '91 model year. The DIS and TFI wiring are very similar.

One thing I would look into is the pinouts between the 90 ecu and the 91 ecu to see if anything got switched around. Ford was famous for that.