Need upgrade

darrent15 · 01-04-2006

I have a 1987 Ford Mustang LX. Its a 4 cyclinder, 2.3 liter engine. I am really interested in upgrading my car. First thing I would like to do is replace the engine. I dont know much about cars so any suggestion will help. I dont plan on replacing this car, it has sentimental value to me. So, what can someone suggest in redoing the engine. I like speed. I want enough horsepower under the hood to beat the average car on the highway. When posting suggestion please dont worry about the money. Im willing to spend whatever necessary. Not enough to buy a brand new car though.

My car has been sitting for awhile and pretty much the car needs to be restored. I want to start on the engine first. So, can anyone help with redoing everything under the hood. thanks in advance.

88carazystang · 01-05-2006

K well pretty much its really easy what kind of engine do u want???? the same one just done up a bit??? what kind of money are u willing to spend??? also I have the same car exactly except its hatchback don't knw urs is??? anyways if u are going to take it out u need an engine puller u need to get a new clutch what ever one u want I would go with something nice if u have the $$$ the taking the engine out is fairly easy im 19 and I've done it three times in three different mustangs so I knw what im doing u need to unplug everything that is attached to to EFI,take out rad,make sure unplug anthing that is from the car to the engine, mark all things u unplug so u knw where to put them, put all bolts and everything u remove if seperate bags and mark them,u also need to remove the the bellhousing bolts around the tranny where it connects to the engine??email me if u have hotmail lallonde@hotmail.com I will try and answer questions there hope that helps any its kinda hard to explain on the net

88carazystang · 01-05-2006

K well pretty much its really easy what kind of engine do u want???? the same one just done up a bit??? what kind of money are u willing to spend??? also I have the same car exactly except its hatchback don't knw urs is??? anyways if u are going to take it out u need an engine puller u need to get a new clutch what ever one u want I would go with something nice if u have the $$$ the taking the engine out is fairly easy im 19 and I've done it three times in three different mustangs so I knw what im doing u need to unplug everything that is attached to to EFI,take out rad,make sure unplug anthing that is from the car to the engine, mark all things u unplug so u knw where to put them, put all bolts and everything u remove if seperate bags and mark them,u also need to remove the the bellhousing bolts around the tranny where it connects to the engine??email me if u have hotmail lallonde@hotmail.com I will try and answer questions there hope that helps any its kinda hard to explain on the net

darrent15 · 01-07-2006

can anyone help with dropping a new engine in my 87 mustang lx. it currently a 4 banger. any suggestion on upgrading it. putting more muscle under the hood.

ARdoller · 01-28-2006

ok well first off, if you want enough power to beat an average car on the highway, the easiest route would be to swap in an svo/turbocoupe motor (2.3L turbo). i say this rather than just dropping a 5.0 in because there are little changes needed to be made to accomodate for the 2.3T engine as compared to the 5.0. the 5.0 will require all new suspension to hold the weight of the engine, its preferred that you get an 8.8" rear end but not required... its much more durable when dealing with higher power... and is a must if you decide to add forced induction (supercharger, turbo, nitrous). next you would want to change youre exhaust, since you will have to accomodate for the second header anyway. those are just a few things that would need to be done to hold the 5.0. so as you can see, it is a lot less work to get a 2.3T swapped in, but as my personal preference i would still go with the 5.0... eventhough the 2.3T has more potential.

on another note, if you decide to go with the 5.0, you have the option of adding some kind of FI (forced induction), whereas you can not do with the 2.3T because it is already turbo'd, and the block can only take so much.

ARdoller · 01-28-2006

oh i forgot to mention, if you decide to go with the 2.3T engine, you will need the computer and MAF/VAF off of the wiring harness... and as i stated in another post, you can not just take the turbo off of the svo engine and put it on the n/a 2.3 because the bottom end was not made to support that kind of induction.

darrent15 · 02-08-2006

Thanks for the great info. I have one major problem. I am overseas and finding an 5.0 engine is like finding a needle in a hay stack. I would think there are only 50 mustang in this country. At least 10 or more being the new 2006. I only know of 2 1987 mustang, mine and another guy I know. We both have the same year and model. Can you recommend any other engine from any other car I can pull from. If worse comes to worse I'll just have to order an engine. Please help.

ARdoller · 02-08-2006

well you can use any engine from 87-93, id suggest unless you use a cobra engine, dont get one from a 93 because they didnt used forged pistons and some other forged engine parts, that gave the engine 20 less hp.

the only other car off the top of my head that you could find easier than others would be a crown vic from the same years, maybe a v8 tarus may have the same 5.0 in it, but dont take my word for it. but i dont know how identical the crown vic engines are to the stang. i bet theyre pretty damn close though.

you can really swap any stang engine into a fox chassis, because they all will fit, its just a matter of how much work you want to do and how much money you want to put into it to make it work.

here's a link to a site with a video of a guy that put an 03 cobra engine in his 92 notchback, just to show you an example of a newer engine fitting into a fox chassis.

http://www.zippyvideos.com/925468943...dingthesnakes/

LXR4Ti · 02-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcobra03

I think doind a turbo swap is the easiest route to go

as discovered by a good friend of mine... the 5.0L swap isn't that easy unless you have all the proper parts either.

both swaps require care in removing wiring harnesses from either donor car... and all related sensors... ecms...

the 2.3L turbo has 2 fuel pumps as well... one in the tank and one inline after the fuel filter.

IMHO either swap will be good... Performance parts are available for either of the engines... and the horsepower levels that you can acheive are excellent with either of these motors

ARdoller · 02-08-2006

id suggest the 5.0 swap if you dont wanna have a hard time finding parts for the 2.3T. there are some sites, but its only a limited amount, you can find tons of performance parts for the 5.0 but you only have a couple sites to use for 2.3 parts.

Tominator · 02-08-2006

I remember a Pinto that was around back in the late 70s. Ran low 13s. That 2.3 has plenty of potential.

Are you Korean or are you in the US military?

That might make a difference on getting parts shipped from the states.

darrent15 · 02-08-2006

i work for the military in korea. I have been ordering parts through smothers online and they seem to be okay. I having hard times finding little things for the interior and exterior. I would like to put xenon body kit, but the only site that is helpful is mustangsunlimited. But the main thing is getting th engine work done. It looks like i might have to order an engine. does anyone know a good place to get one, and the specs. thanks

LXR4Ti · 02-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARdoller

id suggest the 5.0 swap if you dont wanna have a hard time finding parts for the 2.3T. there are some sites, but its only a limited amount, you can find tons of performance parts for the 5.0 but you only have a couple sites to use for 2.3 parts.

Once again... recomendations from me go both ways... due to my ability to track any part for the 2.3T VIA Turboford.org or Merkursport.com... if you wanna go 2.3T ask a 2.3T guy where to go for the parts... as well... for the 5.0L... ask a 5.0L guy where to go for the 5.0L parts.

I really wish guys would stop knockin the 2.3T cuz "THEY" have a hard time finding parts... sheesh... my merkurs motor is no different than a turbocoupe motor and I have found NO problem getting an EECTuner Programmed w/ PE tables... Big VAM from an SVO. and any parts directly related to the 2.3T. I aint gonna state numbers till i do a Run on the track but I can gaurantee it is better than a 2.3N/A by a s#$% load!

Like I said... if you are not worried bout money... Choose either... but make your parts sourcing specific to which you choose...

you wouldnt ask a plumber to make your gas tank... so I know you wouldnt ask a 2.3T guy about a 5.0L swap... or vice versa.

ARdoller · 02-09-2006

pretty much its your preference, theres basically 2 main diferences, although there are many others, if you take the engines out of the picture.

the 5.0 has a nice rumble to it, and the 2.3T has better handling due to not being as nose-heavy.

K-Swift · 02-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrent15

Thanks for the great info. I have one major problem. I am overseas and finding an 5.0 engine is like finding a needle in a hay stack. I would think there are only 50 mustang in this country. At least 10 or more being the new 2006. I only know of 2 1987 mustang, mine and another guy I know. We both have the same year and model. Can you recommend any other engine from any other car I can pull from. If worse comes to worse I'll just have to order an engine. Please help.

Wow, is it really that hard to find an engine? I lived in Korea 4 yrs ago, at Yongsan, the army post in Seoul. Keep in mind that a 5.0 isnt restricted to mustangs, trucks & suvs can have the engine, along with bigger sedans, like marquis/crown vics. Try keeping an eye open for various fords, not just stangs. Do you have someone to help you out with the swap?, otherwise I would get a LOT of books and plan on the car being out of action for a while.