I'm wondering which direction to take with the 'Bird. It's an 83 turbo coupe w/ original 2.3L.
The only goal so far is to run 13's. The 2.3 will need a rebuild and a new turbocharger. I already have a brand new 5.0L block I bought from Summit racing a few years back, as well as a complete rebuild kit. I would most likely go carburetor with the 5.0L instead of messing with fuel injection. I would probably need a new transmission for either engine.
What do you guys think in terms of cost, reliability, and streetability?
Streetability with a 5.0 and 2.3L wont be much different. They have very different driving characteristics, but they will both be drivable, especially for 13 second setups.
Swapping the 5.0 will have its own technicalities, but you having a brand new block, rebuild kit, and all that, i would sway 5.0.
Either engine would be just as reliable as the other. I run 21psi of boost, a hybrid turbo, upgraded fuel system, and other odds and ends, and i beat on the car every chance i get, and my 2.3L rocks.
In your case, id look at what you already have.
2.3 , dont see to many 83 t/c's
I also agree 2.3!
ditto. it's pretty rare, if you want a 5.0 car, you can pick up an original 5.0 car and do the swap to that one, and save a rarer care from being another v8 swap victim.
true,...2.3 is the way to go. Gas miliage, and its already in there. I personally would throw in the gas hog though.
Definitely! '83 TCs are a bit too rare to just swap the engine out. I've only seen 2 or 3 of 'em in my area, ever, and I owned one of 'em.
My vote is 2.3
hi all,
im new here. and i was doing a little searching when i came upon this tread. i just bought an 85 turbo coupe because i love how they look, and thought they were also a rare bird(pun intended) anyway, i thought about this too(the swap) but i also like car as is, and thought about leaving it alone and only doing a "minor restoration" car is good over all, just needs minor cosmetics, but nothing bad. she only has 80,9xx miles(documented) so i hate to cut her up for a swap...........please give any and all opinions on this! i tried to put up pic, but it wont fit.
You should try starting your own thread first, might get more responses that way.
I say stick with the 2.3t. 83's are the rarest Turbo coupe. Besides if you have the 83-84 instake hang on to it. Its the best factory setup you just need to add an intercooler The long individual runner help out with the idle and throtle response. If you want to go with the 5.0 sell the 83 factory intake to me please. Just my 2 cents
im against any yanking of the 2.3t out of a turbo coupe
5.0 buildup, but do it with a Sport, not a TC. :nono:
I only say 5oh buildup because you already have the motor.
2.3T buildup for shock-value, 5.0 buildup for yawns and predictibility.
hmmm........... 2.3l build-up is this a worth while idea???
hell yah, those motors can be monsters for a 4 banger.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!?
http://www.turboford.net
400 RWHP can't be wrong, and that seems to be the number to have right now with a Holset turbo.
Sometimes I think people don't realize that the Turbocoupe made more power than the 5.0 Birds and had a ton of torque. I should be pretty close to 13s with mine, 13s have been done with stock turbos and not a lot of mods, if you add a bigger turbo and a huge IC, exhaust, etc., 13s should be easy with a 2.3T and it's CHEAP!
thanks for the replies, i want to keep the turbo motor in there, and i dont want to do anything i cant change back.........i like the odd-ness of this car, i get alot of questions about it.....mostly from the import guys when they see the turbo coupe badging....haha
Pete from NATO dynoed 202rwhp and 320 rwtq with just a k&n cone, exhaust, and boost at like 18-20 psi with the stock ihi.
thats an insane amount of torque for whats there.