Project Red Rocket!

[NXcoupe]

Yes, the South Park reference is intended. lol. I've had this old coupe since 05, my wife(then girlfriend) and I drove over to Illinois and picked it up. It was our first trip together and it was very eventful to say the least. We got it home and I had every intention of putting a V8 in it and doing the swap. I had all the parts and was ready for it. But then I got to thinking about it, and thought that a turbo 4 cyl might be fun. I researched on the different mustang sites and on Stinger Performance site, and the more I read, the more I wanted to do it. I called the guy that owns Stinger and had a long conversation with him, and while we were talking I was searching the internet for the turbo he recommended. I found it on Ebay and it was 150 bucks. I bought it while we talked, and had every intention of buying the whole kit from him. Time progressed and the funds never came together all at once, so I kept putting it off.
About a year ago, I decided to buy something for the build, and I found a kit on Ebay that came with blow off valve, waste gate and boost controller(which turned out to be junk, the boost controller that is) for 89 bucks. I got that in the mail and put it on my shelf with the turbo. In the fall of last year, I decided to buy Stinger's header and got on his website only to find that he had stopped making them. He said he was tired of competing with China and go buy one off Ebay, of all places. So I did. Got it in, and set it on the shelf with the other junk.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090050_zpsywn0caea.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090050_zpsywn0caea.jpg.html)
Here is a picture of the car still on the trailer after Donna and I got back, this was the next morning. It's not pretty but it was a great deal with all the stuff it came with.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/picture3%20064_zps1yx8rwpj.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/picture3%20064_zps1yx8rwpj.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

So now I needed the intercooler and piping and the downpipe and exhaust. I just couldn't pull the trigger on the Stinger intercooler kit, it was 500 bucks. I found one on Ebay for 179 that came with the sized intercooler I wanted and an assortment of 2.5" piping in it. Bends and straights, with elbows and straight couplers.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090048_zpsxmetocxr.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090048_zpsxmetocxr.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090047_zpsswbbuxsz.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090047_zpsswbbuxsz.jpg.html)

[Yellow98Cobra]

T͛h͛e͛ t͛u͛r͛b͛o͛ 4 h͛a͛l͛l͛s͛ a͛s͛s͛. T͛h͛a͛t͛'s͛ o͛n͛e͛ f͛u͛n͛ c͛a͛r͛.

[PKFIRE]

What are you building? SVO 2.3 turbo motor?

[Rick93coupe]

T͛h͛e͛ t͛u͛r͛b͛o͛ 4 h͛a͛l͛l͛s͛ a͛s͛s͛. T͛h͛a͛t͛'s͛ o͛n͛e͛ f͛u͛n͛ c͛a͛r͛.

Did you ride in it? He took me for a ride and it blew my mind. Red rocket is right!

[cyah92]

Sounds like a fun build. I always wanted to build a four cylinder sleeper. Can't wait to see it.

[redfirepearlgt]

You could call it retro-boost.

[Yellow98Cobra]

Did you ride in it? He took me for a ride and it blew my mind. Red rocket is right!

Yes sir, that thing rolls out. I was impressed.

[NXcoupe]

Thanks guys. I need to get the pics up, hopefully tonight. I work diligently on everyone else's cars and just needed to do something for me to keep me sane. It is a little faster now. Now sure why, have to get it on the dyno and see what's up with it. It's breaking the tires loose in 2cd gear now, it blows them up in first as well. Lol. Boost comes on around 2k, and is all in by 2600 or so, pulls to 6k in an instant. Lot's more fun than I ever imagined. As I say, it makes 200 hp seem fast. lol.

[NXcoupe]

What are you building? SVO 2.3 turbo motor?

No, nothing that extravagant, it's a stock 93 2.3L engine with 130k and I bolted a do it yourself Ebay turbo set up on it. It's nothing real fancy but it is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it to anyone that wants some cheap fun. Only thing is these 4cyl cars are getting very hard to find anymore.


You could call it retro-boost.
Lol, yep!


Sounds like a fun build. I always wanted to build a four cylinder sleeper. Can't wait to see it.

Need to come down that way and visit soon anyway. Keep telling your brother I'm gonna stop down and never get to.

[chad393na]

He took me for a ride the other day, definately surprised me!

[k062693w]

Glad you got it done Mike ...

BTW ... :postpix:

[NXcoupe]

He took me for a ride the other day, definately surprised me!

Too bad it was rainy out. It's def a surprise when you go wot with it. It's a lot of fun, I just drove it to Oreilly's customer appreciation day and beat the snot out of it on the way home. lol.


Glad you got it done Mike ...

BTW ... :postpix:

Yep, pics on their way. Got to do it from home, shop internet sucks. Thanks Aaron.

[SN95N/A]

Nice mike!

[cyah92]

what you think gas millage would be. it would be a fun work car.

[Blkcobra01]

Nice Mike. Post pics. You really don't see a lot of 4cyl foxes around anymore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NXcoupe]

what you think gas millage would be. it would be a fun work car.

Can't really answer that yet, since all I do is beat it to death mileage on E85 is around 15 to 16 mpg. I'd like to go on a long drive, keep it at 70 or so and not get into boost a lot and see what it does.

[cyah92]

You can always beat it down the track to see what it would run

[redfirepearlgt]

Can't really answer that yet, since all I do is beat it to death mileage on E85 is around 15 to 16 mpg. I'd like to go on a long drive, keep it at 70 or so and not get into boost a lot and see what it does.

mustangjon is hosting a cruise to Kentucky to tour Bourbon Distillery's on 6/25. There ya go.

[draggin50]

It's a good looking car and sounds pretty good for a 4 banger!

[Rick93coupe]

Yes sir, that thing rolls out. I was impressed.

It's deceptively quick. I know I sure wan't expecting that. :rockon:

[NXcoupe]

mustangjon is hosting a cruise to Kentucky to tour Bourbon Distillery's on 6/25. There ya go.
Sounds like a plan! Although bourbon and turbo just aren't a good mix for me. Usually spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e.

[NXcoupe]

When I got it home, all it did was sit. I moved it from one shop to the next one, where it sat again. Well, I'd had enough of it sitting around and decided to get it drivable. Both door lock actuators had froze up and I had to bend the damn handles to get into the car while nearly breaking the key off in the lock to get it to open. I rolled the windows down and we pushed it into the shop. It needed a clutch badly, and since I'd decided to turbo it, I looked around for a good clutch for it. I found an old ad on Corral, it was about a year and half old, and I PM'd the guy and asked if he still had it by chance. He did so I bought it from him and he tossed in the flywheel too. It's a spec stage 3, and it's stiff as can be, but has held so far with about 25k miles on it.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20014_zpsogsp1zym.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20014_zpsogsp1zym.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I also put a Turbo Coupe rear end assembly my buddy Mark had in his junkyard. I put that in and then put in the Ebrake cables and modified the brake handle to work with the discs.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20010_zpszgs0gv7x.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20010_zpszgs0gv7x.jpg.html)
I got the old ones off, and yes, the car is that rusty. Good news is this is a late 93 so it has the 94 up style Ebrake mount, easy to get cables for.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20022_zpsfbwzbomg.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20022_zpsfbwzbomg.jpg.html)
New ones installed:

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20001_zpsw6hxplqe.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20001_zpsw6hxplqe.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20002_zps3gjun5du.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20002_zps3gjun5du.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I broke one of the exhaust studs, easy fix, heated it with a torch and got enough on it to get it out.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20004_zpsfou2lmc6.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20004_zpsfou2lmc6.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Clutch was a bear to get out, everything was rusted tight, this is me getting to one of the bellhousing bolts that face forward.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20007_zps92bqspni.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20007_zps92bqspni.jpg.html)

Then, I got it apart and everything cleaned up, and started going back together with it.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20011_zpsr9fqewk8.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20011_zpsr9fqewk8.jpg.html)

Got the flywheel turned, had to use the one from the turbocoupe stage 3 I bought. It worked well.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20012_zpscbn76a6j.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20012_zpscbn76a6j.jpg.html)

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20017_zpsqez3xsqm.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20017_zpsqez3xsqm.jpg.html)

Got it all back together and stuffed the stock trans back in it.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20003_zpstsx7seho.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/shop%20pics%201-25-2011%20003_zpstsx7seho.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

So I drove the car for a long time like this, making small improvements as I went. I put on front and rear V8 sway bars, put V8 front spindles and brakes, changed master cylinder to a late model unit with an inline adjustable proportioning valve. I also had bought something really unusual back in 95 at a swap meet. I bought a set of struts and shocks from Tokico that Ford used to sell through motorsport. They are electronic cockpit adjustable struts and shocks similar to what turbocoupes had factory. I had forgotten all about them until we were moving out of my old house and I found them sitting new in the box on a shelf in the basement. I installed those and they are fantastic, really cool to feel the difference between the soft, medium and harsh settings.
Here are some pics I took of the car about 4 or 5 years ago. I've had it since 05.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154821_zpslhfgk8jp.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154821_zpslhfgk8jp.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154808_zpsjc9qbmq6.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154808_zpsjc9qbmq6.jpg.html)


That gawdawful spoiler....

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154742_zpsrnniokws.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154742_zpsrnniokws.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154725_zpskmy3ej7x.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154725_zpskmy3ej7x.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154706_zpsdtbfvpda.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154706_zpsdtbfvpda.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154638_zpswix9iahy.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20130606_154638_zpswix9iahy.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

My wife kept calling the car 'pink' since sitting for many years had faded the paint really badly. When I got it the passenger 1/4 window was broken out and had to be replaced, along with both the power lock actuators.
I had put a set of flowmasters on the car and had this catless Y pipe made which didn't make any more power and sounded way too loud in the car. I put the car on the dyno and it made ninety-some rwhp, which wasn't bad, but wasn't what I was expecting either. I got a quarterhorse for it and started messing with the tune, but didn't put it back on the dyno until I got the turbo on.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110060_zpsvk5nxrlh.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110060_zpsvk5nxrlh.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

When I bought the car it was a factory A/C delete car, which at the time I thought was really cool. But one day my daughter and I were going somewhere together, and it was like 100 degrees out and when we got where we were going, we were both drenched from the heat. I decided to put A/C on it and went to the pull and pay where they had a 4 cyl Mustang with all the a/c stuff on it. I put everything on my car, pulled the dash and swapped heater boxes, swapped out the heater controls, etc, and charged the a/c. All was good until I realized my junkyard compressor was junk. Off to ebay and I found a rebuilt one for a fantastic price and installed it, and it's still working today.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110057_zpsjgjmhcy4.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110057_zpsjgjmhcy4.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Dave and I were on our way back from lunch and we were discussing how cool it would be to race in UMTR when he said I should run the coupe in UMTR. We were in the coupe and I decided to demonstrate how hard it was to shift it fast with that stiff clutch and the goofy 4 cyl clutch linkage setup. I grabbed third and it exploded. Great. So I got with my friend Rick Terry and he was kind enough to get two of my V8 input shafts ground down on the pilot bearing tip so they would slide into the 4 cyl pilot bearing. I built a V8 T5 with a 3.35 first gear in it that is still in the car today. It takes the power without a glitch.
Well, I got really tired of the way the car looked and driiving it around sounding like crap(to me), so Bill Metcalf said he'd be happy to paint the car for me. I took it to him and a few weeks later I got it back looking quite a bit better, my wife no longer calls it 'pink'.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20150528_184130_zpsz9yach3b.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20150528_184130_zpsz9yach3b.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20150528_184101_zps3gn5mdn8.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20150528_184101_zps3gn5mdn8.jpg.html)

Gone is the goofy spoiler.. And in with new shiny headlights.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20150528_180727_zpsvcnfxzw9.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20150528_180727_zpsvcnfxzw9.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20150528_180631_zpsndcs1cxb.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20150528_180631_zpsndcs1cxb.jpg.html)

[PKFIRE]

What mods do I need for "X" hp?
All combos are assumed to be utilizing the best "stock" setup which includes 35lb injectors, large vam, 87-88 ECU, stock or ranger roller cam (unless stated otherwise), and most importantly, a good tune.
Remember these are estimated "maxed out" power quotes. It does not mean you'll make this much power automatically with this combo. It simply means when everything is perfect, dialed in, and maxed out, it should make around the power quoted.
-Stock engine, stock intercooler, no significant mods, 15-20psi will produce roughly 170-215rwhp.
-Above setup plus cone filter, 3" exhaust, 15-20psi will produce roughly 200-235rwhp.
-Above setup plus front mount intercooler, more boost, elevated fuel pressure, 255 lph fuel pump, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 250-275rwhp.
-Above setup plus ported or gutted intakes, mildly ported head, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 265-300rwhp.
-Above setup plus professionally ported head flowing 215+cfm on the intake, extremely high fuel pressure, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 275-315rwhp with very high base fuel pressure (or run larger injectors, turbo, and a tuneable ECU like our PiMP and it could be 300-345rwhp).

Below requires upgraded injectors, piggyback ECU tuner or PiMP ECU, and conversion to speed density to ditch the VAM along with race fuel, E85, or methanol injection.
-Stock engine, turbo header, professionally ported head flowing 215+cfm, cone filter, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, ported/gutted intake, large aftermarket cam, large turbo producting ~25-30 psi will produce roughly 350-450rwhp (stock rods won't last long at over 400rwhp unless the tune is perfect so plan accordingly).

Below requires many unmentioned items plus a standalone EFI system such as our PiMP ECU.
-Above mods plus Upgraded Rods/Pistons, 225+cfm iron head or Esslinger Aluminum D port head, ~30 psi will produce roughly 400-500rwhp.
-Above mods plus Esslinger SVO head, Stage III or larger Bo-Port cam, ~25-30 psi will produce roughly 450-600rwhp.
-Above mods plus Esslinger ARCA or XT head, Stage IV or larger Bo-Port cam, 2.65L+ stroker engine, ~30-35 psi will produce roughly 700-1100rwhp.

I found this on the Stinger site. Nice little how to. Actually it's kinda helpful for my build too.

[NXcoupe]

What mods do I need for "X" hp?
All combos are assumed to be utilizing the best "stock" setup which includes 35lb injectors, large vam, 87-88 ECU, stock or ranger roller cam (unless stated otherwise), and most importantly, a good tune.
Remember these are estimated "maxed out" power quotes. It does not mean you'll make this much power automatically with this combo. It simply means when everything is perfect, dialed in, and maxed out, it should make around the power quoted.
-Stock engine, stock intercooler, no significant mods, 15-20psi will produce roughly 170-215rwhp.
-Above setup plus cone filter, 3" exhaust, 15-20psi will produce roughly 200-235rwhp.
-Above setup plus front mount intercooler, more boost, elevated fuel pressure, 255 lph fuel pump, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 250-275rwhp.
-Above setup plus ported or gutted intakes, mildly ported head, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 265-300rwhp.
-Above setup plus professionally ported head flowing 215+cfm on the intake, extremely high fuel pressure, ~22-23 psi will produce roughly 275-315rwhp with very high base fuel pressure (or run larger injectors, turbo, and a tuneable ECU like our PiMP and it could be 300-345rwhp).

Below requires upgraded injectors, piggyback ECU tuner or PiMP ECU, and conversion to speed density to ditch the VAM along with race fuel, E85, or methanol injection.
-Stock engine, turbo header, professionally ported head flowing 215+cfm, cone filter, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, ported/gutted intake, large aftermarket cam, large turbo producting ~25-30 psi will produce roughly 350-450rwhp (stock rods won't last long at over 400rwhp unless the tune is perfect so plan accordingly).

Below requires many unmentioned items plus a standalone EFI system such as our PiMP ECU.
-Above mods plus Upgraded Rods/Pistons, 225+cfm iron head or Esslinger Aluminum D port head, ~30 psi will produce roughly 400-500rwhp.
-Above mods plus Esslinger SVO head, Stage III or larger Bo-Port cam, ~25-30 psi will produce roughly 450-600rwhp.
-Above mods plus Esslinger ARCA or XT head, Stage IV or larger Bo-Port cam, 2.65L+ stroker engine, ~30-35 psi will produce roughly 700-1100rwhp.

I found this on the Stinger site. Nice little how to. Actually it's kinda helpful for my build too.

Yeah, that is good info. I spoke to Shawn, I believe his name was, that owns stinger and he said that was old info tho, and with today's chip tuning abilities stock electronics and convetional maf are the way to go and will net big power. So far he's correct. My C1A1 computer and blow through maf are working perfectly. I'd like to see your setup. Any idea how much timing your factory computer is tossing at it at wot?

[Stangman]

Wow. Car looks great! I didnt realize that was the same car when you posted something on it a while back.

Wanna hear a turbo 2.3 Ford joke?

Hold on, I'm working on it. :D

[redfirepearlgt]

Looks nice Mike.

[NXcoupe]

Wow. Car looks great! I didnt realize that was the same car when you posted something on it a while back.

Wanna hear a turbo 2.3 Ford joke?

Hold on, I'm working on it. :D

I'm waiting.....


Looks nice Mike.

Thanks Chad! Not as fast as your's but still a lot of fun.

[NXcoupe]

So I got really tired of how it sounded and I was ordering a bunch of stuff from my warehouse and decided to order in a Dynomax 2.5" cat back with stainless tips. Well, it comes in and I open the box and it's all regular steel pipe, no polished tips. That'd look like shit, so I sent it back and got back on the internet and figured out the part number I needed to order. I got the right one in, and put it on. I think Dynomax has gone way down hill over the years as I owned one of their cat backs in the 90's and it was shiny and perfect. These tips leave a lot to be desired imho. But the car sounds exactly how I wanted it to.

Now on to the turbo installation. First thing was to start putting the intercooler in. I used a razor knife to carve the bumper cover to fit around the intercooler, and that worked the best out of any method I've tried before. First thing was to remove the front chin spoiler.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090046_zpsyvarvjmz.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090046_zpsyvarvjmz.jpg.html)


Then I made cuts the width of the intercooler so I could slide it up into the cover without removing the cover. I'm lazy that way working on my own stuff.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090049_zpszyjccxcu.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090049_zpszyjccxcu.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Then I slid the intercooler up into the cover. I left the cardboard on it to keep the cooler from bending the fins.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090051_zpsn2yc23qy.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090051_zpsn2yc23qy.jpg.html)

But soon realized the A/C I had installed interfered with the cooler. So I took off the condenser lower mounts and cut them in half...

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110055_zpsf7cwkm7t.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110055_zpsf7cwkm7t.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Here's where the intercooler ended up at the topside.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090052_zpsg2reaqvn.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090052_zpsg2reaqvn.jpg.html)

Then I made brackets to hold it in place after I got all the hoses clamped onto it.
The hose and intercooler kit were pretty nice quality IMHO. Everything worked out as I had it figured out in my head.
I took the cardboard off.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4090053_zpsadtasfxc.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4090053_zpsadtasfxc.jpg.html)

[PKFIRE]

I'd like to see your setup. Any idea how much timing your factory computer is tossing at it at wot?

I'm not sure what the base timing is at wot but 4 degrees advance has been added. I'll be probably at Edgewater next week or maybe I'll bring it to a cruise this year. I'm right now pretty limited on my setup. I probably have to get more head work to make more power. Seems the Ford 2.3 is the same way.

[NXcoupe]

Joe, yep its def limited by the camshaft lift and duration coupled with the head flow and crappy combustion chamber. A rod broke in mine the other day just cruising along. I think it was from earlier on when i first got it going and had timing and boost control issues I will go over in this build thread eventually. I'm gonna toss another stocker 2.3 in and experiment with that while i build another one.

[PKFIRE]

Joe, yep its def limited by the camshaft lift and duration coupled with the head flow and crappy combustion chamber. A rod broke in mine the other day just cruising along. I think it was from earlier on when i first got it going and had timing and boost control issues I will go over in this build thread eventually. I'm gonna toss another stocker 2.3 in and experiment with that while i build another one.

Ahh! Are 2.3s easy to find? I really need to grab another motor myself just incase. I know things now that I would like to do but I'd should save money and just whipple or tvs the cobra. I just started my build to make it actually enjoyable to merge onto the highway without fearing for my life,haha.

[NXcoupe]

Yep. They are pretty cheap. Would like to toss a 2.5 in it and experiment with that before I build one, but not sure it will fit in a stang and the various brkts swap over. I also ordered a boost gauge, wideband and fuel pressure gauge so i can monitor wtf going on under the hood. I know what you mean, my coupe is a blast to drive. I'd run to pick up parts just to get out and drive it. Going up hills in 5th was a breeze. Miss it already. Got to fix some framerail rust while the engine's out anyway so I have time.

[PKFIRE]

What turbo are you running?

[NXcoupe]

What turbo are you running?

I believe it is a 57 trim, but can't remember, it's either that or a 50 trim. I ordered a boost gauge, fuel pressure gauge, and a wideband for it from glowshift. Cheap gauges that will keep this from happening again I hope.

[NXcoupe]

So next I started running the tubing from the intercooler up to where the turbo was gonna be. I put two 90* pipes out of the intercooler and then put the blow off valve on. It then ran into the factory radiator hose bracket:
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110054_zpsidng3vjz.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110054_zpsidng3vjz.jpg.html)

After getting that out of the way, I ended up with a little better positioning of the hoses and BOV:

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110056_zpsh0esbmhe.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110056_zpsh0esbmhe.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

So then it was time to move up to the engine and start taking things apart. I took the airbox and maf sensor and inlet tubing all out, and I unbolted the stock exhaust manifold from the head.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110058_zpslpr9kjyt.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110058_zpslpr9kjyt.jpg.html)

Then I set the new turbo header down into the engine bay to mock it up.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110059_zpsolhzmyjl.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110059_zpsolhzmyjl.jpg.html)

Bad news, was that the positioning of the waste gate couldn't have been worse. It was pointed towards the front and hit the a/c compressor and lines. So I took it to a guy and had him cut the tube off and weld it to the back, then weld up the hole on the front. Turned out great, and don't know why they don't do it that way in the first place. Here is me positioning the wastegate where it should be so he could weld the bung in this orientation. A picture speaks a thousand words when you are trying to relay fab work you want done. You can also see where the old bung location was peaking out from under the a/c hose.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/20160411_152004_zpsooipofjb.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/20160411_152004_zpsooipofjb.jpg.html)


After test fitting it, I realized the coil packs weren't going to be able to stay in the stock location, so out went the bracket for them.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110061_zpssuhxsswx.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110061_zpssuhxsswx.jpg.html)

I went ahead and bolted it into place with sealant on the flanges.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130064_zpsvjghxwhb.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130064_zpsvjghxwhb.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Stuff I won't be using anymore.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4110060_zpsvk5nxrlh.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4110060_zpsvk5nxrlh.jpg.html)

Then I decided it was time to move down to the oil drain in the pan. Dave let me use his supply and drain kit from his On3 kit so I used their fittings and line for the most part. I drilled a hole into the aluminum oil pan and then tapped it with a 3/8" pipe tap coated with grease to keep the aluminum shavings to a minimum. I also rinsed out the hole and pan with brake clean and drained it all out. I put silicone on the fitting and screwed it into the pan.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4120063_zpsr4hdop9d.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4120063_zpsr4hdop9d.jpg.html)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4120062_zpsktmtcxlz.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4120062_zpsktmtcxlz.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I have to upload more pics to photobucket so I can finish my thread, but in the meantime I bought a 91 LX hatch that has an 8 plug 2.3 in it. It runs decent, going to at least put an oil pump on it and new main and rod bearings. May hone it and put rings in it as well, but not sure yet. May just leave them alone as it didn't seem to smoke at all. I want to get mine out and see what's wrong with it and go from there first.

[PKFIRE]

I have to upload more pics to photobucket so I can finish my thread, but in the meantime I bought a 91 LX hatch that has an 8 plug 2.3 in it. It runs decent, going to at least put an oil pump on it and new main and rod bearings. May hone it and put rings in it as well, but not sure yet. May just leave them alone as it didn't seem to smoke at all. I want to get mine out and see what's wrong with it and go from there first.

What power are you planning on making? Are you planning on running e85 and 20 psi?

[NXcoupe]

As soon as I was done with the install, the plan was to run the 87 in the tank out of it and then convert it to E85 in the tune. It's been on E85 since I finished it and drove it to the gas station and filled up with it. Lol. I'd say 350 or so rwhp is what my ultimate goal is with it. I know that will require a good solid shortblock and a custom camshaft as well. I plan to build that eventually but first I'm going to test the limits of the stock engine, with this next one being a true test since the tune is dialed in and the boost controller is letting the wastegate open now.

[NXcoupe]

So after I got the intake all siliconed and tightened up, I installed the wastegate onto the manifold and man did it fit perfectly! I was really pleased that I had the guy move those around and it looked good to me as far as the welding and patch he made for it. So far it's holding up well. The ebay wastegate came with a 7 to 8 lb spring they said, which it seems to be accurate. I used copper silicone on it as well.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130065_zpskauh91cr.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130065_zpskauh91cr.jpg.html)

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130066_zpssclpwnhh.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130066_zpssclpwnhh.jpg.html)

In this pic you can see where I was mocking up and routing the cold side from the throttle body to the intercooler. I was happy to learn the stock tb is 2.5" OD, so the couplers in the kit worked and slid right over the TB opening. So I ran a 90* elbow from the TB then a straight and a 90* elbow down as well.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130067_zpscxocftmj.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130067_zpscxocftmj.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Next, I set the turbo on to see how well it fit. It set right on with no issues. Only future problem could be the spark plug wire clearance, but so far I've worked around it. They are pretty close behind the turbo.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130068_zpst8u5vy5j.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130068_zpst8u5vy5j.jpg.html)

I had to clock the turbo for the discharge and oil in and out positioning. Here you can see how it mashed into the header tube, not gonna fly. So I changed the fittings around and the clocking of the turbo and got it to clear. I put heat wrap around the drain hose just for peace of mind.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130069_zpsa5csl6jo.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130069_zpsa5csl6jo.jpg.html)

[PKFIRE]

I wonder if 60lb injectors will be enough, especially if you kept the base pressure low?

[NXcoupe]

Next up I went to the parker store and purchased a 45* elbow for the turbo oil drain, so the hose would clear the header tubes, worked perfectly. Got the turbo clocked as I wanted it to be and moved on to the next step.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130070_zpsfzsillys.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130070_zpsfzsillys.jpg.html)

I had to order three couplers and a cool little gizmo to mount the IAT sensor from Siliconeintakes.com. Great place to order from, decent prices and the hoses seem to be good quality. I had to get two reducers to go from 2.5" to 3" for the ProM ProTube I got from them years ago for this project. It fit right in with these. Then I needed an elbow that went from 2" to 2.5" to go from the turbo outlet to the 2.5" intercooler piping. Once I got these in, I moved forward with mocking up the rest of the cold side. Thought I might come up short, but it all worked out nicely.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130071_zpsyfs1hh1f.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130071_zpsyfs1hh1f.jpg.html)

I mounted the ProTube inline and angled it a bit so the connector wouldn't interfere with anything moving or hot.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4130072_zpsvyt1y0ck.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4130072_zpsvyt1y0ck.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

Next, I finished up routing all the cold side, took it from the compressor out and down to the passenger side of the intercooler, then through the intercooler and out the driver's side, then 180* bend out of the intercooler and run perpendicular to the engine with the blow off valve mounted there, then a 90* up to the maf and then a 90* out of the maf and to the throttle body. Lots of clamps and bends, but it works. I went back over and started putting clamps on everything and tightening it up. I was getting really anxious to get it fired up at this point.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4140073_zpsktgvpvbn.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4140073_zpsktgvpvbn.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I took apart the 180* bends around the driver's side of the intercooler so I could put this gizmo in so the IAT would have a place to mount and give me accurate outlet temps from the intercooler. It's worked great so far.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4150074_zpscaqptenp.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4150074_zpscaqptenp.jpg.html)

It's getting there, but need to figure out what to do with the coils temporarily.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4150075_zpsyw52h0k4.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4150075_zpsyw52h0k4.jpg.html)

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4150076_zpsyafetfsi.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4150076_zpsyafetfsi.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I decided to mix and match the new spark plug wires and put the coils where they are sitting in this picture. It's worked well, but I want to make brackets to mount them securely. At the start, before I put the turbo on, I pulled the passenger side plugs out and gapped them down to .028. I knew there would be no getting to them after the turbo was installed.
I routed the downpipe into position as well, I had to corkscrew it up into position. It wouldn't just slide right up in, had to spin it around and it went right in place.

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P4160077_zpsfv2leaoq.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P4160077_zpsfv2leaoq.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I purchased the strategy for the stock computer and never really messed much with it until I got the turbo on. I had upgraded my software to the newest version and when I opened it there was a learning curve, but it was steep as I had the car running and purring in no time. I decided to strap it on the dyno and run the 87 octane out of it first. I was really excited to get this thing going so I made a few pulls on it to see what boost it would make. It made 7 psi or so on the spring, and I wasn't making full pulls yet. I was just pulling it to 3k to 3.5k or so. I put the boost controller inline that came with my wastegate and blow off valve kit, as the arrows showed me to do(no instructions, should have been my first clue) and made a quick pull on it. I had been datalogging while I was on the dyno, as I was having an issue with the tune giving a lot more timing than I was commanding(20). It was giving me 40 at wot. Not supposed to be doing that. I was working through different changes trying to figure out what was up with it, when the two things came together and hit hard, I made a pull with the new boost controller on, barely opened, and I pulled it to 3.6K. It made 28 psi and had 40* of timing! CRAP! I let off, and it made 299 rwhp and 410 ftlbs of torque!! But it had 40* of timing still. Crap. So I messed with the tune and thought I had it figured out, turned the boost controller off, so I'd have 7 psi and made a pull. It shot up fast, more boost and I let off, but not before the headgasket let go. Crap. So I licked my wounds and decided to take the weekend to fix it after I had finished up with shop work. I started pulling it apart:

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P5010104_zpsra6flckj.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P5010104_zpsra6flckj.jpg.html)

And later found this:

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q629/mustangmike347/Red%20Coupe/P5010105_zpsg3bsvaih.jpg (http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/mustangmike347/media/Red%20Coupe/P5010105_zpsg3bsvaih.jpg.html)

[NXcoupe]

I bought ARP headstuds for it, and a new headgasket, and a new valvecover gasket, as it was leaking anyway. I did a compression test on it before I pulled it apart, I pulled out the driver's side plugs and did the test. #1 was 135 and then #2 was 65 and 3 and 4 were next to nothing. I figured I blew the gasket in two places, but as you can see it only blew between 3 and 4. So I didn't give it much more thought and went ahead and cleaned it up and put it back together again. This time, I stifled my inner teenager and actually ran the fuel out of it driving it gently and made it to get E85 in it. I filled it up and changed the tune and started driving it around. I hit it a couple times to see if the timing was coming around to what I was commanding and it hadn't yet. I had undone pretty much everything I'd done in the tune and did to every fox style computer I'd tuned. So I drove it around datalogging it and making small changes as I went trying to work around this issue. I got frustrated one day and just put the top row to zero. Drove it around the block and wouldn't you know it, I had zero degrees advance in the datalog. Now I was completely confused. It hadn't responded to anything I'd done before, but this time it did. So I moved it to 6 degrees, drove it around the block, and VIOLA! I had 12 degrees of timing. WTF? So I went up to 8, I got 16. Then I went to 10.5, I got 21. I put it to 10 and got the 20 I had wanted forever. Finally! So with the boost controller off, I went riding around in my new toy and let my inner teen out to enjoy. I datalogged and flogged it all around the area. I was perplexed as to why the load was going to 250% sometimes, but figured I'd worry about that when I got it back on the dyno. Well, I got it back on the dyno and soon figured out that the boost controller was garbage. I was getting 20+ psi and had been driving it for a week like that. Shit. Oh well, it's my car and I can fix it if need be. I messed with the boost controller and finally gave up and put the damn thing inline and used it as a restriction. That worked, and I got it to give me 12 psi. I went on to tune the maf and get it dialed in, get the part throttle and start up tunes where I wanted them, and made a few pulls. 12 psi, 208 rwhp and 265 ft lbs of torque. Not too shabby considering this powerhouse planted 95 rwhp to the wheels a few years prior. I unstrapped it and went out to enjoy it.
I gave rides and enjoyed it for about a month and a half to two months when I was heading home to pick up ball gloves so I could toss baseball around with my daughter at her daycare's father's day cookout. I was talking to Jason on the phone, had just filled up with a fresh tank of E85 so I was driving it cautiously and conservatively so I could get an estimate of what the best mileage was I could get out of it if I drove it with some sense. I had just shifted into 3rd gear when a loud BANG crashed under the hood, the shifter popped into neutral and smoke started coming up through the shifter boot and out the back of the car. I told Jason I had to let him go, my car had just broke and I limped the damn thing home. Got home and assessed the damage, crack in the side of the block next to #4 cylinder and evidently by the oil everywhere, a hole in the pan somewhere as well.
I had to call AAA and ended up missing my baby's cookout, which broke her heart and made me feel like a crappy dad. It sucked on so many levels that day. I believe the overboost condition and the timing issue in the tune coupled to damage a few of the rods. A bent rod would explain the lower compression on the cylinder that wasn't blown. This thing never skipped a beat or made a weird noise, it ran flawlessly till the end. I will get it out and post pics asap and cover the .50 cent build on the next engine. I hope to get a better picture of how much power a stock 2.3 will take without failing on this go round. I am also going to get to the bottom of the boost controller deal. It should work, yes it is a cheap pos, but it should work nonetheless.

[NXcoupe]

Quick rundown of what it has done to it now, and also a price estimate on what the turbo build actually cost me.

Turbo, off ebay 159 shipped
Header, off ebay 199 shipped
Downpipe to Y pipe kit 279 plus about 30 bucks shipping from Stinger perf, very nice stuff tho, but pricey.
Drain and supply kit for turbo 99.00 from On3
T3 Turbo Blanket 89.00 from On3
Intercooler and piping kit 179.00 shipped, I love Taco Taco, on ebay(yep, not making it up)
Reducers, 3 of them and gizmo 85.00 Siliconeintakes.com
MAF 309 shipped from ProM
42 lb injectors Nothin
Wastegate and BOV kit 79.00 came with incredible boost controller for FREE, can you believe it? EBAY as well
So that's what it took to get it up and going. I also bought the flawed strategy from a guy online, but in all fairness, I haven't told him about the issue yet, but I will and hope he will fix it so others that follow won't fight this issue.

Rest of the car
GSS 340 walbro fuel pump
Turbocoupe 8.8 3.55 gear rear axle with discs
Front and Rear V8 sway bars
Front V8 brakes and spindles
V8 rack and pinion, rebuilt
96 V6 master cylinder with reservoir
MM 3 to 2 master cylinder conversion line kit
MM proportioning valve eliminator plug
SSB adjustable proportioning valve with pressure gauge
Tokico cockpit adjustable shock and strut kit, used to be a Motorsport kit
Caster Camber plates
Dynomax catback for LX V8
Ebay aluminum 2" thick radiator
Added factory a/c picked it up from LKQ pick a part
SPEC stage 3 clutch
V8 3.35 T5 with custom input to fit into a 2.3L pilot bearing
UPR Firewall cable adjuster and quadrant
Billet UPR shifter


After all this hassle, I've decided that I will never install any kind of boost without insisting on a boost gauge being part of the install, myself included, so I ordered glowshift boost, fuel pressure and Wideband gauges, which arrived this past week. Going in a 3 gauge pod.

I'm looking for a 140 speedo for a 90 up airbag style dash that shows roughly 30k miles if anyone has one laying around, I'll buy it.

[CNTLOSE]

Ever since you started this I keep seeing 4 banger cars and 2.3 motors for sale on FB and instantly think of this build...lol

Don't know if anyone else as noticed, but the SVO's have been really taking off in prices lately. Just think 10 years ago no one wanted anything to do with those little bastards and now they are as expensive as a excellent shape V8 notchback.

[NXcoupe]

Ever since you started this I keep seeing 4 banger cars and 2.3 motors for sale on FB and instantly think of this build...lol

Don't know if anyone else as noticed, but the SVO's have been really taking off in prices lately. Just think 10 years ago no one wanted anything to do with those little bastards and now they are as expensive as a excellent shape V8 notchback.

Lol, you're not the only one. I have been told by quite a few people they have their eye out for a 2.3 5 spd car. And yeah, those SVO cars were just not popular until recently. Wish I could have snagged a low mileage one up back in the day and kept it nice. Turbocoupe thunderbirds are really underappreciated as well imho. I have the donor stang on the rack at the shop. Got to go to a wedding today out of town, but will be back tomorrow and get started on yanking the engine out and getting it up on a stand. It's a 4 cyl, should take half the time of a V8! get it? See what I did there? lol.

[NXcoupe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjGs6Gz5gII

Start up video...

[2Fast4You]

I got it, half the V8... Lol

[cyah92]

well damn. sounds like your having a lot of fun there mike. hopefully everything turns out good for you.

[NXcoupe]

Thanks guys! Yeah, I bought a 91 LX 4 cyl car with a 2.3 that runs. I'm going to get it up in the air today and start pulling the engine out of it. Then the rest of the car will be for sale. It was thin pickings looking for a 2.3 car tho. Not a lot of them left out there.

[PKFIRE]

We use to cruise in my friends mustang 2.3 rag top. It's hard to believe they put an 88hp motor in those cars. He ran a 19.9 at edgewater in it.

[Thelastride93]

What you going to want for it mike

[NXcoupe]

for the roller? Not sure yet. It'll be cheap tho, I know that for sure. Want to get it up in the air and see how the underside looks and take a good look at the shock towers once the engine is out of it. I'll post it here first, like I always do. Then it'll go to craigslist if no one jumps on it here.

[Thelastride93]

i got first dips mike lol

[NXcoupe]

Ok. I am pulling the engine now. So by the end of the weekend it should be ready.

[Thelastride93]

Let me know

[NXcoupe]

Pulling the engineout of the donor tonight if it all goes well.

[IWRBB]

We use to cruise in my friends mustang 2.3 rag top. It's hard to believe they put an 88hp motor in those cars. He ran a 19.9 at edgewater in it.

It was enough to smoke the tires if you had a stick shift and crazy ass driver. One of the girls we grew up with had one and let my buddy drive it to take us all home one night. 5 people in the car and it was nothing but sideways smoky powerslides around every corner.

[NXcoupe]

I want to get mine to that point. I didn't get the engine out of the donor yet, going to try to get to that today. In the process of working and trying to get my truck back to functioning again at the same time. I think that stupid Mcleod slave cylinder started leaking yet again. I hate that thing.

[PKFIRE]

It was enough to smoke the tires if you had a stick shift and crazy ass driver. One of the girls we grew up with had one and let my buddy drive it to take us all home one night. 5 people in the car and it was nothing but sideways smoky powerslides around every corner.

The one I rode in was an auto. You probably had to power dump the clutch to do that, haha!

[IWRBB]

Definitely redline clutch drops at every corner.

[NXcoupe]

So update: donor engine is out. My truck is running but shackle broke on the leafspring so I had to replace it today with daves help. Engine is on stand. Pics to come.

[98stangv6]

This is a cool project! I just bought a one owner 1986 Turbo Coupe and still trying to decide what to do with it.

[NXcoupe]

Thanks! I'd keep it. They are a blast to drive and you never see them much anymore. I had an 88 I wish I'd kept. I have to get this thread updated. Lot is changing with it.

[NXcoupe]

Time to resurect this. I have bought a built longblock for it that has cp pistons, billet boport rods and a 2.5L crank. It has a ported head and a turbo cam from esslinger. It has oversize valves and springs, retainers, and locks.
I tore apart a mustang 2.3 block as this was built on a 2.3 truck block which is very different. So I have to disassemble it and have my block bored out to fit the pistons. I am pulling the built engine apart this week as time allows. It also came with an adapter and flywheel to allow me to use a v8 bellhousing and clutch behind it. Say godbye to all my cable issues finally.

[chad393na]

Thats going to be a bad bitch!!!!!!:bigthumb:bigthumb

[draggin50]

Did the new motor come from Andy Law? I saw he was selling the old 4 banger turbo car.

[NXcoupe]

No. I bought the head from a guy in michigan but it came off the shortblick I bought from the original guy in Indiana

[98stangv6]

Can't wait to follow the updates. I just ordered a turbo rebuild kit for the 86 Turbo Coupe and plan to have it on the road soon. The ugly thing is really starting to grow on me. The 2.3t is just too cool.

[NXcoupe]

Yessir they are very cool. Post up pics!

[NXcoupe]

No big updates unfortunately. Only progress is I took the block and rod/piston assemblies to the machine shop and am waiting for him to do his stuff. Once that is done things should move quickly.

[NXcoupe]

Visited the machinist and he said that my block is next. Hope to see it soon.

[NXcoupe]

Big surprise! Got a call from the machine shop wed and he said my block was done! Shot up there this morning and snatched it up. A buddy helped me get it on the stand, and I can't wait to get new rings in and get started on it!

[PKFIRE]

Sweet! It's good feeling when you get that call. Now let's see some rotating assembly parts start to be put together!

[Rick93coupe]

Big surprise! Got a call from the machine shop wed and he said my block was done! Shot up there this morning and snatched it up. A buddy helped me get it on the stand, and I can't wait to get new rings in and get started on it!


Awesome, let me know what I can for another ride!

[NXcoupe]

Lol, it's going to be stupid this go around. I'm shooting for 350 rwhp. Engine will take 500, but turbo isn't. I don't want that much out of it anyway. Going to order rings this week.

[NXcoupe]

Well, got dealt a big kick in the nuts last night. We got the engine out, thanks Will!, and I was looking at the engine compartment, kind of taking it all in, and I noticed the damn frame rail on the driver's side is broken in half. Rusted in the strut tower area of the frame as well. So this quick swap has just got serious and places it on the back burner again. Which sucks! I am back on customer stuff and am pushing to finish all of it and then focus on my stuff before I take on any more customer big projects.

[redfirepearlgt]

^^^ Sorry to hear Mike.

[NXcoupe]

Thanks man. Seems like I can't ever catch a break.

[draggin50]

Atleast you can get repair pieces now from LMR. My boy picked up a 91 and its kind of soft around there too. May have to try them out. That's just for the frame rail. Probably have to do some metal shaping for the strut tower.

[PKFIRE]

Bummer man! I'm excited to see this car out. Hope you get the frame issue sorted out.

[NXcoupe]

Resurection. More to follow.

[draggin50]

Hell yeah! Cool to hear about this one! You end up getting the frame taken care of?

[NXcoupe]

Teaser......
https://youtu.be/SBkGawe0CdI

[NXcoupe]

Hell yeah! Cool to hear about this one! You end up getting the frame taken care of?

Yessir, I did. A guy in Indiana did them for me at a fantastic price. I'll update this as soon as I get pic hosting working somewhere.

[draggin50]

That torque is unreal for the little 4 banger! Sounds pretty cool also.

[NXcoupe]

That torque is unreal for the little 4 banger! Sounds pretty cool also.
Thank you. It def sounds angry with the new turbo. The old one made 350 at 22 psi. I'm going to step this one up to 25 psi just for grins and giggles. Street tune will be 19 or 20 psi till I get some meats under it.

[Kwik92GT]

Yessir, I did. A guy in Indiana did them for me at a fantastic price. I'll update this as soon as I get puc hosting working somewhere.

I've had pretty good results with Flickr for hosting.

[NXcoupe]

Ok, I will check them out.

[NXcoupe]

New best tonight. Video is forthcoming. 447/483

[Kwik92GT]

Nice!

[NXcoupe]

https://youtu.be/SBkGawe0CdI

[RACEME]

Thats moving some air. Good job!

[NXcoupe]

Thats moving some air. Good job!
Thank you! I'm happy with it.

[redfirepearlgt]

DAG! That's making more than my 2005 GT did with its first blower mod at 6psi. Nice!

[NXcoupe]

Thanks Chad!