TGL2000

So im looking into buying this mustang. http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2513779537.html
everything looks decent on it especially if he has receipts for everything. and it seems like a good buy until you get to the part where he says it doesnt run and needs motor work. That changes the whole thing to can i trust its just motor work. i wouldnt be able to hear it or test drive it.


What would a good offer be considering it does have lots of new things but it doesnt run?

If i did buy it does anyone know of rebuilding a 2.3L and maybe an estimate of the costs?

Thanks for any input

lookin2wheel

Id dump the 4 cyl and find a 5.0 to swap in. Ford 4 cyls are trash, boat anchors at best. 5.0s are VERY common and can be had on the cheap. Just look for a wrecked 5.0 LX or a GT. Also a 5.0 Crown Vic or Merc. Grand Marquis. The motors from the latter 2 will be in better shape as they are granny cars. Just my $.02.

ragged1

If its a turbo 4, its a rather rare svo mustang, and may be worth putting the $ into it.

TGL2000

i would like to keep this 2.3 just because it would get better gas mileage but i have thought that it would be a good idea to put some work into it because it doesn seem alittle rare i think if i fixed it and re-sold it, it may bring in some money

bsmith97xj

i have built a couple of 2.3 turbo engines for my buddys turbo coupe bird. you can do it for around 1500 or so i would think, depending on what is really wrong. He is pushing 19 psi on stock crank and rods forged pistons t3/t4 hybrid front mount intercooler custom head work. it will go 11.XX consitantly in that heavy car!!

stangcrazy85

Crown an gran will be non Ho
I have beatten more 2300cc motors than i can tell u not a stump puller but not boat anchor by a long shot

TGL2000

well i think it has most of the parts that are newer but i would replace certain partes and cam it and what not. the only thing i would have to do is bore and get new pistons then throw in the newer parts i would want. would it really be 1500?

lookin2wheel

Bro, you need to do some research. The SVOs last production model year was 1986. Id bet you are looking a a standard 2.3L Mustang that someone threw a turbo at OR swapped in a SVO motor. Also, the SVOs were 5 speed manuals, no autos were offered or convertibles. There were no 1992 SVOs from what I have found. In the '90s SVO (Special Vehicles Operations Department) was replaced by SVT (Special Vehicles Team). Im not trying to pee on your parade but you shouldnt get burned thinking you are buying something that does not exist.

TGL2000

fair enough, i didnt research but either way i would like a project but i dont want to bury myself to deep in labor or in debt so, what would a good asking price be for somthing that doesnt run and could potentially have more issues?

lookin2wheel

It would be a bad *** project. I personally dont like to see folks get schemed into buying something that is not REAL. Dont get me wrong, Im in no way baggin on the car or you. Its the seller that needs to be called out. But if the block is bad, its a Pinto block and should be easy to come across one if needed. It was used in ALOT of Fords fom the '70s to mid/late '80s. Merc. Capri, Ford Fairmont, ect. And for what hes asking, Id say thats a fair price even with a bad motor. New top, lots of other new goodies. Id jump on it if I were you.

lookin2wheel

Not true either. The police interceptor Crown Vics have the HO motors as do the Merc. Marauder (hopped up Grand Marquis) and the police cars can be had from auctions for pennies on the dollar.

TGL2000

i have thought of buying a junkyard motor and doing a swap, but i really cant trust the motors from the junkyard. i could just screw myself over more. but it would most likely be cheaper that rebuilding the enine thats in it. i do know that at one point ford rangers had the same exact 2.3L engine. Im just not sure if i can trust a junkyard motor. decisions decisions...

stangcrazy85

True true if u are looking for any mustang parts 5.0 wise contact me

Evil Bender

Having been a mustang driver all my life ,I would say ...Get a VIN # on that. Looks like an enigine swap.Could be a cool project ,IF the Turbo is good and IF the body and electronics arn't too butchered.

Drewstang

You are confused.

The 98-11 P71 have a 2V 4.6L modular motor. The 91 and older vics had the 5.0 and didn't get the HO option until 88-89. The 5.8 (351W) was a non-ho engine all years.

The Marauders were a DOHC 4.6L with 302 HP from the factory. Still a modular engine, but much different from the 2V in the Police Interceptor.

Overall, 2500 for a rust free vert is not bad. I'd like to see how the engine is wired and what ECU they used. The SVO bottom ends were forged and the blocks had bosses for the turbo oil lines. Also, the turbos were liquid cooled. If they did a swap and did everything right, it can be a fun little ride that gets 25-30 MPG. Thats if you can keep out of the boost, lol.