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Post by milesgiles05 on Sept 23, 2010 22:02:15 GMT -5
Hey guys..
I just bought a 2.3 T off a guy on craigslist and I cant wait to get it to tear down and drop it in. However, I have a few questions..
I just bought the motor, and from what I have read I need the VAM sensor. I can't seem to find just the sensor anywhere, as everywhere I look wants me to buy the entire wiring harness. Does anybody have an extra harness laying around they want to sell just the part off of, or what can I do to go about this?
Second, I have to get a new computer. I have an 87 LX auto, and I know that I need to get a new computer for the turbo. I went on Ebay and came across these three items. I didnt know which computer to get.
LA2 computer Ford SVO XR4Ti Turbo Coupe Ford 2.3 LA3 88
Ford 2.3 Turbo ECM PC1 Computer Turbo Coupe SVO Mustang
Ford 2.3 Turbo ECM PK Computer Turbo Coupe SVO Mustang
Also, don't I have to know if the computer was for a stick or an auto? What happens if I get a computer for a stick and try to use it with my auto?
Thanks for any help! I appreciate it!
AG
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black
Boosting 20 psi
Posts: 89
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Post by black on Sept 24, 2010 9:38:00 GMT -5
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Post by oneowner88lx on Sept 24, 2010 16:56:06 GMT -5
You can order a rebuilt ECU from www.rockauto.com just order one for an '88 turbo coupe with an auto. But if you can wait I'd get the stringer set up if you can. |
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Post by Matt Culpepper 2300gearjammer on Sept 24, 2010 17:09:12 GMT -5
ok first...If your car is an 87 you DEFINITELY do NOT need a new wiring harness. In fact there is no better harness than the one you have.
Next if you plan to stay auto (it wont survive long) , you will have to run a auto computer. The trans is computer controlled and I forget which stuff doesn't work. overdrive maybe.
Moving on...you have a little more info you need to gather first before picking a computer. Do you know what year the engine is and did it have fuel injectors with it?
A little more...there are two sizes of Vane Air Meters. The "big" VAM is 3" inlet and outlets.
If you don't plan on modding much you dont need aftermarket tuning like the stinger ECU....However, I got mine in place and it is being tested on my car starting from earlier this afternoon. I'll say its absolutely amazing.
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Post by oneowner88lx on Sept 24, 2010 17:21:52 GMT -5
You can order a rebuilt ECU from www.rockauto.com just order one for an '88 turbo coupe with an auto. Yeah I was assuming he had the 35 pound brown top injectors and the big VAM but he might be running pre '87 TC parts? |
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Post by milesgiles05 on Sept 25, 2010 0:04:59 GMT -5
I just talked to the guy, and he is going to be bringing it down next friday, the 2nd. The motor is out of an 87.
Like I said, I don't really plan on modifying the motor too much. At the very most, maybe porting out the intake runners when I tear it down, maybe a cold air intake, at the very most, a new cam or rearend gear; although that would be way down the road.
Basically, I just want something that will go faster than what is in the car now, an N/A 2.3
I'll keep everybody posted as to what the motor actually is when it gets here. All I know is that it is a 2.3 turbo out of an 87 Thunderbird SuperCoupe and that it ran pretty good.
Thanks!
AG
ps... why wouldn't the auto tranny hold up real well? I'd like to keep an auto tranny in it, but what kind of serious risk do I have by keeping it?
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Post by 75pinto on Sept 25, 2010 10:03:55 GMT -5
The auto that's in your car simply wasn't made to handle the power of a turbo motor. Even the a4ld's that came in the turbo coupes were subject to breakage, and the tc autos were also tuned way down compared to a manual. If you want to stay auto I would suggest a c4, but keep in mind this tranny has no overdrive. Maybe some of the turbo vets have a better auto solution....
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Post by Matt Culpepper 2300gearjammer on Sept 25, 2010 12:05:51 GMT -5
I just talked to the guy, and he is going to be bringing it down next friday, the 2nd. The motor is out of an 87. Like I said, I don't really plan on modifying the motor too much. At the very most, maybe porting out the intake runners when I tear it down, maybe a cold air intake, at the very most, a new cam or rearend gear; although that would be way down the road. Basically, I just want something that will go faster than what is in the car now, an N/A 2.3 I'll keep everybody posted as to what the motor actually is when it gets here. All I know is that it is a 2.3 turbo out of an 87 Thunderbird SuperCoupe and that it ran pretty good. Thanks! AG ps... why wouldn't the auto tranny hold up real well? I'd like to keep an auto tranny in it, but what kind of serious risk do I have by keeping it? 1st I wouldn't port the intakes when its apart 2nd I wouldn't take it apart unless you have a very good reason 3rd...Gears are always a good thing but dont get too crazy. These cars dont like low gears. You would benefit greatly by swapping to an 8.8 rear as well. 4th Anything will go faster than an N/A 2.3 5th In those year Thunderbirds the first part of the word tells you the engine. "super"coupe "could" refer to a supercharged V6 where as the "turbo"coupe is the 2.3 turbo engine. 6th its not a horrible idea to do the wiring swap, computer swap, and change injectors before you change engines. We've seen it a hundred times where a person swaps a bunch of parts and then can't diagnose any problems. It will run about the same after the computer/wiring swap or slightly slower. 7th A4LDs are not exactly known for anything good especially in the cars. Even at 200 horsepower power the typical 2.3 auto will slowly start to go away. All in all I say don't complicate the swap and try to post a thread here before starting each major step. Hopefully I can prevent another 2.3T engine from getting torn apart, never reassembled and then the idea scrapped. |
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