5.0 Fox to 2.3t swap

[Fox2Quick]

So I've had a 92 5.0 and it's been totally stock for the nearly 8 years I've had it. Now that I've got a small budget, it's time to pursuit a build I've been wanting to do. If some of you aren't aware, the Foxes had a 2.3 4 cylinder option. This 2.3 was also used in the Tbird turbo coupes and SVO mustangs.

 

Ideally, if like to grab a stock long lock and piping and drop it right in. The mounts are the same and my T5 should bolt right up. I've also got a Holset HX35 turbo off a Cummins to give it a little more umph. Gonna keep it moderate at 300~ hp.

 

Any opinions/input?

Edited June 27, 2016 by Fox2Quick

[sivispacem]

Won't the 4.9 Windsor make more than 300 with bolt-ons? Seems a bit counterintuitive to drop in a 2.3T, with all the expense and time that requires, when you can easily coax the same power output out of the engine you've already got.

[JRC99]

I just couldn't do that. I'd miss the sound way too much.

[Fox2Quick]

Won't the 4.9 Windsor make more than 300 with bolt-ons? Seems a bit counterintuitive to drop in a 2.3T, with all the expense and time that requires, when you can easily coax the same power output out of the engine you've already got.

I'm not necessarily looking for more power as a priority. I'm looking more for better weight distribution and efficiency of power. The 2.3T is 150lbs lighter and sits lower and farther back. Currently the car is ~3200 pounds with 54% in the front. I'd like to balance it out a little more because I more prefer letting it get wild around corners. The 5.0 has more low end power and less in the top end compared to the 2.3t, so I see it as being more manageable during normal driving with the power kicking in at ~3k rpm (where I usually like the power to start kicking in.

 

Cost isn't necessarily an issue. I've got about 3 grand worth of parts from other builds (after "used" markdown and haggling). My plan was to flip the parts (as I need to empty out the house anyway), pick up a running Turbo coupe (see them for 1k-1800 here), and directly swap the 5.0 and harness for the 2.3t and harness. Then sell the Tbird back off as a running vehicle to recoup my costs. That should leave me with a grand, give or take, to get any other parts I need (and that's not including any $ I can put away each week). There's a ton of 5.0s around me and I'm kind of bored of the sound. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big American muscle guy, but I also have a thing for imports, so the 2.3t kinda caters to my feelings for both worlds, and it's a factory ford motor, so I don't feel like I'm bastardizing the car.

 

And this doesn't sound too bad to me:

 

I'm more just trying to plan out what issues I may run into.

[epoxi]

And this doesn't sound too bad to me:

Sounds pretty good to me. I just find it quite a surprise to think that's a Ford and not a '90s Japanese car.

[Fox2Quick]

 

And this doesn't sound too bad to me:

Sounds pretty good to me. I just find it quite a surprise to think that's a Ford and not a '90s Japanese car.

That's kinda the charm of the build. I do love proper Japanese vehicles just as much as American and this setup doesn't have that buzzing fart can sound like the average 4-banger from overseas.

[Lurch]

A 2.3 with an HX35 is considered "manageable power delivery"?

My suggestion: at least use a turbo that isn't some ancient piece of sh*t made for a bigass diesel.

Edited June 29, 2016 by Lurch

[TheFrank]

Sell the 5.0, buy a 4 cyl Fox, swap the 2.3t in it.