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 Post subject: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:08 pm 
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Hey guys anyone running a ford 2.3 from a pinto, mustang etc.? I have a vw currently that I want to have rebuild but thinking it would probably be more cost effective to find a cheap engine from a pinto and swap it in. Im guessing it would be around 1500+ to have my vw rebuilt (not sure what displacement it is).

I know the adapters will probably run me about 450 plus a radiator & misc items. Ive found some running engines around my area from 200-350$. I figured I could probably offload my engine and recoup some of the cost as well and only be into the swap for a couple hundred and have a running buggy for less than having it rebuilt. Also the reliability and cheaper parts/availability is a bonus.

My only concern with going this direction would be the obvious increase in weight from the motor and the extra support it needs on the rear cage. Will this dramatically change the handling at all?(I dont want to loose the nimbleness) Will a 3 rib stand up to the power that the 2.3 makes?


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:30 pm 
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I would suggest finding a aluminum motor of some description whether it's Honda, Subaru or Echo tech. The weight difference with a cast iron motor would make it hardly worth the investment. Any HP gains would be lost because of weight.

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 4:23 pm 
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Location: Stamping Ground, Kentucky
My brother runs a 2.3 ford. I think he would probably sell the whole package adapter plate and all. It also has a header and a 2 barrel intake and carb. He has been talking about switching to a Ecotech engine because of weight. The 2.3 is fine for trail riding but not climbing.


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:52 pm 
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Those 2.3's are heavy... my brothers father in law has one on his buggy and its way to heavy, he goes through shocks like crazy and my 1776 stomps all over it. Weight to power is just not worth it. If you want to go water cooled an echo tech is better, alot lighter and more reliable. Just my opinion though. I love my 1776:D

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:14 am 
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That's what I was afraid of. I would love to go ecotec but it's a bit out of the budget at the moment. Just trying to find the cheapest route to get going again. I was pretty happy with the power of the vw but like I said I wasn't sure whether it was built or just a regular 1600


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 2:09 pm 
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Hell if you didn't blow up the vw motor up and have to replace the crank or cam you can pull it apart and put new bearing rings and gaskets for about $200 in parts and ride out if you was happy with it before. The big money rebuilding vw motors is going bigger with crank cam pistons cutting the block line bore better heads all that stuff adds up quick


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:40 am 
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jeff69 wrote:
Hell if you didn't blow up the vw motor up and have to replace the crank or cam you can pull it apart and put new bearing rings and gaskets for about $200 in parts and ride out if you was happy with it before. The big money rebuilding vw motors is going bigger with crank cam pistons cutting the block line bore better heads all that stuff adds up quick


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Very true, I have a complete 1641 that runs, and a bunch of vw parts I wanna let go cheap to get outta garage, I don't Blane u for wanting to swap but I would bandage up the vw cheap if u can and start gathering for a ecotech or subie swap down the road, ice personal y have no experience with a 2.3 but if its heavier than a ecotech I would not recommend it in a regular buggy chassis, just my opinion good luck let me know if u want that motor I'm in Edinburg oh


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:19 am 
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Well I've read the 2.3 is closer to 400 lbs fully dressed. I guess it would probably over 200 pounds additional all together when everything is done. I guess I'll try and open up the vw to see what's going on. Just afraid to open a can of worms.


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:47 am 
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What problems is the vw giving you, they are simple engines to work on


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:52 pm 
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When I had bought the buggy it was sitting outside. When I had drain ed the oil there was water in it. After my last ride it quit running due to a distributor problem. After I fixed that it is now making sort of a knocking noise. I'm sure the water that was sitting in there couldn't be too good for case and internals.

And I don't have any engine building experience haha. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:10 pm 
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Whee are you from, maybe update your profile. Hard to help someone without knowing where there from

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:05 pm 
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I used to have a Ford 2.3 with a turbo on a street rail. Could not keep the front end on the ground. It was a shorter wheel base at 95". It was fun passing cars on the rear tires using the cutting brakes to turn. With out a longer wheelbase, extended arms, and heavy front end I would not recommend one for the woods. The engine had plenty of power. Would bring the front to end up in 4th gear by just stopping on it.


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:29 pm 
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Thanks for all the replies guys I appreciate it. I think I'll open up the vw and see what's going on. If it's salvageable and the case is still good I'll try a rebuild. If not, it would defiantly be cheaper finding a 2.3.

ReGard less I'm sure I'll have more ?s. ^^


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:59 pm 
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I don't think it would cost anymore to do a early 2.2 ecotech than the 2.3 its really about the same cost except having the harness and computer flashed and jeromy1 on here does those fairly reasonable, the 2.2 is cable driven throttle body easy to hookup, gotta get a radiator either way and exhaust would cost the same, adapters run about the same on either motors and sometimes u can find those motors real cheap, there all aluminum straight 4 cylinder and about 140hp stock and fuel injected so no carb to mess with, I'd say only a little more than the 2.3 and your done no more changing down the road, unless you wanna run a boat anchor and have no control on little hills. Just my opinion


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:53 pm 
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Location: Fort Worth , TX and Woodward OK
If you are going to do a 2.3 platform go with 2.3 turbo out of a mustang or thunderbird , u can get one from salvage for around 500 for engine and everything you need to make it run. It is a very powerful motor that will get u around 30 mpg if u keep your foot out of it

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:54 pm 
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Stock I think makes 200 hp

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:13 pm 
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No way, maybe 130 with a header and a prayer.

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:54 pm 
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Ecotec does really sound like an awesome swap but I think there are a lot more hidden costs. I dont think my 3 rib would hold up very long against it either. (Some day maybe!) My buddies that I ride with only have a 1915 and a 1600 so I'm not shooting for anything much greater than 100hp. Just want to get going again on my college budget hehe.

Gonna try and pull the engine this weeke


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:20 am 
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I understand what your saying about trying to stay cheap but hanging that 2.3 off a three rib ain't any better hell could be worse because it weights more putting more strain on the case and you can always swap trannies out down the road, you go through the trouble to swap might as well swap what you want, and you did say you wanted a Eco in just thought u couldn't afford it, I'm running a Eco 2.2 on a six rib with bus cv's, I just did the swap about the only hidden cost I can remember is a fuel pump and I put a new clutch in, all the small stuff does not have to cost much its just how fancy do u wanna get while installing, and like I said before your gonna be doing the same crap anyways putting any other motor in, that's why I said maybe you should repair the vw cause if you can't install the Eco your probably gonna not wanna do the 2.3 either.


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:13 pm 
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Location: akron ohio(10 minutes from summit racing
I have the 2.3t in my buggy and without a wheelbase of over 100 and some at least 2x3 arms you wouldn't be able to hill climb much at all. My buggy has a 110 wheelbase and at the tops of hill it gets interesting. However it is lots of fun everywhere else.

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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:36 am 
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Well guys i finally got around and decided to see what was happening on the inside of the vw. The pinto is just too long for the back of my cage about 3" too short. Pistons measured about 91.5mm so I guess its an 1835. Stock mexican vw heads.

I checked the endplay before i tore it down and was .010. I expected worse but it still didnt look too pretty inside.


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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:41 am 
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Location: Southeastern PA
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 Post subject: Re: Ford 2.3?
PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:47 am 
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Ill try and measure to see if the case has been bored before tomorrow if I get a bit of time.


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