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Richter888 · 03-18-2009, 01:30 PM

Ok I own an 89' mustang myself. I use to own an 87 thunderbird TC. After the TC caught fire i swapped the motor and got all the parts necessary to do it(wiring harness, ecu, vane air meter, etc...). I'll tell you personally that i think a 2.3 turbo swap wont be enough for you. Considering the huge aftermarket for the 5.0 and 4.6. The reason i say this is for reliability issues as well. I push my 2.3 to 15psi daily.

I have ARP head studs, main studs and rod bolts and i still blow head gaskets once in a while. I have a t3 turbo with volvo intercooler with a center mount header and the LA3 tc computer. I had a good friend of mine port the head and intake(port matched as well) along with tb upgrade with a crane roller cam, larger valves( stainless andwith 3-angle job) and esslinger roller followers. I have a lot of money in my car. Granted i still can beat on mildly modified 5.0s but they spent about 1/4 the money i have and they dont really work on thier motors. Go 5.0 or 4.6(i prefer 4.6) because when i kill my little motor im upgrading and not ****ing around anymore.

As for suspension i bought canuck motor sport springs with 1.4" drop. I have new shocks and aftermarket rear control arms along with new caster/camber plates. I'm happy enough i guess.

Brakes i cant really remember. My buddy showed me what to buy to do a rear disc swap. Heres the list as best as i can remember. This is for a 7.5" rear end by the way.
1. 99mustang v6 axles
2. Backing plates
3. rear rotors and calipers along with lines and fittings
4. adjustable brake proportioning valve
5. 99mustang master cylinder
6. A good solid day of running new lines and installation.
7. 99mustang front spindle and brakes(99-04 stangs come standard with pbr dual piston alum calipers)
8. balljoints

For you manual swap
1. manual t-5
2. Drive shaft from aod equipped or t-5 equipped stang(i bought alum frpp)
3. clutch pedal cluster from any foxbody ford
4. highly suggest buying adjustable clutch cable
5. 2.3 bellhousing
6. Manual flywheel(suggest going aftermarket aluminum)
On one note: If you go 2.3 turbo MAKE SURE YOU KNOW IF YOUR FLYWHEEL CAME OUT OF AN SVO STANG OR A N/A STANG!!!! THEY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT CLUTCH SET AND A DIFFERENT PIVOT BALL!!!! Yes they are different lengths and you can get one out of a 5.0 bell housing. You can still get them from ford. Don't let them lie and say they are not different. They even have different part #s lol.
7. ARP flywheel bolts(highly suggest for re usability)
8. Clutch kit
9. double hump tranny crossmember if you can source it

Hope this helps you in your decision. I havent really spent that much money because i've done all the work myself and i had a good friend guiding me. I'm not a mustang expert, but i know mine very well. PM me if you have more questions If anybody had anything to add please do and correct me if im wrong about something.

03-18-2009, 01:30 PM	#2
Richter888 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Posts: 35	Some suggestions.... Ok I own an 89' mustang myself. I use to own an 87 thunderbird TC. After the TC caught fire i swapped the motor and got all the parts necessary to do it(wiring harness, ecu, vane air meter, etc...). I'll tell you personally that i think a 2.3 turbo swap wont be enough for you. Considering the huge aftermarket for the 5.0 and 4.6. The reason i say this is for reliability issues as well. I push my 2.3 to 15psi daily. I have ARP head studs, main studs and rod bolts and i still blow head gaskets once in a while. I have a t3 turbo with volvo intercooler with a center mount header and the LA3 tc computer. I had a good friend of mine port the head and intake(port matched as well) along with tb upgrade with a crane roller cam, larger valves( stainless andwith 3-angle job) and esslinger roller followers. I have a lot of money in my car. Granted i still can beat on mildly modified 5.0s but they spent about 1/4 the money i have and they dont really work on thier motors. Go 5.0 or 4.6(i prefer 4.6) because when i kill my little motor im upgrading and not ****ing around anymore. As for suspension i bought canuck motor sport springs with 1.4" drop. I have new shocks and aftermarket rear control arms along with new caster/camber plates. I'm happy enough i guess. Brakes i cant really remember. My buddy showed me what to buy to do a rear disc swap. Heres the list as best as i can remember. This is for a 7.5" rear end by the way. 1. 99mustang v6 axles 2. Backing plates 3. rear rotors and calipers along with lines and fittings 4. adjustable brake proportioning valve 5. 99mustang master cylinder 6. A good solid day of running new lines and installation. 7. 99mustang front spindle and brakes(99-04 stangs come standard with pbr dual piston alum calipers) 8. balljoints For you manual swap 1. manual t-5 2. Drive shaft from aod equipped or t-5 equipped stang(i bought alum frpp) 3. clutch pedal cluster from any foxbody ford 4. highly suggest buying adjustable clutch cable 5. 2.3 bellhousing 6. Manual flywheel(suggest going aftermarket aluminum) On one note: If you go 2.3 turbo MAKE SURE YOU KNOW IF YOUR FLYWHEEL CAME OUT OF AN SVO STANG OR A N/A STANG!!!! THEY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT CLUTCH SET AND A DIFFERENT PIVOT BALL!!!! Yes they are different lengths and you can get one out of a 5.0 bell housing. You can still get them from ford. Don't let them lie and say they are not different. They even have different part #s lol. 7. ARP flywheel bolts(highly suggest for re usability) 8. Clutch kit 9. double hump tranny crossmember if you can source it Hope this helps you in your decision. I havent really spent that much money because i've done all the work myself and i had a good friend guiding me. I'm not a mustang expert, but i know mine very well. PM me if you have more questions If anybody had anything to add please do and correct me if im wrong about something.