Very achievable goals! IMHO, the T3 would be a better choice although the IHI will work well. You might have to alter the coolant lines a bit with some reinforced coolant hose but that's a very simple fix. Might I suggest Stinger's braided oil feed hose. Works great! I don't know what state your in but if you don't have stringent smog requirements, dump the air cleaner on the VAM and install a CAI with cone filter. That'll net you 8-10 hp right there!

Utilize a Bob's log and 3" exhaust system with either straight through or Dynomax Ultraflow mufflers to really wake up the 2.3. A 255 lph fuel pump and AFPR will help in the fuel flow dept. Remember, that motor came from the factory with 200 hp so your goals can be easily attained! On my stock '86 TC with 180,000 I pull 28 mpg on the freeway and 22-23 around town.

 

With light-mild mods (depends on your opinion of light lol) the silver SVO will get 30-32 with just highway miles if you drive it nice.

 

with my mods and granny driving(no boost at all) i averaged ~30mpg highway turning 2800rpms doing 70mph for a 200mile trip. when i boost it (highway only in OD-5psi max for passing) i get closer to 26-28 pending on distance/boost ratios.

i have yet to get city mpgs because i like boosting to 45mph in second. people look at me funny when i shift into second at 10mph like granny then blow their doors.

 

List of modifications for power.
http://www.turboford.net/faq/mods.shtml
Notice stage one is K&N Filter. 3"exhaust is something similair to mine. I am using the dynomax ultraflow. Here is link to pictures. Note 3"elbow directly off turbo.
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/100_6408.jpg
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/100_6308.jpg
Rest of pictures
http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/mustanglady89/
Wife's photobucket. Maurice

 

Just a quick question on the ecm. I was wondering since I will be pulling out the front harness anyway (to spruce up the engine bay), would it be as easy to use the 87 TC harness? It may save confusion later in case of a breakdown.

 

no the 87 harness has all the extra crap like the the ABS and Ride control wiring in it.

 

In my experience the only thing i really had to do to use the tcoupe harness was alter the body plugs. Get the two wiring diagrams, label what each wire on the plugs do on both sides of the harnesses(engine and chassis). I then cuts the plugs off the old 2.3 harness and soldered onto the tcoupe harness(the toupe plugs are a little different) and with some shrink wrap and viola! No repinning and all that crap. I found this route easier. Its up to you though. I'm pretty sure the ABS was on a separate harness that lead to a box in the trunk. Jeez its been so long i cant remember. I dont remember pulling a bunch of wires from the engine harness so im pretty sure its not. I'm stuck here in the desert anyways so it doesnt matter lol. GL with the whole thing though. I liked mine, but I'm going to join the modular motor crowd when i get back. not enough torque for me. I also suggest just hard wiring the prem switch and just run premium at all times. You could keep it, but make sure you keep the boost control solenoid from the tcoupe. Also i suggest Gilmer valve for your boost controller. Its been dead reliable and the only one thats lasted this long. I use them on all of my cars. Stinger makes some pretty good stuff too, so make sure you check out what all he has.

By the way dont buy a center mount header. You'll have clearance issues with your turbo and the water piping as well as even the plug wires. I suggest 40bob log headers if ya can afford it. Hope this helps.... PM me if you have other questions.

 

There are clearance issues, but a new line and a spacer to get it away from the wires takes care of that. The biggest advantage with the center mount is the extra clearance to run a big downpipe down under the car, it's not a 90* bend directly off the turbo to clear the firewall.

 

A little update. Looking at the oils and tranny fluid, I'm thinking of dropping the pan and checking out the bottom and do a compression check and if both pass, do a "clean and shine" and put the engine it in the car. The engine oil looked very good as well as the tranny fluid. The tranny was tight and there was no signs of sync wear. At this point I am thinking ablut leaving the IHI turbo on and pretty much leave everything like it was on the TC however if a T3 pops up, then it will go on. I actually think I have one in the garage, but I can't locate it. The exhaust also will get some attention. I am planning on running a 3 incher all the way. And if all this fails and I run into problems, then I might get carried away and do some serious mods. Looking at some specs on the net, it seems like the TC is a PIG compared to the light Mustang. I have read that the TC comes in at 3388 and the Fox Mustang at 2800#. 500 Lbs lighter will make a huge difference. OK enough jibbering, its time to eat (I actually made it).


She'll come out tomorrow.......maybe.


Thought of using this old Mach 1 hood scoop, too redneck???

 

I like where you're going with this!

Most go with the SVO hoodscoop. However, I like your 'dare to be different' approach. I think it looks good!