67droptop1

I knew this would be interesting alot of peole would not agree, but in the end it is your car and your money. If your daughter learns how to do something this interesting, she will be way ahead of me! Are those motors easy to find parts for? I still drive by aplace that has a SVo stang sitting for sale I should stop as they are probably getting rare?

my77stang

im gonna throw a +1 for a later model 6 cyl swap.

if you decide to build the 2300 then i say more power to ya, but stay away from the 4.0 V6. those things will end up with cracked heads if you even look at them the wrong way. seriously, dont ever overheat your exploder LOL.

spdrcer34

I know my way around the Explorers....I have 3 of them.

In my family we have had 8 or 9 of them....Quite frankly the single most easymodern car to work on. I have modified them....and made some custom never before done stuff to the motor as well. As for cracking the heads, Yes, that was common in the early years...but the easy fix is to swap on 95tm heads, which bumps the compression AND the exhaust seats are something like 3x thicker than the 90tm heads...

The transmissions areTHE weak point on the Explorers...I have PERSONALLY re-built the M5OD-R1 in my White Explorer 2 times. The first time I just dropped instock replacement parts. Then I cracked the case on a hard launch...then I replaced thecase, and upgradedsome of the internals with the updated components that Ford added in later revisions....

Youguys have totally lost the point on this build.....If I wanted to give my daughter a FASTvehicle, I would havesaved my12 sec. Olds Cutlass, and given that to her. That was the first car that she helped me build.

12 sec. and 20 mpg is EASILY achievedin the 87/88 Thunderbird Turbocoupe.....I'll be subtracting350-500 lbs for the swap into a Early Mustang over the TC.....She will be happy with 13 sec. and 30mpg which is even EASIER to do....

How many guys herewould be TOTALLY OKAY with their teenagerdriving their'built' Mustang? Not many. And I'm not okay withmy daughter having350+hp at age 15.......

Ryan & Ryen

tyler72

A 289 wont get out of its own way???? What are you smokin?Must be some good stuff.

my77stang

what about a s/c 3.8 from a later tbird? popped head gaskets suck but other than that they are great motors.

oh yeah, i've seen 4.0 heads with cracks that literally went all the way around the head - not just seats (worked in a machine shop for years)

tarafied1

I'd go for it. The concept is great. the 2.3 is a good motor with lots of potential. They have been around since the 70's in Pintos. I had two Rangers with the 2.3 non turbo and I pulled a trailer with full size cars on it. The idea is right for the times and it would be cool to pop the hood and see a nice conversion that looked factory or tricked out. I have a big block inmy 67 and while it's mildly modified it will suck the gas. I don't know wher you live but I'd make it E85 capable too. Heck, I may swap a SHO V6 into mine if gas keeps going up. I had an 89 SHO 3.0 5spd that would fly and get decent milage too. Good luck and plus 1 on the other saftey stuff too.

Tang 72

I think the idea of a 2.3L svo is awesome... do what you want with it and by the looks of it you look more informed on the issue then most of us anyways. I know saying this is gonna make alot of guys mad but stock 302s and 289s are just nothing special and alot of 4 bangers (Not saying the 2.3, im just not informed iin the engine)these days are able to destroy them even in stock trim... alot of 4 bangers are alot more advanced then these old motors and out perform them... That being said i love the old 302 in my 72 sprint and its def. the way to go for me... but again, how many 2.3L 60s car are out there? It should be awesome and good luck, could be a dud but if i had the skills and patience i would go for it.

spdrcer34

As for safety upgrades, we are going to install Explorer Rear disc brakes. It's a bolt-on for the 9" rear that's under there now.

We will also be adding 13" Cobra discs up front....of course they will be power assisted. As will the steering. Probably going to install a R&P.

3 pt. Seat belts will also be installed.

Minor suspension upgrades here and there. Nothing radical.

Ryan & Ryen

67droptop1

I would figure out how to form an SVO hood for it.

rmodel65

i had a 84 svo i bought it for 1k$ it wouldnt boost to its stock 14lbs w.o falling on it face(the spring in between the air cleaner and the turbo was gone) i fixed that upped the boost from 14 to 20 psi and it stock 5.0 and 4.6 99-04 gts for breakfast and still managed 35mpg on the road as long as you stayed below 78mph


i miss it dearly[:@] the turbo locked the next day up after a 140+ mph dash in the middle of no where. some guy cam eand bought it and drove ti to atlanta i will buy another asap from either going back to work or from my settlement it wil be my DD and i think im gonna mod it slightly suspension and a holset turbo(perfectly sized OP you can find them on dodge diesel trucks)