***Ford 2.3L OHC engine in a Fiero***

If you have done this swap, please tell me how it was done.

Did you use an adaptor for the bell housing to transmission?

Did you do your own wiring?
And, anything else you remember about it.

How hard was it to do?

Just curious as to whats the draw to the motor?? I had a ,merkur , it was a great car , ran lotsa boost 15Lbs. Great little durable motor , but old technology. It's also heavy.

Just wondering. Mine ran great , propelled the Merkur to high 14's , Volvo intercooler was the only mod other than a turbo city boost valve...(in car)

JM

Here are some of the reasons I would want a Ford 2.3L engine in my Fiero:

lots of SVT parts for good prices
capable of 7,000 RPMs with stock short block
easy to build a "stroker"
performance potetial with or without turbo
Multi Port Fuel injection
"tough as nails" reputation
still in production
used engines common in salvage yards

I have a 2.3L Ford in my 1994 Ranger and the little engine manages to make the 3200lb truck keep up with traffic. If you put the same engine in a 700lbs lighter car, it will outperform a stock 4cylinder iron duke.

With a redline above 7,000 rpm, a low-buck built 2.7L stroker motor without turbo will produce a lot more power than people think. And it will still be reliable. Add the turbo, and 200HP is within easy reach. It's like the "missing link" between Iron Duke and Super Duty.

But, before deciding to go for a Ford 2.3L swap, I need to know the nature of the task. My guess is that building a "hot-duke" is the easy way out. The Ford engine would match performance with improved reliability . . .depending on what is done to install it.

Has anyone swapped a 2.3L Ford into a Fiero?

[This message has been edited by LuckyTheyWereEverMade (edited 03-14-2001).]

If you need any ideas on what to do with a ford 2.3 to get power, just ask. I race 2300's on the weekend on an asphalt 1/4 mile oval. Compression is easy to get with stock pistons, to increase compression, you just plane the head. If you plane a mustang head .180" you build it up to 12.5:1 instead of the stock 8:1. Don't get the SVO stuff. There's better cheaper stuff on the market. I race against a fiero with a 2.5 and he is uncompetitive (lack of power and gear choices) He has the same Weber carb adapted to his car that I've got. I know that 210 Hp. is very attainable out of a 2300. They are bullet proof, I geared my car to just run in 2nd gear. No shifting durring the race unless you spin out. I turn the engine around 7600 RPM and the bearings look good after 22 nights. The 2.5 block is just not built for that kind of thing. He has wrecked alot of parts trying to keep up.

Scott

I don't know a whole lot about these motors, but if they came in a FWD application, then you might be better off using the transaxle too.

I just hafta say something... This Ford motor swapping craze is the PINNACLE OF GAYIETY! It's a Fiero, stop trying to defile it.

>***Ford 2.3L OHC engine in a Fiero***
If you have done this swap, please tell me how it was done.

You know, that piques my interest. Sorry if I sound *gay* to anyone, I just like to tinker with unconventional & exotic autos...

The Ford 2.3 is one tough little engine, inexpensive to pump & with the popular turbo/air2air intercooler option is one quick little mill. I still own an 88 T-Bird Turbo & I had actually thought of adapting that turbo to the V-6 Fiero (it's been done) but the idea of just plunking the whole thing in is interesting, as well.

Ford has a long history in racing engines.
To ignore it is to, -well -ignore it.

That being said, I'm not at all sure of adapter plate/mounting issues. I'll have to look at my engines.

Actually, come to think of it, the 2300 will bolt up to a FWD transaxle. The MTX series transaxles have a very similar bolt patern on the belhousing. The automatics from Escorts, Topazs, Sables, or the escorts came with 4 speeds and 5 speeds. You would have to use the escort clutch though. The escort flywheel bolts to the 2300 crank. Automatic would be alot easier, the manual uses a shift rod that runs through the floor instead of a cable mechanism. But then again, if they can make an adapter plate to put a V-8 on a fiero transaxle, you probably could make an adaper for a 2300. The 2300 could easily match the power of a 2.8 if properly built for around $2500. I would personally get rid of the throttle body and put on a Weber DGAV carb however.

Scott