How about a 4 banger T-Bird

G

Grumpy Rick

Senior Member
I know I am weird, but cannot stop thinking how putting a new Mustang Eco Boost 4 banger in a '55 T-Bird might be a good idea.

Before sending out the hit squad, think about it. Over 300 HP, great gas mileage, much lighter weight on the front end, 10 speed automatic with OD.

Except for 'tradition', it sounds like a great driver to me. Under 3,000# with 300HP.

Wonder if anyone has done it? Wish I could afford to try.
 
I think it is do-able as long as the conversion can be reversed with no modification damage(s).

I have a 2013 ESCAPE w/ 2.0L EcoBoost and the thing will fly.

Of course the MUST 2.3L is longitudinal and can make much more HP.

You would need a late MUST 2.3L as a donor as the electronics will kill you if bought new or take-out piece by piece.

Better yet (IMO), a MUST II or PINTO.
 
my wife has a 2017 4 cyl Mustang, 320HP drives really well and plenty of oomph, only thing is it sounds ordinary,
 
Interesting concept. Guess I'm just too much of a traditionalist though. When I want "old" tradition, I take my '56 Fairlane (owned in '68) for a cruise. When I want "newer" tradition, I take my "4 banger 'Bird" - '87 Turbo Coupe (owned since '91).
All is a matter of personal preference eh?
It'll be cool to see if anyone tries this idea.
 
I am a purist/traditionalist also but ...

As long as there is no harm done and is not a high value BIRD, why not?

And you might as well go COYOTE and get the full pleasure ... :D

Make one hell of a sleeper ...
 
Maybe clarification will help. Not interested in winning any races, just thinking how much more pleasurable my Bird would be if it drove like a late model Mustang.

My thought is you would have to start with a wrecked donor car, and put everything in the Bird. I like the idea of the four, because of the size and weight. After all, it has almost twice the power of the original, as well as an automatic trans that is day and night better.

Maybe I should float the idea to one of those Motor Trend TV shows. I could furnish the Bird, but I suspect they would give ME the bird.

I can dream, can't I?

PS: Raceron..I agree completely with you. I also have a '56 Vickie with running gear from an '86 Merc. 5.0/AOD/EFI power steering etc. Much better than stock, especially on the freeways with the OD. Frame off and mods done in 1991, and still looks decent. Sunset Coral/White, and the kids call it the 'chick magnet'.
 
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I’m making close to 300 or so in my bird, and the block is about the only thing left on the engine that’s cast iron instead of aluminum or tubing. Horsepower and weight reduction will not make one drive like a new Mustang. Trust me.

But I think we’ll see more of these new fangled motors in the future builds. You’re right about the weight and horsepower. It’s getting harder to find good cores, and more expensive for the machine work and parts. A late model wreck has an engine that will go 200,000 miles. The young guys aren’t afraid of the electronics, they grew up with them. They are afraid of carburetors and distributors though.

I go to a fair amount of “open” shows. The guys with the Honda, Nissans, Toyota’s, Subaru’s are rodding them up. A friend’s son has a line up of short and long blocks ready to go. Grenade motors they call them, for how often they blow them up.
 
I can't see why not other than checking the weight of the car vs the doner car.

I see 56-57 Tbirds selling for 5, 15-19, 22-25 all day long in various conditions. Not rare unless it was a special Supecharger version why not?

I don't dislike them. But owners are proud of having them like boat owners.
And you know what are the best two days of a boat owner are?

There is corrodes buddy cutting one up to put an all modern 2000's bird under it.

But at this point might as well make it a Mach-e under it.
 
Great discussion for sure. I guess it's just a matter of whatever floats one's boat whether it's on that first day or last day of ownership :-) .

But whatever one's taste is in this kind of thing, it's nice to dream about "what if".

I guess I kinda compare updating a classic car with new stuff to classic R&R vs. current hip-hop or new R&R music. Both are have their good points. BUT. . .

If I wanted a car that drives, performs and handles like a newer Mustang, I'd get a newer Mustang. IMO, having a classic car isn't just how it looks but also how it drives and handles. That big steering wheel & manual steering, drum brakes, barely adequate wipers, 2-55 AC. . . .To me, that's a big part of what having a classic car is all about.

When I drive my '56 around or go to a show or get-together, I enjoy listening to Fats, Connie Francis or Elvis, and not Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus.

Opinion opinion opinion. Whatever we do with 'em, our old classics should be fun and give us a feeling of great pride of ownership & enjoyment. Our cars, our opinions, our dreams - and our $$$.
 
Here's the OEM SPECS on the 2.3L EcoBoost - https://fordauthority.com/fmc/ford-...rd-ecoboost-family/ford-2-3l-ecoboost-engine/

350HP OEM RATING. Can you imagine what can be had with some modifications/tuning?

My thought ... :confused: ... is to put one in a 71/72 PINTO (before crash bumpers and mechanical emission systems) and make a true street sleeper.

If you wanted a nice street cruiser, a MUST II.

This engine would make an excellent retrofit (IMO) for a SVO MUST or TURBO COUPE.
 
I warned you I have weird tendencies. If I had more time and money it would have a Chevy small block in in like my last one. Unfortunately time has caught up with me.

Enter the haters.
 
Playing with cars is just that...playing with cars! You can chase other folks opinions around all day long but end up going in a circle. Do what the heck you want to do, it is your car after all. Every car I have built has been to my specification and needs. Too bad if the rest of the "car crowd" didn't like it....I'm happy.

My 36 is my 36. A 351C/FMX/MII/8" in a Chevrolet. Curles the teeth of the bow tie guys....I just smile and have enjoyed every mile of the 150K that has been put on it since 1980!
 
I own a 55 Tbird; it's been in my family for 50 years. It's undergoing a restoration, but not 100% stock. I have about $2000 into the 57 big-valve ECZ-0G heads alone.

No matter what engine you put into a 67-69-year-old car, it will never drive like a new car.
 
I will be giving this car to my son in Texas in a year or so. At my age, I will not be starting any projects. I will be lucky to finish the ones I have now.

Just dreaming.
 
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