Ride Along in Modded '86 Mustang SVO. 2.3 Ford Turbo.

Just a little hop in the SVO. Still working out some fueling issues as it is seeing very high injector duty cycle up top. I think I need to re-wire the fuel pump as the stock wiring and relay is probably not up to the task with a DW300 and a KB BAP in action. This is a .020 over 2.3 with a ported iron head, custom solid roller cam, Garrett GTW 3476 turbo, ported stock intakes, large front mount intercooler. It is on E85 (E70) with 120 pound injectors and managed by an old school SDS EMS-3, tuned by myself. It has a V-8 T5 (which is not sounding super happy), 8.8 rear with 3.73 gears, SPEC Stage 3+ clutch. I pulled this car out of a field back in March, where it sat for over 13 years under a cover, and have been bringing it back to life. This is 25 psi of boost.

[@StickManRazzMatazz]

Graduating high school in 1985, I remember these cars. Light and good looking. A cool car, sir !

[@mbreinin]

Thanks!

[@Ilovegirlfights2]

I remember seeing the recessed head lights when I was around 8 yrs old. I was intrigued by the car I later found out it was 2.3 turbo. I still get giddy when I see head lights.

[@VACUUM_HISTORIAN]

I have a soft spot for these SVO's. I have a 85 Shelby Charger. Open exhaust, aftermarket ECU, and bigger injectors really wake our 2.2 turbos up.

[@mbreinin]

I remember when those were new...SVOs too. Both cool pieces of '80s performance!

[@tannerwysong2256]

Ahhh the sound of a solid roller... love it

[@mbreinin]

Thanks! It is a mean cam. Lol.

[@tannerwysong2256]

@@mbreinin anytime man! I just build a solid roller 355, revs as free as the wind 😂

[@albertgaspar627]

@@tannerwysong2256 whether that's a Chevy 355 cid small block or a .060 over low deck Windor or a .030 over tall deck Windsor, your solid roller cam is using lifters. This is an overhead cam engine, so it's not using solid nor hydraulic lifters, just rocker arms. the rocker arms can be stamped or roller assisted, but there's less weight involved in the entire assembly with the OHC setup than the ol' pushrod setup.

[@expels]

that thing pulls HARD. hoping to get mine running by Spring, turbo 2.3 is at the shop now

[@mbreinin]

it does OK for a 2.3! It is fun, that is for sure. Good luck with yours.

[@N3wbMa5t3r]

Is this engine similar to the 2.3 in the new mustang and explorer?

[@abdielpedraza4149]

@@N3wbMa5t3rthis engine in particular is a “Lima” 2.3L turbo 4 which other versions of lima motors were also in the pintos, thunderbird, ranger, etc. it’s definitely carried on to the newer ecoboost ones, but big differences within the two.

[@albertgaspar627]

I had a 1986 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with the SVO intercooler in the grill. Like your's, not a lot below 3,000 rpm (so if you had to pass in an emergency like a sudden lane change at cruising speed, you didn't have much torque to work with unless you had the time to think to downshift. the 1986 GT Mustang that came after the t'bird had the torque of the V8 and its small ports and valves). And you're right about your T5, i heard the overide of the synchos in 4th :) But for a pleasure drive, they were great, and for long distance, they were better than a tin can economy car getting the same fuel economy.

[@ryanbarber2482]

2:15 😂😂 I probably say this every day in traffic

[@guikirsch9758]

you must have just driven across the causeway? Car sounds badass

[@mbreinin]

No, I just took W Approach down and turned around by the bridge. Thanks!

[@guikirsch9758]

@mbreinin haha close enough!

[@ethantaylor7645]

Sounds awesome can't wait to fit a turbo 2.3 into my pinto

[@jskyg68]

I had a neighbor with a built 302 in a pinto.....what the hell you only live once.

[@anthonyhunt701]

Better exhaust👌🏻

[@joeschlotthauer840]

Have you heard of a 16 valve Volvo head swap...

[@mbreinin]

Yes, it works too. But not an easy bolt-on mod. Easier to do an aftermarket head like an Esslinger.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

@@mbreinin Seen that, really expensive...

[@mbreinin]

@@joeschlotthauer840 I guess it depends which you run. The SVO and ARCA require a custom intake and or exhaust. The D port is a bolt on operation. You can still make big power with an iron head if it is properly ported.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

@@mbreinin Let's import a few Barras...

[@mbreinin]

@@joeschlotthauer840 or some Cosworths!

[@t.kickstartbun1e797]

Just got an 86 sitting under a tree for 10years 36k miles how much thqt stock bottom end safe for I have two built civics excited to try a new brand

[@mbreinin]

SBE I would not push above 400. These are not Hondas, much more primitive. Fun though.

[@t.kickstartbun1e797]

@@mbreinin any idea on what I need to reach 300ish wheel turbo and bolt ons?

[@mbreinin]

@@t.kickstartbun1e797 just get with BoPort and he will spec you a complete setup. He has it all, cams, turbos, heads, intakes. www.bo-port.com. 300 RWHP is easily doable. Biggest issue is the stock EEC-IV management.

[@homegrowncustomsandautorep9737]

Nice bro! Just swapped one of these in my ford courier... still running vam?before I mega squirt it I was using factory ecu and pretty sure the vam was causing my compressor surge

[@mbreinin]

This car runs on SDS which is speed density. The VAM is long gone.

[@jolu7019]

Got one but no where near as fast as this. Kinda of thinking to do coyote swap.

[@robertdefreitas940]

dont do it. set it aside and put a coyote in somethin else.. keep your svo the way it came

[@bygodfreeman]

Buy the coyote. Ill buy the 2.3 from you. :P

[@2.3fox]

Did it come with or it was installed, i want one

[@mbreinin]

It is an SVO so it came with a 2.3 T. But this is a built motor I put in. The car is heavily modded over stock.

[@styga1969]

Disconnect the hose to the fuel pressure regulator. It will give you a few more pounds of fuel pressure .. you said it was lean. What PSI you boosting at? You can trick it out to get 20+psi.

[@mbreinin]

The issue was the fuel pump was weak. I replaced it. Nothing on this car's fuel system is stock except the tank. Also, it is on aftermarket management (SDS). This was 25 psi on this run.

[@BamBamMotorsports]

What rods and pistons are you running?

[@mbreinin]

It has Crower Sportsman rods and Wiseco pistons. It is .020 over.

[@masond482]

How much boost are you running ?

[@mbreinin]

25 pounds. I am out of WG spring and I have been too lazy to pull it off and change the springs. It is a job, because it is an external gate at the back the manifold and it is tied into the downpipe. I have to pull the starter to get enough room to remove the gate. I have the springs, they have been sitting in my shop for 6 months. LOL.

[@RMCNAYLOR]

Wasn't it faster before? 😆

[@mbreinin]

Before when? This combo has more power than the original build on this car, which I never got to drive. It made around 330 RWHP on that setup. Maybe you are thinking of another car? This is my SVO.

[@RMCNAYLOR]

Mike, this is Robert. Just yanking your chain buddy