Skip to main content
Topic: Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3? (Read 3219 times) previous topic - next topic

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

so im just throwin the idea around but i wonder what i would have to do to swap a 2.3 in an pull the 5.0.  with gas at 3.09-3.20 I cant do it. i realize that it might cost a little much to do the swap but if im getting 20 something mpg ill be happy. right now im at 15-17 around town an i dont do a lot of highway driving so it really doesn't  help that i get better on the highway. So i need computer, harness, motor mounts, motor, tranny, new front suspension,and....? if i did a carbed 2.3 would it be an easier swap? not familair with the 2.3’s at all so i really dont know much on what i need to make it run right.
1986 Cougar LS

 

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #1
I think it would be cheaper and easier just to find a small beater car to drive around in.
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #2
Around town the 2.3T doesn't do much better than the 5.0.  It's on the interstate that it makes it up.  28-30mpg isn't unheard of for a 2.3T at freeway speeds. 
An NA 2.3 would be worse...especially carbed.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #3
Quote from: Chuck W;145441
Around town the 2.3T doesn't do much better than the 5.0.  It's on the interstate that it makes it up.  28-30mpg isn't unheard of for a 2.3T at freeway speeds. 
An NA 2.3 would be worse...especially carbed.


is that because of the work to move all of the cars weight? an can't i Turbo a carbed 2.3?
1986 Cougar LS

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #4
Quote from: bhazard;145440
I think it would be cheaper and easier just to find a small beater car to drive around in.


insurance on two cars. no thanks. im 17 they dont like me driving anyways, stereotypes
1986 Cougar LS

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #5
Quote from: Chuck W;145441
Around town the 2.3T doesn't do much better than the 5.0.  It's on the interstate that it makes it up.  28-30mpg isn't unheard of for a 2.3T at freeway speeds. 
An NA 2.3 would be worse...especially carbed.

Especially if you can't lay off the boost. It's like a drug.

And just about anything carb'd isn't going to get phenomenal MPG's.
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #6
Quote from: Ether947;145448
Especially if you can't lay off the boost. It's like a drug.

And just about anything carb'd isn't going to get phenomenal MPG's.


yeah figured the carb wasnt going to help any, but i wouldn't do a carb if I could pull off a FI swap. just need something to get better mpg. there is a FOR SALE sign in the window right now. just testing the waters
1986 Cougar LS

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #7
Curious only, but what u askin for it?

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #8
I got between 19 and 21 around town with my 2.3T. With my stock HO conversion I consistently get between 17 and 19.

With my modified 5.0 I get 14 mpg... But it sure is fun to drive:)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #9
Quote from: cougar86_89;145446
insurance on two cars. no thanks. im 17 they dont like me driving anyways, stereotypes


Im 21 with around 3 or 4 tickets under my belt, i have the 87 on storage and the 99 on full and all together that costs me 221 a month. Yeah im getting raped but i can keep both of my cats. im sure since you most likley dont have as many tickets as i  then your insurance should be more reasonable.

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #10
My 96 Bird with a 4.6 gets right around 21-22 in town and 22-24 on the highway.

The Cougar with 5.0 and some mods gets 18 around town and 22-23 on the high way.

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #11
3.09 to 3.20? Poor things. We're paying about $4.11 ($1.19 CDN/liter, 3.8 liters to the gallon, 91 cents to the US dollar).

I've said it a million times: The only way to spend less on fuel is to burn less. Get a more efficient car, don't drive over the speed limit, carpool, plan your trips so that instead of several short errands you make one big one. You might think gas is expensive, but as long as you can still afford to use too much of it, it ain't really expensive.

Cougar86_89 seems to be getting to that point, but until there's a huge shift in that direction for the general population don't expect any miracles...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #12
Uh, my 5.0 with 5 speed swap and harder then necessary driving gets me about 23 mpg.

My Turbo coupe gets me about 19...

These are my general weekly averages. Highway I can do  well in either. I just make a point to not drive my 12 mpg 79 ranchero any more than necessary. I need to fix my 5.0 car ;)

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #13
I dunno how anyone can get less than 25 mpg on a well running 2.3T being driven fairly civilized at least 50% of the time.
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

Gas Prices! 5.0 to 2.3?

Reply #14
My 5.0 HO knocks down mid 20s all day long, highway or city (probably high 20s with just highway).  I dont see a 2.3 saving you enough (if any) on gas to pay for the expenses of the swap.