update:

didnt work out (seller was playing games with asking price)

 

I've had one of the 2.3L fox-bodies, and they are dogs at best, but they seem to run forever.

For $400 its hard to go wrong.

 

I had an 86 2.3L. Yeah they're slow but they're still fun to drive. For $400 bucks I would definitley go for it. I changed out my cam on mine and it added a little power. My next step was to drop in an 2.3 turbo engine in (they pretty much bolt right up) but I ended up selling the car. I would buy and enjoy

 

Would you plan on keeping the 2.3 or dropping in a 5.0? If so I would just make sure there is no rust on the body and not worry about the engine. Overall $400 is not bad at all. I mean even if you decide you don't like it you could probably part it out and end up making over $400.

 

Yeah, 400 for it is not bad at all. On ebay there is usually someone selling a rebuilt bottom end 2.3L or sometimes even a 2.5L for around 350 bucks. This is what I was considering when I was thinking about going turbo. But anyway, if the body is in good condition, it is worth it, as mentioned above, if you part it out, you'll get more than 400. If you swap a 2.3L turbo or a 5.0 (or a 4.6L) just make sure there is no rust underneath and all the body panels line up without major rubbing (which on the hatch and hood could be the stop bushings out of place, but the doors and fenders should all line up pretty close (except if there is door sag). With a higher powered engine swapped in, if it has no rust, if you clean up the interior and make it look decent underhood etc, you can probably get 4500 for it.

 

i drove a 90 2.3 for the first 3 years i was married. it was my wifes old car. no major problems. got better gas mileage than the 86 GT. id say see if you can talk them down some and go for it. if its just going to be a beater.

 

worth that for the body alone, buy it, and build it up

 

If you do drop a bigger engine in you will have to stiffen the frame up some. The torque will wrench the 4 cyl body really bad. You'll also have to change the rear out from the 7.5 to at least an 8.8, swap wiring harnesses and a whole boat load of other stuff if you want to do it right. I would go for a 2.3 liter turbo. I believe from what I hear that they are easier to swap into and I'm not sure, but I think that the 7.5 rear will hold up with the turbo as long as its mild.

Ask SVOPaul, he would know the details for sure.

 

needs the 8.8 rear, subframes, the gt sway bars, a world class or 93 R T-5 and wiring and a 5.0, a 4.6 is a bit too much involved if you wask me, but it can be done.

 

don't know why everyone says this, it is the same exact body. There was no physical difference in the bodies of the 4 cyl or 8cyl cars.

 

I'll have to agree also. For that price i'd take it. I've had mine for about 6 years as my only car/daily driver and it still runs strong, no complaints...well, other than being slow LOL. The gas mileage makes up for that though imo.

 

you can always add a ranger cam, and injectors etc. I'd say you can get it up to about 150-160 hp with normal mods. Which is decent for a econo-car.