A Ford Mustang must have a V8? No…not the case. Look, we get it, V8s make everything that much better, but there are alternative engine options that can make as much power as eight pots and can serve a better mill for some alternative uses. Look at what Ford is selling today: the 2.3L turbocharged EcoBoost, good for 310 horsepower. Not bad. But Ford has played with a turbocharged four-banger before, at the beginning of the Fox platform’s time. You might think of the SVO Mustang, and that’s not a bad car to remember, but even before SVO there were turbocharged Mustangs. Slapping a small turbocharger onto the 2.3L turned the base engine into what was, for several years, the sole performance engine option for the car. (Please, tell me that the 4.2L V8 was a “performance option”. I’d love to hear that train of thought.)
So here’s what we’ve got: a 1983 GT Turbo, with a five-speed, whole and complete for just under $2,500. Work the deal a bit and you can ditch the wheels on it for late 1980s GT turbine-style wheels. Do some clean up work and basic restoration and start hunting for a build setup for the 2.3 that should put you in the mid-300s easily and up to 450 horsepower if you’re feeling froggy. Don’t look at this Mustang as a drag strip hero…think of it either as a road racer or the ultimate daily driver.
Craigslist Link: 1983 Ford Mustang GT Turbo
I had an 83 GT Turbo in 88-89 bought with over 100k in it. It was a fun car good looks good mileage and respectable power. I could usually beat 305 third gen Camaro’s stoplight to stop light ( prob the 5 speed over their autos since it was lower powered) wish I would have kept it and been able to ecoboost swap it. I held on to it for years after I quit driving it until my parents said sell it or we will we want our garage back. Interesting note the 83 model is super low production only 556!!! were built. 84 was close to 1500. I still see the car some years st the Mid American Shelby meet in Tulsa. Someone buy it get the TRX’s for it swap to a modern Eco and go hunting you will surprise a LOT of street cars .
This car with the new ecoboost 4cyl would be pretty damn cool!