87 CSX #348 - restoMOD

[moparjon2007]

So I've decided to start a thread on my car, mostly to help me keep track of where I am with the build. And to let you guys help with advice and stuff if I'm doing anything wrong (kind of what this thread is for, right?)

Right now, the car has 192k miles on it and the rings or lands have stopped working properly and under boost pumps oil out the PCV, cap and dipstick. BOO!

Haven't begun yet but right now I have a 2.5 turbo CB bottom to go with my 1 year old 287? head and Garrett T2 turbo. While the car has this many miles on it i found a 523 3.85 trans, shifter and cables for the car and a FWD T2/T3 clutchset to go into the car.
I also have a 3bar map, chipped LM and Innovate wideband for the car. My hopes for the car FOR NOW are to leave the stock sidemount in the car and have a stock looking car that is still quite fun to drive.
Will the 523 shifter bolt into the stock 87 location or will I need to drill new holes in the shifter body?
Will the axles for the stock 520 trans and 87 hubs silde right into the 523 or will I need hybrid axles? (I rather ask now then find out then)

[135sohc]

Axles are the same.

[cordes]

What's wrong with the 520 in the car? I would rather stick with the 3.50FD 520 if it were me.

[moparman76_69]

^ What this guy said

P-bodys don't need the grunt like heavier cars do.

[moparjon2007]

Nothing is wrong per se with the 520, just that its got the same mileage on it and the 523 was quite cheap, and the tag on the 523 says 3.50 but was told that "all 91 523s are 3.85 even if tagged 3.50". That and I never have been told that too much grunt is a bad thing, I mean if I run out of gear at 120/130mph so be it... LOL

[moparman76_69]

I've never heard that about 91 523s. I'd pull the diff cover and count the teeth.

[135sohc]

3.50 final drive 523's were made in 90 and 91.

[moparjon2007]

Good to know, so now I got a 523 that should hold up better than the 520 without the trans plate added to it. Wasn't the whole reason the 87 CSX was torque limited was the 520?

[minigts]

My 89 CSX has a 555 with a 3.85FD. :$

[cordes]

Good to know, so now I got a 523 that should hold up better than the 520 without the trans plate added to it. Wasn't the whole reason the 87 CSX was torque limited was the 520?

Perhaps. Chrysler never ran more boost through the TII cars than what Shelby did. He didn't make more power when he had the 555s in the 89' CSX either. Of course that was probably a turbo limitation.

[moparjon2007]

My 89 CSX has a 555 with a 3.85FD. :$

Well ok then, it must be a Jon thing to stuff a 3.85FD in a CSX

[minigts]

Well ok then, it must be a Jon thing to stuff a 3.85FD in a CSX

Well mine is an 89, so maybe yours was a swap or something? I don't know what came in the 89 CSX originally, hoping it is the original trans considering it's not the original head, possibly not the original motor.

[135sohc]

89 csx had 555.

[cordes]

89 csx had 555.

That's correct. The 89' cars received the true TII setups because they pulled everything from the TII Daytona pile. That's why it has a TII motor, 555 trans, TII airbox etc. I believe they just modified the SMEC harness for the SBEC.

[moparjon2007]

Well mine is an 89, so maybe yours was a swap or something? I don't know what came in the 89 CSX originally, hoping it is the original trans considering it's not the original head, possibly not the original motor.

Yes the trans will be a swap, I have the original 520 in the car right now. But the 523 will be going in with the shortblock. I guess that's what I get for putting 18ish psi through the motor with that many miles on it.

[moparjon2007]

WooHoo! For those of you that I'm friends with have seen the pics on FaceBook but,

The car now has: a 2.5 CB bottom end w/T3 pan
Turbo II top end, Roller cam,
Garrett T2 turbo with adj. big can wastegate and adj arm and 2.5" swingvalve
3" downpipe, FWD T2/T3 clutch on a 523 trans,

Just need to install the Innovate Wideband, Innovate Boost gauge, and BoostButton 4play (oh, and cal for the 2.5 and 3bar)

But other than that, it's coming along quite nicely and should be plenty ready and shaken down for SDAC this year

[BadAssPerformance]

Cool, sounds like good progress!

[moparjon2007]

Yes, yes it is. Got the car home today. Runs and sounds quite good.
Now I just need to install the wideband and boost gauge, 3 bar MAP and cal.

Holy cow are the poly bushings and 2.5 (balance shafts removed) buzzy at idle!

[supercrackerbox]

Yes, yes it is. Got the car home today. Runs and sounds quite good.
Now I just need to install the wideband and boost gauge, 3 bar MAP and cal.

Holy cow are the poly bushings and 2.5 (balance shafts removed) buzzy at idle!

You get used to it. But FWIW, I noticed no difference when I put a rebuilt 2.5 without balance shafts into my Daytona, compared to the original one with the balance shafts.

[moparjon2007]

So it's more the poly mounts than the balance shafts... I hope the ride is better on the freeway than at idle or this is going to be one rough ride to SDAC