The Ford Pinto has a bad reputation mainly due to a scandal in the 1970s regarding the fuel tank exploding during a rear-end crash. Today, the lack of enthusiasm for them makes these models a cheap starting point for building attractive hot rods. The one in this video packs a turbocharged LS V8 under the hood.
According to the maker, he is only the third owner of this Pinto Wagon. The blue paint is original, but the reddish undertone comes through in spots. He believed that the odometer was accurate showing more than 26,000 miles.
The turbocharged LS V8 from General Motors fits perfectly into the engine bay. That’s not really surprising since the original powertrain options include a couple of factory four-cylinders and a 2.8-liter Ford Cologne V6.
While the exterior looks worn out, the interior is quite nice. The seats and dashboard now have diamond-shaped quilting. The carpet is original. At the rear, the spare tire area now houses the battery.
The big turbocharged V8 has no problem moving the Pinto. The current track includes just five pounds of boost and a rich fuel mix to limit power. However, a blip throttle can easily spin the tires.
When driven normally, the modified Pinto looks like a fine cruiser. It runs on 91 octane pump fuel, and builders can easily tune the engine to make more power by changing the turbo boost, engine timing, and fuel mixture. Plus, being a two-door carriage, there’s plenty of room to transport passengers or equipment.
The video also features Pinto in a lift to reveal the undercarraige. The car now has four-wheel disc brakes and a modified fuel tank. The transmission cooler is under the rear seat. It needed some adjustments as the rear end housing bent under hard acceleration causing it to hit the floorboards.
