Yeah the block and heads are the same but the turbo runs right into the manifold on top of the motor. Hence the term hot air.
The 86 and 87 motors were intercooled and set up with the turbo on the passengers side blowing into an intercooler and then into the manifold.
Hot airs have a fan belt, intercooled motors use electric fans and so on.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the info.
Now in theory my plan is to intercool the engine and have the engine shop fabricate a flange on the intake so I could move the turbo forward. I already changed my radiator to a griffin and got a ford taurus electric fan to replace the clutch fan.
Now wouldn't this be like having an 86-87 engine? Unless the intake is to restrictive like you say.
Did you say I can or cant use an 86-86 intake on this motor?