2002 V6 to V8 swap

[Malsamfan211]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me everything I needed to swap a 3.8 V6 to a 4.6 V8. I can get an engine with a 5spd, and all the wiring. Just need to know what I all need suspension wise.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[kevinspann]

The only thing you would really need is an 8.8 rearend from an 99-04 GT/Mach 1/bullit.

If you want it to be a full GT conversion, you could get GT springs/shocks&struts/swaybars.

This wouldnt be a bad move, but if you were going to do anything, get the Bullit spring/shocks&struts/swaybar combo.

The brakes are the same between GTs and V6s

 

[Malsamfan211]

I'm almost positive that the rearend will withstand the normal daily driving, it's nothing for any real highend torque.

 

[fobra559]

The brakes are the same between GTs and V6s

That's sad

 

[thewrongguy]

That's sad

I just see that as the 3.8 having more brake then it'll need.

The stock brakes on old fox mustangs were a crime, hey lets build a car that can put down 13 second quarter miles (with some work) and put on brakes that were worse then those on a vw bug.

 

['66 coupe]

What year is the engine? If it's a non-PI 4.6 I wouldn't even bother with the swap. There are enough '96-'98 GT's out there that can be had for pennies.

OTOH, I had a friend who swapped the drivetrain from a wrecked low mileage 2000 GT(this was done a while ago) into '94 V6 convertible. It was a clean V6 car, so in the end it was worth it.

Also, the brakes are the same, but no one has mentioned that depending on the year of the V6 car, you will need the brake booster and MC from the 4.6 car in order to have room for the wider engine.
You definately want brakes from at least a '99+ GT; Mach/Cobra calipers would be better. '94-'98 V6/GT calipers = .

 

[Malsamfan211]

Thank you all for the input. Sadly I will not be able to do the swap. The bank would only give me half of what the cars worth in a loan, because it has a salvaged title.

 

[fobra559]

I just see that as the 3.8 having more brake then it'll need.

That's a good thing on my sixer but on my GT, it's not so good

 

['66 coupe]

That's a good thing on my sixer but on my GT, it's not so good

Try driving a '95-'98 and you'll appreciate the '99+ brakes A LOT more. I went from an '01 V6 to my '95 GT 'vert. Compared to the '01, the '95 feels more like my old '66 with it's 4-wheel drums.

 

[fobra559]

Try driving a '95-'98 and you'll appreciate the '99+ brakes A LOT more. I went from an '01 V6 to my '95 GT 'vert. Compared to the '01, the '95 feels more like my old '66 with it's 4-wheel drums.

Speaking of the 95' My buddy just got one this past weekend(a GT) and we went for a ride and yeah the brakes were not quite up to par with the newer models. So I see where your coming from.

 

[fiveohwblow]

I would have had no idea since my 98 sixer stopped just as well as my dads 99GT... Strange. What were the exact differences?

 

['66 coupe]

I would have had no idea since my 98 sixer stopped just as well as my dads 99GT... Strange. What were the exact differences?

Look at the size of the block and heads on the GT compared to the V6. That's A LOT of weight.

This should be everything you need to know.
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/2009.shtml

 

[fiveohwblow]

Look at the size of the block and heads on the GT compared to the V6. That's A LOT of weight.

This should be everything you need to know.
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/2009.shtml

Awesome! Thanks for the info!