5.0 owner needs v6 info

[warlockpain]

just an idea,but my wife's father just gave her a 73 fiat spyder convertible and of course the 4 banger just won't get it.
my thought is to swap in a 3.8(maybe supercharged)
i need info on: best years for engines,differences(internal) between supercharged and non supercharged,best automatic trans to use,reliability issues with the 3.8,etc. thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[GREENBIOCH]

If your gonna supercharge it, you should try to get a Supercoupe motor from a 89-93 Tbird. 3.8L roots style blower. Would only cost you 1000 or 2 for the engine, clean it up and have ~300 HP. The bottom end is beffier in the Tbirds even if you decided on a non-SC supercoupe engine.

If you get a 94 to 98 engine you will have to build a stronger bottom end as it is weak in our cars, I suspect the 99+ would need some strengthening as well. Unless you keep boost low like under 9psi.

I can't help you much with auto trannies??

So to some it up 89-93 Tbird motor =Strong bottom end, 94+ build a stronger bottom end.

These engines are reliable as long as you take care of them. the 94/95 had some head gasket issues so make sure to deal with that if you get one of those years.

 

[Enzora]

The 94-95 head gasket problems are the only widespread issues the 3.8s have had as far as I know.

 

[98CobraClone]

the headgasket wouldn't be an issue as long as he rebuilds the engine prior to placing it in the new car. It wasn't an engine flaw, just a gasket......simple fix