Moving up in the world 3.8 to 4.6

[naborneo]

Hey guys this is my first time to this forum, a newbie to the V8's, as of now I own a 96 5-speed 3.8L, I am going to swap in a 4.6L, what I was looking for is as long as I'm going to have this engine out, could someone throw me some idea to what to do with the eninge as far as adding more HP and rebuilding(i.e. pistons, cam, upper & lower intakes, ect....), and if you could give me some web site that had some info on engine upgrades, Thanks alot everyone, I really appreate any help that you can give to a newbie of the 4.6.
-Nate

 

[FordStang]

sell it and buy a GT

 

[naborneo]

why its cheaper to do it this way, and the big selling point and the main reason is insurance cost

 

[Beau]

won't your insurance company find out that you put a v8 into it? then it'll be the same as a GT in terms of cost i would think.

 

[DBMSTNG]

just buy a used 99 GT for $12k. it's just not worth it to swap the engine because you'd need way to many parts. IE new rear axle, computer, possibly a transmission, new exhaust, and probably a bunch of other little things i am forgetting.

 

[naborneo]

just buy a used 99 GT for $12k. it's just not worth it to swap the engine because you'd need way to many parts. IE new rear axle, computer, possibly a transmission, new exhaust, and probably a bunch of other little things i am forgetting.

I picked up my V6 for $3,000 great price for excellent quality car,
I'm adding body kit, g-force trans, ford chip, MAC control arms, short throw shifter, lowering springs, rims, pulley, 8.8 rear end, 3.73 gears, 3-point Strut Tower Brace, Double-cross Sub frame Connectors, 2-point G-Load Brace, Rear Shock Tower Brace, Diamond Headlights & Diamond Corners. Although these are for looks, drive train, and suspension, all that is around $5200, what I still need is Fuel System, Wiring Harness, CPU, Gauges. Which I would pick up from a wrecked GT that i found for $1,700 and I want to rebuild the engine thats in there.

 

[bdcardinal]

youre also gonna need a new tranny, unless you can change the bellhousing. not sure what 5 speed the older 38 specials had, but on some of the newer tremec units it is all one case ie no bellhousing swap.

 

[naborneo]

youre also gonna need a new tranny, unless you can change the bellhousing. not sure what 5 speed the older 38 specials had, but on some of the newer tremec units it is all one case ie no bellhousing swap.

well I'm almost sure that the g-force tranny will work in the 4.6 but I need to call them to make sure

 

[Solid Snake]

What year 4.6 are you putting in? Any which way you slice it, it will turn out far cheaper to just buy a GT. Trust me, I was in the same boat you're in. I tried and tried and tried to find some way to make a 4.6 swap economical, but I just couldn't. You're looking @ around $3-4K just to swap the ENGINE alone! You need to re-wire, re-program, get all the drivetrain components in there, swap the tranny, add the suspension components, etc. That will probably come out to around $5-6K just for those if you go with USED parts.

Also, you will NEED to notify your insurance company of the swap or they will charge you with fraud if they find out. If you EVER take your car to get work done and they see you have a 4.6 instead of a 3.8, your insurance company WILL be notified. If you ever go to get the car inspected and they discover a V8 instead of a V6, your insurance company WILL be notified. We aren't only talking about hefty fines but possible jail time too. Hardly worth it IMO.

If you are dead set on doing the swap and not notifying your insurance, then I really wish you a lot of luck because you WILL need it

 

[naborneo]

What year 4.6 are you putting in? Any which way you slice it, it will turn out far cheaper to just buy a GT. Trust me, I was in the same boat you're in. I tried and tried and tried to find some way to make a 4.6 swap economical, but I just couldn't. You're looking @ around $3-4K just to swap the ENGINE alone! You need to re-wire, re-program, get all the drivetrain components in there, swap the tranny, add the suspension components, etc. That will probably come out to around $5-6K just for those if you go with USED parts.

Also, you will NEED to notify your insurance company of the swap or they will charge you with fraud if they find out. If you EVER take your car to get work done and they see you have a 4.6 instead of a 3.8, your insurance company WILL be notified. If you ever go to get the car inspected and they discover a V8 instead of a V6, your insurance company WILL be notified. We aren't only talking about hefty fines but possible jail time too. Hardly worth it IMO.

If you are dead set on doing the swap and not notifying your insurance, then I really wish you a lot of luck because you WILL need it

Thanks man i appreate the looking out for, but I am pritty well set to do this, I have the car to do from, I have a wrecked GT that I can get the parts from, i have went over any after market parts i'll need, and have a gaurge that will do it for me, if the insurance issue arrizes i'll deal with it, but right now i'm just trying to do as much work on the engine now while its out and easy to work on.