Need some advice.....

[Aris]

I just bought a used 1996 Mustang 3.8L V6 with low miles. I am in love with mustangs; their curves and feel are just perfect. I would have loved a V8 but it took me a long time to find a decent mustang alone and finding a decent V8 would have taken me even longer. I need the power out of my v6 because currently my friend has a 94 camaro V8 that owns me. I was toying with the idea of dropping in a 302ci with GT-40 heads that would give me around 345hp but it would take more than a few months for me to accumulate the cash. If I installed mod after mod this summer would I even have a chance of catching him? Should I drop in a 5.0? If I should keep the V6 can anyone suggest mods that would put me over the top? These are all good questions and I need some advice!

 

[Ernad]

Well, your V6 can compete with your friend's camaro. But for this to happen, you have to invest some money. Supercharging is probably the easiest way but this does require around $3000-4000. Dropping in a V8 would costs maybe a grand or so more, because it's a little more complicated. So if you know that you are going to have money in the future, I suggest just wait and put in a V8.

 

[03silverstang]

Why dont you guys just save up and buy a V8 first off insteand of buying a V6 and having to put ****loads of money into it. By the time you supe up your cars you would probably spend as much as you would if you just baught a V8.

just my 2 cents

 

[Stratus183]

Why dont you guys just save up and buy a V8 first off insteand of buying a V6 and having to put ****loads of money into it. By the time you supe up your cars you would probably spend as much as you would if you just baught a V8.

just my 2 cents

I just like the fact that I can say I beat you in a V6!!
Plus the insurance is cheaper!

 

[SpectorV]

well you really have two choices... it would probably be cheaper to buy a 302 build it up and just swap it on over.

If you want to stay with the v6 you can buy a F150 (stroke it to a 4.2) short block rebuild it and go to www.rpm-mustangs.com and buy heads, cam, and ported intakes for your car along with bolt ons, expect the heads and intake with cam to run 2000~ maybe less you can send in the old parts and get your core fees back, also the short block will be 500~ depends of course, and rebuild not really sure but about 300-400 for rebuild and all the gaskets you will need maybe a little more.

with a 4.2 L F-150 bottom end and a balancer and flywheel to work with your car (the F-150 is neutral balance just have to get a pulley and flywheel and your good) with rpm's heads up and a cam the total cost should be around 3000-4000~ Power wise you will be around 260rwhp-280rwhp and same tq~ capable of running 12s with a manual and rear end gears and sticky tires.

with the 5.0 buy a motor for around 700 - 1000 (who knows) bucks complete if you have a 94-95 you wont need a new K member, 96 up you will need a new K member also you will need a wireing harness and computer and bellhousing and new clutch with cable and all that since the v6's are 11 inch clutches and the v8s are 10.5 inch clutches ( in the 5.0L's ) also price a set of GOOD heads and GOOD upper and lower intakes. that should run around 1500 for the heads~ and around 1200 for intakes, cam will be 200 or less~ and another rebuild price with gaskets. this is keeping the stock internals if you want to upgrade them expect another 300 for pistons and 300 for rods maybe more~

the 302 should be around 300rwhp and 300rwtq with out issue as long as you got good parts.

if you just buy a motor rebuild it and put it on you will put down 190rwhp and 255rwtq~ something like that and be in the high 14s not bad you can stick on heads and intakes and cam later on and really boost it up along with bolt ons.

either way is expensive and not super easy.

if you keep the 3.8 and dont stroke it and just buy heads, cam, intake adn bolt ons for it from whom ever you should see about 260hp and 250tq (not at the wheels at the motor) in a manual tranny (as all estimates are assumed to be with a manual tranny take away about 12% hp and tq with auto)