v6 swap to v8

[Rusty67]

Let me start this by saying that I did use the search feature but the swaps I saw were v8 to v8 like non-PI to PI or 2v to 4v.

Ok, so I've got very close to 100,000 miles on my v6 and the rings are definately done. If I'm pulling the v6 out, another v6 is NOT going in. I don't want to do anything stupid/crazy. Basically I just want to get a 2000 or newer 2v 4.6 and put it in my daily driver. Reliability is key here. I have a project car already and I don't need another one, I just want to replace a dying motor with a good, reliable one that actually has some juice.

Info on my car:
2000 Mustang v6
Auto trans
Fully rebuilt 8.8 rear end w/ posi
Minor suspension upgrades
I am in California and I want to keep this smog legal

What I really need to know is, what the heck do I need ? Obviously I need the engine (duh)/wiring/ECU. Does anyone know if the v6/v8 auto trans are the same or not ? I have heard people claim it both ways and never have had a definative answer.

Do they use the same fuel pumps ? Will I need to switch to hydroboost or is the vaccume booster setup ok ? Any other bits of advice, snafus, caviets, ect. to worry about ?

Oh and of course... the most important thing... how many cases of beer will I need ?

 

[04YELLOWGT]

You will need a different fuel pump they are not the same. I think the auto is the same. I looked into doing this myself and the money you will spend to do this you could buy a GT. Thats what every one told me and I looked up prices for every thing. Ill try and find the list and post it up.

One more thing to look at is resale vaule. When you go to sell it, it will only be worth what a V6 is worth or less sometimes.

 

[Rusty67]

One more thing to look at is resale vaule. When you go to sell it, it will only be worth what a V6 is worth or less sometimes.

I could care less about resale value. I've got some work into this car and don't care to swap all these parts out into another Mustang. Also, I don't really plan on ever selling the car. We don't tend to sell our cars in this family

 

[the98stang]

Your v6 tranny won't work with a 4.6L engine. You will also need all of the v8 acessories (AC unit, PS, altinator, master cylidner, etc). None of the v6 acessories will work on the 4.6 . Your going to need GT PCM, wiring harness etc. GT fuel pump, fuel rails, injectors, entire fuel system. Basically you'll need everything in a GT engine bay plus more lol. Not worth it IMO. Have fun!

 

[04YELLOWGT]

I could care less about resale value. I've got some work into this car and don't care to swap all these parts out into another Mustang. Also, I don't really plan on ever selling the car. We don't tend to sell our cars in this family

Work such as what? Most parts on a V6 wont work with a GT anyway. The only thing that would swap over to a new car would be bodykit, audio, interior, or rims.

 

[007]

Not worth it. Buy a cheap 99+ GT or Cobra - youll get more for your money than trying to fix up the v6. Especially as you have auto (like myself). Buy a 5 speed.

 

[Rusty67]

Not to mention all the suspension stuff and brake upgrades I've got. Its not that costly for me to get a reasonably low milage motor with the wiring and ECU. and what not still attached.

Please don't sit here and tell me that I shouldn't do this because that doesn't help anyone learn anything. What I want to know is simply what I actually need from the v8 donor.

So far its the fuel pump, engine, wiring, ecu and a new trans. Anything else ?

 

[04YELLOWGT]

Not to mention all the suspension stuff and brake upgrades I've got. Its not that costly for me to get a reasonably low milage motor with the wiring and ECU. and what not still attached.

Please don't sit here and tell me that I shouldn't do this because that doesn't help anyone learn anything. What I want to know is simply what I actually need from the v8 donor.

So far its the fuel pump, engine, wiring, ecu and a new trans. Anything else ?

You're asking us for our advice and we're trying to help you save some money here. Just becuase you have brake and suspension upgrades dosent mean its still worth doing. Its the money and labor doesnt make it worth doing. If it was so easy and cheap to do dont you think everyone would be doing this instead of spending the extra money for the GT and paying the extra insurance? There are maybe only a hand full of guys that have done this swap here and most if not all knew how to do this and knew exactly what they needed.

With that said you would also need a new exhaust of course and hangers for the exhaust, also new motor and transmission mounts, a new driveshaft will be needed I think since you will have a different transmission, and a GT bumper or you will have to modify your exhaust or stock bumper.

 

[Saleen311]

trade it in. the monthly payments arent that bad. thats what i did. make sure its a stang you will be happy with.

 

[Rusty67]

I've already got a GT rear bumper on my car and my friend owns an exhaust shop so I am basically going to only pay for parts on the exhaust system, he is going to do the labor for free. As far as the rest of the labor goes, I'll do it all myself.

I've also got a spare GT driveshaft for a manual trans and since I need a new trans anyways, I'll convert to stick.... why the hell stay with an auto ? Obviously if I do that I'll need pedals and a clutch cable but those aren't too hard to come by for late models.

I'm asking for adivce on how to DO A SWAP, not advice on the fiscal feasability of this project vs another way of doing this.

 

[Craiger77]

How about buying a good Gt and then swapping over the V6's parts you want to keep. Use the GT parts to complete the v6 and sell it afterwards.

I have to say, swapping brakes and suspension stuff has to be easier than swapping motors and tranny's.

I understand you want advice on HOW to do the swap, but I doubt your going to get it because nobody is doing it. GT's are so relatively cheap and plentiful there is barely a demand for v6 to v8 swaps.

 

[04YELLOWGT]

You act lik doing this swap is going to be a walk in the park but I have news for you, its not. The time, enerygy and money youll have into it just does not make this worth while. You say your going to do it yourself but you're asking us how to do the swap, well this isnt something you do by going off the info you got from some forum. You need to know your sh** and have a plan already setup and be prepared to put in ALOT of time and money into this.

Why are you so dead set on doing this? Your only excuse is you have alot of money in suspension and brake upgrades. Well Im gonna tell you right now its a hell of alot easier and cheaper to swap over some mods on to a GT than it is to swap a V8 into a V6. Then when you go to sell your V6 it would still have GT brakes and suspension on it.

 

[Mike97gt]

Ok the guy is asking how to do the swap maybe we should let him make up his own mind after he prices stuff out..

You best bet would be to find a wrecked 99+ gt and swap all of the drivetrain and cradle into the v6 car.. if you do this take lots of pictures of how the wirring is routed and all the hoses and lines and such. I have been involved in a few 4cyl to 5.0 swaps plus I did a few regular regal to turbo buick swaps and those pictures come in handy when you are installing the harness..

 

[Rusty67]

Why are you guys so affraid of doing this ? I know how to spin wrenches. I've already yanked and installed serveral motors in several different cars. This isn't something I don't know how to do. All I need to know is WHAT PARTS I NEED. I can get a 2001 GT motor complete with the accessory drive and what not for like 1800 bux and the wiring and ECU for a little bit more. Where am I gonna get a GT for less then 5000 ? Stop being so damn negative. If you don't have the information that I need then don't post anything.

Are you all too scared to play with the driveline or something ? It seems like everyone is affraid to do this. I still see doing it this way as the cheaper option for me.

 

[Rusty67]

Thank you SVTtech. I've been looking for a wrecked GT around here but havn't found one lately. As far as I know, none of the chasis parts need to be changed to swap from a 3.8 to a 4.6, is this correct ?

 

[Mike97gt]

Thank you SVTtech. I've been looking for a wrecked GT around here but havn't found one lately. As far as I know, none of the chasis parts need to be changed to swap from a 3.8 to a 4.6, is this correct ?

only the k-member, as far as i know. I would use a aftermarket one since you are swaping it out and who knows how good the stock k would be out of a wrecked car. Since you swapped to a 8.8 are you using the quad shock rear setup

 

[Rusty67]

I do currently have the quad shocks in there yes. An aftermarket the k-member isn't that hard to change out once the engine is out I would imagine. Are you sure that the k-member is different ? I suppose a trip to the Ford parts dealership would tell me for sure.

 

[RedDaemon]

trust him

curious though, why not try to get a cobra engine? i dont necessarilly mean 03-04 either

 

[Rusty67]

I don't want a cobra engine because everyone charges a premium for them. I'm really looking to do this in a very affordable mannor. I've kind of got a budget set for this project and it looks like I'm going to be able to meet it if I stick with a standard GT engine. It would be nice to get a Bullitt intake manifold but I don't think that is gonna happen any time soon.

I may buy an aftermarket K-member anyways because it improves all the steering linkage geometry and lightens up the front end thus improving wieght ballance. Any comments about stuff made by QA1 Motorsports ?

 

[RedDaemon]

a bullitt intake will run you over a grand in top condition in most places