So what is the cheapest way to convert a 2002 3.8 to a 4.2? is there interchangable parts that can go into my mustang? can you use super coupe pistons? just curious what would be the best/ cheapest way to get a 3.8 to 4.2? oh and how much more hp/ torque can you get out of this on a N/A engine? this should be a fun thread to start!
^What do you mean? The 4.3L stroker would be stronger, it would have forged internals and could be set up for f/i or n/a power and would probably be cheaper than trying to build your own 4.2L.
It is easier to swap in a 4.2/4.3 than taking out the 3.8 and swapping the crank/rods/pistons and then boring out the block.
so your'e saying I should just buy a 4.3 and drop it in? Where could I get an engine like that? are they expensive? I mean more expensive than the rotating set?
No I am not saying it is cheaper, Just easier.
You can buy a 4.2L from an F-150 that will see better gains and be an easier install, that would probably be cheaper than taking building your own 4.2L. You can also buy a completely built 4.3L from SSM that will come fullly built for high power but it is expensive, I believe 6k+.
It is not an easy thing to build an engine though. I think that a lot of people asking how to get a 4.2L have no idea how hard it is. You have to drop the engine out of the car, disassemble the engine completely, put in the new rotating assembly, and then reassemble the engine and then put it back into the car and hope that when you turn the key the car starts back up. I wouldn't be comfortable trying to do that myself but maybe you have a lot more experience with building engines than I do.
Wow... this sounds a little more complicated than I had anticipated.... I'm going to swap out the heads, cam, and upper and lower intake... I just figured I might as well go for the 4.2... I didnt want to go for a 4.3 because then that requires for the block to be bored and that means it would take longer to build and be more expensive... the whole thing seems pretty expensive as it is. What do you guys think I should do now that you guys know the whole story? Thanks for all the feedback guys!
And I just figured it wouldn't make sense to do it after I do all that work. But thats why I just wanted to get the cheapest 4.2 set. Would it even be worth all the work? What Kind of gains would I be able to get from this? any ideas?
While it is involved, its by no means extremely difficult. Have you ever rebuilt an engine? As long as you match the correct parts together, and have a reputable shop do the machine work/balancing on the block, you can save yourself quite a bit of money, not to mention the pride and feeling you will have that YOU built your engine.
If anything (shiner, correct me here if I'm way off), all you need is the 4.2 crank, along with the correct length rods, and you might as well do a .020 or .030 over piston not only to clean up the cylinder walls, but to get you maybe an extra cube or 2.
For gains, if you just do the bottom end without H/C/I, you will probably only gain torque, and a little bit of HP, but if you do the rest of the swap, depending on how extreme you go you could go from 225-300+ HP (flywheel).
Six grand is a big chuck of change, for me, that would buy my 351W stroker kit for my fox, the heads, the intake, cam, and probably pay for the machine work, and I plan to build a 400-450 HP motor. Not to say SSM doesn't do good work, but thats a lot of money for what you get.
__________________
Jesse Berger 90 LX, Previous 4 cyl. (Decommissioned, 351W on the way)
H/C/I+Bolt Ons
Best ET: 12.54@106 mph 2001 V6 5 Speed Daily Driver Windstar Intake, Dual Exhuast, CAI, Headers
Best ET: 15.6@88 mph (stock trim)
While it is involved, its by no means extremely difficult. Have you ever rebuilt an engine? As long as you match the correct parts together, and have a reputable shop do the machine work/balancing on the block, you can save yourself quite a bit of money, not to mention the pride and feeling you will have that YOU built your engine.
If anything (shiner, correct me here if I'm way off), all you need is the 4.2 crank, along with the correct length rods, and you might as well do a .020 or .030 over piston not only to clean up the cylinder walls, but to get you maybe an extra cube or 2.
For gains, if you just do the bottom end without H/C/I, you will probably only gain torque, and a little bit of HP, but if you do the rest of the swap, depending on how extreme you go you could go from 225-300+ HP (flywheel).
Six grand is a big chuck of change, for me, that would buy my 351W stroker kit for my fox, the heads, the intake, cam, and probably pay for the machine work, and I plan to build a 400-450 HP motor. Not to say SSM doesn't do good work, but thats a lot of money for what you get.
Correct Stalker...... 4.2's are 3.8 blocks bored and stroked...... A properly built 4.2 for SSX is about 7k all said and done. My Son has one from them, and it is working out rather well under 15# of boost. It will handle just about everything you throw at it.
To do it cheaper, you can just get a build block from them for about 3k, and add your accessories on it until you get the funds for the H/C/I.......
While it is involved, its by no means extremely difficult. Have you ever rebuilt an engine? As long as you match the correct parts together, and have a reputable shop do the machine work/balancing on the block, you can save yourself quite a bit of money, not to mention the pride and feeling you will have that YOU built your engine.
If anything (shiner, correct me here if I'm way off), all you need is the 4.2 crank, along with the correct length rods, and you might as well do a .020 or .030 over piston not only to clean up the cylinder walls, but to get you maybe an extra cube or 2.
For gains, if you just do the bottom end without H/C/I, you will probably only gain torque, and a little bit of HP, but if you do the rest of the swap, depending on how extreme you go you could go from 225-300+ HP (flywheel).
Six grand is a big chuck of change, for me, that would buy my 351W stroker kit for my fox, the heads, the intake, cam, and probably pay for the machine work, and I plan to build a 400-450 HP motor. Not to say SSM doesn't do good work, but thats a lot of money for what you get.
Correct Stalker...... 4.2's are 3.8 blocks bored and stroked...... A properly built 4.2 for SSX is about 7k all said and done. My Son has one from them, and it is working out rather well under 15# of boost. It will handle just about everything you throw at it.
To do it cheaper, you can just get a built block from them for about 3k, and add your accessories on it until you get the funds for the H/C/I.......
You need a 410 stroker Stalker? Gearhead has one for sale.......
You need a 410 stroker Stalker? Gearhead has one for sale.......
Oh I need a lot of things...but anyways...I plan to go just a little bit bigger, and I'm very eager and excited to be building myself another motor it deserves so much more than a 300 HP 302.
__________________
Jesse Berger 90 LX, Previous 4 cyl. (Decommissioned, 351W on the way)
H/C/I+Bolt Ons
Best ET: 12.54@106 mph 2001 V6 5 Speed Daily Driver Windstar Intake, Dual Exhuast, CAI, Headers
Best ET: 15.6@88 mph (stock trim)
I think that the OP would be happy with a h/c/i package from SSM. That would be around 280hp give or take some depending on bolt-ons, tune, and cam. That would make for an extremely fun car for most. Then you could start looking into internals and f/i for the big power.
Cheapest way to convert 3.8 to 4.2 
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it deserves so much more than a 300 HP 302.
