Is modifying V6 mustang worth it or should I trade for V8?

PonyBoy1574 · 08-17-2002

So question for all you out there, I have a V6 and I was thinking about doing mods and I have a list of stuff I want to do but I been talking to people and they suggest not to mod a V6 and trade in to get a V8. I know there will be bias here due to it being a V6 section but was wondering on how all you stand on the issue. I have a 02 and got it in the middle of June. So a trade in would really have to wait. Any advise you all could give would help a great deal in determining what my next step should be or if there should be a next step.

Vortex · 08-17-2002

Modding a V6 is a challenge as due to not as many parts, but if done right they can take some V8's... Id say go with it if you have a 6...
Good places to start would be gears.. cold air intake, and dual exhaust.. that will get you a good power increase for your money... see if you can get a baseline run at a track first then see how much those drop your time..

kscoyote · 08-18-2002

Here's the classic deal - if you invest a lot of money in the six, by the time you catch up to the eight, you could have bought one. SO! The question is, why get the six in the first place?

I put a lot of miles on my car, and the six is more economical - when gas prices were at $2/gallon, my '68 390 Cougar was costing me over $60 per week in gas!! So I got the six . . .

You can make a six run like a eight, but save a bunch in costs like insurance, taxes, and gas. If those costs are no obstacle, go for the eight. If you like sleepers, or having something no one else has go for the six.

My old '68 302 mustang was a giant killer, and I loved the challenge. The six is a similar challenge.

milw96cobra · 08-18-2002

If you want to beat a stock V8, you'll need

- Cold Air Intake
- Pulleys
- True Dual Exhaust
- 3.73 Gears

Then you might hang with a GT V8.

To be a Cobra killer, you'll need some forced induction... hello Vortech.

PonyBoy1574 · 08-19-2002

I know the question on exhaust has been brought up before but just wondering if any one has heard anything about Spintech? They have a system for a V6 with X, Y, and H pipes. It is true dual exhaust from what I can tell. Would the X pipe be the best road to power?

kscoyote · 08-19-2002

As far as bang for the buck, get a Demolet CAI and MAC or some other underdrive pullies first. You should net about 20 hp. the same or slightly more than an exhaust, but for about $100 less.

Duke of Earl · 08-19-2002

Do I hear a 302 swap? Personally, that's where I would go in a couple of years... maybe after I pay it off... I like the inconvince... but if that's not what you're into, I'd trade it in.

IanWhite101 · 08-19-2002

What all do you have to modify to drop in a 302? Do you think it is going to be better than just adding a supercharger? How much do you think it'll run you?

Thanks!!!!!

kscoyote · 08-20-2002

Check out 5.0 Mustang Back Issues . . . It's not as easy as you'd might think . ..

Thurman

Duke of Earl · 08-20-2002

June 2002 of 5.0 has all of the swap info... Right now, that's what I am focused on doing to my Mustang, just make sure it's legal... I bought my motor for $450, $185 shipped... The EEC-IV A9L was $130, wiring was $75... Mounts were about $60, HD clutch $150... the rest didn't run too much more... Everything I needed was on Ebay... The only thing is, it'll take a lot of time if you do it yourself...

carguy65 · 08-21-2002

I had a customer in my shop who was wanting to drop a 302 with a Carb into his 95 or so 3.8 In California there is no way to pass it. Plus it was a 88 block so he could not even use that. I have done a lot of motor swaps from Hondas, Classic Fords, and little roadster. Fuel lines, drive shafts, fuel pumps, wiring, all has to be swapped as well. The other problem is your running a computerized car, if you were to put a 302 carb motor in I do not know how you would get it all to work with out hours of wiring because half yoru car is computer and the front half is from 1970. It is cheaper and better off in the long run to just buy a 5.0 or a 4.6 if your in California you will save a lot of time and money because of the Smog laws here.

kscoyote · 08-21-2002

I don't think he was talking about carburation. But a swap in California is legal as long as the replacement engine is newer or of equal age as the old engine, and all the smog hardware is in place, no?

But to do so equals the cost of purchasing a v8. Unless you have a lot of money tied up in the v6, (stereo, body mods, etc.) and you want the 8, trade it in . ..

T

Ron · 08-21-2002

kscoyote, you are right.... The swap can be done and I have a knew a guy that had it done to his car. Not the most cost effective upgrade around. It cost him a ton of money. There is so much that needs to be upgraded along with the motor, about the only thing he kept on the car was the rear springs. Everything else had to be changed out. You have the six, keep it and enjoy - when you can afford to go with a V-8 go for it.

carguy65 · 08-21-2002

In California you can swap the motor so long as it is from the same year or newer. But my customer really did have a 302 car he wanted to put in it. I had to brake his heart but it would have cost him a lot more later.

PonyBoy1574 · 08-22-2002

Thanks a lot for all the feed back but I was kinf of missunderstood

what I ment to ask is it worth to Mod my V6 or should I trade it in for a V8, not the engin but the whole car, and then start to mod the V8. Doing a engin swap wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Also has anyone heard anything about spintech???

???? I saw and add in FF&MM and don't know where that stands in the world of speed demons