I have a buddy looking for a SN95 Mustang. Wanted a 5.0 but a TON of 3.8 V6 are popping up cheap. Hit the pull a part this past weekend, and the JY is full of them. Kinda scared me. What say the collective on the 3.8 in a mustang? Avoid like the plague, or OK to beat on for cheap?
I havent had a ton of experience with the ford 3.8 from that timeframe, but I did have one in a 96 t-bird and a girl I knew long ago had a mustang with the 3.8. If you hate power and coolness, then you will love this motor. They seem to be pretty tough, but by no means would I base a performace car off one, unless I had a ton of cash to sink into it.
Absolutely, positively, not a SINGLE reason to buy one.
Worthless cars. Much better options are available fort the same money.
I'll be dissenting vote.
Swap in a 4.2 with a blower, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.
Buying a V6 Mustang over a V8 is like hiring a discount hooker with only one boob. The other boob will be missed.
Javelin wrote: Absolutely, positively, not a SINGLE reason to buy one.
Except they are cheap and you can make mad powa with a cheap chinese ebay tubro kit? 
Difference is more than just the engine.
Rear end is 7.5" vs the 8.8, open diff, on years after '95 the manual transmission is different (GTs/Cobras went to the T45, then the 3650 in '01; V6s soldiered on with with the T5 through 2010). Single exhaust vs true duals (and different brake and fuel line routing because of it), no factory fog lights, and smaller/narrower stock wheels.
If you insist on getting one, '99 and newer make another 40hp over the '98 and earlier versions (though I find the '94-'98s to have a much more aesthetically appealing bodystyle).
The only reason I could see to get one is the lighter overall weight and slightly better weight balance, but if that's a concern I think there's a number of better options than a Mustang.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll be dissenting vote. Swap in a 4.2 with a blower, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.
There are guys with twin turbo 3.8s. One or two of them might even be fast. The 4.6 is a better starting point every time though.
In addition to the the above, I can say from many miles of experience, that the GTs handle better than the V6 cars despite the weight.
I had an 83 3.8L Mustang convertable. I would love to have it back... so I could drop a HO 302 in it....
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll be dissenting vote. Swap in a 460 under the flat hood with quiet exhaust, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.
fify
novaderrik wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll be dissenting vote. Swap in a 460 under the flat hood with quiet exhaust, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.fify
We're swapping one in the LTD at the moment - smaller than I expected... I could see that.
Ford 3.8 V6s have a reputation for popping head gaskets. They have no power, and don't even sound pleasing when you're running them up to their 5,000 RPM redline. Just buy a GT.
tuna55 wrote:novaderrik wrote:We're swapping one in the LTD at the moment - smaller than I expected... I could see that.92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll be dissenting vote. Swap in a 460 under the flat hood with quiet exhaust, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.fify
i think the external dimensions are right about the same as a SOHC 4.6 and smaller than a DOHC 4.6.. a little heavier, but it's easy to shed weight on those cars..
novaderrik wrote:tuna55 wrote:i think the external dimensions are right about the same as a SOHC 4.6 and smaller than a DOHC 4.6.. a little heavier, but it's easy to shed weight on those cars..novaderrik wrote:We're swapping one in the LTD at the moment - smaller than I expected... I could see that.92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll be dissenting vote. Swap in a 460 under the flat hood with quiet exhaust, troll the hell out of the 4.6 guys.fify
We shed something like 35 lb on the intake alone. Heads and headers would probably save 100 between the four pieces.
Thanks for the tips guys.. I figured there was a reason..
HiTempguy wrote:Javelin wrote: Absolutely, positively, not a SINGLE reason to buy one.Except they are cheap and you can make mad powa with a cheap chinese ebay tubro kit?
V8's are often the same price and make more power dime to the dollar. Also 3.8's spit out head gaskets like rednecks spit out chew, so the boost thing won't help.
I laffed a lot at the responses in this thread so far! 
I'd buy one if it was free
Raze wrote: I'd buy one if it was free
You're price is too generous! I'd have to get PAID to take one. 
Looks like the 4.2 swap runs about $1500. Lots of people boosting those on top...
This was interesting.
http://www.v6power.net/dyno/
I'm not saying a V6 SN95 is a good car... but if it was cheap enough, i'd absolutely mess with one. I bet a turbo 4.2 SN95 is a riot.
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
It pales compared to a turbo 5.0 SN95 though, and that's always the catch. Anything you can possibly do to any of the V-6's can be done to the V-8's for cheaper and result in more power gains, period.
Javelin wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: It pales compared to a turbo 5.0 SN95 though, and that's always the catch. Anything you can possibly do to any of the V-6's can be done to the V-8's for cheaper and result in more power gains, period.
Yeah that's fine... but clearly the OP isn't considering a 3.8 because cheap 5.0s are falling out of the sky everywhere around him.
I've never seen a 5.0 SN95 worth buying in my area for less than $3k. (If i even see them) I can pick up 3.8s all day for under $2k.
But you're right... it does pale in comparison. Right up until you split the 302 in half.
Something about the SN95 3.8's that the 5.0 lacks is what I'd consider "modern" engine controls; EDIS vs. a distributor with multiple hall effect sensors that aren't highly reliable, and no air pump. I would imagine the 3.8 is easier to service as well.
An interesting swap might be combining a cheap 3.8 Mustang and a wrecked but otherwise excellent SuperCoupe for the blower 3.8 in those cars. And then a couple phone calls for serious suspension improvements, a bunch of frame stiffening parts, a rear axle swap, and the car might actually be pretty decent...
In reply to pres589:
Que? As far as I know, the 3.8 had a dizzy through at least 95. In 96 the SN95 GT went 4.6, which has all that fancy electronic stuff, anyways. So apples-to-apples here, the V6 still doesn't measure up...
You'll need to log in to post.
