The 300 hp V6.

What do we know about them. They are prevalent in almost every sedan built and Chrysler is nice enough to offer them in a RWD platform. 

I'm still scratching my head about repowering the Abomination. Turbo 4, LS, 300hp V6? 

All the new V6s are aluminum and I assume fairly light weight, and hitting the 300hp mark NA. Gobs of torque are also available from under 2K rpms all the way up to 6K+. No waiting on the turbo to spool, just instant go. The shorter packaging of a V6 would make it much easier to get behind the front axle as well. The lack of turbo and intercooler plumbing would be nice as well and save some weight. 

So, why wouldn't I consider using one. Are there any manual transmission options. 

I'm even having thoughts about a manual shifted 5 speed automatic, which happens to be available in the Challenger. 

IDK for sure, but ford's gotta have an option to row-your-own behind a 6 banger in the mustang...right? RIGHT?!?!

In reply to 4cylndrfury :

True.

Camaro and Mustang have offered 300+hp V6 with manual trans for quite a while now. I think the hard part will be engine management and the bulky size of a 4 cam engine. As the oldest of these is at most 10 years, they are still pricey at the junkyard I assume.

But would a 5 speed shift faster than a manual shifted modern automatic. 

And you can then add turbo or turbo's because you have more room in front of the motor 

The biggest issue I have with the new V6's for a swap would be their physical size. Those variable length intakes, wide DOHC heads etc can make a pretty bulky engine. What about GM's newest truck V6, the new LS-based 4.3 V6? 295HP, 305TQ, pushrod engine so it's physically smaller and being an LS all the manual trans will bolt up. 

Toyman01 said:

But would a 5 speed shift faster than a manual shifted modern automatic. 

Probably not but how would you control a new automatic? Does any manufacturer provide controller packs for them? The ZF 8 speed and the Pentastar would be a hoot in a proper sportscar.

My thought would be the mustang's V6 and 6 speed with Megasquirt. Don't know if it's actually feasible with things like variable time and what not since I don't know if the engine has it or not!

Cadillac had the first Gen CTS with a V6 and manual transmission. The Lincoln LS had a duratec V6 and a manual transmission. Not sure what newer 300hp V6s match up with those gearboxes.

Bobcougarzillameister said:

... the new LS-based 4.3 V6? 295HP, 305TQ, pushrod engine so it's physically smaller and being an LS all the manual trans will bolt up. 

I like this idea very, very much...in an S10 with a shortbed and swapped in IRS out back...such evil, despicable, wonderful thoughts...

All I know about them is that I've had a several Dodge Charger rental cars with the V6 and I was thoroughly impressed with not only the engine but the transmission.  Not only is the calibration not annoying, it's darn good.

RossD said:

Toyman01 said:

But would a 5 speed shift faster than a manual shifted modern automatic. 

Probably not but how would you control a new automatic? Does any manufacturer provide controller packs for them? The ZF 8 speed and the Pentastar would be a hoot in a proper sportscar.

The 5 speed automatic in the 2011 Challenger is listed as a manumatic so manual control is already in the programming. I would think controlling a few solenoids would be fairly simple. 

We had multi-page thread on this exact subject a few months ago. All the LS junkies came in and basically told us LS or nothing. And when we said, "okay, what about v6's?" , they beat us over the head about how an LS is better. 

Anyway, the LFX is becoming a popular swap. That'll go in my conquest one day. The new v6 ecotec3 seems promising as well. 

APEowner said:

All I know about them is that I've had a several Dodge Charger rental cars with the V6 and I was thoroughly impressed with not only the engine but the transmission.  Not only is the calibration not annoying, it's darn good.

Yup. The magic of the ZF 8 speed. Drive Charger rentals for work and a Hemi Grand Cherokee/BMW 428 at home, all with ZF8 trans. They are just flat out awesome in all applications (in my experience). 

This thing came with the 250HP V6 from the Intrepid R/T, and got the slushiest 4-speed auto ever created.  Yes, it had a manu-matic function, but it still sucked.  The later versions of this motor with the stick in the RWD Charger were vastly superior.  Make sure you know what you are grabbing!

I like the ecotec3 4.3L Chevy.  285hp (only) with 305 ft-lbs.  Aluminum block and pushrod compactness.  If I went Emod on the MG it would be in the running.

In reply to Toyman01 :

The ~285hp Pentastar in our T&C moves it with authority and is very smooth. I think would be great in anything weighing less than this 2-ton+ beast. 

How would you handle the variable oil pump and stuff on the 4.3? Would you need the oem ecu?

Love the Pentastar in the van. I can imagine that engine minus 1500 lb would be quite amusing. I expect that the Wrangler version came with a manual.

Nissan 350Z?  

I still think packaging in a Spitfire will be tough.  DOHC heads typically exit the exhaust right onto the frame rails. Moving the engine behind the suspension turrets puts the larger transmission even deeper into an already tight interior.

I'm sure it can be done, but the challenge will be in the compromises.

car-part.com has 3.7 Mustang engines for about a grand.  I wonder if it makes more sense to get a whole car that's been damaged in some way, get the bits you want, and sell the rest.  Might be nice to steal a lot of the important wiring and controls from a complete car instead of trying to piece it together.

Would make for a nice Ford Capri re-power; it'd be like a Mustang with worse suspension and brakes and about 1000 pounds dropped off the car.

No more v6 mustangs so crate engines can be had pretty cheap I'd imagine. I've been impressed by the 2.7 ecoboost v6 in the f150. 325 hp for 2018. 

Toyman01 said:

How would you handle the variable oil pump and stuff on the 4.3? Would you need the oem ecu?

 

 

Of course I can't find it now, but I recently (within the last month) saw a video on Facebook of a single seater rock crawler, tube frame buggy, powered with an Ecotec 4.3l, so somebody has figured it out.

In reply to Toyman01 :excuse my ignorance but are they 60 or 90 degree V 6s?  

90 degree V 6 will have second order harmonics plus an imbalanced crank requiring either a split crankpin or a balancing crank.  

60 degree V 6 won't suffer from those issues but will be taller and bulkier.  

The LFX is probably the easy button and most prevalent besides toyota camry v6s but not sure about them making 300hp autcross buddy Ryan who now works at Goodwin Racing just finished his swap into his miata and its very fast

If anyone knows where to find info on the 4.3 I would be grateful. It's the first 'modern' engine I've seen that has the power characteristics that might allow me to keep the rest of the cabover how it is.