So I spent 2 hours and $1700 at autozone today and keep asking myself is this thing really worth it. $1700 to rebuild the 3.8 and that doesn't include any machine shop work that it may need.(hopefully none)
I know some will ask how I could of spent that much to do a rebuild,but..... let me say that the only thing that I am keeping is the block and heads. EVERYTHING else is getting replaced,crank,cam,pistons,valves,everything. and thats just the internal.Everything external is getting replaced to,plugs,wires,distributor,TPS,ISC,injectors(tbi rebuild)
plus I'm replacing the radiator,power steering pump and lines,the rack and tie rods.
but at this point I gotta think would it of been cheaper to do a V8 swap.
I think, to each their own. I would have done a V8 swap for that kind of money.
The V6 should run well when finished and get decent MPG. Good luck, however you go with it. Pics please.
for 1700 buck you shouldve got a remaned motor, or a 5.0 swap.
for that much you couldve got a whole car for parts and had money left to spare.
yes, you lost your mind.
orig. I had planned on doing the 5.0l swap,but the donor veh. was sold before I came up with the cash.then I got to wondering about all the additional hidden cost's I was gonna run into and the down time.
besides I keep telling myself that this just set's me up for a morrana stroker kit next year or so.I like the idea of it all being oe.hell who knows some day somebody might decide that these things are worth something.
Don't worry, I'm way farther in then that, and I had the parts car motor for the 5.0 swap on top of that. :hick:
I'm thinking I should have just rebuilt the 3.8 right about now.
OK, now its official, you have lost your mind.:rollin::rollin:
I have a 1990 3.8 from a Super Coupe, minus the M-90 blower.
:burnout:
Is that for the motor, or for everything?
If you really wanted to stick with a v6, way back, a magazine did a SC drivetrain swap into a TC. Nice combo.
Dude-You have def lost your mind!!!!
that was for everything. I am replacing almost everything in the engine bay, after the tranny rebuild this will for the most part be a new car. it also goes in for paint in may(hopefully)
of the few sc within a reasonable distance all were gonna more than likely need a rebuild anyway. and who knows I still may do a v8 swap in it in a year or so.but I really like the idea of doing a Morana stroker but that's another day. my reasoning right now is that I can get this all done in a week maybe less(I work 12hrs a day/6 days a week),and it will drop right back in. and be a reliable daily driver again. where to do a proper v8 swap the right way it could take monthes with my work schedule.
Should've gone for 4.2 internals. Who needs an aftermarket stroker when you can go with a factory one?
I don’t’ think you have lost your mind. It’s 1700 bucks, but it’s more than just the motor we are talking about. Most importantly it’s about its worth to you. There are allot of peeps who think our cars are only good for s, on the other hand others like us love them. I will be staring on my 3.8 in the summer. I’m interested in your engine specs. Another thing to look at is your driving. Personally I don’t get on the gas that much, so the v6 has plenty to offer for my driving habits. Also, I’m more impressed with guys able to get power out a v6 than a v8. V8’s are little more easy to get power out of than a v6 ( for the 80’s cars ). Best of luck with your build. And deff post up some pics.
will post photo's once the tear down starts. was supposed to be today,but life happens.
as far as specs it wont be much off of stock.I'll be porting and polishing the heads,but everything else is staying oe. I'm hoping to have the local exhaust shop build me a y pipe and eliminate the cat since emissions no longer effect my car.also will be eliminating the AC
while I have it all tore out,there by freeing up some much needed power.
I put an average of 60 miles a week on it,thats back and forth to work,and some ocasional unwinding cruises.
Removing your A/C won't free up any power. Fords use a WOT cutout relay that shuts the compressor off when you floor the car. It will save a little bit of weight and might (arguably, it's a contentious subject) give you an extra MPG or two. No extra power though...
I built a 3.8 for my 87 Tbird, and it's a lot of fun. Check out my car domain page for pics and part numbers.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/chris1987lx
Send me a P.M. if you have any questions.
The V-8 swap is very popular, but I decided to do something that wasn't really done. I wanted to keep true to my VIN. As for the value of V-6 cars vrs. V-8 cars, the latest figures on the 83-86 Thunderbirds only shows a 300-500 dollar difference in favor of the V-8 powered Birds. With enough people doing motor swaps, I just might end up with a rare car!
Chris
I'm all for keeping a car original, Like said you never know when these cars could be worth something. But since mine won't be close to oringinal anymore, I have no choice but to improve it from what it used to be!
Come to think of it, nothing about my car is close to original either. The suspension and exhaust is way different than stock, but the engine is still the V-6-modified though.
Chris
You need to shop around more at minimum. AZ is a rip for most engine rebuilding stuff. I got file-fit rings from online for $50 when AZ wanted $100 minimum. Also, make them order the stuff you want. They always stock the expensive replacement stuff hoping that your right now need will outweigh an additional $20. The employees are lazy and push for you to get the in stocked stuff and get the hell out. (I know, I used to work there)
When I rebuilt my 302 HO I spent a little less than $400 and that included a new crank, timing set, rings etc. Most came from AZ, some from O Reilly's (crank), the rest online. I tossed on a set of slightly used eBay heads (World Windsor Jr.) a TFS1 Cam, new lifters, Roller rockers, and a secondhand Edelbrock Performer intake clone for grand total less than $1000.00. The new engine really hauls ass compared to the SO. I keep hoping to grenade my 7.5".
Rich mustang guys are always aching to sell their performance parts so they can buy new ones. I would have sold you my entire Supercoupe for that kind of cash (still for sale). There is a subculture of V6 mustang guys which probably have the same drive.
Anyway, my parting advice. Don't keep receipts. Most likely you wont get out what you put in. It's all about the fun of working on it and driving it.
Some day, I want to put a turbo Straight 6 300, bored out 0.03 = 302 cubes and more torque than your grandma at a rock concert.