Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!) (Read 3801 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Can anything be done to bring out some kind of performance in the carbed 83 3.8V6?  Headwork?  Cams?  etc?

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #1 –
Its not worth it. That motor is like 112hp stock, I doubt you would even get 130 out of it. They are what they are, an economy engine for bigger cars. They replaced the 3.3L 6 cylinder with its almighty 85hp and the 4.2L v8 I think as well, which only had 120hp itself.

They got decent way later in their life. The SC 3.8 was a torque monster and the split-port 3.8 had up to 205hp, but the older ones...meh.
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #2 –
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=13812&highlight=3.8+rocker

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=13026&highlight=3.8+performance

http://www.3.8mustang.com/

http://www.moranav6racing.com/

http://racerwalsh.zoovy.com/c=K4fI3L...ory/6cylinder/

http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #3 –
Is their anyone on this board who actually is a fan of that motor?

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #4 –
I like the split port version. So much I'm going to swap one in.

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #5 –
I'm not a fan, but i have one.
the only thing you can do with that motor is sit around and wait for the head gasket to blow. and it will sooner or later
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #6 –
Quote from: daminc;184239
I'm not a fan, but i have one.
the only thing you can do with that motor is sit around and wait for the head gasket to blow. and it will sooner or later


thats bs,, folk lore,,, bla bla bla.  Too much hoopla put into web sites and fraidy cats back in the day passing rumors about the "new" aluminum head causing all that. 


Yeah, im a little familiar with the motor:D  I would be an idiot to say i like them but i do know them front to back.  The older ones just dont get enough air.

the better 3.8 is the 88 version and far better would be to install the 4.2l short block stuff into an 88 year 3.8.

I really dont think im comfortable saying the 4.2L crank works out in an 87 and down cfi 3.8.  its complicated but ill leave that long story off line for now.

now,, what you can do............

see my diy link

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #7 –
If it was a SC 3.8 then i am fan of it otherwise don't waste your money on it other than to keep it running and maybe a K&N fliter at most.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]


http://www.cardomain.com/id/Carpimp1987
1987 T-Bird AEROBIRD-GT had many many mods but is now totaled and is the car that made me want to start customizing everything all over again.
1988 T-Bird 5.0 HO DD/Sleeper/next project car :birdsmily:
1988 Cougar XR7 5.0 HO Vortech Supercharged being bulit right now :cougarsmily:

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #8 –
CougarSE has an 88 3.8L.  I've never drove it but what he did would probably be the best bang for the buck.  He put a T5 from a V6 mustang behind it.  I'm sure you'd see a big jump in performance from that and some suspension work.
84 TC 302 -5.0L/t5/7.5 locking rear and a 3.45 gear, Edelbrock Intake, Aluminum Heads, Edlebrock 65mm Throttlebody, Edlebrock Cam, 24lb injectors & MAS Air Sensor calibrated via chip,  BBK headers, Catback H pipe, Magnaflow lers :evilgrin:
:pics-stfu:

 Project Thread with pics

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #9 –
Sorry, I should have said that differently. my 87 head gasket went twice,and some friends had the same problems. I should have said, there's a possibility of head gasket failure with these motors. some do and some never will
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #10 –
ford v6 engines of any kind are awesome!!!!!
84 el camino ss-daily driver(efi mild sbc,2004r, posi 3:42 rear.)
84 mercury cougar v6- was a v6/ nitrous drag car, going back to mostly stock
81 chevy malibu-protouring/  drag car.( efi sbc supercharged 283 that will rev to the moon, 2004r, 4:11 posi rear)

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #11 –
I've had 3 with the 3.8.  I was completely happy with the 85 Cougar.  The 86 Bird doesn't seem to have the power that the 85 Cat had.  The 92 Bird blew both head gaskets resulting in a new engine.  The new engine in comparison to the 85 and 86 is a hot rod!  Easily smokes the tires.  I probably would not buy another one with the 3.8.

I really like the 4.0 in the new Mustangs.  But I hear they are not great on gas.
Armed Forces Car Club
Eastern Sierra Chapter, California
WEB:  armedforcescarclub.com

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #12 –
Quote from: LJS30;184199
Is their anyone on this board who actually is a fan of that motor?



Dude, read the first 2 links I posted;)


Quote from: JeremyB
I like the split port version. So much I'm going to swap one in.


Still looking for a good car to put a motor in here....
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #13 –
i had an 83 cougar with the 3.8 c-5 combo, all i did was replace the carb with the holley 2 bbl from jegs. and it ran alot better. there is a company out there that specializes in the 3.8 cyl. heads for the 3.8 make some more power. you could swap rear ends out of a turbo coupe, hoping for some 3.55 locking.maybe even swap out the c-5 valve body for one from a c-4 performance one. deep pan for the trans. but that is about it. maybe a shift kit.

3.8 V-6 (can Anything Be Done!!!!!)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: V8Demon;184338
Still looking for a good car to put a motor in here....

I can't find a nearby car with an unmolested wiring harness.
I'll try looking a little harder when the T-bird gets painted/rebuilt rear.