3.8 v6 300-350 HP mod advice?

[Nash11]

I have a 99 3.8 mustang and my goal is for it to get 300-350 horses. Have a good bit of bolt ons on it already. I was planning on porting & polishing the heads and lower intake and putting a cam in it. And a Windstar intake. Anybody else have any ideas on how I can reach my goal?

 

[Orange 94]

1. Boost
2. Boost
3. Boost

The bolt ones you likely did wouldnt have made a significant difference. You'll want boost to make power. You can go turbo or supercharger. You want the m112 from the 03/04 cobra if you go with a supercharger.

Since you have a 99 you're already ahead of the game because you have split port The windstar intake is great for N/A and turbo applications. Porting is also a good idea!

You can also stroke or do a 4.2 swap too.

 

[JKady]

That goal should be fairly easy to attain with a turbo build, the money and time will really go into making the engine hold up though. And since you're going to have to build an engine anyway, 4.2 swap at the same time makes a LOT of sense.

 

[Orange 94]

He can do that goal on stock internals. Bottom end will be fine. Would want to do some top end upgrades.

 

[Nash11]

So I'd definitely need turbo or supercharging to get to my goal? Wonder what kind of power I'd make if I did P&P heads, cam, P&P lower intake, and a Windstar upper?

 

[Nash11]

thanks for all the feedback by the way

 

[punched281]

Boost, like Orange said. Stock short block will do, but you will really need better valve train. The stock stuff is garbage.

I threw a 60 mm on a stock single-port and 8 pounds and made 290 ish... heads cam intake with boost will do ya well. And hurt some feelings too!

 

[Orange 94]

You can definitely make power N/A, but I think you'll find it costly and little to no resources. My 4.2 with cam, rollers, mild port and bolt ons did 200 at the wheels. You could make a bit more power easily, especially with the Windstar intake. IMO boost is the way to go for cost and even drivability.

These engines like boost. You will also find that they're very torque-y. Lots of the v6 haters will bring up that you can make torque with a v6, not true haha.

If you have any questions:

I did the 4.2 swap with m112
[MENTION=19019]punched281[/MENTION] is good for info on turbo.
[MENTION=10997]g36 monkey[/MENTION] did a stroker and is on his way to forged goodies and m112 I believe
[MENTION=14887]LilRoush[/MENTION] is the father of modified v6s...

There's a couple other knowledgeable members too.

Also I'll add in, keep an eye out for 8.8 rear end and gears.

 

[Nash11]

Thank u so much for the help I really appreciate it!

 

[g36 monkey]

Yea, you need boost. My 4.3 build with ported heads, .500 lift cam and ported lower and windstar upper on 93 made a whopping 226 horse and 246 torque.

Slap a blower on, let it eat.

 

[Nash11]

Should I go with a M112? Would kinda of power could I see with that?

 

[Orange 94]

I would do the m112.
I'm not sure what exact numbers you will get on a 3.8. Should be close to your goal.

If you do a quick google search you should be able to find some more info.

Also, I got my adaptor plate from super six motorsports. They have all kinds of goodies.

 

[Nash11]

That's prob what I'll do. You can get one used for $400ish. Then I'll get my cam, port the heads and lower intake, then hopefully I'll be close. Definitely gonna do the 8.8 rear end and gears too

 

[punched281]

Definitely go boost, but I am all for turbo. More flexibility, look at what all the drag week guys are going to.. And street outlaws. Turbos are the shit..

As for price, you'll be about the same either way.

 

[Orange 94]

Punched, who sells turbo stuff?

 

[punched281]

This guy puts out some good stuff.

http://www.tmaturbo.com

Other than that you are looking at pretty much getting a shop to chop and weld some factory manifold. All you need is the stock headers, flip them around and make some small changes to them to clear stuff. I am really considering building my own headers for my 2v

 

[Nash11]

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll try and put a vid of my car up sometime. I recently wrecked it (deer jumped out in front of me in the rain.) I've putspme stuff on it already before I knew about all this stuff. Long tubes, CAI, throttle body, off road x, already had duals, 24 lb fuel injectors, and a tune. Love my car, had it since I was 16..would love it even more if it were closer to my goal.

 

[g36 monkey]

Well, the 3 best options IMO are M112, Vortech, or Turbo, I'm just not a turbo guy, so no offense there.

I'd say the most simple of the 3, easiest to source and install is the M112 kit. [MENTION=14887]LilRoush[/MENTION] has more first hand stories on the kit than any of us

 

[Nash11]

Would it make more sense to keep my 3.8 or get a 4.2 and do all that to it? Would I make more power more easily out of a 4.2?

 

[punched281]

Roots blower would be the easiest for sure.. And make plenty of power with it too!