Super charging a 3.8

I have a 96 mustang with a 3.8. I want to overhaul it and put on a super charger on it to keep from changing the harness if I went with a 4.6. Is there a good video with step by step instructions for overhauling this engine?

When you say "overhaul" what exactly are you meaning? Complete tear down and rebuild? Or something else? Also what type of FI are you wanting to use? Do you have a budget in mind for this project?

Complete tear down and rebuild. I want to take the motor out, overhaul it and put it back in. This is my first try at this so I want to keep it as simple as I can. Thats why I need a good instruction manual or video that will tell me what I need to do and what parts to get once I start rebuilding.

welp, here you have options...

You can put the M90 on from a SuperCoupe Thunderbird, which is an intercooled system that will net around 50 hp. Requires some modification in areas, but can be found for around $500 online.

Second option is to do the split-port swap from a 99-04. Upgrades to better flowing heads. At this point you can use the M112 from the 03-04 Cobra, which with supporting mods can increase you to 320 hp with a cam and tune. You can pick up the M112 online for between $250-$500 depending on where you look, and the supporting mods can cost around $700 depending on where you go.

When you talk about doing a refresh, how extensive are you wanting to go? How many miles do you have on the car? Any smoke? The 3.8s are really easy to rebuild, very similar to the 5.0 platform...

As far as doing a rebuild, the best tutorial you can get is the Ford Service Manual coupled with a Hayne's or Chilton's Manual from AutoZone.

Read extensively, but everything in advance, and allot yourself a week or more to do it right. If you need help, don't be afraid to post.

To be honest with you Mike I think you'd be money ahead to swap to a V8 motor. Source parts from a salvage or someplace like mustand parts specialties online salvage. Buy a low mileage V8 or a crate engine. You'll then have a platform for plenty of power down the road. You'll need a few things. Best bet would be to find a wrecked donor car and strip it clean.

blah blah blah... LOL

03-04 cobra swap

cheaper to just buy a cobra, LOL

dunno that I have ever seen an 03 cobra swap to an SN V6... plenty to the new Edge but dunno about the 96 style...

not really. can pick up a totaled cobra for 8-10k. keep the drivetrain and and anything else you want out of it, part out the rest of it and make back 3k easily. then you are only in it for 5-7k. or just pick up a motor/tranny/harness combo for around 7k and drop it in.

Yea but $/hp you are spending $7k on a 180hp gain.... Could have a 500+ hp V6 for that price...

Where are all these 500+ HP V6 cars you keep referring to?

mostly California. Some in Texas.

supras are everywhere lol

500 from a v6 wouldnt be very economical or have as good driveability though let alone the tq gains arent there as well. and with thre cobra swap youre just a blower swap and fuel system away from 7-800 hp.

umm... Supras are I6...

But lots of Supercharged Zs around...

I have friends in Texas running 500hp and 26mpg consistently... all I'm gonna say...

amentowasso wrote:mostly California. Some in Texas.

Pics and links or they don't exist. :)

I know you have a chubby for these Lee. That's cool and all, but I'm sorry. It's not a the cheaper route.

Show me anyone that is getting 500hp out of their V6 that bought all of there own parts, etc and it's actually built correctly. No zip ties, duct tape or crap like that. AND did it cheaper than just doing a V8 swap. I think You'll find that there is a reason why you don't see more of this.

These builds are done more for the novelty aspect not practicality.

He didnt say he wanted to be practical. I just gave him options, he said he didnt want to go v8, so let him make his own choice.

Heres one

http://www.streetfire.net/video/Kevin-Leitem_187779.htm

Reference with timeslips here

http://www.v6power.net/vb/showthread.php?t=40080

amentowasso wrote:He didnt say he wanted to be practical. I just gave him options, he said he didnt want to go v8, so let him make his own choice.

Wasn't talking about him... I was talking about you. Relax. I asked a legitimate question.

And I will be the first to say that I will never buy another V6 mustang. Next one will be GT or GT500 when they come down some more in price or I get a better promotion.

However, once the purchase is made,especially with my car being paid off and me modifying it as I went, I don't think it is a conscious decision to scrap what I have done and do a V8 swap, or to sell my car for it's $4500 book value and finance another car.

We all have opinions, and we much agree to disagree. Different people look for different things, and do so for the enjoyment of the ability to customize a car to how they see fit.

BMMC1 wrote:

amentowasso wrote:He didnt say he wanted to be practical. I just gave him options, he said he didnt want to go v8, so let him make his own choice.

Wasn't talking about him... I was talking about you. Relax. I asked a legitimate question.

Oh I'm just having fun. We all build for different reasons. If I built my car for your approval, I'd have a black 2012 GT500...

Z motor is no where near what the 3.8 is let alone a supra motor.

I am going to have to side with the more economical and less headache route of finding a V8 to drop in the car. If you can get your hands on a PI 99-2004 GT motor you would have a pretty good base to start with.

And if you read that thread on the super coupe you will read that he made one pass and put it on the trailer due to water in the oil. Reliable?

overhauling an engine isn too difficult. it just depends on how deep you want to get. typical overhaull takes betwen 4-6 hours(if your not machining the block) if you know what your doing.

overhauling your 3.8 wouldnt be too difficult. all engines are pretty much the same. you have some oddities like sleeve valves and power recovery turbines but you wont see that kind of thing in a mustang.

we can find you some instructions.