V-6 Muscle

[intrcptrbird]

Not too bad but however look at the overall total costs of the two cars with the similar mods. You can buy a LX with a 4.6 (here in the LA area) for about $3500 for a pretty good straight car with reletively low miles. And good luck finding an SC and when you do they are usually about another $1,000 more than a similarly equipted LX 4.6L. Now put the same amount of money into a V8 and the same into the SC and you will get VERY smiliar numbers. Now its a VERY well known fact that the 4.6L is much more capable of producing MUCH more power than the V6. You slap an SC blower on the 4.6 with the proper computer mods and you can be easily putting out 350+ hp to the rear wheels.

[CamaroSSBoy346]

Originally Posted by intrcptrbird

Not too bad but however look at the overall total costs of the two cars with the similar mods. You can buy a LX with a 4.6 (here in the LA area) for about $3500 for a pretty good straight car with reletively low miles. And good luck finding an SC and when you do they are usually about another $1,000 more than a similarly equipted LX 4.6L. Now put the same amount of money into a V8 and the same into the SC and you will get VERY smiliar numbers. Now its a VERY well known fact that the 4.6L is much more capable of producing MUCH more power than the V6. You slap an SC blower on the 4.6 with the proper computer mods and you can be easily putting out 350+ hp to the rear wheels.

yes, yes, true in some cases, but it depends on where you live and how good of a condition the car is.. for example, i picked up my LX for $1500, in need of some serious reconditioning (faded paint, smashed front fender, no radio, cracked dash board, bald tires, no mufflers, no heat OR A/C, torn headliner) and bought my SC for $500 ($2000) in pretty much mint interior (except for some minor rips in the leather) [keeping it running though is another case...lol]

I beg to differ that the LX is cheaper to modify... and the LX 4.6 isnt that good of a starting platform... I mean.. the heads blow compared to the PI 4.6... anywho.. for example... lets take one of the SC's that was featured in MM&FF (Ya, I kno..) Luxobarge Shoot-out. From what I remember correctly, it had: Cams, smaller pulley, intake, exhaust, and a computer reflash. It ran a 14.08...thats about what an AED Blown 4.6 T-Bird would run... (with just a chip and exhaust of course), but I'm sure the SC guy spent comparatively less. (I think the AED is like.. $2100? decent exhaust..~$500?) whereas the SC.. pulley..$75? SCP 3" True Dual Exhaust $700? JLT Intake $150? all less then the 4.6, and running about the same times..

[intrcptrbird]

I find a 14.08 extremely hard to believe from an SC with only slight mods. Thats a DAMN heavy car and to get it going THAT quick takes quite a bit of power. But whats more important is that we need to recognize that the MN12 thunderbird isnt a real good starting platform no matter what engine is in it. I love my bird and all but its HEAVY and there isnt too much you can really do about that.

and p.s.- I can do a head swap to PI heads, T-45 swap, 3.73 rear gears, and comp all for $2500 (yes I can do it for that amount I've researched it) and be getting about 60 more hp, running a mid 14's and have a MUCH better platform for future high HP mods.

[8ate8]

Originally Posted by CamaroSSBoy346

Well, relativley speaking, the N/A 3.8L is kinda shitty... but what about the SC 3.8L? Hopw is that a bad platform? (Besides HG Failures.. but thats in another episode) 14 flat with exhaust, cam, pulley, intake, and reflash in a 3900 lb car? Still a bad platform?

Agreed. I wouldn't spend the time of day modding my 96 3.8 to go real fast. However, my 400rwhp/475rwtq Super Coupe might have a different story to tell

And you won't see 14 flat with just intake, exhaust, chip, cam and pulley. Slap on an MPII blower and maybe.

[FOrdPro63]

Originally Posted by intrcptrbird

why waste all of that money to use a crappy starting platform when you can start off with a V8, out the same money into it and get WAY more power? Thats like those little burners. Why dump $15,000 into a $20,000 car when you can get a $4,000 car and put $5,000 into it and have it be WAY faster and a lot better performer?

OK so here's one for ya. Why is it, I can take a 88 4 cylinder turbo coupe which nobody seems to like, put a bigger turbo on it, Cost $400.00. A new inter cooler, cost $500.00. A tuned ECU Cost, $650.00 do a gear upgrade cost $295.00. So where are we at now, Hmmmmm just a skosh under $2000.00. So lets see, I still have $3000.00 to go. OK I add new 3 inch mandrel bent single exhaust all the way back. Cost, $750.00 new aluminum driveshaft and heavy duty 5 speed tranny. Cost $1300.00.
Now keep in mind I am around $4000.00 deep in my upgrades. Why would I do this, you ask?
Total grin factor. In my boat anchor car that nobody gives respect to, whether it be a Camaro, vette, V8 Mustang etc. When that light goes green on the tree and I see the win light in my lane after a 11.70 run. Give or take a tenth due to weather and track conditions. I always make sure to give those V8 guys who are disrespecting my crappy platform car the big thumbs up at the end of the track.
The Moral: Just because you have a V8 doesn't mean you're going to win.
With the right combination of parts and the smarts to put it all together, that's what gives you the win light.
Know your car and your parts, make them work together and you're a winner in my book.
So stop bashing the guys with V6's because you never know when they're gonna make you eat your words.

Oh, by the way. 140,000 miles on the odometer without a rebuild and still running strong. Try that with your supercharged, turbocharged or nitroused V8. You'll rebuild before I do!!!

[sweetloustix1]

all this talk about v-6 .i have a v-6 97 lx that i put a supercharger in and reprogrammed the computer slap some dual exghast right off the headers. and have a cold air intake. and i run low 9's on the quarter mile.

[8ate8]

Um, sure you do. Maybe in the 1/8

[ford.t]

Ok for starters, all this talk about dual exhaust and headers. Where can i buy a set of headers and true duals for a 90 sc that i swapped a 5.0L into. Im not trying to invest 5k and run 12s on 4 cylinders, i would build a 351 up and run 11s and still have gas money.