3.8l V6 to 4.6l V8+5spd Swap COMPLETED
10-06-2015, 08:29 PM
#1
3.8l V6 to 4.6l V8+5spd Swap COMPLETED
(I didnt know which discussion I should post this under so I also posted it in the 4.6 section too.) First off, id like to say I've had this swap done for a while now, almost a year. I got the donor car in late December and finished around in March.
To start if anyone has any doubts on this swap I would like to make it clear its not nearly as "impossible" as almost everyone tries to make it out to be. As long as you have a general knowledge of how cars work and do your research ahead of time its very simple. The people that are always saying "oh, its not worth it", or "just sell the v6 and buy a v8 it'll cost you a fortune" are plain ignorant. These are the people that have most likely never handled a wrench in their life or are just to intimidated to try a swap and would rather take the easy way out.
When I first became serious in doing this swap, these are always the responses I saw. Every forum, yahoo questions, you name it; people always said the same thing. I did enough research to where i was still dedicated to do it though.
I have had my 2000 mustang v6 auto for years. I'd been through hell with that car. I modded it; basically full bolt-ons, wrecked it, and fixed her back up. It was my baby even if it was just a sixxer. That 3.8 had 187,xxxx miles on it went I swapped it out. It was a trooper for sure, but I was ready for a V8 plus a 5spd
After looking for wrecked GTs, mach 1s and even cobras on auction sites for months, I finally bit the bullet and bought one (GT). I ended up paying $800 for the entire car but kind of got screwd when I had to pay another 1k to get it shipped to me in CO. After getting the car in mid December, it was parked for a good month before I could start any work on either car.
Once the weather cleared it was on! All in all the whole process would have took 5 DAYS if we wouldve worked all consecutive days!
Day 1: Pulled the v6 engine along with auto transmission
Day 2: Swapped out GTs ECM and wiring harness into v6 body along with GTs ignition switch
Day 3: Swapped out pedals and clutch assembly along with the brake boosters.
Day 4: Pulled 4.6 and T-45 out of GT body, swapped gauge clusters
Day 5: Put in 4.6 and tranny into v6 body, attached drive-line, plugged up harnesses
.....DONE
Honestly that was basically it, a couple extra days to put the car back together including some body panels, interior pieces, etc.. but the it was done! The first start had me nervous but it fired up 1st crank. Check it out!
Here's just some of the pictures from the whole process, hopefully they show up
http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/greyshot95/library/
This really wasnt a write-up on how to do this swap but if your are thinking about it, a couple of these tips will help you out tremendously.
Get a donor car- Do not try to piece together everything you need for the swap. You will end up spending more in the longrun than just buying a v8. Plus, it is a hell of a lot easier having all the parts you need at your disposal just sitting there.
Engine/tranny combo- I chose to remove the engine and tranny from both cars all as one. This way made everything go much smoother and made the whole process faster. Just do it, trust me
Last, but not least do your research first!- Find out exactly what you need from your donor car. Which in this case, actually isnt much! Before i got started I found one of the only people Ive seen do this swap on a different Forum. His name is FROUSH. I was in contact with him the entire way and he helped answer a lot of questions I had, which in turn made the swap much easier.
Alright guys, i think that's all. I had written this exact thread a couple months ago but my session timed out as soon as I was about to post it and lost everything. If you think I missed something or didn't explain anything well enough, be sure to ask in the comments. Thanks!
Ill leave everyone with the finished exhaust setup and REVVS of my finished car which I believe is a HARDD setup to beat on the modular 4.6s
To start if anyone has any doubts on this swap I would like to make it clear its not nearly as "impossible" as almost everyone tries to make it out to be. As long as you have a general knowledge of how cars work and do your research ahead of time its very simple. The people that are always saying "oh, its not worth it", or "just sell the v6 and buy a v8 it'll cost you a fortune" are plain ignorant. These are the people that have most likely never handled a wrench in their life or are just to intimidated to try a swap and would rather take the easy way out.
When I first became serious in doing this swap, these are always the responses I saw. Every forum, yahoo questions, you name it; people always said the same thing. I did enough research to where i was still dedicated to do it though.
I have had my 2000 mustang v6 auto for years. I'd been through hell with that car. I modded it; basically full bolt-ons, wrecked it, and fixed her back up. It was my baby even if it was just a sixxer. That 3.8 had 187,xxxx miles on it went I swapped it out. It was a trooper for sure, but I was ready for a V8 plus a 5spd
After looking for wrecked GTs, mach 1s and even cobras on auction sites for months, I finally bit the bullet and bought one (GT). I ended up paying $800 for the entire car but kind of got screwd when I had to pay another 1k to get it shipped to me in CO. After getting the car in mid December, it was parked for a good month before I could start any work on either car.
Once the weather cleared it was on! All in all the whole process would have took 5 DAYS if we wouldve worked all consecutive days!
Day 1: Pulled the v6 engine along with auto transmission
Day 2: Swapped out GTs ECM and wiring harness into v6 body along with GTs ignition switch
Day 3: Swapped out pedals and clutch assembly along with the brake boosters.
Day 4: Pulled 4.6 and T-45 out of GT body, swapped gauge clusters
Day 5: Put in 4.6 and tranny into v6 body, attached drive-line, plugged up harnesses
.....DONE
Honestly that was basically it, a couple extra days to put the car back together including some body panels, interior pieces, etc.. but the it was done! The first start had me nervous but it fired up 1st crank. Check it out!
Here's just some of the pictures from the whole process, hopefully they show up
http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/greyshot95/library/
This really wasnt a write-up on how to do this swap but if your are thinking about it, a couple of these tips will help you out tremendously.
Get a donor car- Do not try to piece together everything you need for the swap. You will end up spending more in the longrun than just buying a v8. Plus, it is a hell of a lot easier having all the parts you need at your disposal just sitting there.
Engine/tranny combo- I chose to remove the engine and tranny from both cars all as one. This way made everything go much smoother and made the whole process faster. Just do it, trust me
Last, but not least do your research first!- Find out exactly what you need from your donor car. Which in this case, actually isnt much! Before i got started I found one of the only people Ive seen do this swap on a different Forum. His name is FROUSH. I was in contact with him the entire way and he helped answer a lot of questions I had, which in turn made the swap much easier.
Alright guys, i think that's all. I had written this exact thread a couple months ago but my session timed out as soon as I was about to post it and lost everything. If you think I missed something or didn't explain anything well enough, be sure to ask in the comments. Thanks!
Ill leave everyone with the finished exhaust setup and REVVS of my finished car which I believe is a HARDD setup to beat on the modular 4.6s
10-07-2015, 10:59 AM
#4
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 2,952
Nobody on here said it cant be done or would cost a fortune.
What has been said is it isnt worth the time and/or money to do UNLESS you have a complete donor car as it would cost more tracking down all the parts needed than just buying a GT.
With the cost of 94-04 GT now down to $5k and less depending on area, its almost cheaper to just sell the v6 and buy the GT unless you get a really cheap price on a complete donor.
What has been said is it isnt worth the time and/or money to do UNLESS you have a complete donor car as it would cost more tracking down all the parts needed than just buying a GT.
With the cost of 94-04 GT now down to $5k and less depending on area, its almost cheaper to just sell the v6 and buy the GT unless you get a really cheap price on a complete donor.
10-07-2015, 01:50 PM
#5
Last edited by Greyshot; 10-07-2015 at 02:02 PM.
10-07-2015, 01:58 PM
#7
Nobody on here said it cant be done or would cost a fortune.
What has been said is it isnt worth the time and/or money to do UNLESS you have a complete donor car as it would cost more tracking down all the parts needed than just buying a GT.
With the cost of 94-04 GT now down to $5k and less depending on area, its almost cheaper to just sell the v6 and buy the GT unless you get a really cheap price on a complete donor.
What has been said is it isnt worth the time and/or money to do UNLESS you have a complete donor car as it would cost more tracking down all the parts needed than just buying a GT.
With the cost of 94-04 GT now down to $5k and less depending on area, its almost cheaper to just sell the v6 and buy the GT unless you get a really cheap price on a complete donor.
Ive yet to come across a decent GT thats less than 5k. All the ones below that have crazy miles on them or the body is beat to hell. Also, in my case I probably wouldnt be able to sell my v6, It was wrecked before.
10-07-2015, 05:15 PM
#9
Don't have to swap springs either. Springs on the V6 are the same exact ones used on the GT. Ever wonder why the V6s sit up like monster trucks in stock form?
10-07-2015, 06:56 PM
#10
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 2,952
Your 7.5 with auburn diff will be stronger than the stock 8.8 so you are good there
The stock springs are different. The v6 coupe has the softest springs, the v6 vert and the GT coupe share springs and the GT vert has the stiffest spring.
The stock springs are different. The v6 coupe has the softest springs, the v6 vert and the GT coupe share springs and the GT vert has the stiffest spring.
