Aside from the obvious upgrade to a V8, what engine performance mods have you I6 owners done to your 66?

 

check out www.fordsix.com/forum/

Mike has made an Aluminum OZ head - by far the best mod available. You can do all sorts of stuff - 2 bbl carbs, turbo, clifford headers, etc.

 

In the process of converting my son's 66 to V-8, we did the suspension/brakes/steering/rear axle before tackling the drivetrain.

For a period of time, whe drove the car with these suspension mods with the I-6 still in place,, the little coupe was a blast to drive with the 4.10 gears, this made a huge difference. If you have the means, change the axle/gears in the rear end to 4.10s. The little 6 loves to wrap up... it was fun...

The 25% increase in relative engine speed did a lot to pep the car up... It was like a whole different car, I will say it again,,, it was a blast!!!!

Iam actually considering buying an I-6 car to do this to. A more or less stock I-6 with a 4 speed manual and 4.10 gears would be a kick....

It would be one fun bastard!!!!

 

With the amount you spend on upgrading the 6 for performance, you could build a V8 with twice the power. If you want good performance, you'd be better off in the long run doing a V8 swap. I6 for performance isn't practical, but it is different.

 

Obviously the OP is not concerned about keeping his car original, otherwise he wouldn't be asking about performance upgrades available for the I6. And let's face it, most folks are not concerned about keeping an I6 Mustang concours correct.

As JMD said above, a warmed up I6 with better gearing would be a blast to drive, and the upgrades would not cost too much in comparison to all that can be done to small block Ford V8's. Depending on the OP's wants/needs for his car, a warmed up I6 could indeed be quite practical. And personalizing an I6 would be different than most cars sporting a V8 under an open hood at a show. Dollar for dollar, money spent on a V8 will generate more HP, but that may not be what the OP is looking for.

 

How was the gas mileage with the straight six and 4.10's? How is the mpg with a stock 6?

 

Honestly we never did check it or even think about it.... I have already kicked myself for not checking it out [:@]..... but now it is too late..

 

I got 19 the other day, but I don't have 4.10 gears...

JMD, you sure have given me something to think about

 

What is the stock rear-end ratio, and howbig of a job to change the rear-end ratio to a 4.10?

Any other bang-for-the-buck mods I can do on-a-budget?

thanks

 

Honestly, if the car would have been mine, and we wouldn't have already had a garage full of 351 parts, I would have left the 6 in for a year or so at the least, maybe forever.... it was really fun.... and I had not expected it to be fun, soI don't think it was justwishfull thinking, or a mind trip..

I was surprised enough that I kind of felt bad about removing that engine.

I am certain that the mileage took a hit, maybe an I-6 with an overdrive...... Hmmm.

If I were to happen onto a nice I-6 I think I would have to try this,, my wife would love it....