Building Essex v6
02-15-2019, 01:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 8
Building Essex v6
Hello everyone my girlfriend and I recently purchased a project car! Got this v6 5 speed stang for a steal of $500. Since then I’ve dropped a good portion of money on restoring the interior and some minor exterior repairs. Recently the engine has begun leaking oil from the rear main seal (and the valve cover gaskets are leaking too). I can also hear the oil hitting the oil pan after a long drive and the car is slow!
So so my question is
Where can I find a quality rebuild kit with everything I’ll need from gaskets to pistons to an oil pump?
Should I build the engine or should I go forced induction on a mostly stock engine till it blows up? Or should I go the full route of building and turbo? I have a garage where I can build the engine outside of the car and then hopefully swap the old with the new in a weekend or two. I just want to get the best bang for your buck because I’m not the ritchest guy. Plus my girl is typically the one driving it and she demands that I make it faster than her best friends ecoboost lol
Ive found a nice 98k Essex 3.8 out of an 01 Stang. I’ve heard good things about SuperSix Motorsports, they have a “Powerpak” that includes ported and polished upper and lower intake manifolds. “Stage 3 heads” and a cam for around 3k. Does anyone know how these parts hold up? I can’t seem to find many threads or videos of these powerpak mustangs.
thanks for the help!
02-19-2019, 01:36 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 8
How would a swap be cheaper? Wouldn’t I need a new ecu, harness, fuel pump, transmission, clutch kit, flywheel and then I can start building the 2v? That sounds more complicated than rebuilding a v6, slapin some FI or nos on that b**** and then bolting it right back up to where it came from
02-19-2019, 01:49 PM
#4
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
Because an Ecoboost based mustang is almost as fast as the previous S197 Gen GT (4.6 3V) and a New Edge V6 3.8L like you have will take a lot ($$$) to get there reliably. A mild tune on the Ecoboost and it's performance gets a pretty modest bump.
If you are going to stick with the V6 for simplicity sake, you need to start by looking at stroking the motor, then FI. Stroking the motor will give you a much better platform than the base V6. Depending on how wild you go you'll get the forged crank and rods you need for serious boost.
http://www.moranav6racing.com/catego...?CategoryID=16
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/
Even then you'll be limited on power by the V6. A V8 would give you many more options and higher power capabilities.
Also, is that Essex V6 and Auto or manual tranny? The autos give up a lot of speed due to their 4 spd configuration. The ecoboost have a 6 or 10 speed auto geared for acceleration.
If you are going to stick with the V6 for simplicity sake, you need to start by looking at stroking the motor, then FI. Stroking the motor will give you a much better platform than the base V6. Depending on how wild you go you'll get the forged crank and rods you need for serious boost.
http://www.moranav6racing.com/catego...?CategoryID=16
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/
Even then you'll be limited on power by the V6. A V8 would give you many more options and higher power capabilities.
Also, is that Essex V6 and Auto or manual tranny? The autos give up a lot of speed due to their 4 spd configuration. The ecoboost have a 6 or 10 speed auto geared for acceleration.
Last edited by Derf00; 02-19-2019 at 01:51 PM.
02-19-2019, 01:54 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 8
Because an Ecoboost based mustang is almost as fast as the previous S197 Gen GT (4.6 3V) and a New Edge V6 3.8L like you have will take a lot ($$$) to get there reliably. A mild tune on the Ecoboost and it's performance gets a pretty modest bump.
If you are going to stick with the V6 for simplicity sake, you need to start by looking at stroking the motor, then FI. Stroking the motor will give you a much better platform than the base V6. Depending on how wild you go you'll get the forged crank and rods you need for serious boost.
http://www.moranav6racing.com/catego...?CategoryID=16
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/
Even then you'll be limited on power by the V6. A V8 would give you many more options and higher power capabilities.
Also, is that Essex V6 and Auto or manual tranny? The autos give up a lot of speed due to their 4 spd configuration. The ecoboost have a 6 or 10 speed auto geared for acceleration.
If you are going to stick with the V6 for simplicity sake, you need to start by looking at stroking the motor, then FI. Stroking the motor will give you a much better platform than the base V6. Depending on how wild you go you'll get the forged crank and rods you need for serious boost.
http://www.moranav6racing.com/catego...?CategoryID=16
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/
Even then you'll be limited on power by the V6. A V8 would give you many more options and higher power capabilities.
Also, is that Essex V6 and Auto or manual tranny? The autos give up a lot of speed due to their 4 spd configuration. The ecoboost have a 6 or 10 speed auto geared for acceleration.
02-19-2019, 02:40 PM
#6
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 71
Well, from a cost standpoint, I think you could source a GT "donor car" for pretty cheap. Swap the parts you need as you go, and part out what you can from the leftovers. As I read your original post, you were talking about rebuilding the 3.8, and adding intake, heads and cam for $3K. I think you can get a donor car for less than that. This all assumes that you are going to use the engine drivetrain as it came from the factory. If you are factoring in spending a bunch of $$ on building the 4.6, then yeah, you are probably right that it ain't gonna be cheaper.
02-19-2019, 02:54 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 8
Well, from a cost standpoint, I think you could source a GT "donor car" for pretty cheap. Swap the parts you need as you go, and part out what you can from the leftovers. As I read your original post, you were talking about rebuilding the 3.8, and adding intake, heads and cam for $3K. I think you can get a donor car for less than that. This all assumes that you are going to use the engine drivetrain as it came from the factory. If you are factoring in spending a bunch of $$ on building the 4.6, then yeah, you are probably right that it ain't gonna be cheaper.
hmm a donor might be the way to go thanks for the tip. Would it be better to find an old pushrod 5.0 from an sn95 or fox? Or is the 4.6 better? I know the 4.6 makes more hp but as far as tuning potential which is better?
02-19-2019, 03:48 PM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 71
A 5.0 liter is more "user friendly" as there is more aftermarket support for the motor. Easier to work on too. But since your car is a "New Edge" SN-95, you may find that the swap would be easier with a 4.6L. For example, you won't need to swap the K member - they are different between the 5.0 and 4.6. Either can be done, but more involved.
02-19-2019, 11:54 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Posts: 8
A 5.0 liter is more "user friendly" as there is more aftermarket support for the motor. Easier to work on too. But since your car is a "New Edge" SN-95, you may find that the swap would be easier with a 4.6L. For example, you won't need to swap the K member - they are different between the 5.0 and 4.6. Either can be done, but more involved.
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