valve question
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 777
From: NJ
valve question
I know that my engnie (02 5spd) is a 3.8L 2v engine, is it possible to make a 2v a 4v? i dont know if thats a stupid question because i don't know much about it, but what differences/gains would you see if it is possible?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 379
From: FL
RE: valve question
When people say "2V" when referring to GTs, they're meaning 2 valves per cylinder, and technically, the 3.8L V6 has 2 valves per cylinder as well. However, the GT (as well as any other Modular motor Cobras/Machs/etc) engine is of a "Overhead Cam" design, while the 3.8L's (as well as the production 5.0's) are of a "Overhead Valve" or "Pushrod" design.
Overhead Cam (OHC) = Cams are located ON the heads and open the valves from there. If they have one cam per head (for a total of two on V-configuration engines [2V per cylinderGT's, 3V per cylinderGT's]), they are more specifically called "SOHC" (single overhead cam), and if they have two cams per head (for a total of 4 on V-configuration engines [4V per cylinderCobras/Mach 1s].
Overhead Valve (OHV, Pushrod) = ONE cam is located in the block, which pushes the lifters, which push the pushrods, which push the rockers, which then open the valves. MOST pushrod engines have 2 valves per cylinder (1 intake, 1 exhaust).
Overhead Cam (OHC) = Cams are located ON the heads and open the valves from there. If they have one cam per head (for a total of two on V-configuration engines [2V per cylinderGT's, 3V per cylinderGT's]), they are more specifically called "SOHC" (single overhead cam), and if they have two cams per head (for a total of 4 on V-configuration engines [4V per cylinderCobras/Mach 1s].
Overhead Valve (OHV, Pushrod) = ONE cam is located in the block, which pushes the lifters, which push the pushrods, which push the rockers, which then open the valves. MOST pushrod engines have 2 valves per cylinder (1 intake, 1 exhaust).
The Godfather
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,480
From: Temple, Texas
RE: valve question
In short, yes you can make your engine a 4 valve, but you'd need a wallet the size of the grand canyon to do so. In short, it's cheaper to get a 4V V8 than it its to make a 3.8LV6 a 4V.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 379
From: FL
RE: valve question
ORIGINAL: jthorn9
In short, yes you can make your engine a 4 valve, but you'd need a wallet the size of the grand canyon to do so. In short, it's cheaper to get a 4V V8 than it its to make a 3.8LV6 a 4V.
In short, yes you can make your engine a 4 valve, but you'd need a wallet the size of the grand canyon to do so. In short, it's cheaper to get a 4V V8 than it its to make a 3.8LV6 a 4V.
The overall point was that it's not just the heads that make the difference. 4V Cobras have an entirely different valvetrain/cam setup than the 3.8. Everything is possible with enough money, but if any of us had that kind of money, we probably wouldn't be driving V6 Mustangs to begin with
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,540
From: South FL
RE: valve question
Oh come on, it's not like it would be THAT much to addacam with double the lobesto the middle of the block,redrill added runners for the extra pushrods, custom cast your own heads to be 4V, set up a completely prototype valve train and all for less than a 20 hp total gain.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 379
From: FL
RE: valve question
ORIGINAL: LilRoush
Oh come on, it's not like it would be THAT much to addacam with double the lobesto the middle of the block,redrill added runners for the extra pushrods, custom cast your own heads to be 4V, set up a completely prototype valve train and all for less than a 20 hp total gain.
Oh come on, it's not like it would be THAT much to addacam with double the lobesto the middle of the block,redrill added runners for the extra pushrods, custom cast your own heads to be 4V, set up a completely prototype valve train and all for less than a 20 hp total gain.