So im going to Pick a Part this weekend and Im wondering what to look for...
1. I have read that the AeroStar upper intake is better that the Mustang(because i have a 95, crappy intake and all)intake because it is Aluminum (I think) and has better responce to heat and air flow or something like that, but is it worth pulling it out, and having to put it back on and all that...

2. Upper and lower intake of a 99+, but really how hard is that to change out? I know i will needall the parts on top (throttle body, what else?) How much work am i really looking at? This is my DD so i cant really have it down for more that the weekend. I have all the tools (my dads) so...

3. Also bc im going to have to replace the head gaskets on my car sometime soon (115,000 and still hasnt blown, crossing my fingers still) so I thought that I read that the heads on a 99+ are better flowing, let me know. Will they fit on my 95? Worth it? Not worth it?
Tell me what you guys think.

Thanks,
Matt

 

I can't say anything about the intake from a 99+. However, this can be done I think do a search on upgrading to a split port. I've seen it here before in great detail.

If you use another vehicle it's the 95 windstar not aerostar your looking for.

And if you go the extra mile to do your headgaskets and I have done this myself because of blown ones..... Replace with OEM 99-04 Stang. There will be a right and a left side. These are made out of three sheets of metal that when compressed together will never blow again which deletes the problem of the head gaskets. But that is a pretty big job to jump into. My back ached for weeks afterwards. You also have to replace the head bolts if you do this and I would advise getting your heads checked out by a machine shop before you put them back on.

Also before you do a pick in pull check out MPS online they specialize in used Mustang parts. If for nothing else you'll know the maximum fair price before they stick it to you and knowledge is power.

 

well technically you dont HAVE to replace the head bolts. dude if you can put together an exhaust system, you can change your head gaskets, its not the hardest thing in the world. you will need hayness manual, and alot of time. all day.

 

yes you most certainly do have to replace the head bolts when changing head gaskets. they are torque to yield which means torque them to they just start to stretch. once they are removed they cannot ever be retorqued as they will only stretch more and the headgasket will lift.

 

unless you are planning on doing a full splitport swap then any 97+ windstar or 99+ stang intake will not work. 96 and earlier windstar intakes are exactly the same as your cause they are singleports. 97+ are splitports.

you could get everything you need from the junkyard to do the splitport swap. 97+ windstar/F-150 heads/99+ stang heads, windstar intake or 99+ stang intake 97 windstar fuel rail may be easiest as it is return style but is taller but since you would be running the windstar intake it would work. if you used a 99+ stang intake the windstar fuel rails wouldn't work without using a manifold spacer. if you used 99+ fuelrails then you would have to modify them to return style

doing the splitport swap would pick you up 50hp.

 

Yes you will have to replace the head bolts and the job of changing everything is a pain in the a** i learned that with my 80 camaro with 408 big block

 

the 3.8 isn't that hard to do. yes it can be a pain here and there but generally not that bad

 

Your best bet is to buy a 99-00 3.8L and put that in. They are cheap (Mine was $400 less than 30k mi) and everything you need is right there including the wiring harness and TB and whatnot.

You will go through a lot less headache just to buy the whole engine. I dont suggest getting the 01-03 or 04 engines because they ballancing is different and if you dont have the right flywheel or dampner then you will have problems, bad problems. There are also a couple other small problems.

You will need to convert the fuel rail to a return style, you will need a custom SCT tune from VMP and some wiring knowledge.

Best of luck.

-Eric-

 

Oh, I forgot to mention....
I tried to test fit my windstar intake to the new engine, certain things didnt clear like the new fuel rail, EGR or the coolant burp tube. After you take care of those problems then you will be fine.
If you modify the stock fuel rail then you can get past that problem.

Also, even though the part numbers arent the same, use your stock starter from your original engine.

 

ok. great info thanks.
1. I was looking at the winstar intake because I thought it stayed cooler longer therefore performed slightly better, but maybe im wrong.
2. As for the heads, I will be replacing my headgaskets soon so which heads do i look for? 99+ Mustang heads, F150 heads? Do I need to stay with my heads and just have them cleaned or should I upgrade to better heads (99+ Mustang/F150 heads).

3. I dont think Im going to try and do a single to dual intake swap, to much work right now, to much money...thanks though

Thanks,
Matt