i have a 2000 v6. my mods are right a bbk cold air intake and divorced duals cat back exhaust. i was just wondering if throttle bodies are really worth the money. and/or how much of a difference you feel when you step on it. i think about buying another bolt on bout around 300. so if you have any other bolt on advice let me know. thanks

 

No not worth it, same with intakes. Gear it up man. After my car and all my friends cars i have finally realized bolt-ons do nothing. And a price for full bolt-ons you can get a used Blower. So depending on how much power you want overall go a few bolt ons.

 

are worth it when u get a blower tho

 

Bolt ons do nothing? Are you kidding me? Sure, some support others and some add hp by themselves and some take away hp but it all really depends on whats going on. You shouldn't install a TB on a basiclly stock engine, you'll lose hp and just my opinion, you shouldn't install a turbo/super without building on your engine first. It's like running before walking. But to say bolt ons to nothing is kinda crazy bro. But, everyone is entitled to their opinons. Isn't life great Good luck and God Bless bro

 

Some bolt on's are worth getting, but then some are also not worth it. I would not waste my money oncia's, udp's, bigger throttle body or spacer.

 

CAI is mostly for show not for going faster. it helps on a highly built NA motor, but on a supercharged motor, who gives a **** about a CAI for fuctioning purposes. the Intercooler does more than a CAI will ever do.

 

CIA improved my gas mileage, it will save you money on the long run, I also notice a dif, whenI put the CIA on my car, it was the last mod I did to it, and i love the wistle when you are driving it, but you are right, there are better things out there.


Now my advise is, not a great performamce upgrade, but it will save you money.

 

Most bolt ons will net you between 1/2 and 1 hp. TB will not do a dang thing b/c it's not the weak point in air flow. To properly keep adding hp with each change, you need to replace the bottle neck.


Weeman - you don't need a built motor to run a blower. The 3.8L is a pretty tough motor from Ford compared to other motors they tossed into these cars.

 

If you have ever looked into your stock MAF you can guess where the bottle neck is.

MAC and C&L make a nice 73mm housing for a reasonable price.
MAC claims 12rwhp but I would be willing to guess they had many other supporting mods.

Ultimatly saving for the M112 installation is the best use of money. $2000 will take care of you perfectly.

If you dont care to go SC'ed then I would suggest getting rid of that stock restriction and getting a 73mm housing and nice CAI. You can get the combo for about $230 on ebay from MAC. I have ran a couple MAC intakes and like them quite a bit.

After that then getting headers and gears is the next bet. If you still want to toss some green around then I would get a TB and tuner.

You wont ever get much though, SC is the cheapest way to get good horsepower from these engines, well unless you go with nitrous but where is the fun in that

To give you an idea of the waste here is a list of my 96' mods.

Fresh 2000 3.8L
Ported heads
Ported lower intake
Ported upper intake
65mm TB
MAC CAI
94-97 3-1 Headers
BBK O/R X-pipe
Borla Mufflers
Custom tuned by VMP
(Stock-tastic 2.73 gears)
(Stock-tastic clutch)

I only make about 200rwhp +/-... Nothing worth the money I used. I had another Mach1 engine that I could have dropped in for less than what I spent on this swap, and I did it El-Cheapo too at just $2500 dollars.

I could get the MAC 73mm MAF, I could install my Windstar intake, I could install a 75mm TB on that intake but I figure.... Why waste the money when for $2000 I can have an 03/04 Eaton M112 sitting on the engine using an accufab inlet elbow, accufab Oval TB, JLT 4" CAI w/LMAF...

Just save your cash, you will be much happier if you wait a little bit.

 

I wouldn't get the C&L if you ever decide to do any major mods I hear its a b**** to tune for some reason.