Upgrading a v6
11-16-2011, 11:02 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 43
Upgrading a v6
Hey guys,
So I've acquired a 1999 v6 coupe 5 speed a few months back (and I love it), but my greed for power is getting in my way. My hp goal is at least 350, and I know it will cost quite a bit. Right now it's all stock performance except for bbk cold air intake. I ran across a 4.3L Long Rod Stroker from SSM recently and it costs a hefty $8k's. It states it can boost an average of 280-375 hp naturally aspirated. My question is if that is really true? And if so could the stock tranny handle it or should I upgrade? Would it be cheaper if I sell and buy a v8 and just add bolt-ons to it? I'm fairly inexperienced in these matters, this is an opportunity for me to learn more.
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/p...Shotblocks.pdf
Here's the link to the site.
Thank you for your time!
So I've acquired a 1999 v6 coupe 5 speed a few months back (and I love it), but my greed for power is getting in my way. My hp goal is at least 350, and I know it will cost quite a bit. Right now it's all stock performance except for bbk cold air intake. I ran across a 4.3L Long Rod Stroker from SSM recently and it costs a hefty $8k's. It states it can boost an average of 280-375 hp naturally aspirated. My question is if that is really true? And if so could the stock tranny handle it or should I upgrade? Would it be cheaper if I sell and buy a v8 and just add bolt-ons to it? I'm fairly inexperienced in these matters, this is an opportunity for me to learn more.
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/p...Shotblocks.pdf
Here's the link to the site.
Thank you for your time!
11-17-2011, 06:13 AM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: rockwell/charlotte NC
Posts: 1,451
Buy a v8 IMO, I know some will argue but if you dont want to spend a metro butt **** ton on a 350hp car just start with a gt, Put an intake exhaust and cams and you are at 300. Ive worked countless mustangs (in a perf shop) and I bet you can guess how many were v6's dont get me wrong I love mine and if you want to build yourss more power it runss through my head every other week but its up to you in the end.
11-17-2011, 08:10 AM
#3
While the V6 can make 350 hp, it takes a nice chunk of change to get it there simply because you'll need a ton of secondary parts the V6s lack and the V8s have, such as a stronger rear end and limited slip differential to name a few.
Now with that said even on some V8s, getting to the 350 hp mark isn't that easy. It also depends what you're talking about, are you talking 350 bhp (flywheel hp) or 350 rwhp (hp at the wheels). The 350 bhp is obviously easier to attain than the 350 rwhp, but I'm going to assume you're talking rwhp as bhp is much harder to measure.
A 99-04 GT makes around 225-230 rwhp so in short, you'd need a supercharger to hit 350 rwhp. Problem is that's about the most the engine can make in stock form as the 99-04s have pretty weak stock internals. You can do an aggressive engine build to get there but the car wouldn't be as streetable.
99/01 Cobra makes around 260 rwhp, again, you'll need a supercharger to get there and the 99/01s also have weak internals.
03/04 Corbas make around 370 rwhp. So get one of these and you're there...but at a $16000 asking point in fair condition and the best still selling for over $20,000 I'm gonna assume this is out the price range.
05-10 GTs make around 245 rwhp. They can be easily moded to hit 300 rwhp by fixing the timing and fuel curves Ford tuned into the car to make them run "safer" but it hampers power. To get to 350 rwhp you will need an S/C or a mild engine build. Problem here is these cars can sell anywhere from $10,000-25000 used.
07+ Cobras dyno around 450-475 rwhp, but like the terminator I'll assume this is out of your price range.
11 Mustang GT dynos around 360 rwhp but with a $28,000 entry price tag I'll also assume this is out of your price range.
Now with that said even on some V8s, getting to the 350 hp mark isn't that easy. It also depends what you're talking about, are you talking 350 bhp (flywheel hp) or 350 rwhp (hp at the wheels). The 350 bhp is obviously easier to attain than the 350 rwhp, but I'm going to assume you're talking rwhp as bhp is much harder to measure.
A 99-04 GT makes around 225-230 rwhp so in short, you'd need a supercharger to hit 350 rwhp. Problem is that's about the most the engine can make in stock form as the 99-04s have pretty weak stock internals. You can do an aggressive engine build to get there but the car wouldn't be as streetable.
99/01 Cobra makes around 260 rwhp, again, you'll need a supercharger to get there and the 99/01s also have weak internals.
03/04 Corbas make around 370 rwhp. So get one of these and you're there...but at a $16000 asking point in fair condition and the best still selling for over $20,000 I'm gonna assume this is out the price range.
05-10 GTs make around 245 rwhp. They can be easily moded to hit 300 rwhp by fixing the timing and fuel curves Ford tuned into the car to make them run "safer" but it hampers power. To get to 350 rwhp you will need an S/C or a mild engine build. Problem here is these cars can sell anywhere from $10,000-25000 used.
07+ Cobras dyno around 450-475 rwhp, but like the terminator I'll assume this is out of your price range.
11 Mustang GT dynos around 360 rwhp but with a $28,000 entry price tag I'll also assume this is out of your price range.
11-17-2011, 08:13 AM
#4
So in short you'll need to spend a nice chunk of change somehow, question to ask yourself is how do you want to do it.
Now I'll say this much, I'm all for learning and having fun with your car, but don't blow every penny you make modding cars as when you get older you'll see just how much you wasted. Why do I say that you might ask...simply, lets say you buy a car and put $5000 in mods into the car...5 years later, you're older, can afford something newer, better, more reliable (and trust me you will be able to) guess what all that money you put into the car is now worth.....$0!!! That's right $0, so it's something to keep in mind. Sure some of the parts you may be able to take off and get 1/4 of what you paid for it if you're lucky but in general is wasted cash.
Now I'll say this much, I'm all for learning and having fun with your car, but don't blow every penny you make modding cars as when you get older you'll see just how much you wasted. Why do I say that you might ask...simply, lets say you buy a car and put $5000 in mods into the car...5 years later, you're older, can afford something newer, better, more reliable (and trust me you will be able to) guess what all that money you put into the car is now worth.....$0!!! That's right $0, so it's something to keep in mind. Sure some of the parts you may be able to take off and get 1/4 of what you paid for it if you're lucky but in general is wasted cash.
11-17-2011, 02:44 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 43
That's the problem with getting a v8; It's going to be pretty hard getting it up to that rwhp mark as well. Saving up isn't a big concern because right now I'm still at college and working in between I can make around 10k a year, by the time I have a job the money I saved up would be minuscule compared to my income (or so at least I hope it will). Selling my v6 and getting a v8 would be an automatic loss of around 2-3ks, since they cost more. Then working on it to bring it to a 350hp mark would cost another maybe 4-6ks (if I go for forced induction). If the long rod stroker can really create that much horsepower then I'm paying the same amount in the end, plus the fact that the new engine has forged internals so I won't have to worry about it blowing. But I'm not sure if it can really give that much hp, I was wondering if anyone knew or could give an estimate based on v6 mods and failures if any. The car has 90k miles on it as well, it's pretty clean in terms of rust but can the chassis even handle that much power? And jthorn you mentioned drivability issues occurring if I go all forged internals, how bad would it get? If only I could get my hands on a decent priced cobra haha.
11-17-2011, 03:52 PM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: OH
Posts: 850
Sell v6, buy a 99-04 gt.
Do the "$1500 vortech build"
It typically comes up to more than that, but many many members have hit 350-400+rwhp for under $2500 bucks on an intercooled vortech.
https://mustangforums.com/forum/pipe...-its-done.html
Do the "$1500 vortech build"
It typically comes up to more than that, but many many members have hit 350-400+rwhp for under $2500 bucks on an intercooled vortech.
https://mustangforums.com/forum/pipe...-its-done.html
11-17-2011, 06:15 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MO/ Born and raised in Louisiana
Posts: 10,696
Sell v6, buy a 99-04 gt.
Do the "$1500 vortech build"
It typically comes up to more than that, but many many members have hit 350-400+rwhp for under $2500 bucks on an intercooled vortech.
https://mustangforums.com/forum/pipe...-its-done.html
Do the "$1500 vortech build"
It typically comes up to more than that, but many many members have hit 350-400+rwhp for under $2500 bucks on an intercooled vortech.
https://mustangforums.com/forum/pipe...-its-done.html
Exactly 2170 bucks my man!!
11-17-2011, 06:48 PM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 1,387
While the V6 can make 350 hp, it takes a nice chunk of change to get it there simply because you'll need a ton of secondary parts the V6s lack and the V8s have, such as a stronger rear end and limited slip differential to name a few.
Now with that said even on some V8s, getting to the 350 hp mark isn't that easy. It also depends what you're talking about, are you talking 350 bhp (flywheel hp) or 350 rwhp (hp at the wheels). The 350 bhp is obviously easier to attain than the 350 rwhp, but I'm going to assume you're talking rwhp as bhp is much harder to measure.
A 99-04 GT makes around 225-230 rwhp so in short, you'd need a supercharger to hit 350 rwhp. Problem is that's about the most the engine can make in stock form as the 99-04s have pretty weak stock internals. You can do an aggressive engine build to get there but the car wouldn't be as streetable.
99/01 Cobra makes around 260 rwhp, again, you'll need a supercharger to get there and the 99/01s also have weak internals.
03/04 Corbas make around 370 rwhp. So get one of these and you're there...but at a $16000 asking point in fair condition and the best still selling for over $20,000 I'm gonna assume this is out the price range.
05-10 GTs make around 245 rwhp. They can be easily moded to hit 300 rwhp by fixing the timing and fuel curves Ford tuned into the car to make them run "safer" but it hampers power. To get to 350 rwhp you will need an S/C or a mild engine build. Problem here is these cars can sell anywhere from $10,000-25000 used.
07+ Cobras dyno around 450-475 rwhp, but like the terminator I'll assume this is out of your price range.
11 Mustang GT dynos around 360 rwhp but with a $28,000 entry price tag I'll also assume this is out of your price range.
Now with that said even on some V8s, getting to the 350 hp mark isn't that easy. It also depends what you're talking about, are you talking 350 bhp (flywheel hp) or 350 rwhp (hp at the wheels). The 350 bhp is obviously easier to attain than the 350 rwhp, but I'm going to assume you're talking rwhp as bhp is much harder to measure.
A 99-04 GT makes around 225-230 rwhp so in short, you'd need a supercharger to hit 350 rwhp. Problem is that's about the most the engine can make in stock form as the 99-04s have pretty weak stock internals. You can do an aggressive engine build to get there but the car wouldn't be as streetable.
99/01 Cobra makes around 260 rwhp, again, you'll need a supercharger to get there and the 99/01s also have weak internals.
03/04 Corbas make around 370 rwhp. So get one of these and you're there...but at a $16000 asking point in fair condition and the best still selling for over $20,000 I'm gonna assume this is out the price range.
05-10 GTs make around 245 rwhp. They can be easily moded to hit 300 rwhp by fixing the timing and fuel curves Ford tuned into the car to make them run "safer" but it hampers power. To get to 350 rwhp you will need an S/C or a mild engine build. Problem here is these cars can sell anywhere from $10,000-25000 used.
07+ Cobras dyno around 450-475 rwhp, but like the terminator I'll assume this is out of your price range.
11 Mustang GT dynos around 360 rwhp but with a $28,000 entry price tag I'll also assume this is out of your price range.
