Posted by Charlie (IP: 131.204.83.153) on August 29, 2000 at 17:34:33:
In Reply to: nos n/m posted by mikep01 on August 29, 2000 at 00:16:06:
There's really not much you can do with those engines. NOS or a Supercharger will kill an already weak head seal. 3.8L's are notorious for head gasket failure, I've done 2 in the last 6 months, both Mustangs, one a '95, one a '96. Saleen and Vortech tried supercharging the 3.8L but Saleen dropped the option before it went to production because of this problem. I don't think Vortech ever offered the kit for sale, though I could be wrong. It's odd because Ford factory supercharged the 3.8L, but that was a very different engine. Get dual exhaust and extrude-hone the intake, tweak it a little, but if you're gonna spend the big money sell it and get a '99 with a 200HP V6 or a V8 car. -CP
: : Sorry to post this question on the board, but you guys have always been good with my Maverick questions so i figured i'd ask a second opinion.
: : My girlfriend drives a 1996 Mustang, the 3.8L six-banger. She's really into cars, especially mustangs, but unfortunately i guess ford didn't have their head in the right place as far as power is concerned on this car. Right now the thing has about 150 horse, which certainly isn't bad, but i think it could be better. She's talking about a supercharger, which, needless to say, would be AWESOME (though, sadly, probably not as good as a complete v8 swap..), but the cost is another matter... I would like something that would just be a good christmas present (in other words, CHEAP) which would make a noticeable change in power. I thought of a cam, possibly an intake, maybe even changing the compression to about 10.5:1 (since she already runs nothing but Chevron premium--altho i don't know what it is currently). Or hell, maybe i'll just upgrade her speakers ;) But, as it stands, she really likes to race and she just can't keep up with the six banger camaros and it would sure be nice to see her haulin ass in front of the competition :)
: : Thanks for any help that anyone can provide... (oh, and PS--it's a manual, that tranny can't handle TOO much power...)