Thread: ford engine

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I have a 1996 thunderbird with 3.8 , I would like some suggestions on which v8 would be best for this car. I have had this car since 1996 and have deceided to build this car for myself and then later to give to my son. This cars body is in perfect shape and I figured it would make a nice car for a 16 or 17 yr old. Any suggestions would be greatly appericated

One of the engine options in 96 for the T Bird was the 4.6, so you could swap one of those into yours, or even a 5.0. However, the question is, does this swap make financial sense? By the time you find a suitable donor and swap out all the mechanicals and electronics, you would be way further ahead selling yours and finding one already with the V8 from the factory.

These cars aren't like when we were putting Olds engines into 50 Fords, there are so many emission systems, computers, and other things that to make all of those work takes a lot of time and money. The game has changed with all the new advancements.

Just my opinion.

Don

'96 is a really nice year for the 'Birds! Depending on how much power you want in it, the 4.6 is a good way to go--If you want to leave lots of "growing space" in the horsepower department, might want to do some searching for one of the 4.6 DOHC engines. Besides the high dollar Mustang version they also came in the Mark 8 Lincoln's and some of the Navigators... Once the kid gets accustomed to the stock power levels and (of course) wants more horsepressure there are a ton of add ons available for it. A Kenne-Bell supercharger with the right cams and a bit of headwork will pump it up to a more then respectable level!!!

As for the $$$$$ deal that Don mentioned, if it had to make financial sense I would imagine 90% of the Hot Rods on the road would still be just in the dreaming stage.... I suppose when you're building for yourself $$$$ should be a concern but certainly not the only factor to be considered. Heck, if it's what you like, build it!!!

Yeah, I'm certainly not opposed to spending money on building cars, Dave, but we aren't talking about a car here that can't be duplicated just by shopping around and buying one that Ford already did for you. Taking a car that has a blue book value in the $ 1500.00 range and spending another $ 2000-$3000, potentially, on putting a V8 in it just doesn't add up. You could sell this one and for just a few bucks more find a V8 model already done.

I got in the middle of just about the same swap this gentleman is thinking about years ago, before I came to my senses. I had an 86 Cougar that was mint but the 3.8 was shot (like most of them are ) I built a 302 for it, lined up a C4 tranny, and started the job. Once I realized all that I was going to have to do to make all the systems work and buy all V8 related components, I scrapped the car and put the 302 in my 27.

How often do we see someone upside down on some project when they would be far better off going some other direction? Just trying to save him lots of money and work to end up with something that he could find on most used car lots.........and he wouldn't even get his hands dirty.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Yeah, I'm certainly not opposed to spending money on building cars, Dave, but we aren't talking about a car here that can't be duplicated just by shopping around and buying one that Ford already did for you. Taking a car that has a blue book value in the $ 1500.00 range and spending another $ 2000-$3000, potentially, on putting a V8 in it just doesn't add up. You could sell this one and for just a few bucks more find a V8 model already done.

How often do we see someone upside down on some project when they would be far better off going some other direction? Just trying to save him lots of money and work to end up with something that he could find on most used car lots.........and he wouldn't even get his hands dirty.

Don

Originally Posted by DAVE SEVERENSON

As for the $$$$$ deal that Don mentioned, if it had to make financial sense I would imagine 90% of the Hot Rods on the road would still be just in the dreaming stage.... I suppose when you're building for yourself $$$$ should be a concern but certainly not the only factor to be considered. Heck, if it's what you like, build it!!!

Both are right in what they say, as usual, but a '96 T-Bird is not a Hot Rod and it is going to be required to have the critical OEM systems functioning, at least to a large degree. Don is on target with his advice - you will be miles ahead to find the T-Bird you want and trade in the one you have for it. Not only will you save a big bundle of cash, you will have a vehicle that maintains whatever value it has for your son in the future. I'd say if you want to build a car for him you need to go shopping for a solid older model and do your thing. If you're set on upgrading the T-Bird you have then I would think you need to find a wrecked donor of the same general vintage and do a wholesale swap of the engine/tranny, computer and underhood goodies that are different. You're still going to have headaches with a modern swap, IMO.

I had both a '94 and a '97 T-Bird with the 4.6. While they were nice cruiser cars (especially the '97) they are not really hot rod material with just a stock 4.6 V8. Now, if you were to find a late Mustang with a blower engine to install in that car along with some differential ratio that's a lot better........

They are heavy, have an IRS that has some weaknesses, the original transmission has a torque converter that's junk, the brakes, unless you are lucky enough to have one with the4 wheel discs/ABS option are crappy.

But with that said, the V8's are a nice long haul cruiser, will get up to 27 mpg open road. 18-19 local driving and go faster then you can ever drive it. It does NOT make sense to make one out of a 3.8 when a 4.6 car can be had ready to go. I have seen my '97 within the past few weeks - and it still looks great.

All of the above advice rings true. If this is a first build then listen to the voice of sanity. If you are an experienced builder and comfortable with computer systems and see this as a fun distraction/project...then I say go for it. A build like this would be very educational just because of the modern systems and electronics that scare the @#$% out of me. If you can find a v8 version for around what you can sell yours for, you could then put energy into hot rodding the v8 version, and focus on the finish stuff like paint and interior, stereo...etc.
I have always wanted to get my hands on a Mercury Marauder. Looks like a Lincoln Towncar only imagine it on steroids!