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Topic: 3.8 V-6 Modifications (Read 2038 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 3.8 V-6 Modifications

Reply #15 –
Quote from: LJS30
Nice very nice indeed.  Did the mods give you alot more power?  Can you feel the pull?  Mine is an 83 3.8 which feels so weak.

Thanks!  The engine was woken up a bit by the mods, sure. Couple that with the exhaust and all of the new suspension goodies and it doesn't even feel or act like the car I bought in 1999. I've been told it sounds like a V-8, but I'm sure people are just being kind when they say that.

A great starting ground would be to pull your engine, get it all torn down, hottanked, and reassembled with a blue print and balance.  I don't think crank work would effect the smog status - you could have the crank knife-edged, put in a crank ser, make that bottom end rock solid before moving up the block.

Headers off of a mid 90's Stang fit our motor.  They're cheap too.  Don't forget all of the engine sensors I installed.  That made a difference during the inspection as well. Everything, and I mean everything was brand new out of the box.

I'm yanking my 3.8 out again for a fresh coat of paint on some parts along with installing the headers, torque converter, and anything else I can do. Feel free to drop me a line should you want more detailed info. 

Chris
"I put my foot in my tank and I began to roll." Chuck Berry
 

Re: 3.8 V-6 Modifications

Reply #16 –
You'd need to swap in an 86-87 ECU if you did any mods. The 83-85 ECUs don't have adaptive strategy. So if you make modifications that give you 20% more VE at x RPM, you'll run 20% leaner. The ECU has the same open loop tables today as it had when it came from the factory.