83 3.8 V-6

Topic: 83 3.8 V-6 (Read 1475 times) previous topic - next topic

83 3.8 V-6

August 25, 2005, 10:31:35 AM

Guys the hp numbers on this motor are pathetic. What can possibly be done to get this motor in the 200 hp range? I've heard there are simply not many aftermarket options out there for this motor. Also, I'm in California, and you guys all know about the smog laws out here. :disappoin

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #1 – August 25, 2005, 10:59:06 AM

You could always go to a mustang v-6 board. They make about 190 to begin with. You could always rebuild it, increase the bore. Then you could of corse throw a super on it. Regular honeing and porting. Specially of the heads, I think this is the biggest problem with hp. I know it dosent breath good. You could always convert over to EFI using a donor car, (dunno about the calif part) or at the very least, if it is cfi(ignore my ignorance) then you can do stupid little things like get the cfi unit off of a 5.0.

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #2 – August 25, 2005, 11:29:19 AM

After market performance parts do not exist for this era of the V-6. To get a power increase you'll have to go the traditional route and bore the block out. I'd go 40 over bore, get a mild cam, oversized pistons, blueprint and balance everything, work the heads, go for some exhaust headers, roller rockers.

Also you'll need to replace all of the engine sensors, the MAP sensor, throttle body, the entire nine yards.

Do it up and the nay-sayers!

Chris

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #3 – August 25, 2005, 11:52:35 AM

I think the '83 3.8 has a carb. on it. I haven't a clue if it is feedback or not, but you have more options with the carb. than CFI. Like Chris said, you can add a cam, port the heads, new exhaust, etc... I'm not sure how hard it'll be to pass smog though. Either way, you won't be making 200 hp with the engine currently in the car unless you go gonzo.

If you have CFI, you're screwed. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

The most appealing option is swapping in a Mustang 3.8L. You'll have to run a new harness and deal with all sorts of swap issues, but you'll end up with a pretty decent engine that makes almost 200 hp stock. The newer 3.8s get good gas mileage too.

Now, if you don't have any sentimental attachment to 3.8 liters of swept volume, swap in a 5.0 (Yes, someone had to mention this option).

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #4 – August 25, 2005, 01:14:26 PM

dont go more than .030 over on a 3.8L, i wouldnt even want to bore one out to begin with, there isnt much meat in the heads and block between the cooling jackets and the combustion chamber, leaving less clamping space on the headgasket, meaning its more likely to give you issues

since you have a carb, you can pick up another carb, something a littler spicier, a decent Holley 350cfm would probably be decent enough im guessing, along with a full exhaust

other than that, there isnt much more you can do to your engine, you can put a cam in it, you can port heads, you can extrude hone the intake, but the power gains dont justify the cost

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #5 – August 25, 2005, 01:58:35 PM

My block is 40 over bore without a hint of trouble. Runs and sounds great.

Chris

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #6 – August 25, 2005, 02:12:21 PM

.030, .040...both tic-tacs in a whale's mouth when trying to get 200hp from a carb'd 3.8.

.030 nets you 1.59% more cubes than stock
.040 nets you 2.12% more cubes than stock

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #7 – August 25, 2005, 02:16:20 PM

Quote from: Chris1987LX

My block is 40 over bore without a hint of trouble. Runs and sounds great.

Chris

yet...

you also have to consider, that while you are modded, its not putting down the 200hp that LJS30 is after, more power equals more stress, and the 3.8L isnt designed to put down the 200hp, its designed to put down 120-140

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #8 – August 25, 2005, 03:03:46 PM

Quote from: JeremyB

tic-tacs in a whale's mouth

permissioin to use that one day!!!!!!!!

1983 could be carb or cfi depending on the production month. these years also had some vent windows also but mostly on the tbird from what ive seen.

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #9 – August 25, 2005, 03:35:16 PM

Install a carbed 302.You could probably score one pretty cheap.

Re: 83 3.8 V-6

Reply #10 – August 25, 2005, 03:41:08 PM

mmm, i want the 200 Hp too, but i dont know if its easier to get 200 Hp or 200KM/Hr in plain road....for sure , its going to cost you much...