V6 Tech Forums For all your 3.8L and 4.0L needs!

Stay V6 or go V8

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 07-12-2009 | 07:20 AM
Black Stallion's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
Default Stay V6 or go V8

I want to get around mid 600s hp and was gonna swap in a v8, but wanted to know if i could possibly meet my goal with a v6 if i comletely build the engine, port & polish and all that good stuff plus power adders.
 
  #2  
Old 07-12-2009 | 07:30 AM
zigzagg321's Avatar
Ninja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,155
From: OH
Default

V8
 
  #3  
Old 07-12-2009 | 08:05 AM
Lances03SVT's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,684
From: Carthage, Missouri
Default

Anything is possible if you want to throw enough money into it. You could build a better motor with the V8 for allot less cost.
 
  #4  
Old 07-13-2009 | 09:22 AM
garrett01001's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 208
From: DFW, TX
Default

drop a nice engine in it and then supercharge, if you have money

if you stay with the v6 and drop a new engine in you will have to replace your rearend with an 8.8" rear diff and get dual exhaust, you would prob also have to replace the brake system or be VERY VERY careful not to run up on anyone


trading in for the v8 would be cheaper in the long run but it all depends on what you want to do
 
  #5  
Old 07-13-2009 | 09:35 AM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

You can build a 600hp V6 it has been done. You would have to build a forged 4.3 with heavily ported heads and intakes.I think the few people that have done this are all using turbos. Check this out to see J's 610 hp 6 http://www.tmaturbo.com/ I think it would cost as much to build a 600hp V6 as an equally powerful V8 maybe even more and you won't have the great sound of the V8 either. Now if you were to go with a V8 you could make the same power with a twin screw supercharger, centrifugal supercharger, turbo and possibly even nitrous. That means you have a lot more options as to the kind of power curve you will have. The reason that some of the top V6 guys stay with the 6 is because they become attached to their car and often are proud to be unique.
 

Last edited by whitestang04; 07-13-2009 at 09:39 AM.
  #6  
Old 07-20-2009 | 02:06 PM
Black Stallion's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
Default

yea i was leanin towards the v8 anyway so now i think ill definitely do that. I think i wanna go naturally aspirated v8
 
  #7  
Old 07-20-2009 | 02:09 PM
mustangV6_04's Avatar
1/4 Mile 13.3@105MPH
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,960
From: Palm Coast, Florida
Default

v8... dont take much to make a lot of power
 
  #8  
Old 07-20-2009 | 02:28 PM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Black Stallion
yea i was leanin towards the v8 anyway so now i think ill definitely do that. I think i wanna go naturally aspirated v8
You are not going to get close to 600+ HP with a naturally aspirated modular V8.
 
  #9  
Old 07-21-2009 | 03:37 AM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

You're still going want to to forge the motor on that v8 regardless.

Forged motor and a turbo on a 2v with about 15lbs of boost and you'll exceed 600 RWHP no problem.
 
  #10  
Old 07-22-2009 | 09:15 AM
garrett01001's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 208
From: DFW, TX
Default

Originally Posted by SnTBakosFinest
You're still going want to to forge the motor on that v8 regardless.

Forged motor and a turbo on a 2v with about 15lbs of boost and you'll exceed 600 RWHP no problem.
forge the motor? can you explain?
 
  #11  
Old 07-22-2009 | 01:30 PM
mustangvsix's Avatar
4 point 6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,347
From: Flagstaff, Az / Los Alamos, NM
Default

Originally Posted by whitestang04
You can build a 600hp V6 it has been done. You would have to build a forged 4.3 with heavily ported heads and intakes.I think the few people that have done this are all using turbos. Check this out to see J's 610 hp 6 http://www.tmaturbo.com/ I think it would cost as much to build a 600hp V6 as an equally powerful V8 maybe even more and you won't have the great sound of the V8 either. Now if you were to go with a V8 you could make the same power with a twin screw supercharger, centrifugal supercharger, turbo and possibly even nitrous. That means you have a lot more options as to the kind of power curve you will have. The reason that some of the top V6 guys stay with the 6 is because they become attached to their car and often are proud to be unique.
and the fact they realize that they have sunk an extraordinary amount of money into it and it would be plain stupid to sell the car at that point.
I vote V8, it can be and has been done with a V6 but for the simplicity of getting there and of course the sound of a cammed v8....I vote the V8 option.
 
  #12  
Old 07-22-2009 | 05:20 PM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

Originally Posted by garrett01001
forge the motor? can you explain?
forged pistons h beam rods..i beams will work too i'd put a cobra crank in there...
 
  #13  
Old 07-22-2009 | 10:18 PM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

Originally Posted by mustangvsix
and the fact they realize that they have sunk an extraordinary amount of money into it and it would be plain stupid to sell the car at that point.
I vote V8, it can be and has been done with a V6 but for the simplicity of getting there and of course the sound of a cammed v8....I vote the V8 option.
I have never heard a cammed V8 that I didn't like. $$$$ of 4V cams for the Cobras and Machs FTL though.
 
  #14  
Old 07-23-2009 | 06:13 AM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

cobras ftl, just my two cents.
 
  #15  
Old 07-23-2009 | 07:31 AM
Black Sunshine's Avatar
By demons be driven.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,844
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by SnTBakosFinest
cobras ftl, just my two cents.
May death come swiftly to you.




 
  #16  
Old 07-23-2009 | 08:07 AM
3.8LMustang's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,107
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Default

if you have the money, id say build up ur v6
 
  #17  
Old 07-23-2009 | 09:37 AM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Black Sunshine
May death come swiftly to you.




Lol yea. Wowwww its a built what 4 valve with a blower on it and makes great power... still not impressed... not when you're paying some outrageous price for it and a LS motor does it N/A..

A built 2 valve with a turbo on it is scary quick too.. but hey..they don't talk about that as much..
 
  #18  
Old 07-23-2009 | 02:22 PM
mustangvsix's Avatar
4 point 6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,347
From: Flagstaff, Az / Los Alamos, NM
Default

Originally Posted by SnTBakosFinest
Lol yea. Wowwww its a built what 4 valve with a blower on it and makes great power... still not impressed... not when you're paying some outrageous price for it and a LS motor does it N/A..

A built 2 valve with a turbo on it is scary quick too.. but hey..they don't talk about that as much..
really dude? a 4v with a big as turbo putting down over 1000hp doesn't impress yet you think a v6 with (proportionally) a ton of money thrown at it making half that power is cooler? yeah ok....not dissing on v6's at all, I had one, loved it, and no doubt some of the craizier turbo sixers out their putting 4,5,600 hp down are sick but a 8,9 or 1000hp V8 cobra is much cooler in my eyes. And as everyone knows with enough money you can make anything go fast...maybe even a honda...but we wont get that crazy, lol..

as for that crude LS motor remark....give a ford equal displacement and they can do it too. Look at the 00' Cobra R. 5.4L NA motor....put down more power than an LS1 which i believe still has .3L on it(5.7L right?).
 
  #19  
Old 07-24-2009 | 12:47 AM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

Originally Posted by mustangvsix
really dude? a 4v with a big as turbo putting down over 1000hp doesn't impress yet you think a v6 with (proportionally) a ton of money thrown at it making half that power is cooler? yeah ok....not dissing on v6's at all, I had one, loved it, and no doubt some of the craizier turbo sixers out their putting 4,5,600 hp down are sick but a 8,9 or 1000hp V8 cobra is much cooler in my eyes. And as everyone knows with enough money you can make anything go fast...maybe even a honda...but we wont get that crazy, lol..

as for that crude LS motor remark....give a ford equal displacement and they can do it too. Look at the 00' Cobra R. 5.4L NA motor....put down more power than an LS1 which i believe still has .3L on it(5.7L right?).
I said something about how great a v6 was? I said 2 valve princess.. Still a v8, different set of heads. Just really tired of hearing about a cobra when I think they aren't worth the money and are slightly overrated. Of course its going to be quick with a blower on it.

5.4 NA motor is nice, however motors like the LS7 ect are still eating it up. Don't get me wrong, I like ford motors, but theres some **** they just aren't doing.. . However, small block fords still do put out records as far as racing goes..it just takes a shitload of money.
 
  #20  
Old 07-24-2009 | 08:06 AM
mustangvsix's Avatar
4 point 6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,347
From: Flagstaff, Az / Los Alamos, NM
Default

Originally Posted by SnTBakosFinest
I said something about how great a v6 was? I said 2 valve princess.. Still a v8, different set of heads. Just really tired of hearing about a cobra when I think they aren't worth the money and are slightly overrated. Of course its going to be quick with a blower on it.

5.4 NA motor is nice, however motors like the LS7 ect are still eating it up. Don't get me wrong, I like ford motors, but theres some **** they just aren't doing.. . However, small block fords still do put out records as far as racing goes..it just takes a shitload of money.
princess? who you calling princess, I am not the one living in dream land where a 2v is cooler than a 4v because it's less "over rated".

chevy makes power with large displacement n/a power ford does it with smaller displacement supercharged power. I think it's a good thing they both don't do it the same adds variety to the pack.

and money makes the world go round just as money makes anything go fast.

anyways...back on topic
 
  #21  
Old 07-24-2009 | 09:48 AM
00blkstanggt's Avatar
Hot, Nasty, Bad ass speed
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,719
From: Livermore, Ca
Default

If anything, aren't 03/04 cobra's underrated? Considering that they usually have more power than what's advertised. Yes I would say Ford's engines are a bit under power compared to some LSx. The Ford GT did use a 5.4 4V supercharged and was only putting down 500-550, when the LS7 was putting down that non supercharged. Yes it was a bigger engine though. Overall, do what makes you happy. Just remember, pretty much anything you do, has been done before. I'm tired of seeing people say oh I'm building the six so I can eat V8s cause it's different and vice versa. It's all been done before so nobody is really all that different.
 
  #22  
Old 07-24-2009 | 10:32 AM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

Originally Posted by 00blkstanggt
If anything, aren't 03/04 cobra's underrated? Considering that they usually have more power than what's advertised. Yes I would say Ford's engines are a bit under power compared to some LSx. The Ford GT did use a 5.4 4V supercharged and was only putting down 500-550, when the LS7 was putting down that non supercharged. Yes it was a bigger engine though. Overall, do what makes you happy. Just remember, pretty much anything you do, has been done before. I'm tired of seeing people say oh I'm building the six so I can eat V8s cause it's different and vice versa. It's all been done before so nobody is really all that different.
While I agree with your argument that it has all been done before, you have to remember how frequently its been done. There are no more than a handful of guys in the world making big power with the V6. If someone else does it they are still going to be one a only a few "going against the grain". Compare that to the number of V8's cars making big power and you are going to be different. I seen more than a handful of 500+ HP cobras just a the last show I went to alone.
 
  #23  
Old 07-24-2009 | 10:51 AM
SnTBakosFinest's Avatar
Nitrous Injected 3.8
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,881
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default

Originally Posted by mustangvsix
princess? who you calling princess, I am not the one living in dream land where a 2v is cooler than a 4v because it's less "over rated".

chevy makes power with large displacement n/a power ford does it with smaller displacement supercharged power. I think it's a good thing they both don't do it the same adds variety to the pack.

and money makes the world go round just as money makes anything go fast.

anyways...back on topic
Its the same **** asshat, minus a set of heads. Oh wait.. trickflow has a set of what..2v heads now so throw that set of 2v heads a turbo kit and forge the motor..800+ RWHP beast probably for the price of that cobra.

Around here cobras go for 23k+ GTs go for like 8-9. Why pay extra for the nice seats and badges ect if all you're looking to do is go fast

Ya a six is cool and its fun to say "I have something no one else does" around here. But to put yourself in the same category as guys like J or Matt Neuarth (running 9s right now) or Tom Y is going to either cost you a butt load of $$ or some connections to people.

Building a six isn't for everyone. I like mine, I'm not satisfied with it, but I'm not going and grabbing a Cobra for my next vehicle. I'll be looking at a GT with a hellion on it, full suspension True forged wheels, and quite a bit of other things..for a grand total of.... 11 grand. A low 11 second car for 11 grand. While that Cobra, around here, puts down a high twelve, with tires on, stock. :O
 
  #24  
Old 07-24-2009 | 10:53 AM
Black Sunshine's Avatar
By demons be driven.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,844
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by whitestang04
While I agree with your argument that it has all been done before, you have to remember how frequently its been done. There are no more than a handful of guys in the world making big power with the V6. If someone else does it they are still going to be one a only a few "going against the grain". Compare that to the number of V8's cars making big power and you are going to be different. I seen more than a handful of 500+ HP cobras just a the last show I went to alone.
Price is a large factor as well. I guarantee it costs a hell of a lot less to make a 500+ hp V8 than it does to make a 500+ hp V6. There are no more than a handful of guys in the world making big power with a V6 because it is too goddamn expensive and you probably have to have pockets deeper than the Grand Canyon to have it done, let alone to have it done right.

I'd rather spend my money on that gorgeous, F/I 400+ hp Cobra that sounds better than damn near anything on Earth, than to dump $10,000+ into a V6 that flat out will not make what a V8 with the same modifications will.

Now, seeing a V6 that can rip asphalt would be awesome and respectful. It's just that it's kind of pointless (to me) to do it.
 
  #25  
Old 07-24-2009 | 11:07 AM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Black Sunshine
Price is a large factor as well. I guarantee it costs a hell of a lot less to make a 500+ hp V8 than it does to make a 500+ hp V6. There are no more than a handful of guys in the world making big power with a V6 because it is too goddamn expensive and you probably have to have pockets deeper than the Grand Canyon to have it done, let alone to have it done right.

I'd rather spend my money on that gorgeous, F/I 400+ hp Cobra that sounds better than damn near anything on Earth, than to dump $10,000+ into a V6 that flat out will not make what a V8 with the same modifications will.

Now, seeing a V6 that can rip asphalt would be awesome and respectful. It's just that it's kind of pointless (to me) to do it.
I agree 100%. I said in one of my earlier posts that it would cost as much if not more to make that kind of power with the V6. I was only trying to say that powerful 6's aren't nearly common enough to say that they aren't different.
 
  #26  
Old 07-24-2009 | 11:21 AM
White04GT's Avatar
KenneBell Blown
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,287
From: Kingwood, Tx.
Default

There is no need to get all heated up over this topic. It was a simple question to go v6 or v8. If money is a factor go with a v8 takes less money to achieve 600rwhp then it will a v6...simply because your going to have to spend more money to make up for the lack of cylinders. Yeah a fast *** v6 would be unique and pretty cool, but you still will want a v8 for that sexy exhaust note. Now I don't see how a cobra is over-rated. The 03-04 cobra is your best bang for the buck. It has the best platform out of any mustang ever built before it. You can throw $2000 in mods and be over 500rwhp. Not enough? Spend 3grand and get a KB or Whipple and make upwards of 700rwhp depending on the size of blower/boost/tune. Coming from someone who is in the process of having a 600rwhp GT built I would take a 03-04 cobra in a heart beat if I could do it all over again. If I knew what I know now I would have never bought a GT and would of waited until the time came that I could of bought a Cobra. No turning back now as I already spent way to much and would take a huge loss when my car will already beat 1/2 of the cobra's on the road.
 
  #27  
Old 07-24-2009 | 11:36 AM
mustangvsix's Avatar
4 point 6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,347
From: Flagstaff, Az / Los Alamos, NM
Default

Originally Posted by SnTBakosFinest
Its the same **** asshat, minus a set of heads. Oh wait.. trickflow has a set of what..2v heads now so throw that set of 2v heads a turbo kit and forge the motor..800+ RWHP beast probably for the price of that cobra.

Around here cobras go for 23k+ GTs go for like 8-9. Why pay extra for the nice seats and badges ect if all you're looking to do is go fast

Ya a six is cool and its fun to say "I have something no one else does" around here. But to put yourself in the same category as guys like J or Matt Neuarth (running 9s right now) or Tom Y is going to either cost you a butt load of $$ or some connections to people.

Building a six isn't for everyone. I like mine, I'm not satisfied with it, but I'm not going and grabbing a Cobra for my next vehicle. I'll be looking at a GT with a hellion on it, full suspension True forged wheels, and quite a bit of other things..for a grand total of.... 11 grand. A low 11 second car for 11 grand. While that Cobra, around here, puts down a high twelve, with tires on, stock. :O

wow dude, chill out...it's just an opinion. Not trying to start an crazy e-fights.

ok so you say gt's go for 8-9k in your area, so 8k + turbo kit (5k at least) full suspension(4k for MM stuff) , TF wheels ($$$ 3k?) and other odds and ends an that is 20k...sorry not 11k for an 11sec. car. And in today's crappy time of selling cars you can find 03/04 cobras for 17-18k. 2-3k in mods and you will easily match what you did to that GT. Will it be as special because it is mostly stock, no, will it have the hard time and effort of building your own car up, no, but it can be done for the same price. It's all about your choice of starting platform and how far you want to take it from stock.

And I am not knocking the Gt's at all either..heck a few weeks back someone posted a link to a comparison of a 2v a 4v and 3v all running 20psi same exhaust, same everything to see how they all stacked up and the 3v actually put down more power, the thing that differed is where the 2 and 3v would go boom from that much boost stock, it cost a lot more to get them to that point, but it's in buying the car cost where mod money is lost on the 4v and saved on the 2v but a 3v is right there in cost with a 4v so yeah.


but for the topic starter, get what you want, any way you go it's going to cost to mod, the V8 has the larger market for mods I feel and as a personal preference a sound that no V6 can or will ever match. Get what makes you happy it's your money.


oh and 00blkstang he wasn't referring to power rating on the 03's being over rated, it's that they as a car(03/04 and apparently all cobras) he feels are nothing special and should not continue to have there 15mins of fame.
 

Last edited by mustangvsix; 07-24-2009 at 11:39 AM.
  #28  
Old 07-24-2009 | 12:05 PM
Black Sunshine's Avatar
By demons be driven.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,844
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by whitestang04
I agree 100%. I said in one of my earlier posts that it would cost as much if not more to make that kind of power with the V6. I was only trying to say that powerful 6's aren't nearly common enough to say that they aren't different.
Oh, I know. I meant to type my post in addition to your post... kind of like an afterthought.
 
  #29  
Old 07-24-2009 | 12:11 PM
00blkstanggt's Avatar
Hot, Nasty, Bad ass speed
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,719
From: Livermore, Ca
Default

If you have the time and money, yes you can just build a 2V V8 and be very fast and still be cheaper than a cobra. For little money you can make a cobra really fast after you pay teh decent amount for the cobra itself. But the cobra is a very good bang for your buck car. Will I be happy once my vortech is on and I'm hanging with relatively stock cobras and knowing I didn't have to pay an extra $8,000 and have my insurance go up, of course I'm going to be happy. Would I be happy if I went the route of buying a cobra, of course I would. In my eyes, and no offense to anyone, but the only 6 worth having and building for high power would be a supra hands down.
 
  #30  
Old 07-24-2009 | 12:19 PM
whitestang04's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,381
From: Sarasota, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Black Sunshine
Oh, I know. I meant to type my post in addition to your post... kind of like an afterthought.
Oh I got ya. I am surprised at the turn this thread took. I think it all just comes down to money. For the most part if someone can afford a GT they don't buy a V6 just to make it faster than the GT, If they can buy a Cobra they won't buy a GT to beat the Cobra ect, ect........ The exception is when you buy a car on a budget and your budget then becomes larger. I know if I had the money when I bought my V6 to get a GT or Cobra I certainly would have.

*Edit- I am also surprised the GT500, and KR haven't been brought up yet.
 



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:49 PM.