'98 3.8L, fair dealer price?

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 08:06 AM

A local dealer has a V6 'Stang for sale with 112,000 miles on it, he said it's in overall good shape but the top paint is peeling and needs fixed.
It has a 5 speed so that's a plus, not sure if the diff is posi or not but it wouldn't be too much to swap it out for a posi if it's not. I can either build the V6 or run it "as is" and build up a 4.6L and drop it in(it will fit, right?) either way I'd have a Mustang, which is something I've been wanting for a few months and have more power then my '05 Neon even if I'd not get the gas mileage that I'm getting out of the Neon. So, would this be a good, reliable car to build or would a Fox Body be a better choice? I want a manual trans, posi diff and a decent power plant, say in the 300 hp range. Can a V6 be built to 300 hp and still be reliable since this will be my daily driver. Thanks in advance for the info.

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 08:16 AM

Here's a link to the car.
Mountain Motors, Crossville Tn Auto Dealer for Used Cars and Trucks
Also, I noticed in the "read me first" area that a lot of mods will only work on '99 or newer 'Stangs. Why is this? What did they change from '98 to '99?

stephen · March 17th, 2009, 08:29 AM

From 98 to 99 they went to split port intake and also I believe a return less fuel pump.

The 99 car is a lot better than the 98.

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 08:34 AM

So I should probably stay away form the '98? I mean, is it really all that bad of a car or is it just different then the newer '99's. I found an '87 5.0L that had a lot of mods but the price more then I'd like to pay.
So if you were looking for a Mustang on a budget which one would you buy and why? I'll probably get $5500 to $6000 out of my Neon, I'd like to keep at least $2500 out for mods and unexpected repairs that might come up, you know how "used" cars can be. What's out there in the $3000 and under range?

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Yep, I noticed a 40hp difference between the '98 and the '99, that's quite a bit in the "real world". Guess I'll look for either an older Fox Body with a 5.0L or a '99 to '00 with either a 4.6L or the split port 3.8L, long as it has a manual trans and I can put a posi with 4.10's in it. Talk to ya'll later.

SDYC00GT · March 17th, 2009, 09:36 AM

I have a 99 gt, 5spd for sale for $3500 firm. PM me if you want more info.

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 08:22 PM

While I was at work today, when I got a second(man, we were busy) I looked at pics of both heads. The older head looks like a "normal" style head on the intake side but the newer one looked a lot different.
One thing is for sure, whatever I get has to be rust free. I"m not going to deal with rust, already been there on a '83 Ford F-100 that I use to own.

ByPopularDemand · March 17th, 2009, 08:44 PM

Slpitport intake...im oretty sure thats what you saw. Thats why the hp jumped by 40 for the 99-04 stangs

TN.Frank · March 17th, 2009, 10:06 PM

Thing is, how does a split port 3.8L compare with a 4.6L? I'd like to get something where I can make 300-400 HP without too much fuss or muss. If I can get it from a 3.8 that's great but if it'd be easier to get from a 4.6L then maybe I need to really look for a V8.

dschack · March 17th, 2009, 10:50 PM

itd be a lot easier to get 300-400 horses out of a GT, definitly, but thats a lot for a daily driver, just my .02. The 3.8 can be built with full bolt ons you could probably get 250 out of it, thats a pretty fun car to drive around town IMO

TN.Frank · March 18th, 2009, 07:46 PM

I'd like to keep some kind of gas mileage BUT I'd LOVE 300 hp with a 5spd. manual and a 4.10 posi rear axle. Can a '98 3.8L be fitted with '99+ split port heads without much trouble? I'm just looking for a nice looking SN95 daily driver with a bit of "umph" to it. Has to have a manual trans and posi rear axle.

goren813 · March 19th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Split-Port Swap - 3.8Wiki

Read up! It can be done.

G.T. Rags · March 19th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by TN.Frank

I'd like to keep some kind of gas mileage BUT I'd LOVE 300 hp with a 5spd. manual and a 4.10 posi rear axle. Can a '98 3.8L be fitted with '99+ split port heads without much trouble? I'm just looking for a nice looking SN95 daily driver with a bit of "umph" to it. Has to have a manual trans and posi rear axle.

just buy a mach 1 and call it a day

TN.Frank · March 19th, 2009, 03:59 PM

If money were no object I'd track down a '69 Mach I with a 428 CJ, that's my Dream 'Stang. The reality is that I'll probably end up with a V6 since insurance will be cheaper and they're more of em' around then the 4.6L cars and they're cheaper too. IF I do end up with the '98 I'll do a head swap or even buy some aftermarket aluminum heads if they can be had, that'll get the HP numbers on the '98 up to '99 specs then I can add a few other goodies like a hotter cam, headers, free flow cats and mufflers and a better intake and TB with matching MAF. Set up right I should be in the 250hp range and with a manual trans using a lightened flywheel and good clutch set-up runing back to a set of 4.10 gears with a posi I'd probably have a pretty decent daily driver that'd still be fun to drive.

March 17th, 2009, 08:06 AM	#1
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	'98 3.8L, fair dealer price? A local dealer has a V6 'Stang for sale with 112,000 miles on it, he said it's in overall good shape but the top paint is peeling and needs fixed. It has a 5 speed so that's a plus, not sure if the diff is posi or not but it wouldn't be too much to swap it out for a posi if it's not. I can either build the V6 or run it "as is" and build up a 4.6L and drop it in(it will fit, right?) either way I'd have a Mustang, which is something I've been wanting for a few months and have more power then my '05 Neon even if I'd not get the gas mileage that I'm getting out of the Neon. So, would this be a good, reliable car to build or would a Fox Body be a better choice? I want a manual trans, posi diff and a decent power plant, say in the 300 hp range. Can a V6 be built to 300 hp and still be reliable since this will be my daily driver. Thanks in advance for the info.

March 17th, 2009, 08:44 PM	#8
ByPopularDemand Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 V6 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,666 iTrader: 0 reviews	Slpitport intake...im oretty sure thats what you saw. Thats why the hp jumped by 40 for the 99-04 stangs __________________ 2000 V6 vert Mac LT headers, Mac O/R H-pipe, Mac CAI, ASP 25% underdrive pulley(r.i.p), SCT tune, 8.8 rear and 4.10 gears.

March 17th, 2009, 10:50 PM	#10
dschack Enthusiast 2000 sixxer, 1988 Fox Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 505 iTrader: 0 reviews	itd be a lot easier to get 300-400 horses out of a GT, definitly, but thats a lot for a daily driver, just my .02. The 3.8 can be built with full bolt ons you could probably get 250 out of it, thats a pretty fun car to drive around town IMO __________________

March 19th, 2009, 12:17 PM	#12
goren813 MM's Official Lucifer '00 3.8L & '05 4.6L Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 3,620 iTrader: 0 reviews	Split-Port Swap - 3.8Wiki Read up! It can be done. __________________ "Fast she goes...in the city of Overdose"

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March 17th, 2009, 08:16 AM	#2
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	Here's a link to the car. Mountain Motors, Crossville Tn Auto Dealer for Used Cars and Trucks Also, I noticed in the "read me first" area that a lot of mods will only work on '99 or newer 'Stangs. Why is this? What did they change from '98 to '99?

March 17th, 2009, 08:29 AM	#3
stephen Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,262 iTrader: 0 reviews	From 98 to 99 they went to split port intake and also I believe a return less fuel pump. The 99 car is a lot better than the 98.

March 17th, 2009, 08:34 AM	#4
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	So I should probably stay away form the '98? I mean, is it really all that bad of a car or is it just different then the newer '99's. I found an '87 5.0L that had a lot of mods but the price more then I'd like to pay. So if you were looking for a Mustang on a budget which one would you buy and why? I'll probably get $5500 to $6000 out of my Neon, I'd like to keep at least $2500 out for mods and unexpected repairs that might come up, you know how "used" cars can be. What's out there in the $3000 and under range?

March 17th, 2009, 09:31 AM	#5
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yep, I noticed a 40hp difference between the '98 and the '99, that's quite a bit in the "real world". Guess I'll look for either an older Fox Body with a 5.0L or a '99 to '00 with either a 4.6L or the split port 3.8L, long as it has a manual trans and I can put a posi with 4.10's in it. Talk to ya'll later.

March 17th, 2009, 08:22 PM	#7
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	While I was at work today, when I got a second(man, we were busy) I looked at pics of both heads. The older head looks like a "normal" style head on the intake side but the newer one looked a lot different. One thing is for sure, whatever I get has to be rust free. I"m not going to deal with rust, already been there on a '83 Ford F-100 that I use to own.

March 17th, 2009, 10:06 PM	#9
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thing is, how does a split port 3.8L compare with a 4.6L? I'd like to get something where I can make 300-400 HP without too much fuss or muss. If I can get it from a 3.8 that's great but if it'd be easier to get from a 4.6L then maybe I need to really look for a V8.

March 18th, 2009, 07:46 PM	#11
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	I'd like to keep some kind of gas mileage BUT I'd LOVE 300 hp with a 5spd. manual and a 4.10 posi rear axle. Can a '98 3.8L be fitted with '99+ split port heads without much trouble? I'm just looking for a nice looking SN95 daily driver with a bit of "umph" to it. Has to have a manual trans and posi rear axle.

March 19th, 2009, 03:59 PM	#14
TN.Frank Regular 1989 Mustang GT 5.0L H.O. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Crossville, TN. U.S.A. Posts: 183 iTrader: 0 reviews	If money were no object I'd track down a '69 Mach I with a 428 CJ, that's my Dream 'Stang. The reality is that I'll probably end up with a V6 since insurance will be cheaper and they're more of em' around then the 4.6L cars and they're cheaper too. IF I do end up with the '98 I'll do a head swap or even buy some aftermarket aluminum heads if they can be had, that'll get the HP numbers on the '98 up to '99 specs then I can add a few other goodies like a hotter cam, headers, free flow cats and mufflers and a better intake and TB with matching MAF. Set up right I should be in the 250hp range and with a manual trans using a lightened flywheel and good clutch set-up runing back to a set of 4.10 gears with a posi I'd probably have a pretty decent daily driver that'd still be fun to drive.

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