[3ponyman]

I picked up my son's 96 Mustang V6 3.8 liter with 116K. He is deployed to Iraq and I want to have a surprise for him when he returns. The body is in great shape and I just leathered up the interior, looks great but the engine is a little tired. How much am I looking at for having it replaced with a good rebuilt engine? Also I'd like to know it I could get someting with a little more power, not many ponies under the hood right now. I'm not a mechanic so I'll have to pay for everything. Daughter drives an 02 V6 and since I pay the bills I drive the 06 Mustang GT. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[xxrals22xx]

that is such a good idea and very nice whats ur budget and are u looking to stick with the v6 and also how much power do u want ?

[Twist 2 Go]

that's a cool thing to do. the prices can vary widely depending on what you want the finished product to be. Where are you located?

[3ponyman]

I'd like to stay under $4500.00 and include a new exhaust if possible. It's an auto and has all stock right now. I would just trade up but being his first car it has a lot of sentimental value to him I think if I could push up to around 180 - 200 HP if would give him the power he would appreciate. I know he wants a Cobra someday, but not until he is at least 23. He will be about 20 when he gets back and after tooling around in an Abrams M1 at 1500 HP, I don't want to over juice his ride. He's still young and I don't want him to survive combat and return to trash his ride.

Thanks

[Twist 2 Go]

Originally Posted by 3ponyman I'd like to stay under $4500.00 and include a new exhaust if possible. It's an auto and has all stock right now. I would just trade up but being Thanks

that shouldn't be a problem.

[3ponyman]

I am in northern Indiana. Thanks for the reply. I have a while to work on it and should be able to give him something worth fighting for.

[whtpny]

precision engine has a pretty nice deal.. fourth from the bottom on this page: http://www.precisionengine.com/rebui...nes/index.html
its still a v6 but with 250 horsepower and 285 ft-lbs of torque priced at just under 2 grand. which is a great improvement over the performance of the 96.. im no expert when it comes to this stuff, though, so check w/ local shops or wait for the smarter mustang modders to come in, lol, to tell you realistic prices for installation and any other price to install.. you should be able to get a nice exhaust set up for the car depending on how far you want to go w/ it (pipes, headers, catbacks, etc) for between 400 and 1000 dollars

[99v6stang]

Okey, here is what you do (this is exactely what im doing also).
*The 4.2l engine stated above, talk to them about custom porting and a cam for an extra $500.
*Mac long tube header
*Mac catted H-pipe
*Pypes stainless catback (Violator Mufflers)
With install that should put you right around $4,500 or less. Install the full exhaust yourself and have a mechanic swap the engine.
*If you have a little extra cash to spend get 4.10 gears, and a trak-lok as they will make a huge difference. These mods will put you around 235 rwhp ***just an estimate***

[Ninjawafers!]

i wouldnt get Pypes exhaust.. i would go with Flowmaster, Mac, or Magnaflow... it will sound good and give a decent amount of hp with the full exhaust... the 4.2 is also a great buy becaust it comes with forged internals so it can be upgraded with a supercharger or turbo easily... also look into getting a SCT X-Cal 2 flash tuner

[Texan_Stud]

yeah with a worn out motor just go ahead and buy him the 4.2 it shouldnt cost much to have it dropped in since its a direct swap.. then just buy a H-pipe and a cat-back you think he might like (i prefer MAC) then you have enouhg money left over to put a T-lok in his car so both tires spin.. if you have left overs buy him a new pioneer sound system.. i bet hell fall in love all over again

and id like to say its a really nice thing your doing for him

[232stang]

definetly do not get pypes. they are cheap for a reason. they sound like a fly stuck in an ass

[whtpny]

Originally Posted by 232stang definetly do not get pypes. they are cheap for a reason. they sound like a fly stuck in an ass

[3ponyman]

I like the 4.2 and either the Flowmaster or the Mac exhaust, depends on which sounds better without getting him thrown off base. The T-loc I know nothing about so I'll look into that. I already know he needs a better audio setup and that will be taken care of as teh finishing touch.

Thanks for all the advice.

[whtpny]

Originally Posted by 3ponyman either the Flowmaster or the Mac exhaust, depends on which sounds better without getting him thrown off base.

this page has a bunch of setups for exhaust: http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...er=asc&start=0 you can also check you tube.. this way u can see what u think sounds good and doesnt seem too loud

[itschristorres8]

Originally Posted by whtpny Originally Posted by 3ponyman either the Flowmaster or the Mac exhaust, depends on which sounds better without getting him thrown off base. this page has a bunch of setups for exhaust: http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...er=asc&start=0 you can also check you tube.. this way u can see what u think sounds good and doesnt seem too loud

nice link!

[whtpny]

Originally Posted by itschristorres8 nice link!

lol yeah, glad to see that the author agrees, haha

[itschristorres8]

lol no but im just glad other people aside from me are using it

thanks

[Dustinv420]

Originally Posted by 3ponyman I like the 4.2 and either the Flowmaster or the Mac exhaust, depends on which sounds better without getting him thrown off base. The T-loc I know nothing about so I'll look into that. I already know he needs a better audio setup and that will be taken care of as teh finishing touch. Thanks for all the advice.

if your gonna drop a 4.2 you gotta get the t-loc, way better traction i got a v6 stock and jus road in one with tloc and you can feel a huge differance on launch, gives it that throw you back in your seat feeling. i am gonna upgrade for sure. i woulda never of considerd it untill riden in my boys car. ITS A MUST FOR ALL V6 IMO!
btw i truely admire what your doin for your son and wish i could be of some help but i dont know enough to give you any other advice.