[Markac]

I just started college and needed a decent car to drive to/from school and work. I've always loved mustangs and came across a decent deal on a 2000 v6 Mustang with 100,000 miles, so I bought it. The car I would really like to have is a Saleen S351 (Derek's Exotic Cars - 1999 Ford Saleen Mustang S351). However, those are rare and any mod you do would significantly lower the value, even if I were to get one. So, I figure the best course of action would be to drop a 351 Windsor engine into a more common Mustang. Would this be possible with a v6 Mustang, or would I be better off starting a project like this off with a GT (which would cost me an additional $3-4k just starting off)? Granted, these are long-term plans as I'm in college at the moment and have no money. But, I will have much more time and money once I get out of college.

Also, if this is possible with a v6, can the transformation be done gradually as I get the money, and then drop in the 351? Or do I have to drop in the 351 at the same time as all the other engine work?

[SSStang]

This is going to be very...
Expensive:

And probably won't pass emissions anywhere just fyi
-except here in Tx.

[HMUSN]

welcome to the forums.
^he is right. this is not cheap to do.
I would start out on a GT platform though.
It will be less parts to replace down the road.

[MWWarlord]

Yeah man engine swaps are more money and more trouble than they're worth. You'd probably be better off saving your money and buying the saleen (if you can find one). People on this forum are always talking about dropping a V8 in their sixer. In every case it has turned out to be cheaper to just buy a GT. Now, the Saleen would be much more expensive than a GT. However I think the same pinciple will apply. It is cheaper to buy the car that you really want rather than try to turn a V6 into the car you want. However, with the right mods your sixer can really fly.

[Markac]

Hmm... I know I can fix my sixer up really nice, but it has more limitations than a v8.

[El_Cangri]

money is the limit

[Markac]

Well, I doubt money will be too much of an issue once I get out of college.

[AtlanticBlue99]

Originally Posted by SSStang This is going to be very... Expensive: And probably won't pass emissions anywhere just fyi -except here in Tx.

it may be costly, but dont deter him just yet.


first of all- Mark, welcome to ModdedMustangs. it is a great idea to drop a 351 into your v6. you should look at the differences of the gt and v6 though. for less than the 3k dollar price difference, you could get the 8.8" ford rear (came on the gt; the v6 has a 7.5" rear which is weaker), stiffer suspension (gt suspension up front), and you will need the wiring harness and computer for that motor. it will be a pricey swap, but well worth it, and cheaper to do to the v6 than the gt!

why do you think most drag mustangs begin as a 4cyl fox with a 5.0 and a 5lug swap? they are a cheaper base and most of the parts will be replaced anyway.

[Markac]

Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 it may be costly, but dont deter him just yet. first of all- Mark, welcome to ModdedMustangs. it is a great idea to drop a 351 into your v6. you should look at the differences of the gt and v6 though. for less than the 3k dollar price difference, you could get the 8.8" ford rear (came on the gt; the v6 has a 7.5" rear which is weaker), stiffer suspension (gt suspension up front), and you will need the wiring harness and computer for that motor. it will be a pricey swap, but well worth it, and cheaper to do to the v6 than the gt! why do you think most drag mustangs begin as a 4cyl fox with a 5.0 and a 5lug swap? they are a cheaper base and most of the parts will be replaced anyway.

This is along the lines I was thinking. I know for the swap, almost everything on the car will be replaced, whether v6 or GT. I like the body of the 99-04 mustangs, and the only 5.0+ engines that come in them are the extremely rare 2000 Saleen S351 and Cobra R (at least that's all I've ever seen). Doing the swap, in my opinion, is probably easier than trying to hunt down either of these cars. I'm pretty sure this will be what I do once I get out of college. Plus, this gives me something to work on rather than just buying a Saleen S351 and not being able to mod it without defacing a rare mustang.

I still would like to know if all the engine work has to be done at the same time as the drop or if I can make changes now that will contribute to making the swap.

[MWWarlord]

I bow to Atlanticblue he knows alot more about this than I do.

[boyblue]

truly money is the only limitation. You can put enough horespower in the v-6 to beat anything. I was talking to the owner of mrt (Mustang Racing Technologies) he was saying you can put 1200 horsepower into the 3.8L v-6. That may have not have been the exact amount, but you get the idea. A lot of modifications but yeah.

[AtlanticBlue99]

Originally Posted by Markac This is along the lines I was thinking. I know for the swap, almost everything on the car will be replaced, whether v6 or GT. I like the body of the 99-04 mustangs, and the only 5.0+ engines that come in them are the extremely rare 2000 Saleen S351 and Cobra R (at least that's all I've ever seen). Doing the swap, in my opinion, is probably easier than trying to hunt down either of these cars. I'm pretty sure this will be what I do once I get out of college. Plus, this gives me something to work on rather than just buying a Saleen S351 and not being able to mod it without defacing a rare mustang. I still would like to know if all the engine work has to be done at the same time as the drop or if I can make changes now that will contribute to making the swap.

you can make engine mod changes such as heads/intakes/cam etc. usually with the motor in the car.

[V6 Stalker]

The only time an engine swap is worth the cash is if you have a LOT of money invested in the apperance and the interior. I have a $2000 body kit, saleen rims, full custom interior, full audio/video... I don't think buying a GT would be the route to go for me.

[SSStang]

You could probably find an s351 cheaper than you could build one...

If you half a-- it its not worth it

[Markac]

Originally Posted by boyblue truly money is the only limitation. You can put enough horespower in the v-6 to beat anything. I was talking to the owner of mrt (Mustang Racing Technologies) he was saying you can put 1200 horsepower into the 3.8L v-6. That may have not have been the exact amount, but you get the idea. A lot of modifications but yeah.

So what you're saying is that it's less about the base engine and more about the mods?