V-6 Mustangs
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Near Wamego KS
Current V6 cranks out a horsepower rating of 190@5250 and a torque rating of 220@2750. Those numbers beat any 95 or older 302 in a pickup and its hauling less weight in a aerodynamic package. Pretty comparible to the 1985 (I know its reaching back a few years) 5.0 rating in the Mustang GT (last year for 4barrel carb). Its not a 4.6L but then its numbers are not that impressive considering it has almost 50 cubic inches more displacement and 2 more cylinders (unless you move up to a 4V engine). If you're driving a 4.6L pickup (and almost all 2V 5.4s) don't get yourself embarrassed by some little girl driving on of these.
Only problem with the V6 in a Mustang is I don't know if Ford ever cured their bad habit of blowing head gaskets. My last experience with that engine goes back to Taurus's & T-birds and Ford's engineering dept pretty much embarrassed itself with that design.
Only problem with the V6 in a Mustang is I don't know if Ford ever cured their bad habit of blowing head gaskets. My last experience with that engine goes back to Taurus's & T-birds and Ford's engineering dept pretty much embarrassed itself with that design.
Last edited by dhermesc; Aug 11, 2004 at 10:38 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Hey, we had a "Sweet Six Cylinder Mustang". That ad campaign came on in '66 when they had too many 6's in inventory. Of course, my brother was driving the Mustang and got crap from everyone. Just shows what a loon my old man was as he traded a super clean '65 El Camino, 283 2V 3 on the tree for the Mustang because it had PS and AT. I wouldn't smoke the tires like that Elk though....Any way, the point is original 6 Mustangs were pretty pathetic. Falcon brakes and suspension and the humiliation of 4 lug wheels. 13 inch 4 lug wheels on '65s.
So we come to the modern day and we have 6 cylinder mustangs that would run circles around for sure the 289 2V and probably all but the Hi-po V8s, with 5 speeds, proper brakes and twice the tire of the original. Make that 4 times the tire. So what's wrong with that?
Hey, whatever floats your boat.
I was thinking a Marauder would be cool.....till my brother in law pointed out a V6 Accord is quicker to 60.......
Hey, if the guys down in the Y Block forum can "Drive with pride", why not a 6 hole mustanger?????
So we come to the modern day and we have 6 cylinder mustangs that would run circles around for sure the 289 2V and probably all but the Hi-po V8s, with 5 speeds, proper brakes and twice the tire of the original. Make that 4 times the tire. So what's wrong with that?
Hey, whatever floats your boat.
I was thinking a Marauder would be cool.....till my brother in law pointed out a V6 Accord is quicker to 60.......
Hey, if the guys down in the Y Block forum can "Drive with pride", why not a 6 hole mustanger?????
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 535
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From: Tucson, AZ
So we come to the modern day and we have 6 cylinder mustangs that would run circles around for sure the 289 2V and probably all but the Hi-po V8s, with 5 speeds, proper brakes and twice the tire of the original. Make that 4 times the tire. So what's wrong with that?
Last edited by fordflaresides; Aug 11, 2004 at 11:44 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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The original post here asks if anyone is tired of seeing 6 hole Mustang drivers drive around like "...bad @$$s".
My answer, veiled in the previous response: No.
The original post says the 6 is an "insult" to the heritage of the car.
My answer, possibly unclear in my original response, is: Bunk. The current 6 will run circles around most original V8's. The current 6, as with previous standard Mustang offerings, allows probably the best "standard" value ever. Good handling, good brakes, good tires, good wheels, 5 gear tranny if you like.....
All for less money to buy, drive and insure. And that's what some drivers need, so you see them driving Mustangs instead of Civics or other fine but much more bland offerings.
So what's wrong with that?
Also, you ask which comes out on top, the 4.6 or the 3.8. Well, if you can't afford the V8 and all that comes with it in gas and insurance, I guess the 6 comes out on top. If you're going to race, well, I'd have to guess the 8.
Also, trucks, superchargers, 351's, chevys---huh?
My answer, veiled in the previous response: No.
The original post says the 6 is an "insult" to the heritage of the car.
My answer, possibly unclear in my original response, is: Bunk. The current 6 will run circles around most original V8's. The current 6, as with previous standard Mustang offerings, allows probably the best "standard" value ever. Good handling, good brakes, good tires, good wheels, 5 gear tranny if you like.....
All for less money to buy, drive and insure. And that's what some drivers need, so you see them driving Mustangs instead of Civics or other fine but much more bland offerings.
So what's wrong with that?
Also, you ask which comes out on top, the 4.6 or the 3.8. Well, if you can't afford the V8 and all that comes with it in gas and insurance, I guess the 6 comes out on top. If you're going to race, well, I'd have to guess the 8.
Also, trucks, superchargers, 351's, chevys---huh?
Last edited by 85e150; Aug 12, 2004 at 12:41 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
A lot of what has to do with "Who will come out on top"?" is the driver. If the guy in the v6 is a better driver, and knows his car well he will woop any inecperienced v8 driver. The V6 has less of a chance to spin the tires, where the v8 will do it without much effort. So the V6 is goin to be better off the line, when the v8 hooks up it may or may not (depending on how long the v8's driver lets the wheels spin) catch up to the v6 in the first 1/8th mile or so. The v6 and v8 are governed at the same speed (105mph) but if you remove the speed governors then the v8 will most likely come out on top in the top speed catagory. Like I said in a previous post I have driven several V6 mustangs and must say I was impressed. They are quick, responsive, and fun. It's a matter of preferance, if you don't mind the higher insurance rate, the poorer fuel economy, and the high tire bills of owning that V8 then go get it, but for someone like me that doesn't want a mustang to drive like and idiot camaro driver, racing from light to light, then the V6 will come out on top every time. (sorry guys I guess I went into a quasi-rant)
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Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Well, it is. It is it is it is.....
Of course everythings better with a V8.
But you might note the current 6 will outrun the old 8's.........
And the new 4.0 /5 gear combo, if it stays glued together, will bring the 6 up again vs. the old 8's.
But, if I can wedge my fat rear into one, I'm going to get the V8 because I can afford it and so there.....
Of course everythings better with a V8.
But you might note the current 6 will outrun the old 8's.........
And the new 4.0 /5 gear combo, if it stays glued together, will bring the 6 up again vs. the old 8's.
But, if I can wedge my fat rear into one, I'm going to get the V8 because I can afford it and so there.....
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 535
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From: Tucson, AZ
i agree the current six will out run any 2bbl V8s and the regular 289/302 4bbl. But I think a 4bbl 351W/C or bigger with modern tires and a 4-speed will take a V6 5-speed without much struggle same with the exotic smallblocks like the Boss 302, Hi-Po 289, etc.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
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From: S. Mississippi
If all mustangs were v8's then there wouldn't be enough sales to keep the cars affordable to the "working man." V6's keep the car affordable.
As for anyone that thinks that the 6 banger mustangs are an insult to the cars legacy i challenge you to come look at some of the trick setups in these cars over at fordsix.com.
While it doesn't cover the "v6" mustang, it does indeed cover the older I6 Mustangs that carried 170 to 250 cubic inch engines. Any of these engines would make me pround to drive the car.
As for the new SN-95's i'd almost rather have the v6, cheaper on fuel, cheaper on insurance. Makes the v8 cars affordable for the guys that buy them and i get to keep my very own ride.
Now if i were going to race, the 6 would either have to come out of the car and get replaced with a higher performance v8, or have serious mods done to it to make it produce the HP for a "race only" application.
In general, no the "6" isn't an insult to a legend, its what keeps that legend alive.
As for anyone that thinks that the 6 banger mustangs are an insult to the cars legacy i challenge you to come look at some of the trick setups in these cars over at fordsix.com.
While it doesn't cover the "v6" mustang, it does indeed cover the older I6 Mustangs that carried 170 to 250 cubic inch engines. Any of these engines would make me pround to drive the car.
As for the new SN-95's i'd almost rather have the v6, cheaper on fuel, cheaper on insurance. Makes the v8 cars affordable for the guys that buy them and i get to keep my very own ride.
Now if i were going to race, the 6 would either have to come out of the car and get replaced with a higher performance v8, or have serious mods done to it to make it produce the HP for a "race only" application.
In general, no the "6" isn't an insult to a legend, its what keeps that legend alive.
