I was told by mustang forums, you can take a newer 3.8 from a 00-04 mustang v6 and swap it into an older model. We have a 1995 that we blew the gutless 145 3.8 v6. We pulled an entire junkyard 3.8 from a 2000 mustang. The internet said all we'd have to do is swap the injectors. They lied. We had to convert the new engine to a return style fuel system, the wiring harness is too short on the old engine because of the larger manifold, we had to swap distributors because the wiring was different, the engine mounts are different. This was a lot more work all for a 40 hp gain on a v6 mustang. I'll never listen to mustang forums again.
Unfortunately this happens more often than it should. Going to an OBD2 engine in a OBD1 car creates enough issues as it is. Then add in that Ford had wiring variations among the V6s makes it even more "fun". Probably most of the users never actually did this swap so they think it is much like the V8 swaps.
First of all, the internet doesn't lie. (of course it does. this is a lie). On a swap like this you should go to as many sources as possible long before you start and see what the process it. The last Mustang forum I was on talked about this swap, but had so many caveats they didn't recommend it to most people wanting to do the swap.
I'm pretty sure I posted a link in your last thread that detailed exactly what you needed to do, and it was more than just swapping injectors. This is a very well documented swap, if you only looked at one source of info that's on you.
There's no such entity as "the internet", there are only random people with opinions that may or may not be based on actual experience. You need to learn to evaluate your sources - that used to be done for you at least partially with published books as there was a fair barrier to entry, but now that everyone has equal ability to publish it's up to the reader to confirm and vet the information. This is the age of the amateur.
Keith Tanner said:
There's no such entity as "the internet", there are only random people with opinions that may or may not be based on actual experience. You need to learn to evaluate your sources - that used to be done for you at least partially with published books as there was a fair barrier to entry, but now that everyone has equal ability to publish it's up to the reader to confirm and vet the information. This is the age of the amateur.
Profound, what you say there.
peanutpckrupper said:
I'm pretty sure I posted a link in your last thread that detailed exactly what you needed to do, and it was more than just swapping injectors. This is a very well documented swap, if you only looked at one source of info that's on you.
I know I posted a link as well that documented various issues and solutions, including one that mentioned lengthening connections. Although despite what was said previously by 81cp, nothing you mentioned was ECU related. Not saying you didn't encounter those as well.. since a direct quote I posted was
"You will need a chip to use anything other than the stock 94 injectors. Using the 01 MAF with computer changes is a VERY bad idea"
Of course the engine wiring harness would change going from an OBD II to an OBD I, and that could include wire lengths and could includes the distributor connection plug..
"Once you put it back together, it's obvious what part of the harness needs modified... you just have to extend the plugs on a couple items and that is where using the spares from the 01 harness comes into play"
I am not saying I claimed it to be easy, and I only speak for myself, however I don't see on your other thread where anyone said just swap the injectors..
And I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time with your swap..
In reply to NermalSnert (Forum Supporter) :
"Age of the Amateur" INDEED! Have we reached the tower of Babel yet?
On a happier note, You did complete the install? Your newfound information is important! Please do not keep this new " Lighted Lamp of your hard won knowledge under a bushel basket"! Those coming up behind you need this information so that success and happiness might become just a little more available.
In reply to camopaint0707 :
You should have checked YouTube videos first.
In reply to AAZCD-Jon (Forum Supporter) :
none exist on this
In reply to anger_enginering :
yes, you did provide correct information amongst a sea of wrong information, and naturally when we did this sunday we forgot most of it.
In reply to peanutpckrupper :
going back and rereading the mustang forum link, some of that information was accurate and some wasn't. At this point, it's just a learning experience for us, and I'm ok with that. The entire fuel rail needing modified wasn't listed, unless I missed that.
camopaint0707 said:
In reply to AAZCD-Jon (Forum Supporter) :
none exist on this
It was not a serious reply. YouTube *is* the internet of bad information. YouTubers videos can be entertaining, but often give more bad advice than good.
So far, pretty much every swap I've seen has convinced me I need to have some really compelling reason to do one. This forum has done wonders for making me never want to do an engine swap...
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Caveat lector. (Let the reader beware.)
I think about this every time I hear or read someone saying, "Just throw a (smallblock/LS) in there.".
In reply to slantvaliant (Forum Supporter) :
I like to point out that one of the most difficult swaps I had ever done was a '98 F body LS1 into a '97 Z28.
There was so much different, like not just mechanically but wiring wise and wiring strategy, because the late LT1 cars were kludges on 3rd gen type tech and the LS1s updated, and so many of the necessary parts are NLA (like the steering shaft... because it is clocked differently, and the rack is wider, and so is the subframe) that it would have been money ahead to take the running driving Z28, leave it in a ditch with the keys in it, and buy an LS1 car. That is how ridiculously expensive the "simple bolt in swap" turned out to be.
Oh, and it needed a '99 computer to control the 4L80. '99 are almost completely different from '98, because GM rethought how to do wiring strategy again and '98 was one year only...
If anyone was wondering, We got it running. 3.8 plucked from a junkyard to installed. Runs better than the old one for sure. We had to modify the new fuel rail to be a return system, extend some wires for the fuel and spark. Swap over the distributor. Removed ALL the egr nonsense and plugged the holes. The upper rad hose was different. used the 95 injectors, 2000 intake manifold. Intake tube had to get modified a bit. But it started up first try. I'm still amazed.
camopaint0707 said:
If anyone was wondering, We got it running. 3.8 plucked from a junkyard to installed. Runs better than the old one for sure. We had to modify the new fuel rail to be a return system, extend some wires for the fuel and spark. Swap over the distributor. Removed ALL the egr nonsense and plugged the holes. The upper rad hose was different. used the 95 injectors, 2000 intake manifold. Intake tube had to get modified a bit. But it started up first try. I'm still amazed.
again, REALLY sorry you had such a difficult time with it, but I am glad you figured it all out and got it running! Starting on the first try isn't guaranteed even on a direct replacement of identical parts sometimes
In reply to anger_enginering :
It really wasn't that bad. I had my codriver helping as well. Lets hope it survives rallycross now.
Ive played with mustangs for over 20 years now, never have really trusted the "mustang" forums at any point in that history. All the ones centered on racing more than a specific model have provided MUCH better tech.
Glad you have it together and might have an end in sight. Make sure you get the tune checked, runs doesn't mean it won't burn a piston, etc.
In reply to Apexcarver :
problem is, no one ever races a 3.8 V6
Since I mentioned YouTubers earlier and I now realize that you have a '95 that you intend to rallycross, check out Matt's YouTube channel when you get a chance.
Rumbuilder - YouTube
In reply to AAZCD-Jon (Forum Supporter) :
Matt and I talk frequently lol. Rally north texas is IMO the best rallyx venue in the country. They're lack of scca affiliation is brilliant. Long, epic courses, drone shots. They have it all. His is a v8 though so for this swap he didn't really have any input.
camopaint0707 said:
In reply to Apexcarver :
problem is, no one ever races a 3.8 V6
I know this guy from another forum, so I know he's credible.
https://www.v6mustang.com/threads/3-8l-mustang-early-late-essex-and-scca-road-racing.212360/
I know the car was built and campaigned, they might have even made a lemons version to play with.
