is this possible?? (even worth it)

i have a 88 mustang and right now it has a stock 4 cylinder in it. i just got my hands on a v6 turbo charged grand national complete motor and tranny with only 14k miles or less on it (the guy i got it from totaled his GN and sold me the parts cuz they were still in great shape). i was wondering if that GN motor could be modified to fit in the mustang and if it could would it even be worth the trouble. i havent seen it done yet thats why i aint sure.

im pretty sure it can be made too fit, it would definatly be worth it.

You can pretty much fit almost any engine into any car. It may be a real bitch and you might have to move a whole lot of crap around but it can be done.

Anyway, I say go for it, once you're done you'll have a fast fox.

make it easy on yourself: sell the 88 fox and pick up a GN and do the motor swap into that. GNs are really really underrated and imo sick as blank.

one love to hypsi.

It would be easier to pick up an old Regal/GN and put it in that but, That would be cool to put it in a Mustang. Although, it is sacreligous to put anything but Ford products in a Ford!! I can hear Baby Jesus crying at just the thought of that. Tell Baby Jesus you're sorry.......SAY IT!!

It would be easier to pick up an old Regal/GN and put it in that but, That would be cool to put it in a Mustang. Although, it is sacreligous to put anything but Ford products in a Ford!! I can hear Baby Jesus crying at just the thought of that. Tell Baby Jesus you're sorry.......SAY IT!! Since they put 3.8's in fox bodies and the GN's 3.8 and fords 3.8 are similar baby jesus would allow it. It's not like he's putting a LS1 in a mustang, that would be a sin.

which has been committed before

Since they put 3.8's in fox bodies and the GN's 3.8 and fords 3.8 are similar baby jesus would allow it. It's not like he's putting a LS1 in a mustang, that would be a sin.


Actually, I hate to say it but, GM's 3.8 is actually better than Ford's 3.8. If I had to choose, I'd pick the GM 3.8. It's been more reliable for a longer period of time.

AND NO......BABY JESUS WOULD NOT ALLOW GM PARTS IN FORDS!! He will allow Ford parts in GM's though. EXAMPLE: FORD 9" rearend, and sometimes engines and tranny's.

Hey neato....What kind of performance are you getting out of your 3.8 with nitrous and 4.10's? What else do you have done? Thanks.

Actually, I hate to say it but, GM's 3.8 is actually better than Ford's 3.8. If I had to choose, I'd pick the GM 3.8. It's been more reliable for a longer period of time.

now i know your specialty isnt the 3.8... so you probably dont happen to know that they are almost the same engine. infact, if i remember correctly, buick developed the engine; when ford wanted a larger v6 quickly, they simply copied it. that was back in the 70s so there are differences through their evolutions, but they come from the same origin. they are both known for having invincible blocks also. and the ford 3.8 is very reliable. infact all you need to do to a 99-04 mustang 3.8 to make it hold insane boost levels like the GN, all you need are new rods&pistons. no one has found the limit on a ford 3.8 yet.

Hey neato....What kind of performance are you getting out of your 3.8 with nitrous and 4.10's? What else do you have done? Thanks. I have bolt on's, 4,10's, and nitrous(my exact mods are in my sig), i havent gone to the track yet since im have a problem with my 4.10's and i have to replace them. But once there replaced/broken in im gonna go to the track and im planning to run around 13.6 with nitrous and 14.7 N/A with bolt on's and 4.10's. Right now im savin up for my H/C/I swap, 4.3 forged stroker(im gonna up the nitrous to 125 once i get forged internals), and a few other things. Im hoping to hit 11's when its all done.

^ see the ford 3.8 isnt bad at all

now i know your specialty isnt the 3.8... so you probably dont happen to know that they are almost the same engine. infact, if i remember correctly, buick developed the engine; when ford wanted a larger v6 quickly, they simply copied it. that was back in the 70s so there are differences through their evolutions, but they come from the same origin. they are both known for having invincible blocks also. and the ford 3.8 is very reliable. infact all you need to do to a 99-04 mustang 3.8 to make it hold insane boost levels like the GN, all you need are new rods&pistons. no one has found the limit on a ford 3.8 yet. Yeah, Matt has been running 550rwhp for a while now on a stock block and crank, Justin is also running 450rwhp on stock internals and his engine is fine too.

now i know your specialty isnt the 3.8... so you probably dont happen to know that they are almost the same engine. infact, if i remember correctly, buick developed the engine; when ford wanted a larger v6 quickly, they simply copied it. that was back in the 70s so there are differences through their evolutions, but they come from the same origin. they are both known for having invincible blocks also. and the ford 3.8 is very reliable. infact all you need to do to a 99-04 mustang 3.8 to make it hold insane boost levels like the GN, all you need are new rods&pistons. no one has found the limit on a ford 3.8 yet.


You are correct. All I know about the 3.8 is what I've heard/read. Which I admitt is not very much. But the Ford 3.8 had it's problems with blowing headgaskets. I'm sure they've fixed the problem since then but those engines are still out there in pre 1996 Taurus's, 94-98 Mustangs, Cougars, and T-Birds. Some have had new gaskets and some have had to get a new engine because of that problem.

As for 99-04, I'm sure Ford has done it's homework, and it's alot better than before. I know it has more horse than before. I'm not saying the Ford 3.8 is bad now, I'm just saying if I had to choose I'd pick the GM 3.8. But then you say "all you need to do to a 99-04 Mustang 3.8 to make it hold insane boost levels LIKE THE GN is new rods and pistons". Hmmm.....OK....sounds like the GM 3.8 can already handle "insane boost" stock. I'm sure you know that installing new rods and pistons is not a small job. You're rebuilding the whole engine. I know you know this last statement of mine, I'm just using it to prove my point. Not trying to be a smartass to you.

Yeah, Matt has been running 550rwhp for a while now on a stock block and crank, Justin is also running 450rwhp on stock internals and his engine is fine too.


WOW!! That's impressive. Especially for a V6. Can he drive it a long distance on the highway though? If not, still impressive!!

WOW!! That's impressive. Especially for a V6. Can he drive it a long distance on the highway though? If not, still impressive!! No there both track cars only.

I have bolt on's, 4,10's, and nitrous(my exact mods are in my sig), i havent gone to the track yet since im have a problem with my 4.10's and i have to replace them. But once there replaced/broken in im gonna go to the track and im planning to run around 13.6 with nitrous and 14.7 N/A with bolt on's and 4.10's. Right now im savin up for my H/C/I swap, 4.3 forged stroker(im gonna up the nitrous to 125 once i get forged internals), and a few other things. Im hoping to hit 11's when its all done.


Sounds good!! Hope it holds up. Is the gas mileage still better than a V8? Or about the same?

Sounds good!! Hope it holds up. Is the gas mileage still better than a V8? Or about the same? Thanks, iv never driven a GT but id image its about the same. Its a lot better then my dads 318 though.

With my 92 5.0 5spd. I could go about 230-250 miles IN TOWN on a full tank. I can't remember how far with highway miles mixed in there. Oh, and 250 miles in town was babying it, which I rarely did.

So going by what you have done, I'm guessing you're pushing around 270-280hp WITH NITROUS at the crank?

With my 92 5.0 5spd. I could go about 230-250 miles IN TOWN on a full tank. I can't remember how far with highway miles mixed in there. Oh, and 250 miles in town was babying it, which I rarely did.

So going by what you have done, I'm guessing you're pushing around 270-280hp WITH NITROUS at the crank? Probaly a little over 300.

Since I've been out of looking for performance parts for about 6 years, exuse my ignorance but, what is an ASP UDP's and xcal2? Ignition? Computer/chip?

But then you say "all you need to do to a 99-04 Mustang 3.8 to make it hold insane boost levels LIKE THE GN is new rods and pistons". Hmmm.....OK....sounds like the GM 3.8 can already handle "insane boost" stock. I'm sure you know that installing new rods and pistons is not a small job. You're rebuilding the whole engine. I know you know this last statement of mine, I'm just using it to prove my point. Not trying to be a smartass to you.

'tis true, but the mustang 3.8 is pretty inexpensive, you could buy a stripped v6 manual in 99-04 for little more than $15k.

also you are correct, the head gasket issue was fixed in 99

Since I've been out of looking for performance parts for about 6 years, exuse my ignorance but, what is an ASP UDP's and xcal2? Ignition? Computer/chip? UDP's are underdrive pullies, and a xcal2 is a flasher(kind of like a computer chip).

I understand that I'm comparing apples/oranges because of the age difference of the cars but for $15,000 I would rather buy a 87-93 5.0 or a 94-95 5.0 and upgrade one of those and still more than likely be under $15,000. I know, I know, I sound like a stubborn old man but, that's just what I would do before hopping up a V6. Although, with a 99-04 you'd have a warranty, newer technology, less wear/tear. But, I'd still go with the older 5.0 car. In MOST CASES you'd have more power, easier to find aftermarket/performance parts, and it's easier to get more power from the 5.0 or even 4.6 than it is the V6. I know, doing up a V6 is different and more of a challenge, and I respect you guys for that however, I just believe the saying, no replacement for displacement. Not to mention the V8 has more torque and it's harder to build torque from the 6 than the 8. Gotta have torque.

UDP's are underdrive pullies, and a xcal2 is a flasher(kind of like a computer chip).


Ah...gotcha, UDP, computer talk. The flasher, is that like a hand held programer? Plugs in under the dash?

On my 92 I had offroad H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, race pulleys (smaller crank than the street set 15hp instead of 10hp), 14* timing, and 12" K&N cone filter. It was about 270hp. I never had it on a dyno. Just guessing with what each upgrade was "supposed" to be worth. In the 1/4 I ran 13.7, that was with McCreary dirt track tires on the back (launch at 4,500 was awesome on those things).

OK....I'M HAVING FLASHBACKS.....SCREW WAITING TO SELL OUR HOUSE BEFORE I GET ANOTHER TOY. I'M LOOKING TOMMOROW!!

Ah...gotcha, UDP, computer talk. The flasher, is that like a hand held programer? Plugs in under the dash?

On my 92 I had offroad H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, race pulleys (smaller crank than the street set 15hp instead of 10hp), 14* timing, and 12" K&N cone filter. It was about 270hp. I never had it on a dyno. Just guessing with what each upgrade was "supposed" to be worth. In the 1/4 I ran 13.7, that was with McCreary dirt track tires on the back (launch at 4,500 was awesome on those things).

OK....I'M HAVING FLASHBACKS.....SCREW WAITING TO SELL OUR HOUSE BEFORE I GET ANOTHER TOY. I'M LOOKING TOMMOROW!! Yeah its a hand help programmer. 14* is a lot, the engine didnt ping or anything?

Yeah its a hand help programmer. 14* is a lot, the engine didnt ping or anything?


No. Most guys with a 5.0 would go 15 or even 16. But I wanted to play it safe and go 14. You do have to use 93 octane, but it's well worth it. Unless it's your daily driver, then I'd probably back it down to maybe 12. Factory setting was at 10.

Oh yeah, I also had stock 2.73 gears.

I understand that I'm comparing apples/oranges because of the age difference of the cars but for $15,000 I would rather buy a 87-93 5.0 or a 94-95 5.0 and upgrade one of those and still more than likely be under $15,000. I know, I know, I sound like a stubborn old man but, that's just what I would do before hopping up a V6. Although, with a 99-04 you'd have a warranty, newer technology, less wear/tear. But, I'd still go with the older 5.0 car. In MOST CASES you'd have more power, easier to find aftermarket/performance parts, and it's easier to get more power from the 5.0 or even 4.6 than it is the V6. I know, doing up a V6 is different and more of a challenge, and I respect you guys for that however, I just believe the saying, no replacement for displacement. Not to mention the V8 has more torque and it's harder to build torque from the 6 than the 8. Gotta have torque.

no actually you dont sound like a subborn old man, the 5.0 is a great engine. we were compairing the ford and gm 3.8l engine though, not saying one is better than a 302. trust me, id love to have say a 93 5.0... great car, and i think they can look mean as hell.

a grand national motor in a fox body has been done..I'll google it and see i fi can gind the pics again.

no actually you dont sound like a subborn old man, the 5.0 is a great engine. we were compairing the ford and gm 3.8l engine though, not saying one is better than a 302. trust me, id love to have say a 93 5.0... great car, and i think they can look mean as hell.


Sorry, when you mentioned earlier getting a V6 car for $15,000, that's when I thought well hell for 15k I'd get a 5.0 car for 5-10 grand then mod. it and still be under or around 15k. My misunderstanding.

Maybe this will make you feel better. If I had to choose between a V6 Firebird/Camaro or a V6 Mustang, I'd definately take the Mustang!! However, if I had to choose between the two 3.8's, I would take the GM 3.8. I know, I know, I can hear Baby Jesus crying with me saying that.

atleast youd take the mustang, after all... we all know how reliable fbodies are :rolleyes:

yeah....just a little more then mustangs ;-)

yeah....just a little more then mustangs ;-)

good one :shakehead

atleast youd take the mustang, after all... we all know how reliable fbodies are :rolleyes:


They're not bad, but they have always been rattleboxes.