HELP!!!Need More POWER!!!!

[96bird]

I've got a 96 T-Bird 3.8L. I'm getting the engine rebuilt and I asked if the shop in St.Louis,MO would put a supercharger or V8 in instead of another 3.8L. They said they wouldn't do it. I'm now trying to find what else I could do to get some more HP out of the 3.8L. Any suggestions? Anyone know about how much the mods would cost? Also, my check engine light just started to flash off and on. Along with that, the engine and the entire car are shaking pretty bad. When I go to accelerate, the car kind of hesitates. Any ideas on what could be causing it? Thanks for any replies.

[flewthecoupe]

You could get 1.72 roller rockers. You could get a cam for a 4.2 liter engine or have one custom ground. You could get the 4.2 crank as well but would need a deeper oil pan. You could do headers, intake, TB, MAF, injectors...........

[thunderbird muscle]

Some parts out of a 302 are actually interchangeable to the 3.8(232) like the roller lifters and such.

[393Bird]

Sounds like it is a good time to evaluate your long term plans. "I" would sell the car, and by a V8 Bird, and mod it as needed. Lot cheaper in the long run.

[ModMech]

Some of the most powerful 'Birds are 3.8Ls. There is a N/A 3.8L making over 300 Hp to the WHEELS with an auto. That's more than most supercharged 4.6Ls will make.

Check out www.tccoa.com

[Mike75]

Originally Posted by 96bird

. Along with that, the engine and the entire car are shaking pretty bad. When I go to accelerate, the car kind of hesitates. Any ideas on what could be causing it? Thanks for any replies.

I'm glad you posted that, because the same thing is happening to me in my 1993 3.8L v6. The car is actually cutting off now when I go to accelerate from a complete stop (stop signs, red lights, etc), and I have to pump the gas to get it to start again. Aside from it being very embarrassing, I'm hoping that it's not something bigger. I just bought it, and don't know all of it's quirks just yet - aside from that.

Please help me and 96bird out!

Thanks a lot in advance!

[RavenProjecT]

key words are that 'some' parts, mostly internals, are interchangeable between a 3.8 and 5.0; because the 3.8 is basically a 5.0 with the front two cylinders chopped off. that's why they SCd them early, they can take the punishment like its big brother can. To SC a 4.6 requires MAD modifications to the internals before risking some serious damage.