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Topic: 3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar (Read 3308 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

has anyone done it? think it'd be pretty fast seeing the fox body weighs less than the MN12...been think out doing one up then selling it.
'83 Cougar *the never ending project* warmed over 306 v8,c4,8.8 posi with 5 lug conversion
'91 mustang strictly street-in progress
'00 f150 7700-Mean Green: jet stage 1 chip,ported upper intake with 1" spacer,'04 Super Duty intake with injectors,summit racing short tube headers with true 2.5" duals with smithy's glasspacks!

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #1
Worth a try. Just gut a Super Coupe and transplant???

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #2
see sig
One 88

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #3
Quote from: CougarSE
see sig

Um, that's new, isn't it? :bowdown:

Spazpuppies did it as well...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #4
Anyone know if the super charger setup will bolt onto the 88 3.8 motor. I have a line on one but the motor is toast. But the whole deal with computer for $550.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #5
It'll probably bolt on...but just like bolting a turbo onto an NA 2.3....BOOM!  At least eventually.....
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #6
everything supercoupe is different internally inside the engine. the only thing that may be the same is the block. but im not 100% sure.

i know the 5speed wouldnt work in a fox unless you put a t-5 behind it. and the aod would take all the fun out of the swap if you ask me. then their is getting it to run . and well at that. it can be done. it has been done does have the Really cool afect. but the souper coupe was that a super coupe with the luxury of a big car but the ride of a sports car. fully indipendent suspention. those cars rock so much. but i like the 94ish ones best that nose is oh so shagy

good luck
trick flow street heat intake , 24lbs injetors, ported GT-40's (Chip) long tube headers. and a Performance Automatic C4, with a hurst shifter!

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #7
Is it realy worth the work and eventual heartake of doing the swap? just curious?

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #8
I understand that the internals are different such as forged pistions. But what else would be different besides the grind of the cam and maybe some hardened valves.  Also as in the 2.3t you can use a full na motor you just need to watch closely for detonation, due to the ease to mess up the non-forged pistions. So what else would be different. The bottom end in the other one is knocking bad. I have a good running 88 3.8 but the car is toast. Just wondering for that reason.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #9
Quote
and the aod would take all the fun out of the swap

Kind of.  Ever driven an automatic SC?  I had a '90 XR7 that I drove for a little more than a year.  It was a blast to drive, even though it wasn't a five speed.

Quote
what else would be different besides the grind of the cam and maybe some hardened valves.

Pretty much everything is different.  You would implode an NA 3.8 if you put that Eaton blower on it.
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0


3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #10
The block is different, its stamped on the back "SC".
 
The heads are differen't, there stamped in the corner "SC".
 
The crank, rods and pistons are all forged to handle the boost.
 
N/A 3.8's can handle about 5 psi on a good tune.
 
You cannot even put SC heads on a N/A block, the oil drainback and water holes are different.
 
 
*Psst*  The swap isn't actually done yet on my car.  Still waiting on a few things.  But i've got it down to every last wire that has to be changed and every last bolt that has to be turned.
One 88

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #11
Quote from: CougarSE
N/A 3.8's can handle about 5 psi on a good tune.
 

Hell, N/A 3.8's can hardly even handle atmospheric pressure, let alone boost. If the head gaskets are pr0ne to failure on an N/A engine, imagine putting a supercharger on an N/A engine...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #12
Pics of Spaz's car are in the thread below.  They still work.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=1868
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #13
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
Hell, N/A 3.8's can hardly even handle atmospheric pressure, let alone boost. If the head gaskets are pr0ne to failure on an N/A engine, imagine putting a supercharger on an N/A engine...

Very true, but many a dumbass has boosted a stock block.. I even contemplated it myself.
One 88

 

3.8 SC in a Fox tbird/cougar

Reply #14
I think I remember reading about someone on tccoa putting the supercharger on the stock block and reducing the amount of boost so he would not destroy the engine.  I don't think it should be done but hey go for it if you want just don't be surprised if you destory your engine.  Also I would reccommend changing that tranny cuz mine didn't last too long and was replaced with a rebuilt lsc tranny with shift kit.  Despite mine not being a 5 speed, it's still one hell of a car to drive.  CougarSE I had just seen your post the other day over at sccoa, I didn't even no you were attempting to do it.  How long you been on the project? You think you'll have it done this summer?