Would it be better to stay with the established 4.0 or wait to go with the rumored new un-tested 3.5. I've only heared tip bits but is should be lighter and more powerful. Anyone have more info?

 

If you want to mod the car go with the 4.0L as it has huge aftermaket for a V-6. If you are going to leave it stock, buy the 3.5L assuming it shows up under the Mustang's hood anytime soon.

 

From what we've heard, the 3.5L won't appear in the mustang anytime soon (contrary to the very very early rumour) .

The 4.0L is a great engine (very torquey).

 

Agreed

 

also for the 4.0L, supposedly if you put the heads and intake manifold from the Cosworth 2.9L you can bump it up to 300hp. another plus for the 4.0L, IMO, especially for those us us who want performance but can't afford a V8 (on goodyear wages lol)

plus, since the V6 stangs are lighter, it'll be pretty dern fast. we could have some good competition going between the V6ers and the Gt guys. sounds fun to me

 

BTW whats the hp/tq on the 3.5L? ne one kno?

 

There hasn't been any official number released but I've heard rumors of 250-270HP.

 

I wouldnt bother waiting, I also dont think that the 3.5 will show up in the mustang. Several reasons: 1. If it is making over 250 horsepower, it is too close to the GT and will really hurt GT sales if they keep pricing similar. 2. That engine would most likely be much more expensive than the v6, making the difference between a v6 and GT too close.

If that engine does ever appear in a mustang, I'd bet that it wouldnt be for at least another few years, like 2008 or 9 ish. Id also expect Ford to up the GT power at the same time if they put an engine like that in.

 

You maybe be right, but maybe Ford wants to stay ahead of the game and give both the V6 and the GT more HP in another year or so.

So, 250 HP for the V6 an 350 for the GT. That would be cool! B)

 

The 3.5L will NOT show up in the Mustang anytime soon. It does not even start production until DEC 05, which is too late for the 2006 Model Year Mustang. In addition all avaialble production of the 3.5L will be used up by higher priced vehicles like the revised Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Zephyr and possibly the Montego & 500.

There are HP increases planned for the 4.0L V6, don't know if we'll get them for 06 or not until 07 though.

 

Yeah, don't expect the 3.5 anytime soon.
And V10 is right.

Last I heard from someone at Essex (last year) the 4.0 was making 270. It was targeted for 250.
SOOoo
What this means is, while the engine may not have the power now, and probably won't have anything in that range anytime soon, I'm guessing they are planning for ANY needed future expanding with that engine and reliablity.

So don't waste your time on the 3.5, it won't happen if it doesn't need to, and that DEFINATELY won't be anytime soon.

 

You maybe be right, but maybe Ford wants to stay ahead of the game and give both the V6 and the GT more HP in another year or so.

So, 250 HP for the V6 an 350 for the GT. That would be cool! B) [/b][/quote]
That would be awesome, but ford would not do that unless they planned to only have special editions with minimal horsepower increases.

 

I totally agree. The 4.0L engine is a reliable engine made on the cheap. I doubt Ford will switch that engine anytime soon. They may do some tweaking to smooth that engine out a bit and give it another 10 - 20 hp but i cant see them going to a totally new engine, especially one with 250HP. Sounds pretty costly to me too.

 

Don't forget rumors are that for 2007 the 4.6L 3V in the GT will get a 10% HP bump to ~330 HP, so notching up the 4.0 V6 to 250 HP will not affect GT sales as the 80 HP V6 to V8 differential will be maintained.

 

The 4.0L is a nice engine. The Feb. '05 issue of Car and Driver has it running 15.3 @ 91 in the quarter. Very impressive in my book. With underdrive pullies, free-flowing air intake, dual exhaust and a 4.10 gear, this would easily be a low 14-second car. Sounds like a nice project...."Huunnny! Look what followed me home!"
B)

 

You're forgetting how C&D complained endlessly about how rough running and noisy the 4.0L V6 is.

The 4.0 V6 is an OK engine, but built off a 30+ year old design it is not even close to being in the same league as modern design V6's like Nissian's 3.5L.

 

Yea.......darn nissan and there VQ. I heard the Z is getting a hp bump to 300 sometime soon, so that may inspire Ford to do some engine tweaks of their own.

 

someone told me the 4.0V6 is related to the german made 2.8V6 that was used in the Mustang II. Is that true?

 

We've discussed this several times before. It is true, the 4.0 V6 is based on the same design that started out as a 2.4L V6 in the 1960s and was used in the Mustang II @ 2.8L in 1974.

But obviously @ 4L and with overhead cams a lot of changes have been made over the years.

 

The 4.0 V6 is also made in Germany.