I've got a '00 3.8L v6 manual with a problem with a slight crack in the manifold and a problem with the crankshaft (not clear on what the crankshaft problem is but every time i switch gears, i hear a metal noise). also when i floor it anywhere on 3000 RPMs or after the gear shifter rattles like crazy. my question is, am i still able to shift after the start of the redline zone (my redline starts at 5300 RPMs)? would i get any horsepower if i were to shift after redline? or should i just shift right on redline? what's the bad part about shifting in redline zone, will the engine just shut off or something? i really want to know because it doesn't seem like i'm getting the engine's full horsepower and torque even when i'm shifting at around 5300 RPMs, being complete stock (but i'm putting in an air intake real soon, in about a week or so). and how do i get more hp easily without spending much money? thanks in advance

 

wow. first, if you've got any problems with the motor period, you dont wanna drive it aggressively. Bad things happen when you do that.

When you get the manifold replaced and the crankshaft problem figured out...

You never wanna shift after redline, bad things happen when you do
You really dont wanna shift at redline, bad things happen when you do
When you shift, you should shift just before the car gets to the redline, that's where the peak power is at. So if your tach on the dash says 5300, you wanna shift between 5000 and 5275.

While I'm not aware of a shut off procedure for running above the redline if it's possible, it's definitely not something you wanna do. Parts get damaged when they're run harder than they're meant to.


You're not feeling like you're getting the full horsepower, because, well, you're driving an anemic 3.8 v6, it just doesnt have that much power. But I'd bet money that if your manifold is cracked, and your crankshaft is screwed up, it's not giving you half of what it should, and it may be a ticking time bomb anyway.

My advice, have it checked out and repaired before doing anything else.

 

oh ok i see, thanks. it'll take me a while before i can get either one replaced...do i have to go to a dealer to have them replace the parts or could i just find any body parts shop and have them replace it?

 

you can have a body/auto shop do it. Bad thing is that crankshaft problems typically aren't cheap.

 

Sounds like you should be looking at a new/used motor to put in it. Maybe one that's not missing 2 cylinders might even be cheaper

 

Late model sells budget short blocks bored .30-.60 for $750

 

how much do they usually cost to repair?

 

i've actually also been told that i need a transmission rebuild but i don't quite have the money for it...:/

 

Odd... My redline is at 6700 and I shift at 7500

 

Crank issue? Explained plz

 

lol that's probably because you have a cobra and i only have a v6? top speed for a v6 is only 120, for cobras it's 160 isn't it?

 

That's the speedometer cut off. I've had it past that

 

whenever i shift from first to second gear, no matter if the engine is normal temperature or not, i always hear like two pieces of metal banging against each other, which I know is NOT normal

 

**** LOL. is ur car dyno'd or something? i tried pushing my car passed 110 before because the speedo goes to 120 max, but it was stuck going 110 mph when i had the pedal to the ground and in fifth gear. for some strange reason i couldn't get passed 110

 

Sounds more like a clutch issue... not a crank

 

Its got a Sct custom tune on it. It tops around 180 according to my GPS *not that I've actually tried it * speed limiter is gone

 

how would it be the clutch? can u explain please?

 

lol i'd get a custom tuner myself too but i just spent close to 400 on a gopro hd and an air intake from AM

 

Well if its when you shift then it probably has to do with the components you use to shift. I.e. the clutch

 

pretty much it's like when i step on the clutch, and then move the shifter from first to second, that's when the banging sound happens. then after releasing the clutch it's fine