Need help making a decision

[I_luv_HP&trq]

Hey i have a 99 V6 stang that needs more power. My engine is stock and i'd like to get a stage 3 power package from supersixmotorsports. The cost is around $2,200.... I know for sure i want to keep my car for as long as possible since i can't afford to buy another car and upgrade it. My car has 65,000 miles and running ok.
My question is......Would it be better to save my money for the crate engine ($5,800) or just add on the power packages as i go?? I'm not a mechanic so i can't do all of the installs myself which means i'd have to pay to have the engine hoisted a couple of times before i'm done with what i want, and i'm sure that won't be cheap. I'm a student so i can't work full time and i don't want to spend a ton of money but still want something reliable and of good quality.
Maybe if someone could list the pro's and con's of the power packages v.s. getting the whole engine at once. I don't know all the details because i haven't done something like this so i don't know how hard any of these options will be.
I figure if i'm gonna spend a few thousand bucks getting these packages seperately i mind as well get the whole engine but i can't make up my mind.
or maybe if you know where i could build an engine up for less that would be great too. my stang is a daily driver and need to be careful of emissions since i'm in California. thanks for your help.

[SpectorV]

Any time you tear into the motor you take a risk. If you REALLY trust the people who are doing the work thats one thing.. but you never really know what you are getting into.

I would contact both supersix and rpm-mustangs.com to talk to them about what all they offer.

Before I droped 6k into my car I would just sell it and buy another car that was closer to what I wanted in the end. Just sit down and decide what you want your end result to be, if you want teh v6, v8, other what ever that may be and dont put money into something that will not get you there.

[I_luv_HP&trq]

that's the thing, i can't afford payments for a V8 or even insurance. and if i bought another 6 i wouldn't have money left over to mod it out... my car is paid off and that's why i kinda want to put money into it because i know i want to have it around for a long time....I'd rather be out there beating V8's or suped up 4 bangers and be able to say i did it with a 6. to me that's bragging rights. i know i don't need a huge engine or insane amount of horsepower to be fast. that's why i want to do this right and pull out all the tricks possible to make it quick.

[tedness]

ive talked to the guys at super6 for a good while but never made a decision because random things come up haha

[KyleUSAF]

yea..since your not wanting insane hp, its a d/d, and you can't afford payments on v8...i'd put some $$$ into the six. But hp isn't something most people become content with once they reach a certain amount..i'd still say do some stuff to the v6 and maybe later on in life you will be raking in enough cash for a monster

[I_luv_HP&trq]

yea horsepower becomes addicting. that's kinda why i want to do it in intervals, but then again in the long run it's cheaper to do it all at once. it would just be nice knowing that i have something to work towards and be able to add mods until i think it's perfect. if it is worth keeping then i wanna do some suspension for sure and get those P&P cylinder heads and keep going from there.

[PureVenom]

Ok, here is my thoughts. I agree with Kyle, it is hard to be content with a HP number which is why I am trying to avoid the kenne bell. I know 600 hp won't be enough for me when I know I could push more with it.

Your car can be built to push a ton of power. I am going to be starting a V6 build next year with 450-500 rwhp as my goal. In my mind, it would make a little more sense to save up for the crate engine. You would save yourself some labor costs for the fact that you would be doing everything at once instead of a bit here, a bit there. There would only be one engine removal. Also, you could then sell the engine you take out and recoup some of the money you spent. Maybe not a ton, but a little is better than none.

Also, you could get everything you want in the crate engine, know it is ready for a power adder down the road, and be all set to add on more power when the urge and money hits you.

As for installation, do you have any handy friends/relatives/neighbors? If you have any of the mentioned that are gear heads, mechanics, etc, maybe they might be interested in helping you do the swap. This too is another reason to get a crate engine, a complete engine swap is easier (in my mind) than having to tear an engine down and put it back together. It is just unhook, pull out, put in, hook up.

If you don't know any handy people, depending on where you live (I don't know where Atherton is) and what forums you are a member of, you could always throw a mod party with forum members. Obviously, this is where everyone gets together and helps everyone mod their cars. The michigan folks on one of my forums do this all the time and it works very well.

If absolutely none of the above are an option, check around at garages and see if they might cut you a break on labor if you offer to help them out. It would be a nice way to save a couple of bucks as well as get some hands on experience at the same time. There is a place here that is like that. He usually cuts his cost almost in half, sometimes completely free, if you offer to help him with the labor.

Ok, my fingers are getting tired. So, in summary, get the crate engine. It will save you some in labor, you can sell your current to recoup cash, everything is fresh and ready for more power later.

[I_luv_HP&trq]

yea i'm leaning towards the new engine now. i want to have a strong powertrain so i can feel confident my car will perform when i want and last a good while longer. However i really don't want to pay $6,000 when Edlebrock and other companies have complete engines pushing 350bhp and selling for less than $4,000. Only problem is i don't have a car to put those big engines in to.
Also if i had more power i assume i would have to make my back end stronger so i don't break an axle or whatever. I need to know all the things i gotta get to accomodate the engine, and make sure everything fits together smooth and works properly.
Hopefully this fall i'll be sighned up for an engine performance class at a communtiy college in my area. maybe i'll find some people who will help with the install and i'll be able to learn more....
thanks for your opinions

[PureVenom]

Keep in mind, you won't be pushing the high HP right away, so once you get the engine you can start saving up for the required high HP supporting mods like tranny, rear end, axels, etc. You won't need those right away since the engine alone won't push you over their operating limits.

[KyleUSAF]

yea..that sounds like a good plan..i kinda thought you would have a hard time paying insurance on a v8 but i guess not. And before i dropped in the crate, i'd build up the car a little first with springs, shocks/struts, 8.8 rear, maybe some subframe connectors too, all that to handle the extra weight and hp..ya know

[spadez81]

I'm in the same boat with you for the most part. I really cannot give you accurate advice on what to do, but I'd agree with these guys just because it makes sense. My thing is to attempt to push 400+rwhp out of my V-6, or swap an '01 Cobra engine. Now I would like input on this and tell me which of the two should I do

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by spadez81 I'm in the same boat with you for the most part. I really cannot give you accurate advice on what to do, but I'd agree with these guys just because it makes sense. My thing is to attempt to push 400+rwhp out of my V-6, or swap an '01 Cobra engine. Now I would like input on this and tell me which of the two should I do

Do the 400+ with the V6. I have a thread about how stout the V6 block is where everyone threw out their advice on what to do. There are a number of people, even some on this site, that are pushing over 400 at the wheels with their V6. Go forged internals, Supercharger/turbo charger, and you will be all set. Granted, it will require some other changes like tranny/rear/axels/etc, but you will need those changes with the V8 swap (and more for the swap).

So, do the V6 buildup. Plus, it will be more fun to tell someone they just got beat by a V6...lol

[spadez81]

Quote: Originally Posted by Smurfin Do the 400+ with the V6. I have a thread about how stout the V6 block is where everyone threw out their advice on what to do. There are a number of people, even some on this site, that are pushing over 400 at the wheels with their V6. Go forged internals, Supercharger/turbo charger, and you will be all set. Granted, it will require some other changes like tranny/rear/axels/etc, but you will need those changes with the V8 swap (and more for the swap). So, do the V6 buildup. Plus, it will be more fun to tell someone they just got beat by a V6...lol

what's the name of the thread? I'd really like to get that info

[KyleUSAF]

How stout is the stock block?

[dark]

before you go building your engine, make sure your exhaust, induction, and rear end are up to the task

dual exhaust will help your engine breathe better, cold air induction will give your engine a cooler charge, and a built 7.5 or 8.8 rear differential will strengthen your rear so you don't risk breaking it. and don't forget about suspension. all the power in the world does no good if your car is all over the road

[stangin99]

65k is nothing to worry about for an n/a car. Hell even under moderate boost you will be fine.

I am at 94k+ miles and still race my car at the track every week(have over 120 timeslips now). Car dosn't burn any oil, has perfect compression, and runs better than when I bought it 4 years ago with 20k on it. And for boost, my buddy Keith is running an 11psi procharger and has over 105k on his car, and ran 13.1 @ 104 last night on his bone stock motor...so they can take a punishment.

Just get that tune perfect.

[SpectorV]

if you look into it and get an older v8 it will be cheaper, alot cheaper. If your insurance is that much... then change agents/brands or stop BREAKING THE LAW or get older lol