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I’m looking into replacing the intake manifold on my 89 tbird base coup, and have found the high output engine on the 91-94 Lincoln continental would be a possible donor car. Does anyone know if the intake manifold would be better than the one I currently have? The problem right now is that the manifold is too small which seems to be a problem for the American v6s of the generation. I’m assuming that to achieve the higher hp, they had a better intake manifold? Right? Also, if anyone has another suggestion for a manifold, feel free to post it. It’s a single port fuel injected Essex v6 engine (Canadian not European) I’m 17 and still learning about cars, so the advice is appreciated!
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1989 is a hard year to come up with a 100% great answer. Your car uses the EEC-4 computer system. It may..or may not respond well to having a major part swapped out for a more ‘performance’ type.
Normally when your engine and computer is ‘tuned’ by the maker it’s already setup for the best combination of power/performance and Fuel Economy. So a major change might not have the desired effect. Going from a ‘stock’ to a ‘high output’ might not–in this case be a good choice. The high output is ‘tuned’ pretty different from stock. Your current EEC-4 system might not be able to cope.
I’m not saying it can’t be done! Heck, Owners of the same truck style I have (’89 Ford) have swapped in V8’s and larger V6 engines. The key is: They swap the entire engine, wiring harness for the computer, and the computer itself where needed. Just doing an intake swap–different flow rate injector(s) I would imagine… The EEC-4 system may not cope.
Might want to check out local “Speed Shops” in your area, as well any Thunderbird groups for options and what’s the best way to get more performance out of your current setup. There are a lot of different things that can be done less drastic that might get a few extra horses out of the stock engine.
Good Luck with it!! Keep us posted and check back if anyone else chimes in!! (I’m not the only one here ya know…others have great ideas too!! And I might be wrong
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I was planning on coupling this with a piggyback chip, to increase fuel percentage. Looking at the jet phase 2 chip for the sc. Perhaps this would make it less likely to be a loss overall? I was also considering just the phase 1 chip, and a new larger filter, possibly also high flow cats sense I no longer need to pass émissions. Think I could get a few ponies out of that?
I’m the last person to answer questions about the chips. I’ve seen the ones all over eBay and other sites and on the EEC-4 system–and just about any other system I’ve seen the testing done on? Zero Effect. I’ve not worked with the “Jet” chips, so I’m going to politely refrain from commenting on their brand.
One big question I would have–because I do not know your car. Is it throttle body injection, or Port Fuel injection. (as in, one huge injector in the intake. Or does it have 6 injectors at each intake port.)
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It has port injection. For reference, the engine is a 3.8 litre essex v6, used in all of that eras v6 applications for ford, lincoln, and the mercury cougar.
Also, from things I have read, I think I will just be swapping the top part of the manifold. The plenum if I am correct? Does anyone have the specifications for the Lincoln manifold? I can find the tbirds in just a bit
I don’t know the specifics on your initial question but I am encouraged to hear that you’re also looking to the computer for this project. With modern vehicles, just bolting on parts isn’t enough. You also often need to change fuel maps to make those parts work they way they should. That said, you’d probably get more traction on this topic on a Ford specific forum, even better if you can find one that pertains to your vehicle. They would likely have the answers you’re looking for.
Good luck and please keep us updated on what you find.
The 1989 Essex V/6 is a weak pile of ????, I’m sorry to say. They eat head gaskets for breakfast for one thing. I must have replaced a dozen of em.
By replacing the Intake manifold with another design might not work well anyway. Everything is calibrated specifically to the setup that came from the factory so by adding a manifold with a different air flow could create problems.
It’s nice to see a 17 yo asking for advice. At 17 I would have just done it. 😉
Thanks for all the replies and considerations. After thinking things over, and doing some research, the only thing that would truly make any difference is… a new engine. The Essex is literally a piece of $$$$. My grandparents are moving to Arizona soon, and I’ll be helping them, and most likely buying a car thats outside the rust belt. Hopefully a 70s camaro. Thanks guys! For now I’ll probably just put a better filter on it, and maybe a glasspack so it sounds like it has balls haha
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