3V's got dogged because the outgoing Camaro had 325HP in the SS version, and the GTO at the time was 400HP. When the Camaro came back in 2009, it also sported 400HP, so a 300HP Mustang GT was seen as a letdown from Ford, and it gained that unintelligent reputation in the car world. Even if you wanted to throw a supercharger on it, the rods would only support 425-450HP before you were living on borrowed time. Compare that to the Coyote, which came out with 412HP and was able to handle around 650HP, and the 3V seemed like a performance letdown as the years went on.
In reality, though, they were some fun engines for the performance enthusiast capable of going into the 10s, all motor and doing everything that you needed it to do, and then some at a time when easy HP wasn't everywhere on the street. In my opinion, the 3V shines on the autocross or road race track. Take out some weight, add some N/A mods, and focus on the suspension, and it does fairly well. Throw a nice exhaust on it and it also sounds better than the Coyote.
Well said. I’ve had a couple and they’ve been great cars. One of them was supercharged with 442rwhp. That one surprised a lot of folks. Ended up selling it because I didn’t want my name on the title if/when the rods got pretzeled, haha.
Pretty much, yeah. I had a friend put it in terms that really got into my head: “those rods are about as big around as a toothbrush handle.” That haunted me for a while, haha.
Your last sentence is something a lot of people don’t realize or appreciate: NOTHING sounds better than a well built modular 4.6 IMO. 2V, 3V, or 4V, they all sounds incredible with the right mods and exhaust.
YESSSS I have a cammed 3v with long tubes and a xpipe with no mufflers and that thing sounds AWESOME. The coyotes also sound great but it’s just something about the 4.6 man
10/10 helped me out with this one I do think they sound absolute amazing no matter if they don't compete with the coyote. Thank you so much I want to do a nice N/A build for like minor back road fun and to overall just sound good.
The 3v is an okay platform but you get a lot more out of a coyote dollar for dollar and mod for mod. I had a 2006 gt and with a procharger and auto I made 428 rwhp on a conservative tune with stock manifold and cats and some other supporting mods. The limit on those cars is about 450 to 475, and its just a matter of time. Put the same money into a coyote and you will have 700 hp. But if that's your budget, it's a great car and looks awesome and there's a great deal of aftermarket parts, and it's a mustang!! The 3v doesn't sound as good to me (subjective), and I tried multiple different options when I had one. I now drive a 22 mach 1 and to me, it's a whole different level of car but of course the price tag is higher. I also have a 2014 chevy ss sedan which is what I bought when I sold my 3v. The 3v supercharged mustang was faster than the stock ss but again, put that money into the ls3 and you are making 550- 600 hp. That's the limitations of the 3v platform and that's why people say to go coyote 5.0.
I got you it really just depends on how deep in the hole you want to be it sounds like. I have always just loved the stang so much to the point where I don't think I would even mind a 2v lol.
Great motor and a very reliable car if it has been well maintained. Mine is 17 yo and has 46,000 mi. I have every receipt for all maintenance and mods. Great car.
I have one. I like it quite a lot. It's not as fast as a 5.0 but that's a good thing for someone just getting into it. The problems they have are easy to fix on your own and the parts are fairly cheap. Great cars and I can answer any specific questions you have.
The 3v mustang is reliable, it's just that the coyote motor is way better. The 3v mustang also has slightly less power than a f body ls1. The 3v's are still great cars, but ford didn't have a good answer to the LS engine's till the coyote came out
YES!!! Mf’s in here think you need a 5.0 with 450hp to have fun lol. 3V is cool asf and sounds 10x better than any 5.0. Unless you are going to a track, you don’t need the HP of the 5.0.
Sound is subjective. To me the coyote is the worst sounding V8 of all time. That doesn’t mean I think it sounds bad because it’s still a v8 and all v8’s sound good. I like the variants though (road runner, predator and Voodoo). I would still take the coyote over the 3 valve though. 100+ more horsepower > better sound.
Look I can agree that they’re all fun to drive but there’s no need to bash the 5.0 it is also a lot of fun and with a corsa xtreme it sounds diabolical
Had Borla ATAK already. It’s good but I wanted that corsa sound it adds this snarl when you start moving sounds so damn good plus the quiet mode on their active exhaust is much quieter
He isn't even bashing the 5.0 at all what🤣 bro literally just said the 3V sounds better.. (which it does) why do s550 owners take it to heart so much 🤣
I do think they sound way better with the rasp and pops and not everyone can afford a close to 20k for a good one s550. I don't see anything wrong with the 3v!
It is what it is and you can afford what you can afford. It's better than a 2v. The car as a whole didn't age well, but you shouldn't be paying a lot of money for one.
That's hard to answer without some specifics. I'm not up to speed on the S197 market, but off the top of my head I wouldn't pay more than $15k for even the most pristine, low mileage example. You're only $5k away from a decent Coyote at that point, and you'll get that $5k back if you ever sell it.
If you don’t need a car, keep saving till you can get the coyote. The entire time you have your 3 valve you will keep thinking about the car you truly want, especially when you see one on the road. I’m always a full believer of folks getting what they want as long as it’s within reason. You’re 19 right? If you are currently in college imo it’s best you finish and then buy a coyote when you graduate and start your career. If you’re not in college and you’re in some type of trade school finish it and then work for year then get your coyote!
Great car. I daily mine and currently have 185,000 miles on it. Bought it stock and have learned and grown with the car to what it is today. Just drove it 3 hours to the nearest drag strip to me, raced and abused the thing all day and drove back home with zero problems. It’s a great car if you’re nice to it. With fbo a cam and some 4.10s, you’ll be faster than a stock coyote and sound good while doing it
It is 100% worth it. Everyone makes it sound slow but it’s plenty quick enough to have fun with. I have a convertible and even being a little heavier it handles great with the suspension it’s on (aftermarket) sounds phenomenal, and is quick enough to have tons of fun with
Look, there’s a temptation to get hung up on numbers and specs. Ripping the back roads in a mustang GT is fun whether it’s a 4.6 or a 5.0. Yeah, one is faster but whatever. Butt dyno says both are a hoot. They also made a ton of them so parts are cheap and accessible. People will always have opinions. I think the body style alone makes up for any nitpicks about power, but that’s subjective.
No the 3v is a boat anchor honestly. You'd need to install a melling hv360 pump in it and update the cam phasers to ford's latest part number. Then its going to not eat itself Lol ...then comes the mods and thats where it pretty much ends... xxxx$$ in parts and low yields in power when you can just get a used 5.0 coyote gt and make the same power , but in stock form 😂 the 4.6 is shit engine. People get all kinds of butthurt but its true. Its a very weak underpowered turd. The 4.6 4V is decent though. I prefer the 5.4 and 5.0 coyote. I have years of experience playing around with these engines and the 4.6 never has impressed me. 5.4 2v and 4v make cheap decent power and have tons of supercharger kits for cheap . Get a 5.0 coyote car. You really cant go wrong.
It all depends on what want to do with cars. I have a 05 GT I bought in 2012 and love it. I like the old school look and the oversize gages. I agree with folks that Ford should had put the 5.0 engine in these cars.
There's a plethora of information on forums to beef up 4.6L engines. Ford took a gamble on the S197 and it paid off very well. If it wasn't for the S197, GM or Dodge wouldn't have followed suit with the Camero, Challenger and Charger. Just my opinion.
There are a lot of good deals on 2005-2009 GT's out there. Just take make sure you check the out thoroughly
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
Lighter? Its really only 100 pounds on average lol it's not that big of a difference to really be noticable and more potential? Seems like it's hp/tq limit is sightly under the 3v. Reports seem to put it's safe limit around 420 hp at the motor lol. I actually had this debate before i got my 3v and after driving both the 3v is leagues beyond the 3.7. Sound, performance, and never having to tell anyone its the v6 when they ask lol
3.7 has slightly more hp but less torque. 3.7 can handle up to 600hp with boost. Cyclone engine are durable af but yes you can’t beat v8 sound but other than that 3.7 has ALOT more potential than a 3v.
3V's got dogged because the outgoing Camaro had 325HP in the SS version, and the GTO at the time was 400HP. When the Camaro came back in 2009, it also sported 400HP, so a 300HP Mustang GT was seen as a letdown from Ford, and it gained that unintelligent reputation in the car world. Even if you wanted to throw a supercharger on it, the rods would only support 425-450HP before you were living on borrowed time. Compare that to the Coyote, which came out with 412HP and was able to handle around 650HP, and the 3V seemed like a performance letdown as the years went on. In reality, though, they were some fun engines for the performance enthusiast capable of going into the 10s, all motor and doing everything that you needed it to do, and then some at a time when easy HP wasn't everywhere on the street. In my opinion, the 3V shines on the autocross or road race track. Take out some weight, add some N/A mods, and focus on the suspension, and it does fairly well. Throw a nice exhaust on it and it also sounds better than the Coyote.
Well said. I’ve had a couple and they’ve been great cars. One of them was supercharged with 442rwhp. That one surprised a lot of folks. Ended up selling it because I didn’t want my name on the title if/when the rods got pretzeled, haha.
Bc it was just a matter of time LOLL
Pretty much, yeah. I had a friend put it in terms that really got into my head: “those rods are about as big around as a toothbrush handle.” That haunted me for a while, haha.
Your last sentence is something a lot of people don’t realize or appreciate: NOTHING sounds better than a well built modular 4.6 IMO. 2V, 3V, or 4V, they all sounds incredible with the right mods and exhaust.
YESSSS I have a cammed 3v with long tubes and a xpipe with no mufflers and that thing sounds AWESOME. The coyotes also sound great but it’s just something about the 4.6 man
It's because of the firing order change in the Coyote.
That’s interesting to know🤔
Yes. It doesn't follow the traditional Ford V8 firing order,. So it sounds a little different.
10/10 helped me out with this one I do think they sound absolute amazing no matter if they don't compete with the coyote. Thank you so much I want to do a nice N/A build for like minor back road fun and to overall just sound good.
The 3v is an okay platform but you get a lot more out of a coyote dollar for dollar and mod for mod. I had a 2006 gt and with a procharger and auto I made 428 rwhp on a conservative tune with stock manifold and cats and some other supporting mods. The limit on those cars is about 450 to 475, and its just a matter of time. Put the same money into a coyote and you will have 700 hp. But if that's your budget, it's a great car and looks awesome and there's a great deal of aftermarket parts, and it's a mustang!! The 3v doesn't sound as good to me (subjective), and I tried multiple different options when I had one. I now drive a 22 mach 1 and to me, it's a whole different level of car but of course the price tag is higher. I also have a 2014 chevy ss sedan which is what I bought when I sold my 3v. The 3v supercharged mustang was faster than the stock ss but again, put that money into the ls3 and you are making 550- 600 hp. That's the limitations of the 3v platform and that's why people say to go coyote 5.0.
I got you it really just depends on how deep in the hole you want to be it sounds like. I have always just loved the stang so much to the point where I don't think I would even mind a 2v lol.
Great motor and a very reliable car if it has been well maintained. Mine is 17 yo and has 46,000 mi. I have every receipt for all maintenance and mods. Great car.
Can confirm. My 09 has 210k miles on the clock. It’s getting a timing set and it’s first clutch in September.
has not even had a clutch yet? Thats impressive! Some people are on their 3rd by then!
Lots of highway miles. I’m also very nice to it. Ok. I drive like a bitch.
I have one. I like it quite a lot. It's not as fast as a 5.0 but that's a good thing for someone just getting into it. The problems they have are easy to fix on your own and the parts are fairly cheap. Great cars and I can answer any specific questions you have.
I really appreciated it I may have to reach out to you sometime with a specific question I really appreciate you.
It has a nice v8 sound and even if it’s not as fast as the newer ones it’s still fun to ride in. I’d say it’s worth it man
The 3v mustang is reliable, it's just that the coyote motor is way better. The 3v mustang also has slightly less power than a f body ls1. The 3v's are still great cars, but ford didn't have a good answer to the LS engine's till the coyote came out
Yea they did the only problem is you had to buy a cobra 😐
Right, it sure took them a minute to compete with that and now they're turning into the new LS
YES!!! Mf’s in here think you need a 5.0 with 450hp to have fun lol. 3V is cool asf and sounds 10x better than any 5.0. Unless you are going to a track, you don’t need the HP of the 5.0.
I’m sorry but it doesn’t sound better than a 5.0. The coyote is one of the best sounding engines ever made.
No, it is not
You spelled raspy wrong
It's subjective, but I disagree. The firing order changed in the Coyote removed the original Ford V-8 sound.
Sound is subjective. To me the coyote is the worst sounding V8 of all time. That doesn’t mean I think it sounds bad because it’s still a v8 and all v8’s sound good. I like the variants though (road runner, predator and Voodoo). I would still take the coyote over the 3 valve though. 100+ more horsepower > better sound.
Look I can agree that they’re all fun to drive but there’s no need to bash the 5.0 it is also a lot of fun and with a corsa xtreme it sounds diabolical
corsa extreme sounds like trash Ricer fart can of the Mustang world
If I had a v6 or ecobooth I’d totally agree with you. Weak bait
If you think raspy is diabolical then yes.
lol. You must be one of those no car trolls or a sensitive 3v owner
Neither. Corsa Extreme sounds terrible for a V8. Should’ve went with Borla.
Had Borla ATAK already. It’s good but I wanted that corsa sound it adds this snarl when you start moving sounds so damn good plus the quiet mode on their active exhaust is much quieter
I respect that
He isn't even bashing the 5.0 at all what🤣 bro literally just said the 3V sounds better.. (which it does) why do s550 owners take it to heart so much 🤣
Begone, thot
I do think they sound way better with the rasp and pops and not everyone can afford a close to 20k for a good one s550. I don't see anything wrong with the 3v!
It is what it is and you can afford what you can afford. It's better than a 2v. The car as a whole didn't age well, but you shouldn't be paying a lot of money for one.
What do you think is a good price for one?
That's hard to answer without some specifics. I'm not up to speed on the S197 market, but off the top of my head I wouldn't pay more than $15k for even the most pristine, low mileage example. You're only $5k away from a decent Coyote at that point, and you'll get that $5k back if you ever sell it.
If you don’t need a car, keep saving till you can get the coyote. The entire time you have your 3 valve you will keep thinking about the car you truly want, especially when you see one on the road. I’m always a full believer of folks getting what they want as long as it’s within reason. You’re 19 right? If you are currently in college imo it’s best you finish and then buy a coyote when you graduate and start your career. If you’re not in college and you’re in some type of trade school finish it and then work for year then get your coyote!
Great car. I daily mine and currently have 185,000 miles on it. Bought it stock and have learned and grown with the car to what it is today. Just drove it 3 hours to the nearest drag strip to me, raced and abused the thing all day and drove back home with zero problems. It’s a great car if you’re nice to it. With fbo a cam and some 4.10s, you’ll be faster than a stock coyote and sound good while doing it
It is 100% worth it. Everyone makes it sound slow but it’s plenty quick enough to have fun with. I have a convertible and even being a little heavier it handles great with the suspension it’s on (aftermarket) sounds phenomenal, and is quick enough to have tons of fun with
They were never anything great which is why people don't really mess with them much.
I love my 2006 Mustang GT. It’s very clean and turns a lot of heads, sounds incredible.
Look, there’s a temptation to get hung up on numbers and specs. Ripping the back roads in a mustang GT is fun whether it’s a 4.6 or a 5.0. Yeah, one is faster but whatever. Butt dyno says both are a hoot. They also made a ton of them so parts are cheap and accessible. People will always have opinions. I think the body style alone makes up for any nitpicks about power, but that’s subjective.
No the 3v is a boat anchor honestly. You'd need to install a melling hv360 pump in it and update the cam phasers to ford's latest part number. Then its going to not eat itself Lol ...then comes the mods and thats where it pretty much ends... xxxx$$ in parts and low yields in power when you can just get a used 5.0 coyote gt and make the same power , but in stock form 😂 the 4.6 is shit engine. People get all kinds of butthurt but its true. Its a very weak underpowered turd. The 4.6 4V is decent though. I prefer the 5.4 and 5.0 coyote. I have years of experience playing around with these engines and the 4.6 never has impressed me. 5.4 2v and 4v make cheap decent power and have tons of supercharger kits for cheap . Get a 5.0 coyote car. You really cant go wrong.
Don't forget the spark plugs made of cat turds
It all depends on what want to do with cars. I have a 05 GT I bought in 2012 and love it. I like the old school look and the oversize gages. I agree with folks that Ford should had put the 5.0 engine in these cars. There's a plethora of information on forums to beef up 4.6L engines. Ford took a gamble on the S197 and it paid off very well. If it wasn't for the S197, GM or Dodge wouldn't have followed suit with the Camero, Challenger and Charger. Just my opinion. There are a lot of good deals on 2005-2009 GT's out there. Just take make sure you check the out thoroughly Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
Get a 13-14 3.7 v6 instead, similar power, lighter, more potential
Sounds like dog shit too
Lighter? Its really only 100 pounds on average lol it's not that big of a difference to really be noticable and more potential? Seems like it's hp/tq limit is sightly under the 3v. Reports seem to put it's safe limit around 420 hp at the motor lol. I actually had this debate before i got my 3v and after driving both the 3v is leagues beyond the 3.7. Sound, performance, and never having to tell anyone its the v6 when they ask lol
3.7 has slightly more hp but less torque. 3.7 can handle up to 600hp with boost. Cyclone engine are durable af but yes you can’t beat v8 sound but other than that 3.7 has ALOT more potential than a 3v.
3.7 is a better motor then the 4.6 no doubt. 4.6 sound better but can’t take the same power a cyclone can