The Unofficial "Ask a Stupid Question" Thread

Jae 'Bird said:
I think a manual 3.8 would be pretty cool
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Would it though? I mean apart from the rarity?

I'm biased of course, but I think the 3.8 NA works great with a torque converter. That combination provides excellent low-speed getup. Taking off from a standstill, the engine reaches its peak torque (around 2,700 I think?) very quickly.

Having grown up with underpowered manual cars, I just think that a manual would make this engine feel weaker. Unless the ratios are really short.
 
That is a fair point. I would like to figure out how to put in a tachometer so that I can actually see what my engine is doing. I wonder how hard that would be :unsure: maybe thats the project I should do next
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Would it though? I mean apart from the rarity?

I'm biased of course, but I think the 3.8 NA works great with a torque converter. That combination provides excellent low-speed getup. Taking off from a standstill, the engine reaches its peak torque (around 2,700 I think?) very quickly.

Having grown up with underpowered manual cars, I just think that a manual would make this engine feel weaker. Unless the ratios are really short.
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I strongly disagree. Engagement is the key, even if the vehicle is weaker or slower being able to articulate your inputs at a whim makes the car more fun to DRIVE. It’s the same thing with EVs; instant torque an ICE vehicle can’t even dream of but is it actually fun once you’re accustomed to it? Meh. Same with manual vs automatics, you’re uniquely attentive, your inputs matter to performance or efficiency, you get unique audible/physical feedback. Automatics like EVs are same old same old, manuals are an adventure.

I’d return my car to totally stock in every single other way but I’ll never give up the 5 speed unless I lost a leg.
 
Well, I had no intention to open the ultimate car group can of worms: manual vs. automatic.

Of course I'm not arguing the aspect of engagement. And with sufficiently short ratios, I could even be convinced that the V6 would be livelier with a manual.

But I stand by my opinion. A manual goes with certain engines better than with others. And this V6 just doesn't strike me as the best candidate.
 
A 5 speed would definitely make a 3.8 feel more responsive. You have one more gear than the automatic so it will be easier to keep it in its power range. Plus that third definitely makes it a lot more fun to drive, probably the best mod I did to mine...
 
Getting the tune right made me happy with the 4r70w. It took far longer than the rest of the tune. There's a post with the settings here somewhere; it shifts like a manual, shifting up, then shifting down with engine braking.
 
I'm glad others do think that a manual 3.8 would be cool, tbh I also totally forgot that I would actually gain a gear going to manual. I do also find myself wanting to drive my auto like a manual, I articulate the throttle to get it to kinda do what I want, I find it quite fun. It would also be my first manual car (my dad would be able to teach me). If it ever happens, ill definitely document the process in detail. But I still am now really thinking about putting a tach in the car, where do you guys think the best spot would be? I could make a new post if we want to discuss more
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Well, I had no intention to open the ultimate car group can of worms: manual vs. automatic.

Of course I'm not arguing the aspect of engagement. And with sufficiently short ratios, I could even be convinced that the V6 would be livelier with a manual.

But I stand by my opinion. A manual goes with certain engines better than with others. And this V6 just doesn't strike me as the best candidate.
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I agree that I wouldn't do this mod, either. But, the M5R2 has low gears, especially the early ones, so it would help the acceleration a decent amount. Might even help mpg.
 
I did the M5R2 swap behind a 3.8NA for someone years ago. The 3.8NA is a 28oz imbalance and the SC is neutral balance, so you can’t just use the SC flywheel. I think I wound up getting a flywheel from summit that had the bolt-on weights, then used all the rest of the SC stuff.

The swap is not at all difficult with an M5R2. Everything is literally bolt-in. Hardest part is pulling the dash to install the clutch pedal. You do have to drill the holes in the firewall, but it already has dimples where you have to drill. As far as the performance, an M5R2 is a huge improvement! On the highway, it still felt about the same as with the auto, but having that steeper 1st and 2nd gear made a night and day difference accelerating from a stop and driving around town.
 
How’s the IAC work? Is it just open at cold? And it’s binary correct, full open or full closed.

One the engine is warm and sitting at a stop for example, will the IAC open?
 
In my 96, it's a variable opening solenoid. when it fails, you get nothing, if it gets sticky, it hangs open to varying amounts.
 
Op, I don't think your eec will run a later gage set, but I thought the sc cars had tachs.
That's a question for Mikey or Matt. :)
A aftermarket tach is easy, mounting it is the hardest part. A wire to a coil input is all you need to feed it.
 
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Kidd-7 said:
How’s the IAC work? Is it just open at cold? And it’s binary correct, full open or full closed.

One the engine is warm and sitting at a stop for example, will the IAC open?
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It's normally closed. It's PWM variable. The PCM usually keeps it open slightly for idle control and (when driving) dashpot to smooth out engine response over abrupt throttle changes.
 
My Fusion was the first non-MT car I ever owned. I don't hate it, but at some point I'll be rowing my own in my DD again.
 
Grog6 said:
I drove subaru 5 speeds for years in the 80's, and an auto would have sucked. A manual would really make it move!
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My last standard was an 80 mustang with 4 cyl / 4 speed. I hated being stuck in traffic - clutch and go / STOP... clutch-n-go / STOP!!! Oh wait, I had a F250 with a 4 speed. That was different. 460 engine, 4x4... it was a beast in low 4. But driving in traffic sucked.
 
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