Keep the I 6 or go V8?

Live and learn. Until today I would have sworn that the Sprint only came with the 200 I6

 

You could leave the low compression, take the carb off, attach a hose from a supercharger and draw through a nice small four barrel. They make a modulator for a pressurized manifold for the C4. With the stock 8:1 compression you could pull 375 HP from the six with about 14 psi boost. That way it remains stock if you keep the pieces you can put them back on and away it goes.

 

Lots of great thoughts on the 6 vs 8. If I were to hop up a 6 banger I would not use the original block for fear of smoking it. Not sure what I will end up with but I love all the feed back from everyone! Still yet 250 with a cam and a webber 2v might be interesting. I guess I will think about this week and make a decison this week end. Thanks again everyone!!!
Jerry Fow

 

Stallions are pretty rare. Sprints probably are as well, but Grabbers are really not all that "rare". Like I said, If you're just looking to restore a car & sell it, then original may be the way to go, otherwise, I can't stand a car that's all "show" and no performance...

 

Here's a link for the mustangsmonthly.com I-6 buildup: http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/173_0312_inline_six_cylinder_performance_guide
This is a Clifford article.
I might have over stated Mavericks not making the Barrett Jackson center stage: Dyno Don's Cammer Pro Stock, or Jack Roush's Taiwana Taxi.
Ken

 

Re: Keep the I-6 or go V-8?

Hi Jerry,

I just wanted to point out that the 250 I-6 block (and the later 200 block, also) is considered to be pretty "bulletproof". It has seven main bearings, and the lower end can take anything that is thrown at it. There's no reason to fear "smoking it".

Regards,
BaldEagleMav

 

you really dont have to worry about anything on the bottom end, some even believe the I6 is even strongrt than alot of ford's sb's. its probably already been mentioned, but definatly take a look at fordsix.com, there are a few people making pretty serious power with N/A engines over there. the head's gonna be your bigest limiting factor, not the block.

 

Yes thread necromancy but I've been thinking a lot about this lately. I just got a 6 cylinder Maverick but am in the market for a V8. Thing is, am I shortchanging the I6? I'm not looking to make a track car, but a daily driver that, with minimal mods, will beat most cars (especially ricers which are everywhere) off the block. I've heard the I6 is a torquey little bugger but lacks much top end power, and the more I think about it the more that appeals to me. Combine that with the fact I want a daily driver and the sixes get into the 20s in mileage, even with a "beefier" engine...

Please, any advice? I know I'm all over the board on this subject and will continue to be until I'm driving around in whatever car I eventually choose (it'll be my baby then) but for what I want (power plus reliability), what would you recommend? Perhaps trying to find a 250 I6 and go from there?

 

The sixes have 120 degree crank vs the 90 degree cranks of the 302, thus more time in a better position to be pushed against. They don't rev as high for peak horse power,but the sixes make more torque at low rmps than the 302, and for a street car, who spends any time over 3000 rpm??? Plus I can and do change my oil without ever kneeling on the ground. you can reach the drain plug from the top! So easy to work on. They are lighter than V8's so the car is more nimble (faster!) around corners and windy roads. Nya Nya.... lol

 

Perhaps no other person on this forum is a bigger defender of the Sprint than me. You can see numerous threads to back up that statement. I believe in originality. I also believe in owner's choice, too. It's your car, and until someone else pays the bills for you, it's your decision what to do with it.

I have Mustang, Maverick, and Pinto Sprints. All of them were basically very correct and original when I bought them. The Mustang and Pinto were in better shape inside and out than the Maverick and they both came with bucket seats, which I prefer over a bench seat. Why Ford did not put buckets in the Maverick I have no idea. I kept the Mustang and Pinto original. I will keep the Maverick looking original from the outside with the original paint theme. However, the inside is a different story.

Well, I felt I have a better idea than Ford, so the first thing I did was to replace the bench seat with bucket seats. It also came with a #'s matching drivetrain. The engine was a 250L six cyl. The second thing I did was to replace it with a 302 from a '72 Comet parts car I had. Since I had all the changeover parts from the Comet, it slipped right into the engine bay and fills it up fine. I used the same transmission, just had to change the flexplate to a v8 one. I am keeping the original 250L six just in case I decide to ever go back to a six or if I decide to sell it in the future. The new owner may want it. As long as you make alterations that can be reverted in the future, it won't make any difference to the value of the car. I am now considering converting it over to a 4 speed from an automatic. After all, it is my car and I am the only one who needs to be happy with it.

I don't know what you ended up doing, Jerry, but whatever it is, it is your call.


Jim

 

If I had another Mav to play with I would definitely keep the Sprint stock with the I6. They clean up really nice and scream original when you open the hood. I wouldnt waste my money on performance parts just leave it stock. Why bother messing with it if you have another Mav to play? I've had I6 Mavs in the past and dont care to drive them but in a Sprint I would make it mainly a show car not a driver.

 

6 banger is ok... but I'd rather have a V8. Grabber, Sprint, Stallion... doesn't matter. 6 cylinders just don't have the sound of a V8. I don't regret swapping the 302 in for the old 250 in my 70 Grabber!

 

The Nostalgia and the history that goes along with the car and the Sprint package. knowing that the Sprint didn't just come with a V8 under the hood.

I like going to a car show and walking along and right in the middle of row after row of chromed out shiney V8 engines you get the little surprise of seeing a nicely "restored" Original car with it's original I6 power plant under the hood, looking all new and clean like it did back in the day when it rolled of the lot.

Sorry but not every interesting car in history came with a V8 under the hood.

 

please tell me where i can pick up a reman 302 for $1080. PLEASE!!!!

 

Just for the record, I kept the 250. I have 2 other mavs with 302's and i could not bring myself to waste the little motor. It runs well for what it is. Still working on it but hey, that's the fun part! Buying the stallion kind of put a hold on it for a while but now we can spend a little again. I will get some photo's up sooner or later.
Jerry