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  • 3.0 v6 vulcan FAQ & Modification List

    This is the Official FAQ for the v6 3.0L "Vulcan" powered Ford Probes Most of the modifications and info presented here will be directed towards the 1990-1992 LX models powered with the v6 3.0L "Vulcan" engine. There might be some information missing due to the ongoing changes and modifications on this engine, if you have any input please feel free to shoot me a PM and I will insert it into this FAQ as well as give you credit for it (provided the information is accurate!). Hopefully, this way our fellow probe owners with a 3.0 v6 powered ford probe will be able to find a lot of useful info.

    DISCLAIMER: ALL of the info on this FAQ and performance post is been compiled from different sources and it’s deemed accurate as far as I know. Me, probetalk.com and related staff and individuals that participate at bringing you (THE READER) this info are not liable in any way for failure or damage to your engine and car due to following this info.

    ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO CONSULT WITH A TECHNICIAN OR OTHER PROFFESIONAL ABOUT ANY WORK YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO ON YOUR ENGINE.

    GENERAL:

    General information and specifications of the 3.0L powered Probes can be found at www.performanceprobe.com – click on the links labeled: Information, Upgrades, and Do-It-Yourself. Performanceprobe.com has a lot of relevant information. Some of it is very useful while others not – you decide.

    3.0L v6 "Vulcan" information and specs:

    Specifications: 3.0 liters, 60 degree v6 configuration, Over Head Valves (OHV), 12 Valve, Iron heads, Iron block, Aluminum upper and lower intake manifold.

    Heads feature a centrally located spark plug, dual combustion chamber
    Stock valve lifters are 1.6 ratio

    Note: There was a change from a Flat tapped cam to Roller cam from the 1991 to 1992 model to improve performance.

    Power: 140 hp, 160 lb-ft (for 1990 and early1 991 model)
    145 hp, 165 lb-ft (for mid 1991 to 1992 model)

    This Engine is also found on the Ford Taurus, Ford Ranger, and Ford Tempo and some of their twins from Mercury, and Mazda.

    Engine operation, parameters and management are controlled and supervised by the ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL IV (EEC IV) Module from ford.

    The engine Lubrication system is a force-feed type, the rotary spur-type pump, which develops the oil pressure, is bolted to the No. 4 main bearing cap. The spur driven gear is rotated by the distributor shaft through an intermediate shaft, oil filter is externally mounted

    Ignition and timing are based on a Distributor setup

    Fuel/air mixture is provided by electronic fuel injection (EFI)

    Air and Fuel metering and control are controlled by the ECC IV getting infomainly from a MAP sensor (located on the firewall), Throttle position sensor (TPS), O2 Sensor (bolted to the Y pipe).
    Last edited by Probe_Racer; August 23, 2004, 08:45 PM.
    1991 3.0 LX fully built, aftermarket everything.

  • #2
    PERFORMANCE PARTS

    This is a list of available parts that will improve your engine’s response and power output and are a bolt on mod with no other modification (except most the rotating assembly parts which will require for you to rebalance the engine) there are also websites listed where you can acquire such items

    Remember to make sure to take in consideration that some of this modifications will require you to do some kind of extra steps to make them work (such as balancing) the whole engine otherwise it will make your engine wear faster or even have FATAL engine failure.

    APROACH ALL THE MODIFICATIONS IN A SERIOUS MATTER!!


    Internals and rotating assembly

    Forged Pistons

    Forged Connecting rods

    Underdrive Aluminum Crankshaft Pulley (claimed best bag modification for the buck by the ranger guys) - ASP Racing or RangerPowerSports.com or PerformanceProbe.com

    ARP main studs - Morana V6 Racing

    ARP connecting rods studs - Morana V6 Racing

    Stud Girdle - Morana V6 Racing

    Aftermarket camshafts (both roller and flat tappet) - CamCraft - Morana V6 Racing

    High flow oil pump

    Other engine modifications

    Roller Rockers (1.6 and 1.7 ratio) - Morana V6 Racing

    Ported upper and lower intake manifolds - Morana V6 Racing

    Spark plug wires - Probesport/PRD

    Ported and Polished heads which can also be acquired with bigger valves and better valve springs - Morana V6 Racing

    Crankcase filter - Summit Racint

    Aftermarket gaskets - Kragen/Checker/Shucks Auto Parts

    Copper engine plugs

    Oil filter Relocation kit - Summit Racing

    Aftermarket clutch kit - South Bend Clutches

    Spark plugs - Kragen Auto Parts/AutoZone/Pep Boys/Advance Auto Parts

    Oil filter - Kragen Auto Parts/AutoZone/Pep Boys/Advance Auto Parts

    FOR PICTURES OF MOST OF THESE MODS VISIT MY PAGE AT CARDOMAIN.COM

    pics of most major mods for 3.0 v6
    Last edited by Probe_Racer; August 29, 2004, 03:52 PM.
    1991 3.0 LX fully built, aftermarket everything.

    Comment


    • #3
      the 3.0 v6 and boost

      So far 3.0 v6 vulcan engines have not come boosted from the factory in any of the car that it has been put in, however thanks to 3.0 entusiasts we been able to learn and see different approaches to getting the vulcan boosted.

      Supercharger kits have been available for some time, although they been designed for the ford ranger, therefore making it somewhat incovenient for owners of other 3.0 powered cars to use such kits. This however has not stopped different people from trying.

      Ralph Grecco was the first known probetalk member to boost a 3.0 powered probe.

      He used a kit from KnightTurbos.com although he has some minor problems with it, he successfully had it running here is a list of what he had

      Specs for Ralph's Vulcan-powered Probe:

      Superchip
      Pacesetter cat-back exhaust (getting bigger exhaust soon)
      Custom K&N cone filter
      MSD ignition with Blaster 2 coil
      NGK spark plug with Magnacore 8.5mm wires (soon to be changed)
      Random Technology hi flow cat
      Camcraft cam
      Ported and polished heads
      custom headers (now owned by Barry "Pin")

      supercharged probe engine bay

      Due to the height of the supercharger and its pulley he had to install a hood scoop and made an extra hole for the pulley

      pic of hood modification

      ralph never had a dyno done and the problem he had with the stock engine was that it broke the stock lifters (most likely due to the increased torque)

      Another example of a supercharged kit that is designed for the 3.0 vulcan is the one from whipple. its offered by whipple and by ford racing, the price for it is 3000 dollars.

      go to the following link for list of other supercharged 3.0s

      list of supercharged 3.0s
      Last edited by Probe_Racer; August 23, 2004, 09:30 PM.
      1991 3.0 LX fully built, aftermarket everything.

      Comment


      • #4
        3.0 TURBO POWERED FORD PROBE

        yes, you read that right there is such a vehicle running the owner Brian Stratman (Turboed Jimmy) is still working but its such an amazing car, not to mention he is the first person here in probetalk to have a 3.0 turbo probe.

        below are a few vids of what he has accomplished

        turbo probe video preview 9 megs

        3.0 turbo probe on the streets (bye bye mustang)22 megs

        OK after seeing this video im sure you want to know how to accomplish this, so here is a list of what Brian has done. (quoted from the ranger forums)

        Block:
        -cleaned/hot tank
        -checked for straightness
        -magnafluxed
        -bored .020 over
        -main caps race preped
        -2 coats candy blue powder coat
        Crank:
        -cleaned/hot tank
        -magnafluxed
        -checked for straightness
        -race preped
        -micro polished
        -cryo treated
        -iron nitrated
        -main journals chamfered
        Heads:
        -cleaned/hot tank
        -magnafluxed
        -shaved .007 inch.
        -race ported stage 3
        (emphasis on exaust bowl)
        -1mm oversized heavy duty valves from SI
        -2 coats silver powder coat
        Pistons:
        -forged pistons .020 over
        -custom form BRC Racing Pistons.
        Specs
        -the piston pin was moved up toward the top .125 inch. Changed wrist pin dia to .827 inch.
        The wrist pins were made out of H11 tool steel and held in with double spiral clips. The ring
        groves were reduced in size to 1/2 as thick at stock. Piston rings were ordered from Perfect
        Circle .020 over and were chrome moly with a 3 piece oil ring. The pistons are flat top and have
        full floating pins.

        Rods:
        -Billet Aluminim
        -custom ordered from GRP Connecting Rods.
        specs
        -made .125 longer than stock.
        -came with arp bolts and dowled bearing to prevent spun bearings.

        Other Things:
        -custom billet camshaft from Cam-Craft Cams and hydralic lifter set.
        -Arp head and main studs.
        -custom steel girdle.
        -Svo 351 1.73 roller rockers with grade 8 bolts
        -Manley chrome moly pushrods
        -stock oil pump
        -Federal bearings
        -factory timing chain
        -lower intake manifold race ported and polished stage 5
        -all gaskets are matched for unrestricted flow
        -sheet metal intake
        -custom 65 throttlebody, and halfshafted
        -rebuilt distributator
        -oil pan 2 coats candy purple

        turbo things include 12x24 intercooler w/2 2/1 inlet and outlet, ---60-1 turbo .63ar w/stage 3 wheel,
        tial 38/40 wastegate,
        southebend 6 puck clutch,
        rebuilt tranny with new syncros and everything croyed with homemade phantom grip,
        oreilys reman w/lifetime warranty axles(may need ones from driveshaft shop eventually)
        all piping mandral bent
        3inch downpipe
        accel gen 7 computer
        blitz blow off valve

        this project took me around 4 years to build. everything is the best of the best quality and has been researched extensively. everything is built by me incluing the intake manifold, exaust manifolds, ect. cost to be to build this car is around $8000 and that is me building and putting everything together.

        the motor alone has around $3600 in parts alone. the turbo pipes the local performance shop quoted me at is around $5000 for the turbo pipes.

        This project took lots of time and money but already very well worth it.

        later,
        Brian
        Last edited by Probe_Racer; August 23, 2004, 09:44 PM.
        1991 3.0 LX fully built, aftermarket everything.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thank you for your efforts, Probe Racer!


          **Note to all PT'ers: Please do not post unless you have specific questions and or relevant and accurate information to add. Thanks.
          Pr0n - my Anti-Drug.
          1G FAQ - A MUST READ for 1G's! ~ 1990 PGL = WRECKED! & Sold! ~ 2004 Nissan 350Z Touring
          "Let me hear you make decisions without your television."

          Enjoy PT? Support it.

          Comment


          • #6
            Another source for spark plugs is Sparkplugs.com.

            Magnecor KV85 spark plug wires model 6533 are made to fit the 3.0 Probes. MSD Ignition's web site lists specifications for making a custom fit wire set. Any company that offers a custom fit wire set for should be able to work on our engines. You will need 90 degree and 45 degree connectors for the best fit.

            Accel makes a good distributor cap and rotor kit.

            For oil filter relocation kits, I do NOT recommend the types with push on barbed hose fittings and worm gear clamps. I have had a Summit Racing brand OFRK and I could not get it to stop leaking at the fittings. A better one is made by Trans-Dapt Performance sold by Summit Racing. You will need to call the phone number for questions about their products to ask which kit to buy.

            Capacitive discharge ignition controller - Lots of companies make these, such as MSD, Crane Cams, Jacobs Ignition, and Mallory. We have a Ford TFI(Thick Film Ignition) system so if you are shopping for an aftermarket ignition controller I recommend a TFI wiring harness for an easier installation. Spending extra money for a rev limiter is a good idea. I have mine set at 6,000 RPM on my MSD 6AL.

            We can use any aftermarket Ford TFI ignition coil or any coil that is designed like the MSD Blaster 2 coil. This one and this one work fine.

            A cold air intake can be purchased from CTAMotorsports.com. It can be found by clicking on Featured Products.

            Every 3.0 Probe owner interested in more power wants to know about headers. Unfortunately, all I can suggest is that you contact Kooks Custom Headers and find out if they will make you custom headers.

            The choices for a cat-back exhaust are Pacesetter and custom made. The Pacesetter system has 2.5" mandrel bent pipes and a dual tip muffler. It seems to be getting harder to find and the price has been going up. If you go with a custom setup you can order mandrel bends from J.C. Whitney and other companies.

            The stock fuel injectors are rated to flow 14 lb/hr. For fitment and electrical compatibility, Ford OEM V8 injectors are known to work. This lets us have the choice of 19 lb/hr, 24 lb/hr, 30 lb/hr and up. The stock ECU will not handle any of these upgrades though. I have tried 19 lb/hr injectors and it could not compensate for the additional flow so I had to put the 14 lb injectors back in. At this point to my knowledge the only sure way to be able to use bigger injectors is with an ECU chip upgrade. The EEC-IV processor of our ECU is not reflashable so that's not an option as it is with other Vulcan equipped vehicles.

            The stock fuel pump is rated for 60 lph (liters per hour). I have had a Walbro Ford Mustang 155 lph pump installed by a shop. It should be a direct fit replacement.
            Last edited by pin; September 1, 2004, 10:47 AM. Reason: added fuel pump information, editing paragraph about headers
            Barry
            01 Saturn SL2 5-speed
            Easy Way Electronics

            Comment


            • #7
              is there any other kind of injector that can be put into the vulcan fuel rails, or do we primary have to use the OEM v8 injectors? Like I know venom makes custom injectors for cars..

              Comment


              • #8
                I believe you can use Mustang 5.0 injectors in the 3.0. Of course you would benefit from using an AFC if you do that.

                What happened to the old 3.0 modification list, it had a lot of information in it too but this was a few years back..
                1990 Ford Probe LX 3.0 V6 MTX [Cat-back, K&N, KYB, H&R]
                1989 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II MT [14.00@101 2.25 60ft, intake/exhaust on stock motor/turbo]
                First Gen Probe Performance Club (Since 1999)

                Comment


                • #9
                  The old 3.0 modification list was quite out-dated.

                  It's not known 100% yet if the Apex-i S-AFC or S-AFC II will work on the 3.0 Probes. Check out http://forums.probetalk.com/showthre...ighlight=split and http://forums.probetalk.com/showthre...ighlight=split for reference.
                  Barry
                  01 Saturn SL2 5-speed
                  Easy Way Electronics

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by pin
                    The stock fuel pump is rated for 60 lph(liters per hour). I have had a Walbro Ford Mustang 155 lph pump installed by a shop. It should be a direct fit replacement. I
                    What year Mustang fuel pump is compatable?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      The '85-'97 Mustang pumps should work. The item FPF301 here is likely the same pump I have.
                      Barry
                      01 Saturn SL2 5-speed
                      Easy Way Electronics

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by 90LXMTX
                        What year Mustang fuel pump is compatable?

                        Stock fuel pumps in my 91 Mustang GT was a 95 lph pump. In ther later years (i think 94 and up) the stock size fuel pump was 110 lph.

                        03 Cobra came with dual 255 lph pumps
                        Joe
                        91 Mustang GT 11.908 @ 117.57mph
                        91 Escort LX
                        93 Probe GT Automatic

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          does anyone have, or heard anything about the lightweight crank pulley Performance Probe is now selling? i've been thinking about buying one but didn't know if it's worth it.
                          '96 Probe GTZE MTX-sold
                          '91 Probe LX MTX-sold

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I have not heard of anyone buying it, even though I am on the Performance Probe forum regularly.
                            Barry
                            01 Saturn SL2 5-speed
                            Easy Way Electronics

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Good Link newer Vulcan engine swap

                              Here is a good link on swapping in a newer Vulcan engine from a Taurus. I thought this was good info and would be good to put this in this thread. This link is actually in another thread but makes sense to put here. If any mod has any objections please delete.


                              http://www.geocities.com/pocketrocket_85/motorswap.html

                              Comment

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