2002 Mustang Engine Information – 232 cubic inch V6 (3.8L Ford Essex V6)

The Ford Essex V6

The 3.8 L Essex V6 replaced the 3.3 L I6, as the 3.3 L engine had little demand and was dropped after 1982. The 3.8 liter engine was used from 1983 to 1986, it was then dropped from the Mustang line. It reappears as a Mustang engine in 1994 and is used until 2004, replaced by the 4.0 liter engine in 2005.

The 3.8 L V6 was updated for 1999 to use the split port cylinder heads originally introduced on the Windstar. However the 1999–2000 Mustang did not use IMRC, instead leaving all 12 intake runners open at all times. Output of the V6 in these Mustangs was 190 hp at 5250 rpm and 220 lb/ft of torque at 2750 rpm. With the addition of IMRC to Mustang in 2001, engine output increased slightly to 193 hp at 5500 rpm and 225 lb/ft of torque at 2800 rpm.