Rescinding an opinion.

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl) 01/05/2016 at 14:05 • Filed to: None

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Last week I commented in my own post about my beater victoria in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that adding more power would ruin the spirit of the car. I would like to rescind that comment.

I was driving back home from taking care of business for my next semester at college when I realized how much I enjoyed the high-end power at freeway speeds.

I took special note how long it takes to get up to highways speeds, but can easily maintain or accelerate once up to speed. I’m not ashamed to say that 250-300 horsepower would be a welcome power range should I ever get another panther that I would invest in.

A full-size Grand Touring sedan. I would love to build a Crown Victoria GT. The main focus is not to be a race car, but a competent highway monster that has ample power when you need it, but it not necessarily distract from the Luxo barge feel. More like an American Car that’s Autobahn-tuned.

My ideal Crown Victoria GT would probably be built from a 2004 P71, a roof rack, a small power boost to 280 HP, slightly stiffer suspension and GT badges from a Mustang. A full investment would be me just finding a wrecked 2006 Mustang GT automatic or manual, and transferring the whole engine and transmission.

Think reliable 7-series...

I’m interested to hear some of your opinions on a Crown Victoria GT.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:09

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Would it be easier to buy a maurader and swap the grill and badges over? Also then you have the benefit of and analog tach and speedo

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:11

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Sounds like you need a Marauder:

crowmolly > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:12

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I’m sure there are ways to add decent power on there right now. Or restore power that’s lost from time.

DrJohannVegas > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:12

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If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/05/2016 at 14:14

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don’t you dare recommend taking Mercury badges off this car.

LONG LIVE MERCURY MUSCLE

MuchWagon > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:15

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It doesn’t sound like buying a Marauder is the point, but rolling your own version? Whatever floats your road boat. I’ll take mine with a raised roofline through the rear, and some glass in the back.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 01/05/2016 at 14:15

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I've always wanted to manual swap one of theses badly

Matthew Phillips > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/05/2016 at 14:15

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It would be easier, but I don’t think it would be as cheap.

Autotrader has used Mauraders listed on Autotrader from 8-13k

I can get a decent P71 for less than 5k grab a drivetrain from a junkyard for less than a grand at my local pick and pull, upgrade the suspension and tires for a grand..ish, plus roof rack... $300

I’m in the hole $7300-8k..ish

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/05/2016 at 14:18

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I wouldn’t tarnish it. But I don’t think Manual is that big of a deal.

*Flamesuit up*

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:18

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Why not a 6.8L V10 Crown Victoria with the Modular V10 from an Econoline van?

I’ve really considered that as a project, even though it’s already been done a few times.

Matthew Phillips > MuchWagon 01/05/2016 at 14:18

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exactly, if I wanted a Maurader I would just save up and buy one. I just want a daily cruiser that is built the way I want on the cheap. plus if I get married and have kids I won’t have to sacrifice it...

Matthew Phillips > crowmolly 01/05/2016 at 14:19

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I know, but I’m planning on replacing this one within the next year for another so to me, just regular upkeep is the most this one will recieve.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:20

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Yea that’s all true and there is the coolness factor of built not bought

Matthew Phillips > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/05/2016 at 14:22

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Too much work, if it can all bolt in place in one or two weekends I’m game.. I’m saving that craving for when I can afford a used Mercedes S class V12.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:23

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My prefered Horrible Idea is to fit a supercharged V10. The cheapest path to one seems to be via ex-UHaul truck, buying the three-valve heads, and building it, then buying the super. And then the difficult job of crowbarring it in, and building a heavy trans to go behind.

Matthew Phillips > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/05/2016 at 14:23

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Exactly. This is a project that I could reasonably work a few summers and have done in a few weekends.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/05/2016 at 14:26

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The crowbarring isn’t bad. Remember that the Modular V10 uses the same engine mounts as the V8s.

You’d need a new hood if you go with a Lysholm blower.

And stop stealing my V10 Full Size Ford ideas :)

Matthew Phillips > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/05/2016 at 14:26

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I would love to just make a slightly lifted 4x4 Econoline or Transit van with that powertrain. 4-500 horsepower and a trailer.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 14:28

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As you can tell, RamblinRover and I have seriously considered the V10 Grand Marquis/Vicky idea.

This started when he was living at my house, and our neighbor next door has an almost immaculate 2005 Grand Marquis.

Matthew Phillips > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/05/2016 at 14:30

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See I would love to build a sleeper V10 manual Town Car.

Justin Hughes > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/05/2016 at 14:32

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It’s been done. A few years ago I read the thread on CrownVic.net all about it, dreaming of such a swap in my 2003 P71.

Matthew Phillips > MuchWagon 01/05/2016 at 14:37

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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Justin Hughes 01/05/2016 at 14:38

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I know it’s been done, but that also means that it’s not a guaranteed failure and waste of time and money :)

Justin Hughes > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/05/2016 at 14:42

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Truth!

Slant6 > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 15:16

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I don’t think any of this would be in a few weekends. Maybe a few months if you have it all layed out but this stuff takes time if you do it yourself (expecially if it’s your first time).

I think the v10 has the same mounts, probably easier than a 5.0 swap. Thing with the v10 is that it’s a truck engine so not really fast, but torque for dayzzzzzz.

Matthew Phillips > Slant6 01/05/2016 at 15:52

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No V10’s lol. I see what you mean, with time. But still cheaper than a Maurader to me and the insurance company.

Speed > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 16:49

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This past week I had the pleasure of driving my little brother’s super clean ‘97 Grand Marquis and I absolutely fell in love. His looks like the one pictured above. The Pale Whale (as we named it) just has such an old school feel and is so fun to bomb around the back roads in. I felt like I was in a cop movie or something as we prowled about.

His has a PI intake swap, filter, H-pipe and Thrush mufflers. It sounded like my friends old ‘96 Mustang GT.

I’ve always played with the idea of buying a Panther and browse from time to time, but that car really cemented it. I’d prefer an 03+ with the updated chassis and PI engine though. What I like is that they are essentially big, four door Mustangs as far as the layout is concerned. Anything you can do to one you can do to the other.

I originally wanted a P71, but to be perfectly honest I’d prefer a mint, low mile, elderly owned civilian car.

Also, if you look hard enough you can find Marauders in the 6-8k range, but for the money you can get the cleanest Crown Vic or Grand Marquis in the world.

If I bought one today..

Full exhaust, springs and shocks and gears. Down the road, 5spd swap and boost. A 400rwhp Panther wouldn’t be a world beater, but it would be a Hillbilly AMG and a blast to drive. I’d go staggered steelies, 2011 Brembo wheels or welds like the Rocket Couch

Matthew Phillips > Speed 01/05/2016 at 17:37

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Yes to all of that. Mine was owned by a grandfather and has low miles (115k as of two weeks ago), but after he stopped driving it I’m pretty sure the granddaughter whom it was passed down to got in an accident with it in her DUI....

MM54 > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/05/2016 at 17:53

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It’s been done many times - and is very cool.

Speed > Matthew Phillips 01/05/2016 at 19:55

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My brother’s has an interesting story too. My grandmother owned it until she was too old to drive and sold it to him. While she had it, her house was broken into and the car was stolen. The thugs had some joy rides and eventually abandoned it. Luckily they didn’t fuck it up much.

They’re cars that can take a beating!

Matthew Phillips > Speed 01/05/2016 at 20:02

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Indeed... wow...