Any CVPI owners out there?

"Stupidru" (Schm1an) 11/16/2014 at 17:27 • Filed to: None

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After doing a bunch of thinking things with my brain, I've decided that instead of having a car loan to pay off every month, I'd really like to keep that money so I'm looking for a Crown Vic Police Interceptor because it seems like it would be hilarious fun that I can pay cash for and own outright. But here's the conundrum; I like autocross and other forms of driving fast, and it seems the CVPI is not particularly good at those things... what can I do to make it faster around corners? I've done a bit of reading on the forums and it seems that in 03 they redesigned the suspension so 03+ models use different shocks/springs than the pre-03 models which I've seen have Bilsteins available for them... I've also been unable to find any clean pre-03 CVPIs for sale on craigslist. So Oppo, what is a potential 06/07 CVPI owner to do if they want a well sorted suspension setup? What about swaybars too?

Thanks!

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 17:32

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Strip it completely so it's lighter. That will help a lot.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 17:38

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I'm considering V6s, I6s and 4pots for a first car. I need at least half decent gas mileage. But Im pretty sure crown vics get decent gas mileage with a V8, This would be the only V8 I'd consider. Anybody know what the numbers are on these, gas mileage wise?

DoYouEvenShift > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 17:42

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I love Panthers, they can be made to drive and handle very well. I'm not sure what year it was. But the improved cars are very well sorted out. The front and rear suspension are very nice. There's a good aftermarket for these cars. I would love one with an LS/T56 swap. I'm not a big fan of the 4.6 they put in those. Even a newer 5.3 and 6 speed auto swap from a truck would be awesome.

Thunderface > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 17:42

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think CVPIs are rated at 17/23 or something

SlickMcRick > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 17:44

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Police Interceptor package or the standard model?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > SlickMcRick 11/16/2014 at 17:46

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Both

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Thunderface 11/16/2014 at 17:46

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Thats impressive for a V8

SlickMcRick > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 17:49

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http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/20…

Of course as long as you don't have a lead foot you should reasonably be able to do 1 or 2 in MPG.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > SlickMcRick 11/16/2014 at 17:56

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Thats about the same fuel economy as the Odyssey. I could totally swing that

jkm7680 > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 18:04

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Stiffen everything up pretty much.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > DoYouEvenShift 11/16/2014 at 18:11

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The 4.6 is a really good engine though. 120,000 on ours and no issues.

DoYouEvenShift > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 11/16/2014 at 18:19

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Reliable, yes. Powerful, no. 250HP, meh.

Delta Five Nine > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 18:19

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You spend a lot of money, mostly. Good springs, and big ass sway bars help a lot. There are control arms available, also.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > DoYouEvenShift 11/16/2014 at 18:22

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eh, I like it.

DoYouEvenShift > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 11/16/2014 at 18:23

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A couple more years an ecoboost 3.5 would of been awesome.

offroadkarter > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 18:28

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what is with you people and wanting CVPI's!?

I swear to christ every time someone either here or /r/cars starts a thread about buying a panther its "I want a CVPI"

CVPI's are literally 2 notches above the worst panther cars you can own. You know whats worse? A P70 or P72 taxi, thats it. You are one level above literal shit.

Their are so many civilian P74 LX's out on the market it makes zero sense to buy a used cop car unless you are poor as dick, or want an absolute throw away beater. If you are actually going to put any form of money into this thing it makes no sense to get a beat to hell interceptor.

 > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 18:43

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If you want a Crown Vic that handles get 03 or newer. I had a 96' with every suspension and steering bolt on available and it still handled worse than my bone stock 03. Also there are no Bilteins for 03+, only older ones. Addcos are available for all the years. Then throw some aftermarket rear control arms and watts link and some springs and shocks and it will handle decent enough for a big boat.

Stupidru > Delta Five Nine 11/16/2014 at 18:44

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Which brands should I be on the lookout for?

Stupidru >  11/16/2014 at 18:46

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Who makes those parts that I should keep my eyes out for?

Are the 03+s really good enough that people like Bilstein kind of threw up their arms and stopped making parts for them?

 > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 18:57

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Sway bars are made by Addco.

Rear control arms are available from several manufacturers. CHE, Metro, Hineous. Watts link from CHE or Metco. Shocks by KYB but there are other brands as well. Eaton lowering springs. Willwood or Baer both make brake kits.

As for Bilstein I have no idea why they never jumped on 03+ market. I had Bilsteins on my 96' for all of 1 week. The ride was so bone shattering that I ripped them out and went with stock police shocks.

Stupidru > offroadkarter 11/16/2014 at 18:59

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Well the CVPIs are a higher performing platform, and I'd prefer to start on that as opposed to a civilian CV. If you get a state trooper / lieutenant / sergeant -driven example they can be just fine and not beat to shit.

offroadkarter > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 19:12

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please explain to me what you justify as such high performing that you'd rather go for a lower tier car. Is it the extra 11hp that you can get with a simple tune reflash?

Delta Five Nine > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 19:45

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Addco are the defacto sway bars, bigger than anything including what they put on the Marauder from the factory. Not sure what the specifics are on what year PIs Marauder springs can be swapped to (there are more specific year limits than 03+ I believe, but definitely 03+) but those are nice. Eaton makes good lowering springs also, can get customs from them along with stock PI/civvie rates. Lots of options for shocks, not sure what are best. Heinous makes billet control arms, along with someone else I believe.

Delta Five Nine > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 19:51

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If you're actually going to go through putting mods for handling in then you replace anything that differentiates other than minor engine stuff, which can be easily offset with very minor engine "mods". As a TC owner, there are niceties I'd rather not trade for the minor differences. (Just wish I had the damned performance improved 4.6 stuff)

Stupidru > offroadkarter 11/16/2014 at 20:53

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I guess I didn't know the LX Sport existed, so if you can actually find the LX Sport with the handling & performance package, that would be your best bet. The trouble is finding one, and part of my constrains is to find a car preferably under $4000 that I can buy in cash. At that price point, there's not much besides CVPIs available

offroadkarter > Stupidru 11/16/2014 at 22:18

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All LX sports have dual exhaust and 3.27's. They were advertised as having the HPP suspension but they actually have base rate RAS coils up front and airbags in the rear, and the 17mm rear swaybar.

SALfan > jkm7680 11/16/2014 at 23:42

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At some point, I think about 2006, steering gear was changed to rack and pinion. If you could find that vintage or newer w/ high miles it may be cheap enough for you. Don't be scared of mileage - Panthers should go 200k easily with decent care, and many taxis have gone much more. My MGM had 150k and ran like a sewing machine. From personal experience, they will do 18 in city/suburban driving, 26 on the highway.