Ultimate Panther Project? Sleeper LTD (repost)

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty) 02/04/2014 at 08:03 • Filed to: sleeper, panther, crown victoria, ltd, v8

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The starting point: a cool but sedate 351 LTD sedan, which can be fairly rapid with some tweaks under the hood. Without such restricting SMOG bits, the 351W will make very respectable power.

Better handling and therefore more driving enjoyment can be had in the now-fast LTD by swapping the chassis and suspension parts from a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! into the LTD. The nice looking mesh wheels and lower ride height will also improve the look of the LTD. Installing bigger brakes, chassis rigidity mods, and better rubber will make the massive panther handle even better. While the HHP wheels may not be as cool or classic as the original P72 dog dishes, you have to cool the breaks somehow. Shedding the unsprung weight is also a positive thing in the handling department.

The installation of the Foxbody Mustang's T-5 5 speed would make the car much more immersive and fun and to drive. Minor modifications such as changing the seats, steering wheel, steering parts, and pedal feel will make the car even more pleasurable to hoon. If you want to go all the way and make a dedicated race car, strip the car and enjoy having a true performer.

So, you thought that Panthers could only be good for comfort? Mixing and matching various Ford parts could not only prove that theory wrong, but might also create a great sports sedan in the process. If I ever have enough money to dump thousands of dollars into the pointless projects I daydream about, this will be one of the first cars I make. The image of passing an S2000 on a windy road or on the track in an old american land yacht should be reason enough!

puddler > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:16

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this is what will make the project worthwhile. i've hotrodded a vic with straight pipes, an intake (manifold), and tune. was still lame. my buddy blew the 4.6 before we could get a manual into it. it had a-pillar lights & those were worth the car itself.

theuserformerlyknownasaluminumfoil > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:16

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Carl Winslow approves this message.

505Turbeaux > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:25

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first step, yeah ditch that AOD and replace with the T-5. Had more AOD issues in my day than I want to talk about

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:27

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These actually aren't the proper wheels for the CV Touring Sedan, though they are my favorite. These are off the 95-2000-something HPP equipped cars. They are an extra inch in diameter and half inch in width. If I were to do up an LTD I would put on some wider steel wheels that will still accept the dog dish hubcap. Because the more factory it looks, the more sleeper it is.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/03/2014 at 21:34

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I didn't actually mean to call the mesh wheels much better looking, as I actually prefer the classic look the steelies give to the car. However, the mesh wheels would reduce unsprung weight by a lot and help better brake ventilation. All the same, it would be much more fun to smoke some guy in a new BMW in a car sporting dog dishes. Also, I thought the wheels looked a bit better than the other HHP ones.

offroadkarter > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:36

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It sounds so simple until you realize almost nobody does it.

And the people who do mod panthers think that a spectre air filter and glasspacks or flowmasters make it a race car.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 21:40

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Agreed. From a performance standpoint, the alloys would be better. But in terms of sleeper looks, steelies all the way. If I ever get around to doing a crazy engine swap into my Grand Marquis, it is getting some wide ass steelies and I'll throw a factory spoke hubcap on them. Someday...

atfsgeoff > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/03/2014 at 23:29

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Yesyesyesyesyes.

Warmed up 351W crate engine from Ford Racing, backed up with some form of 6-speed manual, and a limited slip rear. So much win.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/04/2014 at 09:13

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The square bodies were always fantastic looking IMO. Way better looking than modern panthers.

iin10ded > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/11/2014 at 15:32

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brakes. not breaks. breaks are like dubstep.

also dampers. not dampeners. since the next article might cover suspension.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > iin10ded 02/11/2014 at 20:24

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I know how to spell "brakes..." it was a typo. Also, where did I say dampeners? Looking back on this 2:00 AM piece of writing, I now realize how atrocious it is. I still want an LTD Crown Vic really badly, ha.