Dear Oppo, What Should I Do To The White Whale?

"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris) 09/21/2016 at 09:26 • Filed to: Moby Dick, Great White Whale, Land Yacht, Barge, Ford, Crown Vic, Crown Victoria

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I’ve had this ‘97 Crown Vic LX (not P71) in my possession for about a year now. Up until this point, it has been restricted to just commuting to and from work, and the occasional weekend errand with the wife has other stuff to do. It currently has a tick over 24ok, miles on the clock. Recently serviced with an oil change, new spark plugs, new air filter, and a few bulbs being replaced. I also had it inspected and found that it needed a coolant system flush, transmission flush, new drive belt, new ball joints, and new rear brakes. All easy stuff I can do on my own, and plan to do over the coming month or two.

I enjoy driving it as is since it’s just my daily, but I’m getting that itch to modify. But what can you really do to modify a Crown Vic and not turn it into some heinous donk on 26"s that renders it pretty undriveable, or on the flip side, turn it into a cop car wanna be? I’m just trying to think of things I can do with this car to make a little more fun to drive and make my daily commute a little more enjoyable. Suggestions from outside of Oppo so far have been train horn (not legal), fire truck horn (not siren, but still probably not legal), and straight pipes with side exit and slash cut tips, just to name a few. Obviously, I’m open to many more suggestions, so fire away!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:31

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Nothing on the exterior.

Coyote swap, custom IRS, Recaro’s, dual exhaust w/ Flowmaster Super10's.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:32

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First thing is to resurface those dangerously fogged up headlamps

Then a drop of about 2" with new shocks, springs, and polyurethane bushings.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:34

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1 get some hard lights that don’t look like diseased toe nails.

2 maybe an intake manifold upgrade. I that was one of the major differences between the Vic 5.0 and the Mustang 5.0. Or go crazy and Coyote swap.

3 bigger wider wheels and nice sticky wider tires. I'm not talking 20s or anything just enough to to take that 75 side wall down to a 50 or 55. That alone should change the handling of the car, and make it look a lot meaner.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:38

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Drop, dog dish wheels and some new headlights plus some performance mods and you're good.

TysMagic > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:39

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Based on the picture: new or cleaned headlights - possibly clear ones to eliminate the orange?
blacked out chrome for cheapo and easy?
torq thrusts always look good on these. Straight pipes out the back for the marauder look

S65 > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:41

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These have the 4.6 right? Put some Mustang GT heads on it. Maybe a P71 driveshaft it it’ll fit.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 09:47

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Stiffer sway bars, good tires, then autocross it.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/21/2016 at 09:52

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This always had the Modular 4.6, not the Mustang’s 4.9.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 09/21/2016 at 09:54

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This was a pic from when I first got it. I have since cleaned the headlights. They aren’t that much better, but I have been looking around a replacement set, so that’s definitely on the list. I rarely do any night driving with the car however, so it’s not the highest priority at the moment, hahaha.

I like the idea of the drop, but not sure about 2". I don’t want it slammed or anything. And I was looking at doing the poly bushings when I replace the ball joints, since I’m already gonna have direct access to everything up there.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/21/2016 at 09:58

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1. Pic was taken when I first go it. Lights have since been cleaned, but still do need to be replaced.

2. It’s a 4.6, not 5.0. Not sure if the CV 4.6 and Mustang 4.6 have different manifolds, but definitely something to consider. Can’t afford crazy Coyote swap.

3. Been looking at wheels and just can’t figure out what will really look good on this car. Thinking about just giving in and getting the 17" police steelies and throwing on a set of Michelin Pilot Sports.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/21/2016 at 09:59

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Agreed on exterior.

Can’t afford Coyote swap, lol.

CobraJoe > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:01

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I had a ‘96 PI a few years ago, I can vouch that a loud exhaust can really make you feel like you’re going faster, even if you’re not gaining any power. (I just had long glasspacks welded in place and then ended up chopping the tail pipes off after them).

The cop springs and sway bars will definitely help get rid of the floaty feeling, and a set of KYB Gas-A-Just shocks made a big difference too (Being a bit more performance oriented than OEM).

The transmission can be modified with a “J-mod”, it’s like a trans shift kit, but the only real cost is a couple of drill bits, gaskets, and fresh fluid (The fluid is the most expensive part). Best part is that it was designed by the guy who designed the transmission, and supposedly the quicker clutch lockups are better for the bands and fluid temps.

For power, there’s not a lot of easy stuff to do. A larger Mustang throttle body is pretty cheap and will add more throttle response, especially at lower RPM, but it will not gain you any noticeable top end power. A set of PI (that’s Performance Improved, were installed on later 4.6s) heads and cams will gain you 60hp, but it’s not an easy swap. 4V heads are significantly harder to do, and there’s not much you can gain out of the stock heads.

On mine, I just stuck to the KYB shocks, exhaust, K&N filter, and mustang throttle body. (I was in college, and didn’t have a garage to do major work in). If you want any more info on any upgrades, check out CrownVic.net, there’s probably an answer for any question already on there, though you might have to wade through some FWD and unibody hate.

CobraJoe > S65 09/21/2016 at 10:03

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Just make sure you get the PI (Performance Improved) heads from a newer GT or Vic, they’re worth about 60hp over what he has.

Not exactly an easy swap though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:06

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Well, you could always go cross-brand and shove an LS in there...

And since I guess the IRS falls victim to the same problem add traction bars, a better sway bar and sticky tires.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > S65 09/21/2016 at 10:07

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Yes, 4.6. Will definitely look into a head swap. Is the P71 driveshaft really any different besides maybe being a little sturdier?

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/21/2016 at 10:08

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Looking it to drop. Trying to avoid stereotypical dog dish police steelies. Headlights have been cleaned, but do need to be replaced eventually. And what kind of performance mods did you have in mind, lol?

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 09/21/2016 at 10:09

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Didn’t think about sway bars. Thanks for that one.

Will be getting good new tires once I decide on what wheels i’m gonna get.

And then yes, definitely autocross it!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > TysMagic 09/21/2016 at 10:11

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Cleaned headlights already, but do need to replace them sooner or later.

But Crown Vic’s gotta have chrome dawg!

No Torq Thrusts. I HATE Torq Thrusts. Coming from the 4th gen. F-Body world, EVERYONE has Torq Thrusts. And I just really don’t like them, lol.

And straight pipes over dual side exit with slash cut tips?

Justin Hughes > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:18

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I liked the way my ‘03 P71 looked with ‘03 Grand Marquis alloys. They were 16s, which would be an upgrade for your older Vic. Later cars had 17s if you prefer those.

It also had Flowmasters on the otherwise stock (for a P71) dual exhaust. Sounded great!

See what P71 suspension bits are available. Those will tighten up the ride a bit without ruining it. I found mine to be a good compromise between stiff for handling and soft for a comfy ride.

With snow tires, I found mine to make a great rallycross car. Just saying... ;)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:19

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Oh yeah I forgot the sn95, and this Vic, was a 4.6 no 5.0.

As for the wheels maybe you could find some Mercury Murader wheels.

TysMagic > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:20

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The fresh headlights would make me a very happy camper.
The chrome keeps it from looking like a cruiser I guess. I know you want to avoid that look.
dang, I think torq thrusts on these work really well. BUT I do agree, damn are they over played.
Either would work exhaust wise. The side exit isn’t my bag, not quite sure why.

What about mesh wheels of some type? Like from a Merc or Lincoln possibly

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:21

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Just some suspension mods, maybe an engine swap? That would probably be a bit too much though.

CobraJoe > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 10:46

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Wheel options are wide open for these older Vics. They have the same 5x4.5 bolt pattern that all old Fords and all Mustangs have, and you only need 15in rims to clear the brakes, so there’s plenty of stock or aftermarket options available.

Do a search for “Ford” or “Mustang” in the wheels section of craigslist, you might find a great deal on some wheels that would look great on a vic.

Land_Yacht_225 > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 11:21

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I would go a step further and recommend trying to put Continental/Mark VIII heads on it. Probably cheaper from a junkyard than Mustang parts and the DOHC has always made the best noise in the cabin in my opinion.

CobraJoe > Land_Yacht_225 09/21/2016 at 11:54

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I’ve looked in to it, and it’s not an easy swap. Ford did some stupid things during those years, as in not standardizing engine parts that should be standardized.

And in addition to trying different timing covers and cam chain tensioners to get the right ones, you need the fully assembled heads, intake, throttle body, throttle cable, intake tube, and probably some other parts. Then you get the joy of trying to wire it all up including a custom RPM window switch to control the Intake Manifold Runner Control butterflies.

Plus, after that, you really should Jmod the trans and install a higher stall torque converter and possibly some rear gears too to use that higher RPM power better.

So, I’d say that unless you have a Mark VIII to canibalize, it might be cheaper and easier to just get a supercharger for it.

Tristan > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 14:19

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What I would do as a former Ford Panther addict:

step one: look up Jerry’s mod. It’s a set of cheap and easy transmission mods put together by one of the designers of the 4R70W transmission, and it makes it a far more enjoyable slushbox. There’s a comprehensive write up on the TCCoA website.

Step 2: research the 4.6 PI swap. In ‘99 Ford revised the 4.6 to make an additional 50 ish horsepower. (PI stands for Performance Improved) Basically, it’s a head and intake swap, and with your earlier engine’s flat top pistons, you’ll get a little higher compression than the standard PI engines.

Step 3: 4:10 gears. Yes, your highway RPM will be higher, but trust me- it’s SO worth it. It’s a heavy car and the 4.6 is not known for low rpm torque. Your highway fuel economy will be only mildly affected, and may even improve in city driving.

Step 4: ‘98+ big brakes for the front, poly bushings all around, cop springs and sways and some quality dampers.

Throw in the wheels of your choice. I’m a fan ofthe HPP lacy spoke wheels and the Crown Vic Sport package wheels... Also, a good dual exhaust- rear exit. Not only is side exit ghetto as Hell, it’s dangerous if you ever want to drive with your windows down.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > CobraJoe 09/21/2016 at 16:31

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Thank you so much for all the info man! I have an old glasspack laying around the garage that I’ve been toying with the idea of putting on. Since mine’s an LX, I’ve only got single side exhaust, so I’ve been thinking about throwing on the glasspack and doing a side exit with a slash cut tip. I might just leave the rest of the piping as is and just weld in the glasspack though so I don’t have to worry about beding any pipe or anything like that.

The PI springs I’ve heard raise the car a little bit, and I’m actually thinking I might want to lower it. I saw that Eaton will custom make springs for it for a decent price, but someone else said those were shit. Any idea about the Eaton springs? And KYBs sound like a good replacement idea. The floaty feeling is what really bothers me the most, lol.

I’ve heard of the J-MOD, but it seemed like a lot of work and I’m not to knowledgeable when it comes to working on the transmission. The way you described it though makes it sound a little easier. I might have to look in to that a bit more.

I’m not looking to make crazy power with this thing as it’s my daily, so I’ll probably avoid the heads and cam (for now at least). The throttle body sounds like an easy swap though.

And I’ve tried checking through that site, but all the posts seem like they’re from 2013 and before, lol. I guess I just need to take some more time and navigate through it better.

Again, thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/21/2016 at 16:33

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Well, I do have a freshly built LS6 laying around.... But that’s got a different car to go into, lol.

And better tires are already on the list. Didn’t think about the sway bar though. I’ll have to look into that. Thanks!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Justin Hughes 09/21/2016 at 16:37

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I’m personally not a fan of the GM wheels. But then again, I can’t really think of wheels that I do like on this car, hahaha.

Definitely doing something with the exhaust. Just not sure what yet.

The P71 suspension parts sounds like a good idea. I do think I want to lower it though. Still deciding on that.

And snow tires aren’t worth it for me as we get absolutely no snow her (coastal SC). Doing rallycross in it does sound like a blast though, hahaha.

Thanks!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/21/2016 at 16:40

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Yea. They did have the 5.o in the previous boxy model though. And I think for the first year or two, the SN95 had the 5.o still. Don’t think my body style Vic ever got it though.

And I kinda like the way they look, but that’s just too much chrome for me, lol.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > TysMagic 09/21/2016 at 16:44

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Yeah, headlights are definitely on the list, hahaha.

And the majority of the cruisers in my area have the black mesh grilles and not the chrome ones. So my grille actually makes it not look like the PI, lol.

I’m still deciding on the whole side-exit thing. That’s just a random idea.

And I like the idea of the mesh wheels. I know that there was some sort of performance pack or sport pack or something like that on the Crown Vic that came with mesh style wheels. They’re just not that big though. I’d like something BBS basketweave style I think.

Justin Hughes > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 16:45

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Mustang Bullitt wheels. I like those on this car.

OK, forget snow tires. Just go slide around in the dirt on whatever you’ve got. :D

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/21/2016 at 16:45

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While I’d love to do some weird engine swap (2JZ Crown Vic anyone?), that gets expensive and lengthy. This is my daily, and engine swaps are out of my price range at the moment, so that’s a no-go, lol. Definitely an idea for the future though.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > CobraJoe 09/21/2016 at 16:46

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Hmmmm, I wonder what RTR wheels would look like on the Vic....?

CobraJoe > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 17:27

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A glasspack will definitely give it more sound, maybe a bit more “truckish” if that’s a bad thing (I liked it though, sounded old school to me). If you don’t mind junkyard parts, you might be able to source a full dual exhaust off of a P71, they had a stainless exhaust so the tubing should still be good. I can’t remember if other parts would be needed to go full dual, maybe a trans cross member is needed too. It wouldn’t be much of a power gain, but if your exhaust is rusting out...

I haven’t heard about Eaton springs, but I haven’t owned the CVPI in more than a few years either. It seems that some people have had luck in cutting the PI springs to lower it some, but I have never cut a spring before. Honestly, I rather liked the ride height of my P71, it felt indestructible. It might be possible to find HPP springs, they should sit lower than police springs, but probably not lower than the soft stock springs, just make sure they aren’t from a 2003 or newer (I beleive), because they significantly changed the suspension.

I kind of miss my old CVPI.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Tristan 09/21/2016 at 19:41

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1: I’ve noted the J Mod and will be researching this further.

2: Someone else mentioned the PI swap, but said that the camshaft had to be swapped too. As this is my daily, I think that might be a bit too much work for a car I need to use to get to work 5 days a week.

3: Most of my commute is on the highway and the interstate, so 4.10s might be a bit much. I was thinking 3.73s might be a good middle ground.

4: All sound good to me, lol!

Thanks for all the input!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Justin Hughes 09/21/2016 at 19:44

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Meh, not a fan of those. They look like the Torq Thrusts, which I don’t like either.

Tristan > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 19:58

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The thing about a head swap on a 4.6 is of you snag the heads from your local U-Pull yard with the PI cams already attached, there’s no extra work involved. The whole PI swap can be done in a Saturday.

And I stand by the 4.10s... I’ve done a lot of freeway driving with both a ‘93 Lightning and a ‘98 Cobra with 4.10s. Don’t fear the gear! ;) (but whatever you decide is cool... This is all just one guy’s opinion!)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/21/2016 at 20:30

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You know I was thinking about this post on the way home from work and came to one conclusion, so obvious I don’t know how it wasn’t my first response.

Manual transmission swap. I’d bet there’s a 96-2004 mustang GT laying in a junk yard just waiting to have its trans, diff, and ecu pulled out.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/21/2016 at 22:13

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This is something I’ve thought long and hard about. Probably one of the first things I looked into a bit when I first got the car. While those parts should all be easy to find and relatively inexpensive, and i would love to have a manual Crown Vic, the amount of time my car would have to be out of service to get all that done and running properly is too much. This is my daily, and it’s only real down time is on the weekend. I feel that swap would definitely take more than a weekend to do since it wouldn’t be plug-n-play.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Tristan 09/21/2016 at 22:15

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I appreciate all the info! I’ll do some more research on that PI swap to see just how involved it is, and hopefully it’ll turn out to be an easy weekend job, lol.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/22/2016 at 01:01

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You're probably right unless your lucky enough to have a bunch of knowledgeable friends that could help you out and bang it out in to days.

Justin Hughes > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/22/2016 at 09:38

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OK. Fine. Maybe these are more your speed:

Or maybe these:

:)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/23/2016 at 21:28

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Buy new headlights for it. Please.