Difference in trim levels?

[Bob]

Ok, I have a 97 Marquis LS. What is the difference between this and the Crown Vic? How about the PI? I drive a retired police car at work every day. 2002 PI. The PI has a lot more balls than my LS has and a lot more miles. The PI is a pile of junk too because it was never cared for.

[Rizzo]

The acronym PI can stand for two things. Police Interceptor and Performance Improved ... Don't ask me I didn't do it.

The 2001 model saw a PI head change, you 97 if dual exhaust was rated for 210 HP where as your 2002 work car is rated for 240.

http://moldyrabbit.com/liquid/changes.html

[drock96marquis]

'01-'02s w/ duals are actually rated 235hp, they went up to 239 for '03 CVPI and all other '03+ panthers w/ duals. The year following the PI (only) went to 250.

http://www.crownvic.net/drock96marquis/HPtq.htm





You can compare across the various trim levels using this chart;
http://moldyrabbit.com/liquid/p7x.html

Your '97 GMQ LS would match up to the P74 crown vic column. Keep in mind some of the 'features' listed may be year dependent.






Although the power rating of the '02 is higher, peak torque is the same between a '96-'97 w/ duals and a '01-'02 w/ duals ('98-'00 are higher)
The nPI engine on the '97 is making more torque at a lower rpm than the '02 PerformanceImproved engine is.

That said, the '02 CVPI, like all CVPI models, comes standard with at least 3.27 rear gearing - where as a non-HPP Marquis has 2.73s.
This makes a huge difference with off the line acceleration and general vehicle performance - much more than dual exhaust IMO. A '97 CVPI or HPP model would also feel much more responsive compared to a base '97 w/ 2.73s