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    Anyone remember this...

    I stumbled across this old frequently asked questions page today. It's pretty good information, though some is outdated. Later I'll go through and change/update things, but for now it's good to read over and let it soak in.

    BTW: If you know what it's from you get a cookie.

    Stabilizer Bars
    Addco produces front and rear anti-sway bars for the 92-01 Crown Vic, as well as polyurethane bushing kits and end links. The Addco front sway bars are 32mm (1.25"), p/n 509, and the rear is 25.4 mm (1.0"), p/n 650. The stock Crown Vic gets a 29.5mm front bar, and a 17mm rear bar.
    The Police Interceptor gets an 18mm rear bar, and the Handling and Performance Package gets a beefier 21mm (0.83") bar to make up for having performance air springs in the back instead of steel coil springs. The Addco bars can be purchased for about $90 each, and the bushing kits add another $90 or so. You want endlink kit # 016 front and rear. ADTR sells the entire kit (bar, bushings, and endlinks) for under $200.

    Bushings
    Energy Suspension makes polyurethane bushings that are said to be of higher quality than the Addco bushings. ENS also makes bushings to fit your stock anti-sway bars, be it police or standard. ENS also sells end links in various sizes, which can be used with your stock stabilizer bars or with aftermarket ones. Talk with ADTR for your specific application.

    Shocks
    Bilstein produces a very nice all-around shock for the heavy Crown Victoria.They cost approximately $350 a set. However, they will completely change the feel of your car. You'll need part numbers B46-1495 and B46-1496. Make sure you specify the HEAVY DUTY version. Edelbrock produces a shock comparable ones made by Bilstein, they sell for about $320 a set. 98-02 front 33222 and rear 34222. 79-97 front 3366 and rear 3466. It’s a matter of personal taste between the two. Unfortunately neither offers a shock for the 03+. The KYB Gas-A-Just is another good shock option. KG5458 front and KG5521 rear. Note, C052 bushing kit for 2000-02 front shock required. For those on more of a budget the P71 shock is for you, XW7Z-18125-BB rears and F8AZ-18124-CA fronts.

    Springs
    There are not many choices for springs. By far the most popular choice is the PI spring. PI springs will not only firm up your ride, they will also raise the ride height by as much as 1/2" in the front and 1" in the rear depending on the year of your car. Let's start off with a brief description of the various Ford springs available. You can find out what springs your car has by locating the "catch code" on the drivers side door edge near the VIN. An example of the code would be "NNEE" for a 1996 Police Interceptor, meaning two "N" code springs up front, and two "E" code springs in the rear.

    D9AZ-5310-AN $90: Front springs used on 1993-2002 P71s. They will physically fit in 1979-1992 crown vics too.

    F8AZ-5560-EA $30: EE These are rear PI springs for the 1998-1999 models. They ride low especially under load.

    F8AZ-5560-GA $30: GG After many complaints from police departments about low ride height in the rear, ford changed to these. Superceded by 3W7Z-5560-EA

    F8AZ-5560-HA $33: The "HH" springs ride a little higher than the "GG" springs. Superceded by 3W7Z-5560-FA

    F8AZ-5560-FA $30: Compressed Natural Gas "FF" springs.

    D9AZ-5536-A $7: Spring insulator that sits between the top of the spring and the body of the car. If your car is older and the rubber is cracked or if you are converting from air springs to conventional steel coil springs, you will need two of these.

    Mass Air Meters (MAF)
    The most popular MAF is by far the Marauder MAF. Not only is it bigger, 80mm instead of 70mm, but also its transfer function is far superior to the stock one. Anytime a different MAF is installed the computer needs a change. The MAF reads the air coming in it then tells this to the computer and the computer looks up the proper fuel and spark tables. Every MAF is different (Ford by part number, aftermarket by design) and if you don’t give the PCM the proper transfer function it will in turn look up the wrong information and the car will run bad.

    Gutting MAFs
    This is a big NO-NO. There have been several web sites that show you how to cut the post from the center of the MAF, but 90% of the people that do this have problems. Those who don't "have problems" claim that because there car doesn't ping or stall, that they have gotten an improvement in performance. This goes back to what I was saying about MAFs. If you alter anything before the MAF it will change the way the air flows and how the MAF reads the airflow. Doing this runs a serious risk of the engine running rich or lean. So just say no to MAF gutting!

    Gutting your Airbox
    When you really start modding your car, or when you rev the engine over 5000 RPM, you're going to need to remove the front of the restrictive air box. The air box has a "snout" in front that is extremely small. What you want to do is remove the front of the lower portion of the air box for increased flow. You will want to make sure that the air enters only from the front, and do not remove any of the bottom of the air box or your air meter transfer function will not read properly and you will have uncorrectable problems. 00+ HPPs and 99+ PIs will benefit the most from this free mod as they rev past 5000 RPM in stock form (5250 RPM), more with a chip (5600 RPM shift points). TurboVic and KILLER WHALE both have gutted airboxes.

    Air Filters
    K&N air filters seem to be the first mod everyone does. The company claims anywhere from 10-20hp gains! This is utter nonsense. K&N air filters are worthless on a Crown Vic, and cause nothing but problems. For one, K&N air filters must be sliced up with a razor before it will even fit in your air box. Secondly, the oil used in the filter has a tendency to blow off and coat the MAF sensor wires, causing your car to run lean and ping. In a recent issue of MM&FF magazine, a K&N was tested at K&N's facility on the dyno. It made only a 1 rwhp gain. CVO dyno tested a K&N filter on a 97 Mustang GT, and it gained only 1rwhp also. The claims are bogus, so save your money. Both TurboVic and KILLER WHALE use Motorcraft paper air filters. The stock Motorcraft paper air filters flow more than enough air for the 4.6L V8. For forced induction applications, a K&N or similar free flowing filter should be used (i.e. turbo, twin turboes, supercharger, etc) Otherwise for N/A vehicles, stick with the paper filters. Your MAF, throttle body, and IAC will thank you (no oil and sludge collecting everywhere).

    Throttle Body
    This is a cheap mod that may or may not make more power for you. If you have an extra $180 lying around and have the need to mod, it's an easy install. Ford Racing and BBK both make 70mm throttle bodies. BBK also makes an insanely big 75mm version! 4.6 Mustang throttle bodies will fit the 96-01 Crown Vic. Make sure to get a replacement gasket, as old ones tend to tear upon removal. Both TurboVic and KILLER WHALE use 70mm Ford Racing throttle bodies.

    Underdrive Pulleys
    An underdrive pulley kit replaces your alternator, water pump, and crankshaft pulleys. The set slows down the alternator and water pump reducing parasitic losses, and decreasing the amount of hp being robbed. The way this is done is through the crankshaft pulley to accessory pulley ratio. By reducing the size of the crankshaft pulley, and increasing the size of the alternator and water pump pulleys, the ratio is reduced and thus the actual accessory speed is reduced at a constant engine RPM. The faster you rev your engine, the more useful the pulleys are. There are two styles of under drive pulleys. One style retains your stock crank pulley and requires you to bolt it to the new one, called a piggyback setup. The second kind has a one-piece replacement damper that is integrated with the pulley. ASP/ Steeda kits are the second variety, and they cost about $160-$170. The first type cost less, about $100-$120. There is no charging or cooling issues with underdrive pulleys. They also will help your accessories last longer as they cause them to spin slower for less wear. All 92-99 Vic's use standard 4.6 Mustang GT pulleys, but 92 requires you to switch to a 93+ belt. 00-01.5 Vic's got a Cobra 135amp HD alternator, and will need a Cobra underdrive kit. Both TurboVic and KILLER WHALE use Steeda under drive pulleys. Metroplex reports that the Cobra kit DOES in fact work with the 2000 Crown Vic.

    Serpentine Belts
    Some people have stock Motorcraft belts that "squeal" or "squeak" during shifting, especially when they age. This tendency to squeal gets worse with shift kits or chips that increase shift firmness. This is caused by the alternator pulley not being able to slow down fast enough after a shift when the crank and the rest of the accessories drop in RPM. The alternator belt is "squealed" to a slower pace by the belt itself. After a few WOT thrash sessions, Metroplex reported a nice black layer on his alternator housing. The fix to this in most cases is a new belt, but even a Motorcraft belt may not cure this. In all cases I have had, on at least four cars, Goodyear Gatorback belts cease the shift squeal. The part number depends on your belt length. Goodyear Gatorbacks follow a sequence: 4060XYZ. The 6 represents 6 ribs, if you have 5 ribs - use 4050XYZ XYZ = Belt length in inches: XY.Z" Stock belts for the 2000-up Vic use 92.2" belts, while the 98-99 Vics use 98.0" or 97.5" belts. The cost ranges from $20 to $40. Note, after a week of using the Goodyear belts, and if your pulleys haven't been stripped clean of the powdercoating, they WILL be. Metroplex reported all of the ribs, the tensioner pulley, and the water pump pulley were stripped clean to bare shiny metal. Talk about traction. Both TurboVic and KILLER WHALE use Goodyear Gatorback belts.

    Intake Manifolds
    The plastic intakes found in the 1996-2001 Ford Crown Vic have been plagued by a poor design that is prone to leakage. Ford has issued a TSB, but they only warranty the intake in certain cars, even though the same intake is used in various models. There is no aftermarket direct replacement bolt-on intakes for the 4.6L Crown Victoria. You can install a SVO intake on your 92-00, but it will cost you upwards of $1700, and require extensive fabrication as it is a passenger side throttle body design. The Bullitt intake from the 2001 GT will fit the 2001 Vic heads, but the same problems with fabrication will be involved. Power gains with these intakes come at high RPM, 6500rpm or so, so using them on a Crown Victoria is a waste of money for the most part. TurboVic and KILLER WHALE both use stock "PI" intakes.

    Cylinder Heads
    The most popular powertrain mod currently for the 4.6 is the "PI" Performance Improved cylinder heads. They were first used in the 99GT making 260hp, a 45hp gain from the 97-98GT heads. What do you need to put 01 "PI" heads on your Vic? Well, if you have a 96-00 Vic, it's pretty easy. You'll need the:
    Heads: 1W7Z-6049-AARH ($500 MSRP) and 1W7Z-6049-AALH ($500 MSRP)
    Intake: 1L2Z-9424-DA ($250 MSRP)
    New head gaskets: XR3Z-6051-BA and XR3Z-6051-CA ($30 MSRP)
    2 intake manifold gaskets: XW7Z-9439-AA
    Exhaust manifold gaskets: XW7Z-9448-AA ($10 MSRP) and F8AZ-9448-AA ($6 MSRP)
    New spark plugs: Motorcraft AWSF-22C (or AWSFA-12C depending on who is doing the tuning)
    20 TTY head bolts, p/n F5AZ-6065-A ($60 for set MSRP).
    The 2001 "PI" heads come complete with cams and valves installed. The high revving nature of the PI heads means you will need a 5800-6000rpm shift point. If you have a 99+ PI or 00+ HPP, then you already have an 11.25" torque converter. If you don't, you have a 12" torque converter that cannot withstand high rpm and must be replaced. See the torque converter FAQ for info on a replacement 11.25" converter. Installation will run anywhere from $500-1000 depending on location. 2001 PI heads are a direct bolt on to the Crown Vic. 99-00 PI heads require additional parts. TurboVic and KILLER WHALE both use ported "PI" heads.

    Torque Converters
    Your engine is coupled to your transmission through a torque converter. It transfers the energy from the spinning crank and flywheel with a fluid and clutch coupling. Think of it as a fluid filled clutch of sorts smoothly applying power to the transmission. 92+ Crown Victoria's come equipped with 12" torque converters that are only good to about 5400rpm before running into problems with durability. 99-05 PI's and 00-05 HPP's/LX Sports got the 11.25" torque converter from the Mustang GT along with a new flywheel. These smaller converters can withstand RPM's up to 6500rpm. The converter sells for about $175, part number is F8LZ-7902-BARM. You will also need a $50 flywheel, F3LY-6375-A. If you really want to make your Vic into a drag car, you will want a 9.5-10" high stall torque converter along with drag radials or slicks. Putting on a high stall torque converter will cause nothing but wheel spin if you do not add drag tires. Expect to pay $700-900 for a quality high stall lockup converter.

    Driveshafts
    If you install 3.73:1 or lower (numerically higher) gears in your car, you may experience a vibration from your stock steel driveshaft. Police models come with aluminum driveshafts. The late 1999 and the 2000 PI got aluminum metal matrix composite driveshafts, which are stiffer than the regular aluminum shafts, but cost more. These metal matrix shafts are the ones you want. They are lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. Unfortunately Ford no longer sells these. They can still be found in junkyards though. The regular aluminum driveshaft can still be had from Ford and is better than the steel one, p/n 4W7Z-4602-AA You will need to install the extended tailshaft housing, which will cost about $100 p/n is F5UZ-7A039-A. The housing is an inch longer and relocates the bushing farther back. With 3.55s and 225/60R16 tires, expect to feel excessive driveline vibration at 125 mph with the stock steel driveshaft. So with 3.73s, it would be an even lower speed.

    Gears, Ring and Pinion sets
    Stock 92-95 Crown Victoria's came equipped with 3.08:1 read end ratios, 96-01 get 2.73:1. 92-98 police models got 3.27:1's, and 99-01.5 Police Interceptors got 3.55:1's. 2000-early 2001 HPPs got 3.55s. In mid to late 2001, both the PI and HPP went back to 3.27s. Using lower (numerically higher) gear ratios will increase the acceleration of your Crown Victoria. 3.73:1 is the favorite, followed by 4.10:1. I recommend 3.73:1 for all 92-00 Vic's with stock engines and heads. Cars with newer PI heads, like the 2001's, will be happier with 4.10:1's or even 4.30:1 if you don't mind a gas mileage hit. Ford Racing sells several 8.8" gear sets, and if it will fit a Mustang GT, it will fit the Vic. Expect to pay around $180 for the parts. When installing a set of gears, you must remove the differential, so it would be a good time to consider replacing yours with a limited slip version. TurboVic uses 3.73:1's, KILLER WHALE uses 4.30:1's.

    Differentials
    99% of all Crown Victoria's come with open differentials. Some PI models may have been special ordered with limited slip differentials meaning that power is transferred away from the wheel that is losing traction, and sent to the wheel that can use the extra torque. Limited slip differentials are felt most when powering out of turns. If you make a hard turn from a stop at wide-open throttle with an open differential, the inside tire unloads and spins leaving burned rubber. This does not mean you have a powerful car, this means you have a lame differential! With a limited slip, aka traction lock, the same turn would be much different. When the inside tire begins to lose traction, torque is transferred to the outside wheel, the one with all the weight on it, and then that tire begins to pull the car through the turn. Instead of burning rubber and going nowhere fast, the car will literally feel as if its being whipped around the turn like a tetherball on a rope! A stock Ford traction lock differential will cost about $100. Aftermarket units such as the Detroit TruTrac cost upwards of $300, but last longer. Clutch type differentials like the stock version feel smoother, but wear faster. Mechanical differentials like the TruTrac aren't as smooth, but will most likely never wear out. You DO NOT want a Detroit "Locker" or a spool, as these are for dedicated drag racing cars, and are not made for cars that turn. When ordering the True Trac, just tell them you have a Ford 8.8" pumpkin with 28 spline axles. Both TurboVic and KILLER WHALE use Detroit TruTrac differentials.

    Engine Coolant Thermostats
    You want a 180F thermostat in your 4.6L SOHC V8. Jerry recommends a 180F thermostat because it allows the coolant to enter the radiator 12 degrees sooner than w/ the stock 192 thermostat. This translates to "lower" combustion chamber temperatures, reducing your chances of pinging, and with a custom chip - the tuner can raise your timing. Bottom line, a 180F thermostat is mandatory whether or not you have performance modifications. It will not send your PCM into an open loop condition, according to Jerry.
    -Michael


    #2
    yep i remember that

    2000 HPP Mods
    15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
    9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

    Comment


      #3
      And what's it from?
      -Michael

      Comment


        #4
        i think it is from cvo. i have it saved on my palm pilot.

        i've had it for years.

        2000 HPP Mods
        15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
        9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

        Comment


          #5
          Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner, it is indeed from CVO.

          You get the official "Congratulations From The God Of Snapper Official Cookie", CFTGOSOC for short.

          -Michael

          Comment


            #6
            thanks for the cookie!

            i really must be a loser

            2000 HPP Mods
            15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
            9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

            Comment


              #7
              were you around on cvo michael?

              2000 HPP Mods
              15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
              9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

              Comment


                #8
                Loser, nah. Just a good memory.

                BTW: I updated the suspension section some. If anything is wrong or if you feel something should be added due tell. I'm doing all this at midnight. :drug:
                -Michael

                Comment


                  #9
                  in the shock section...

                  put in there about the ias shocks(they weren't around back then)

                  also kyb must have improved a lot over the years, or people were not putting in the police version. many people now love the police version kyb's. GR-2 kyb's sucked.

                  1983-02 Police Car & Taxi (req. C052 bushing kit for 2000-02 front shock)
                  Gas-A-Just
                  KG5458
                  KG5521

                  2000 HPP Mods
                  15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
                  9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Errrr, I'm experiencing some interweb problems.

                    Originally posted by BigJon
                    were you around on cvo michael?
                    No sir. That was way before my time. I didn't know about any Vic sites until 2004.

                    I changed the shock section. Thanks!
                    -Michael

                    Comment


                      #11
                      here is another question....

                      anyone remember who wrote that article? :rock:

                      2000 HPP Mods
                      15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
                      9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Was it Paul?
                        -Michael

                        Comment


                          #13
                          yep :slug:

                          2000 HPP Mods
                          15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
                          9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

                          Comment


                            #14
                            WooWoo!

                            I can have a cookie now.



                            -Michael

                            Comment


                              #15
                              i used to love paul's cars... they were fast!

                              enjoy your cookie!

                              2000 HPP Mods
                              15.2 @ 89.13mph-1/4 mile
                              9.73 @ 72.01mph-1/8 mile

                              Comment

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