The Mark Being Featured in a Magazine

[mlschultz]

Thanks for pointing that out Charlie! I have a call into Aric to let him know the rockers are missing! I want some butts for this oversight! lol

[K.B.R]

Hi there mlschultz,
I am new here at LOD.Like the way your car came out,VERY NICE.I read both SUPER ROD and FORD BUILDER all the time and will keep an eye out for the issue.
I had some questions.
1.Are you still using the stock intake manifold.Looks like you are.
2.What kind of Horsepower numbers are you expecting.Just thought I would ask.
And the third one is why am really replying.
I noticed that you have 18x8 and 18x10 wheels front and back.
I was wondering if there were any problems with them(rubbing,ride smoothness etc....).?
I have a '93 MARK VIII that I plan on putting some wheels on in the future but was thinking more in the line of 17's.Looking at your MARK VIII may have just changed my mind on that though.
This is assuming that I can get my problem in the INTODUCTION forum figuered out.
That being trying to figure out putting a removeable steering wheel on with no problems with the insurence.

[mlschultz]

Welcome! And thanks!

The motor in the car now has the stock intake and throttle body. The new motor that is being built now will have a 96-98 Mustang Cobra intake and a Accufab single blade throttle body.

On the dyno, the motor in it now was tuned for 401 rwhp, and 318 rwtq. Some of the HP calculator's out there on the web calculate I was around 450 rwhp when I was at the track last November and ran a 12.1 second 1/4 mile time.

The new motor going in the car in the next couple weeks will be pushed harder, and the goal is to get around 500 rwhp, and hopefully, bigger gains in torque with the Cobra intake. Although I am happy with the power it makes now, the new motor is being done more for longevity, than making big power.

But, I would do some minor mods like going with a Ford GT fuel pump if fuel delivery keeps me from reaching 500 rwhp. If it is belt slip that keeps me below 500 rwhp, I might just call it a day, because have no interest going 8 rib.

Here are some links to threads regarding the brakes, wheels, tires, and fitment of everything. There is no rubbing, but as you can imagine having more rim and less tire, bumpy roads have less cushion than with the stock rims and tires. Good Luck, with your future Mark mods!

http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org...ad.php?t=17129


http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org...ad.php?t=19664


http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org...ad.php?t=18870

[K.B.R]

Thanks for the help and the info from the links.I haven't read them all just yet but will deffently go through them carefully.
I like the fact that you are using a COBRA intake and being a fan of the MUSTANG and the FORD MODULAR MOTOR I don't think you will have a problem with getting 500 horsepower.Infact I wouldn't be suprised if you are closer to 550 horsepower with your setup,even if there is belt a little belt slip.

One more question.
I think I noticed it in one of the links,but would it be a good idea to put bigger brakes when going to the 18's?

[mlschultz]

I hope you are right. For the money spent on this deal, I just hope to make some strong reliable power without the worry of hurting the motor. That has been hanging over my head ever since I had the blower put on the car.

IMHO, If your budget will allow it, big brakes are worth every penny spent on them. There are many Mark owners out there that have done the Cobra brake conversion, and I do not recall a single person ever say they regret doing the big brakes.

There are also many Mark and T-Bird owners out there with 18's and stock brakes, and I do not recall them saying they noticed their brakes not working as well as when they had stock wheels.

So, to answer your question, I think it is a good idea since the 18's will clear the larger rotors, and the braking power of the big brakes are way better compared to stock brakes.

[FLM Fan]

I just did the Cobra brake conversion on my '98 Mark also...Cobra calipers and rotors front and Cobra rotors and Mark calipers on the back.. What a difference!

I also went with 18"X8.5" wheels and 255/45/ZR18 tires. It was a close fit.. but nothing rubs even with dropping the car 1.5" all the way around.

[K.B.R]

Thanks for the info on the wheels guys.Since the stock brakes look to work pretty good and my budget is limited I will stick with them for awhile until I can afford the COBRA brake conversion.That being that I can even afford the wheels when I get to buying them.LOL

mlschultz,
GOOD LUCK ONCE AGAIN.

[mlschultz]

Update - Will from Ford Builder magazine had a photo shoot of Aric building the motor at Injected Engineering today. Aric tore down the entire bottom end, and started over with the bare block for Will to shoot pictures from the very beginning.

We had a great day, and it was a real pleasure meeting Will. He is very well informed with the mn12 & fn10 chassis. He drove his really nice t-bird super coupe here, and he has more t-birds back at home.

Aric took it as far as he could, and really wanted to have the chains on it today, but wanted to put new tensioner's on the motor, so he has a new list of parts for Ryan to hunt down.

So, it should be very soon now for the new motor swap. Here are some pictures...

[driller]

Drool...

Those pics of the oil pump should tell everyone why not to use an impact wrench on the crank bolt!

[mlschultz]

lol I agree, JP. It was enough for me watching Aric go through his process of putting 100 ft lbs on those ARP 2000 head studs. lol I get chills thinking about it...

I have a renewed respect for Aric, watching him go at that motor today. He has all this stuff in his head - torque specs, what to do, how to do it, without looking at a workshop manual. The man is goooood...