Holy S***!!!

S

SolipcisticSmile

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I received my X -Cal 3 with Lonnie's tune today. I am absolutely blown away!:big-grin: My basically bone stock (K&N, no silencer) 98' LSC feels like a completely different car!:D I have been racing 5.0's for some years now and my butt -o- meter is relatively well honed. I venture to say that the car feels as if it picked up 4 to 5 tenths easy! If I had my eyes closed I might even think it was a 5 speed car. The shifts are firm but not abrupt, the throttle response is exactly as I would have it, and I swear (according to my "instant milage" readout) I picked up like 1 1/2 to 2 mpg!!! I can't wait to see what it will be like when I install the one step colder Motorcraft 22c plugs Lonnie recommended to go with the tune. I formally, openly admit and publically announce my profound naivete in regards to the real world effects that electronic tuning can have on these cars. Frankly, I originally thought that maybe there were a few people on this forum who were being less than completely honest about how good the SCT product can be when tuned by Lonnie. Even though I never made any accusations, I humbly apologize for even thinking it.:eek: Best $413.00 delivered I ever spent on anything automotive related ever.
My most sincere thanks to Lonnie for delivering MORE than was promised. You've made me even happier with my Maria than I already was (and even after my "suspension nightmare" I didn't think that was possible).
Bring on the RSX's with 7" exhaust tips!
 
Motorcraft 22c's

Motorcraft 22c's

Is there anything special I need to know about the removal of my 10 year old stock plugs or the installation of the aforementioned 22c's? I already know I need at least a 10" extension, a swivel, and gap to .48, but is there anything else? Is it cool to spray the stockers with WD40 etc. before removal? Do I put antiseize on the new plug threads? I know I should inspect the wires for cracks etc., but I guess you just don't arbitrarily replace them all as you would a non coil-on-plug application? What's the torque rating for installing the new plugs? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
SolipcisticSmile said:
Is there anything special I need to know about the removal of my 10 year old stock plugs or the installation of the aforementioned 22c's? I already know I need at least a 10" extension, a swivel, and gap to .48, but is there anything else? Is it cool to spray the stockers with WD40 etc. before removal? Do I put antiseize on the new plug threads? I know I should inspect the wires for cracks etc., but I guess you just don't arbitrarily replace them all as you would a non coil-on-plug application? What's the torque rating for installing the new plugs? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Definitely use a vacuum to suck out all of the debris that has accumulated in those holes BEFORE you take the plugs out. When you do take the plugs out, check for oil on the ceramic insulators. This would indicate an all too common problem that someone else with experience can elaborate on if need be. Gap your plugs at 54-56, not 48. Someone else can chime in with the torque rating (or do a search...7in*lbs comes to mind), but whatever you do, don't exceed it! Strip those aluminum threads and you'll have a lot of fun repair work to do afterwards.

Those are all the critical points I can think of right now.
 
I never, never replace a sparkplug in an aluminum head without using antisieze on the threads. A few cents for antisieze, a few hundred for a head!!
 
Can't rememeber specs or anything on the plug change, but I'm glad your satisfied with the xcal :). Lonnie is the best.
 
Plugs Done

Plugs Done

I installed my new autolite 103's today (I couldn't find the 22c's anywhere and 103's are equivalent) and everything went smoothly. The ten year old stockers came out easy, and only one plug (cylinder 7) had any oil on it. the rest were surprisingly clean. The rubber boots were pliable and crack free. I guess a lot is to be said for the car having been garage kept and barely (42K) driven.
The stock plug gaps were all over the place! From like .5 to .7! I gapped the new ones at .51. Some people here said .54, others said .48 so I split the difference. The car really seems to agree with the new plugs. It seems as though it revs much free-er and quicker than before. All in all I guess I'm super happy that finally something went easily. I used anti-seize on the threads and dialectric grease on the electrodes as recommended, and tried to not over torque. I went hand tight then an additional 1/16 of a turn, no more. Hopefully no plugs come shooting out of the heads!:eek:
 
SolipcisticSmile said:
I used anti-seize on the threads and dialectric grease on the electrodes as recommended, and tried to not over torque. I went hand tight then an additional 1/16 of a turn, no more. Hopefully no plugs come shooting out of the heads!:eek:
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Did you have a torque wrench handy?
 
Just got back late last night. Didn't have any Internet while out of town. First the ice storm took out my dad's Internet/cable. Once that was fixed the grand kids downloaded a nasty virus that I couldn't get off his computer so it had to go into the shop. I need to invest in one of those remote Internet cards since my Sprint service is almost non existent in OH. I can't plug my laptop into the phone there and connect.

Anyways, hope everyone had a great Xmas.

Thanks for the good word guys, I try to do my best. Fred sounds like everything went well.
 
I didn't have a torque wrench and I still don't. I definately didn't over tighten though. If anything, I'm worried I undertightened. It wouldn't have mattered if I had a torqe wrench though anyway, no one could agree on what the specs were, and i couldn't even find two identical #'s online. I don't think ANYONE really knows what the torque specs are except some homunculus in a Dearborn basement.
 
budpytko said:
12-15 lbft right out of the Ford/Lincoln service manual. Or 16-20 Nm if you so inclined.
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As I suspected...my intial figures were WAY off.

The reason undertorquing is also bad is because if the plug does pop out, you've pretty much lost whatever threads they were holding on to.
 
logres said:
Okay...now I'm concerned.

Does anyone know why there is a discrepancy?

I'm doing my plugs soon and don't want to goof them up.
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  • '93 says 6.6-7.3 lbft.
  • '94 says 6.5-15 lbft
  • '95 says 7-15 lbft
  • '96 says 7-15 lbft
FWIW, I've changed the ones on my '93 many times and always have used 7 lbft without any issues.
 
Hand tight and a 1/2 would have been more sufficient. I'd double check them in a couple thousand miles. The threads are "that" brittle.
 
I went hand tight and 1/16 past. I think I will buy a torque wrench for my recheck in a few K. See what I mean though? Driller (Who is "That Dude" IMHO) says 7lb/ft. I am very inclined to listen to him. Then the Fords service manual says another, and neither specifically addresses my 98'.
I'm telling you, I think we might be onto an international cover-up laced with systematic disinformation and corporate espionage to keep these correct torque figures hidden, the likes of which none of us has ever seen. It would be just like the super - geniuses at Ford to hide top secret information (thermonuclear launch codes?, perpetual energy forfmulae?) inside an innocuous piece of data such as Mark VIII spark plug torque figures. If I dissapear, you will all know I was right and I upset the wrong people.:eek: If nothing happens, that doesn't mean I'm wrong, just that "They" don't want my kidnapping to start people asking questions. Think about it.
If I survive this unscathed, I would still like to know those figures for my 98'. I've found three (3) disparate figures online (other than this site). If someone knows the truth, be careful with it; it may be the key to maintaining existance as we know it! ;)
 
SolipcisticSmile said:
I went hand tight and 1/16 past. I think I will buy a torque wrench for my recheck in a few K. See what I mean though? Driller (Who is "That Dude" IMHO) says 7lb/ft. I am very inclined to listen to him. Then the Fords service manual says another, and neither specifically addresses my 98'.
I'm telling you, I think we might be onto an international cover-up laced with systematic disinformation and corporate espionage to keep these correct torque figures hidden, the likes of which none of us has ever seen. It would be just like the super - geniuses at Ford to hide top secret information (thermonuclear launch codes?, perpetual energy forfmulae?) inside an innocuous piece of data such as Mark VIII spark plug torque figures. If I dissapear, you will all know I was right and I upset the wrong people.:eek: If nothing happens, that doesn't mean I'm wrong, just that "They" don't want my kidnapping to start people asking questions. Think about it.
If I survive this unscathed, I would still like to know those figures for my 98'. I've found three (3) disparate figures online (other than this site). If someone knows the truth, be careful with it; it may be the key to maintaining existance as we know it! ;)
Click to expand...


Your torque figures would be the same as mine that I gave above for my '97 as they both came with the platinum plugs. BTW, even with Driller's figures, notice that 15 lbft is the max on all but the 1993's.
 
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OK Bud. I will listen to you and go with 12 -15 lb/ft. I guess I should buy a torque wrench asap and check my plugs before I have any problems.
I checked your public profile, and at well over twice my age I will trust your experience. BTW, your Mark is very nice. Is it sensor lowered?
 
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