LSC or not LSC?

T

ToddnMiss

Registered
I've been in the market for a Lincoln Mark VIII LSC for about a month now. I had a 1997 Pearl White with everything but the moonroof, but had to wait for my home to clear escrow and they sold it two days before (I tried to put down a deposit).

Anyhow, I have no problem finding low-mile, inexpensive 1997/98 Lincoln Mark VIII's - just not the LSC's!!

My question:
Isn't there a significant difference between the LSC and the non-LSC models? My understanding is that there is "True dual exhaust" that adds 10 HP, 3.73 Rear gears for better "seat of the pants excelleration" and the body colored grill. Am I right or am I missing somthing?

My ideal car:
1998 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC (will consider 1997)
60,000 or less Miles
Black on Black (will consider pearl white)
Heated Seats
Moonroof
Chrome Wheels
Excellent condition inside and outside


I'm in Elk Grove (Sacramento), CA and will need to buy the car in California to avoid the problems of importing a car to California and passing the smog requirements.

Any help is appreciated, I'm constantly searching Cars.com and Autotrader.com for vehicles. I've gotten deals from $10,750 - $12,000 (Out The Door) that meet all the criteria above (from dealers) - so that's like $9,900-$11,000. I'd like to stay in that range. I've seen some (great condition) non-LSC's for $9,000 OTD (1997 with just 37k miles), but want the LSC.

Thanks,
ToddnMiss
Have cash - Need car (smile)
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Don't even bother.
Its a scam.

You pay more for fake duals, perforated seats a trunk emblem and floor mats?

Get a standard and put the extra cash into mod's.
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Go for the LSC, you will be Glad you did later.

No it’s not 3.73's, they have 3.27's.

LSC's look good in Black, and in pearl colors.

LSC's have the Chrome wheels.

There isn’t much difference in price, so it’s worth it.

****************
FROM THE FAQ:

What are the differences between an LSC model and a Base model?

The LSC edition had perforated leather seats, true dual exhaust, slightly lower gearing, badging, and on the 95-96 models, included the HID upgrade. Some chrome trim was also painted body color on the 2nd Gen cars, such as the grille. Suspension tuning (anti-roll bars, and possibly shock valving) was firmer on the LSC models as well. The LSC models were rated by Ford at 290 HP versus 280 HP for the base model, and have a 3.27 vs. 3.07 rear end gear. The speed limiting function of the powertrain module kicks in at what many people think is 124 mph, versus 130 mph on the Base model. This is probably due to a function to keep the driveshaft below a certain rotational speed.

**************

Its not much for the Performance, but the looks of the monochrome.... I guess it depends on preference.
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Go for the LSC, you will be Glad you did later.

No it’s not 3.73's, they have 3.27's.

LSC's look good in Black, and in pearl colors.

LSC's have the Chrome wheels.

There isn’t much difference in price, so it’s worth it.

****************
FROM THE FAQ:

What are the differences between an LSC model and a Base model?

The LSC edition had perforated leather seats, true dual exhaust, slightly lower gearing, badging, and on the 95-96 models, included the HID upgrade. Some chrome trim was also painted body color on the 2nd Gen cars, such as the grille. Suspension tuning (anti-roll bars, and possibly shock valving) was firmer on the LSC models as well. The LSC models were rated by Ford at 290 HP versus 280 HP for the base model, and have a 3.27 vs. 3.07 rear end gear. The speed limiting function of the powertrain module kicks in at what many people think is 124 mph, versus 130 mph on the Base model. This is probably due to a function to keep the driveshaft below a certain rotational speed.

**************

Its not much for the Performance, but the looks of the monochrome.... I guess it depends on preference.
Click to expand...

If you can get it as cheap as a standard then yes go for it. But up here they slam you on an average of 1k more for the LSC model.

I also never saw a single difference between any year standard vs LSC performance wise. On the dyno, on the track, etc. In fact in my experiences the LSC's have been slightly slower on all accounts.

Heres a shot of the "so called" true dual exhaust.

http://www.maxrpm.com/lscpipes.jpg

They should have called it "partial true dual exhaust"
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Why, of course! P.T.D.E. (s) :)

Hey....I remember you, ToddnMiss!

Welcome aboard (or back - or whatever...WELCOME :) :) :)
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

How is the LSC exhaust really different than a x-pipe with a 3rd cat and resonator? I have never torn the 3rd cat apart. On the LSC, what does it look like inside? How does it differ from a 2 In/2 Out Dynomax, etc.

Geno is correct. LSC's pull $1000 to $1500 more retail. To me, it comes down to rims and moldings. Moldings: LSC looks better in all black. Other colors, better stock with the chrome. Rims: Can't stand the Lacy's, if you can get OctaStars, that's the cat's meow and worth the price difference($850 option). Perf seats look nicer. Duals are nice if you just want to do an x-pipe and leave everything else. A little more off the line with the 3.27's vs the 3.07's. LSC badge lets 'em know your serious and that you own the best model.

ALL IMHO, of course.

'98 Pristine Pearlescent LSC
'93 V-10 Twin Turbo Money Pit (The MonsterMark)
'93 Collecting Dust
Bryan
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Thank you all for the replies.

If there's not an exhaust difference, why the added 10HP? Is there something with the engine?

There doesn't seem to be a significant difference in price - just availability of the LSC's (I agree, the black looks MUCH better in the LSC).

Yes Sandy, I've been here for years - just left in 10/2000 when I totalled my '95 LSC and have looked on/off since for another (I'm not in a rush to buy . . . but every now and again I miss being able to pass just about anything on the road.).

The only cars I would consider (performance/luxury wise) besides the Mark VIII are all in the $25-$35k range. I still can't believe that for less than $10,000 I could pull high 14's and look like I'm driving a "family/luxury" car. WHAT A DEAL THESE THINGS ARE!!

Even in the LSC was another $1k, it would cost me at least that much to change the rear gears, chip and then change the exhaust for those extra 10 ponies. . . . so, I'll hold out longer.

Someone URGENT email me if you see one of these on a car lot in California - I'll be out of there in days. And, then Geno will get a call once I put in the modified intake box (I have the K&N Filter from the '95 that never got put in, hopefully it fits the '97/'98 too) to chip me.

Have a great weekend,
Todd
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

Thank you all for the replies.

If there's not an exhaust difference, why the added 10HP? Is there something with the engine?
Click to expand...

The exhaust pictured is different from a Base Mark VIII exhaust, hence the 10 HP increase. On a Base model, the third cat is a little smaller and has a single outlet with a small resonator immediately after it. Then it's a single 2.25" all the way back to just after the rear diff. where it then splits to the two mufflers.

The reason people say there's no noticeable performance advantage is that 10HP and a 6% lower gear don't have much effect on a 3800lb car.


http://www.markviii.org/~manson73/sigburnout.JPG
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

I personally like the LSC better for the monochrome look. The price for a used 98 should be damn near the same LSC or base. If you can get a great deal on a nice clean base - get it.
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

WELCOME!! And that sure looks like a dual exhaust to me Geno.
Click to expand...


Look again, TRUE dual exhaust would be 2 pipes all the way back.
Click to expand...

Oh Geno that's splitting hairs! Using that logic an X pipe would not be a "true" dual either.
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

I agree. That is why I was asking if anybody has ever opened one up to see the setup inside. To see how is it different from an X pipe...

'98 Pristine Pearlescent LSC
'93 V-10 Twin Turbo Money Pit (The MonsterMark)
'93 Collecting Dust
Bryan
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?


WELCOME!! And that sure looks like a dual exhaust to me Geno.
Click to expand...


Look again, TRUE dual exhaust would be 2 pipes all the way back.
Click to expand...

Oh Geno that's splitting hairs! Using that logic an X pipe would not be a "true" dual either.
[/quote]

Ummm No Leo.

An X or Twin X pipe is designed to balance the banks of cylinders and equalize the pressures generated by the two resulting in a flatter torque curve, there is still 2 (TWO) true path's of exhaust.

That piece of crap resonator/3rd cat is just that.

The pipes run through a single catted chamber of brick style material so to speak then back out to two pipes.
 
RE: LSC or not LSC?

The big thing is a clean, low mileage, not abused Mark VIII. LSC or not is not that big a deal. Find it in the color you like. New wheels, gears, and exhaust cost the same on either model.

I bought a LSC, but have added Recaro seats, 17" Cobra R's, and new exhaust. The only thing I have left from my "LSC" is the 3.27 gears and I'd like to change those (LOL).


** Bill **
1995 LSC-R'ed w/Recaro's and Cobra R's
Veteran of Carlisle 2000/01/02/03
[a href=//cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=258112]For Pic's and Mods click here[/a]

...Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself....
 
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