What to do with my 97 LSC

Jd1978

New member
I am fighting myself whether to turbocharge my 4.6 or leave it as is and use the money to buy something else. It runs so nice as is and needs nothing. I can do upgraded brakes though. Suggestions? These are great cars!
Also I think I have to drive it more as I am just looking at it and cleaning.
 

ONLYTONY

New member
You say it runs so nice. If you want a race car, do it. If not save your $$$, MK VIII's need lovin. and it can get costly. Enjoy it, and get out there and drive it.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Turbos are cool, but very few have done them. Superchargers are much more common.

I think you've got the right approach with the "just drive it more" angle. Enjoy the car, and dream. Upgraded brakes are always a good idea, and a bit less ambitious than a turbo setup. :)
 

driller

El Presidente
:cool-blue:

The struggle is real...

I'm fighting the same battle with the Town Car. :love-it:

I will say that there is more physical room in the Panther platform for the installation than on the FN10 platform. But to be 'serious' with the turbocharger requires a host of supporting modifications, not the least of which includes the engine itself. Sure, you can do a "low boost" turbo with a stock vehicle but you would ultimately have to compromise your power goals and risk longevity.

Once you have selected the turbocharger and supporting components, you have to get the engine up to par with forged internals, proper heads and valve train. Then you then have to consider:

  • Exhaust
  • Fuel system
  • Cooling system
  • Torque converter
  • Transmission
  • Driveshaft
  • Differential/Gears
  • Brake system
  • Suspension components

And that's just the top level outline; each system demands several components and layers of varying complexity with twists and turns of options and choices. :eek-large:

So, do you really want to turbocharge your 4.6 or leave it as is and use the money to buy something else? :love-it:
 

MarkVIIIMarc

New member
If the money is no issue I say prepare yourself like Driller says and go fo it. These projects can be tons of fun.

Also, I did more to my dailer driver Firebird back in the day. Now I have a couple cars. Would your MarkVIII being down for a few weeks for installation and whatever weaknesses the increased power exposes cramp your style?

If its the same moeny you'd use for a co-pay if something terrible happened then save it.
 

Jd1978

New member
All great advice and thanks! I am really practical by nature but when I hear that tone from the tailpipe it makes me just want more lol��! As the car is close to mint condition I will probably stick with more modest mods such as brakes, maybe coil and tuner module upgrades. Not much to do with the stock tbi that I know of. I would like to get at least 350 hp! I don 't think that's unrealistic without sacrificing reliability.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Do a search for "Cobra Intake." It's well documented, and probably your next logical step for a real-world gain(z). It won't get you to 350, but it'll give you a nice bump over stock.
 

mag

New member
I guess the question is are you going to race or is it a daily driver ?
 
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Jd1978

New member
No I won't be racing it but I just want the power to 'be available'. If I didn't have this itch I'd just get a Prius or something Lol! This is a second car as I drive my 04 Dakota daily. This is my toy.
 

mag

New member
Well then I would do gears and a torque converter to start then you can install a 96 -98 cobra intake. I would then open the exhaust with Kooks headers and a larger diameter exhaust with some aftermarket cats.If your still not satisfied go with a supercharger .
 

billcu

Head Moderator
I would start out with gears (with trac-loc) and a J mod to the transmission.

My 97 has a 373 ratio, it's a lot of fun, but still gets decent mileage and is driveable anywhere.
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Lots of folks have switched to the Cobra intake, the only real hiccup is what to do with the EGR.

Also there are a lot of used kits that will bolt right up to that intake that can be had for cheap and safe power.
 

ONLYTONY

New member
EGR hoses.jpg
Lots of folks have switched to the Cobra intake, the only real hiccup is what to do with the EGR.

Also there are a lot of used kits that will bolt right up to that intake that can be had for cheap and safe power.
Extend the EGR pipe with these
 

BlackIceLSC

New member
sometimes that craved power can be psychologically attained. case in point:
...my 94...I wanted it all...I wanted the power of a muscle car and the sound of a well-tuned race car.
It had a 98 Mustang tranny with JMOD and 26k gvr trans cooler, mach 1 TC, and exhaust was done with simple dynomax bullets...it sounded fast, ran high 14's in the 1/4 mile and got 28 mpg easily not to mention those firm shifts
it was lowered, had a thicker rear sway bar, tint and a mean sound system...those little "itches" I needed scratched would happen on:
freeway onramps,
wide-open stretches of road,
curvy back roads

I'd feed the loud pedal at times and drag raced it from time to time.
I never felt I needed "more power" all the time.
I just fed the cravings.

if I could have changed one thing, I would have added gears. I even bought a FRPP 3.73 trac-loc unit, but sold it shortly there-after without ever installing it.

start small...add some nice mufflers...if it sounds fast, it feels "faster"...I had less than $1500 in "mods" from end to end and believe me, I drove it ALL THE TIME and washed/waxed it on average, 2 times a week(black on black)

start small, scratch one itch at a time and then you may realize, the intake, headers, turbos, super-chargers, gears, etc...may not be all that important.

Nothing hurts more than spending $$$ and not getting the real-world results you anticipated.
Here's my 175k mile, daily-driven 94 Mark VIII. Bought it at 51k miles...It had "show", it had "Go" and it had given me plenty of reasons to be more than satisfied...I obviously took care of it, but it was the best handling, best sounding, best looking car I ever owned.

with the right roads, and the right song playing loud enough to tickle your spine but just quiet enough to hear the throaty sound at 4500 rpms, you may just find your happy place and still have enough coin left to fix that Dakota because lord knows it'll ask for WAY more $$$ than your Mark VIII ever will.






 
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mag

New member
sometimes that craved power can be psychologically attained. case in point:
...my 94...I wanted it all...I wanted the power of a muscle car and the sound of a well-tuned race car.
It had a 98 Mustang tranny with JMOD and 26k gvr trans cooler, mach 1 TC, and exhaust was done with simple dynomax bullets...it sounded fast, ran high 14's in the 1/4 mile and got 28 mpg easily not to mention those firm shifts
it was lowered, had a thicker rear sway bar, tint and a mean sound system...those little "itches" I needed scratched would happen on:
freeway onramps,
wide-open stretches of road,
curvy back roads

I'd feed the loud pedal at times and drag raced it from time to time.
I never felt I needed "more power" all the time.
I just fed the cravings.

if I could have changed one thing, I would have added gears. I even bought a FRPP 3.73 trac-loc unit, but sold it shortly there-after without ever installing it.

start small...add some nice mufflers...if it sounds fast, it feels "faster"...I had less than $1500 in "mods" from end to end and believe me, I drove it ALL THE TIME and washed/waxed it on average, 2 times a week(black on black)

start small, scratch one itch at a time and then you may realize, the intake, headers, turbos, super-chargers, gears, etc...may not be all that important.

Nothing hurts more than spending $$$ and not getting the real-world results you anticipated.
Here's my 175k mile, daily-driven 94 Mark VIII. Bought it at 51k miles...It had "show", it had "Go" and it had given me plenty of reasons to be more than satisfied...I obviously took care of it, but it was the best handling, best sounding, best looking car I ever owned.

with the right roads, and the right song playing loud enough to tickle your spine but just quiet enough to hear the throaty sound at 4500 rpms, you may just find your happy place and still have enough coin left to fix that Dakota because lord knows it'll ask for WAY more $$$ than your Mark VIII ever will.






I love black Mark VIII's that is a sweet ride . :cool:
 

BlackIceLSC

New member
I love black Mark VIII's that is a sweet ride . :cool:
WAS

sold it to my Marine friend Chad Anderson (Chadly187) Feb 2009. put a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon in the trunk, some spare parts, a tank full of gas and a HUGE thank you for his service....let it go for way less than it was worth...but HE deserved it
 

Jd1978

New member
Happy and Best Wishes for this New Year! You guys gave me a lot to chew on and really appreciate the pics. I'll have my pics out once the weather gets over 32. My 97 is great and I am going to enjoy it for now.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
That rear sway bar is a real good idea. It's a super simple mod, and I was shocked by how much it stiffened up the car in the curves. Definitely add that one to your list of "easy upgrades."
 
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