Woe is me

warden

New member
So Massachusetts has really hammered down on their inspection systems. Both my modified Marks will fail due to the decible sound of the exhaust. So i will definitely need to silence the exhaust to keep driving in Massachusetts. I'm a back road driver, not a drag strip or track guy.

I'm at the point in my life that I can afford a brand new Flagship Lincoln if they had one I wanted. Or even a thunderbird if Ford had one.

I can't imagine life without these cars, but I'm thinking of it. No wife, no kids, and I work a lot. I want something New. With all the new tech (no Tesla Joe!). That will fit my 6'-5" frame. Come October Hyde needs a new sticker. Come April the vert does. They may become lawn decorations.

First world problems.
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
So quite the exhaust. The new Continental is very nice, but I would get a CPO one, they depreciate fast.
 

warden

New member
I want rear wheel drive, power, 2 door, and sex appeal. Ive got a 17 MKZ 3.0 twin turbo and its insane! But i want rwd, and a convertible.
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
Well Lincoln does not make anything like that anymore, 1998 was the last year for the coupe, I can't recall the last "factory" convertible.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
If the exhaust is the only problem, I see a couple solutions.
As old as these cars are, does your state have some exceptions for "collector cars?" It's a thought.. If not,

a) find a "friendly" inspection station. Maybe they won't perceive the exhaust as being loud enough to warrant work.

b) spend some money and make the exhaust quieter. It'd still be cheaper than a couple payments on something modern.

B-2) I suppose you could try the trick my dad always talks about from "back in the day," shoving a bunch of steel wool in the exhaust.

c) (edit) what if your cars were out of state at the moment? http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/forms/21307.pdf
 
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Ford nut

New member
Problem one, easy fix redo exhaust fit with quick time upgrade or cutouts depending on desire to obtain tickets.
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/400116/index.php
Problem two spend money there are lots of options out there for car upgrade if you want to upgrade its a good time to buy modern day muscle, hard part is to sell your Lincolns....maybe upgrade one and sell one to move up to new car muscle?

Its not a bad problem to have. I fully understand the desire to get new.
 

billcu

Head Moderator
You'll never find a better rear wheel drive, V8, convertible than the Mark VIII that you have now.:)
 

mag

New member
I don't get the inspections in Illinois all they do is scan for codes if there are no DTC'S you pass. It must stink living in a state that is so stringent.
 

driller

El Presidente
You'll never find a better rear wheel drive, V8, convertible than the Mark VIII that you have now.:)
I think I'd have to agree.

I've looked and I can't seem to find one.

The Camaro ZL1 wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for being a Chevy and the god awful ride.
 

mag

New member
Wow JP I can't believe you used the C word on a Ford forum. What would be wrong with maybe looking at some of the new mustangs.The twin turbo Ford SHO is a rocket even though it's front wheel drive it produces 365 HP.
 
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warden

New member
From what I understand Mass is now using 5-6 cameras and microphones. As soon as the camera sees something, or the microphone hears something it stops the inspection and rejects the car. Having a friendly inspector doesn't seem to be an option anymore. But, we'll see what happens come inspection time for my cars. Others are getting rejected left and right.
But the cars are old, I'm actually afraid to drive them sometimes in case some one hits me. I am upset that neither Ford or Lincoln have anything I want. I only have the Z as it's a company car. It's a nice car, AWESOME actually, but not what I really want. Blah on the mustang, they're not for me, way too many of them. Hell no on the Camaro. Was behind a convertible one the other day, No Thank You.
My Vert is nice, but its not solid enough for me to put on bigger rims to allow for bigger brakes to actually stop the thing when she gets moving. I'd love to sink money into the vert to completely upgrade the structure, remove the current framing and channel the floor for actual frame rails. But I can't find anyone local that will do the work. There are only a few places out here in Mass, and the one I really want to do the work (Chris Cerce Customs) doesn't seem to want to do the work.

If there was a new Mark with 2 doors and RWD i'd likely buy one. I have absolutely no passion for ANY new car out there right now. At least not any in my price range, which a flagship lincoln is.
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Just gotta register them in Minnesota, and since they're registered here you will have to store them here. Mike and I can assist with that!

Seriously though, just have a new exhaust made that is super quiet that you can swap on every inspection season, then go back to the one you have now. Or like Mike said, can you register them as "Classic"? That's how I've gotten around a few regulations here.
 

warden

New member
It doesn't matter how you register here. If the car is different from stock for ride height, window tint, sound, etc it fails. I'll need new exhausts for both, new tint for Hyde, new seat belts for the vert, and don't know what else.

I work a lot. When I'm out of work I want to drive, not work on the cars. I'd just love to have a new one as well as my 8's. Always couldn't wait till I could afford a new Lincoln Mark. Now that I can, there isn't one I'd pay 2 cents for.
 
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Ford nut

New member
My Vert is nice, but its not solid enough for me to put on bigger rims to allow for bigger brakes to actually stop the thing when she gets moving. I'd love to sink money into the vert to completely upgrade the structure, remove the current framing and channel the floor for actual frame rails. But I can't find anyone local that will do the work. There are only a few places out here in Mass, and the one I really want to do the work (Chris Cerce Customs) doesn't seem to want to do the work.

If there was a new Mark with 2 doors and RWD i'd likely buy one. I have absolutely no passion for ANY new car out there right now. At least not any in my price range, which a flagship lincoln is.
What the vert needs.
https://www.artmorrison.com/convertibleframe.php
Only one place I know to do it, and up the power level.

As far as passing insp, I would be on the phone with local clubs and hot rod shops to find the worm hole.
 

BlackIceLSC

New member
I guess no one drives anything "performance" in MASS...California has the stricktest emission laws in the country yet noise is not an issue...I hear Challengers and Mustangs from miles away with their obnoxious exhaust yet they pass emissions.
INSPECTIONS are senseless unless RUST poses a safety concern, IMHO

Just go get a nice stock marauder.
You'll fit
they have power
RWD
bulletproof chassis
 
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Jd1978

New member
I have never heard of decibel inspections but obviously you can't run open headers or something like that. (Not saying that's what you have). There are plenty good low restrictive mufflers that meet code and gotta have the cats( whether we like them or not). Second maybe get specialty tags.
 

Jd1978

New member
I disagree that inspections are senseless. Most states now only do emissions though. There are so many beater cars on the road that jeopardize us all.
 
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