4.30 gears, 3200 stall, Focus pump, now what???

I bought a 98 LSC last year with 57,XXX as an alternate ride to my bone-jarring, noisy, slow, lifted, 4x4 Suburban. I did a little Lincoln homework before I bought, and I have to say the posts on this board are priceless. I've been taking my time getting educated, and so far have the following mods:

3200 Stall Converter
4" Dynotech Driveshaft
B&M Deep Pan & Cooler
New Mercon V Fluid
Forced Lube Tailshaft Mod
4.30 gears & Detroit TruTrac
Dallas Mustang Speedometer (VSS) Signal Converter
180 Thermostat from NAPA
Electric Water Pump
Focus SVT Fuel Pump
K&N Panel Filter & Silencer Removed
Spare LSC wheels with Hoosier QTP Drag Tires

I live a few minutes from Sacramento Raceway Park & don't need to drive the Lincoln much, so the mods reflect that. They also reflect CA smog laws. Before I open the wallet for the next go around, I thought I'd take suggestions for mods. Here's what I'm thinking:

SCT Xcal2 to raise rev limit, turn the fan on sooner, improve shifts, etc.
Delete mufflers. Keep the CATS & OEM chrome tips.
Old school race-day exhaust cutouts after the 2nd O2 sensor.
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Trans Temp Gauge
Copper spark plugs & new coil boots (tune up)
Performance street tires & sensor lowering.

I have a Cobra Manifold gathering dust, but the car would never "sneak" past the visual inspections here with an EGR delete plate. Trying to fabricate an OEM-looking EGR tube is a bit too much for me to take on right now. I'm not sure if it's even possible. I'm also considering a super small 50hp nitrous kit. I am aware both items would have to "sneak" past an inspection.

Let's hear your ideas!

There are also a few CARB certified superchargers out there (Kenne Bell, Vortech), depending on how much you want to spend.

RE: CARB Supercharger

RE: CARB Supercharger

I looked into forced induction once & the KB seemed the the easiest install. I passed for a few reasons: 1. cost 2. they couldn't tell me if it would clear the stock hood. 3. books recommended dropping the compression ratio due to no intercooler with the KB. This last one put the nail in the coffin for me. Killed the KB idea. I know others have found success, but I'm not sure what is required in addition to the blower. Great to hear from another CALIF owner!

gravelguy said:

Here's what I'm thinking:

SCT Xcal2 to raise rev limit, turn the fan on sooner, improve shifts, etc.
Delete mufflers. Keep the CATS & OEM chrome tips.
Old school race-day exhaust cutouts after the 2nd O2 sensor.
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Trans Temp Gauge
Copper spark plugs & new coil boots (tune up)
Performance street tires & sensor lowering.

Click to expand...

An Xcal2 from Blue Oval Chips would be my next move for sure.

Anything in the exhaust you can do to help the engine breathe will help. I have found my cutouts to be worth about a tenth in the quarter mile ET.

An AFPR can help tune the car at the track.

Start with one step colder plugs. After a few thousand miles, inspect the plugs and see if you may want to go two steps colder.

It may be early to tell, but I like the Mickey Thompson ET Street Drag Radials.

Sounds like you've done your homework and are well on your way.

Another thing to keep in mind is... there are plenty of Smog places that will look the other way if you pass the sniffer.

J is running headers, aftermarket exhaust with cut-outs(which are illegal btw) and aftermarket high flow cats and he has no issues with the smog.

If your goal is to go faster N/A there isn't much you can do without getting into headwork and exhaust work.

I would say you need boost. Bolting on a Vortech has been done by many with good results but as I stated earlier you would need to find a SMOG place first. But you will need a lower gear-set if you’re getting boost because all you will do is spin the tires if you don’t.

gravelguy said:

I looked into forced induction once & the KB seemed the the easiest install. I passed for a few reasons: 1. cost 2. they couldn't tell me if it would clear the stock hood. 3. books recommended dropping the compression ratio due to no intercooler with the KB. This last one put the nail in the coffin for me. Killed the KB idea. I know others have found success, but I'm not sure what is required in addition to the blower. Great to hear from another CALIF owner!

Click to expand...

From what I have read, the Vortech is actually easier to install, mainly because there are some vendors out there that have made kits specific to the Mark VIII. The Vortech also clears the stock hood (you're right about the KB - you would need to get a new hood for that one). I personally believe that the KB is better suited performance-wise for our cars (better low end) than the Vortech, but opinions differ.

Us CA owners are rare; apparently not many Marks made it west over the years.

maxmk8 said:

Another thing to keep in mind is... there are plenty of Smog places that will look the other way if you pass the sniffer.

J is running headers, aftermarket exhaust with cut-outs(which are illegal btw) and aftermarket high flow cats and he has no issues with the smog.

If your goal is to go faster N/A there isn't much you can do without getting into headwork and exhaust work.

I would say you need boost. Bolting on a Vortech has been done by many with good results but as I stated earlier you would need to find a SMOG place first. But you will need a lower gear-set if you’re getting boost because all you will do is spin the tires if you don’t.

Click to expand...

I would agree here. However since the Vortech is CARB certified, it is 100% legal if you go about it the right way. Don't mess with the intake, move the cats and O2 sensors to a bigger exhaust, and inform your local DMV prior to modifications. This gives them the sense that you are not hiding anything. It'll cost a little more, and will be a hassle, but it will be legal. There are plenty of smog shops that can be bribed, but you could end up red flagged by a cop like Lonnie was when he lived in Cali. If you end up on that special list, you have to go to a DMV operated smog shop, where they are meticulous, know everything about your car, and can't be bribed. Lonnie moved to Florida after failing half a dozen inspections, doing a lot of work to try to pass. They'll even fail your car for having an adjustable fuel pressure regulator - quickly becoming illegal in most counties. It's illegal in mine (Orange), and my smog inspector saw it, but he "overlooked" it since my car was tuned and maintained very well, and my emissions were VERY low. He even confessed that his own truck has an adjustable unit; you know it's getting draconian when your inspector is running illegal.

As mentioned above, J has found a "friendly" shop, but if the cops find him, he's toast. He'll have to sell his car.

"As mentioned above, J has found a "friendly" shop, but if the cops find him, he's toast. He'll have to sell his car."

Whas ya mean??? He IS the cops!!!! LOL

Hahaha The sweet irony.

budpytko said:

"As mentioned above, J has found a "friendly" shop, but if the cops find him, he's toast. He'll have to sell his car."

Whas ya mean??? He IS the cops!!!! LOL

Click to expand...

LOL...forgot about that.

I could get judgemental and ask J what he is going to do when they have him put his hand on the Good Book and swear to uphold the law, but I assume his car is running fairly clean, in which case he is at least obeying the "spirit" of the law.

In any case, woe be to the modified Mark VIII owner who gets pulled over by him...he'll know what to look for!

If you're ever in Anaheim J, I hope it's as a tourist! ;p

Illegal cutouts

Illegal cutouts

Max,
You're correct. I knew mufflers are required, but I was shocked to see the CA Vehicle Code specifically addresses cutouts. I reckon explaining to the officer that they are "inspection ports" to check for carbon buildup wouldn't get me very far. LOL

Adequate Muffler Required
27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction.

Amended Ch. 558, Stats. 1977. Effective January 1, 1978. Supersedes Ch. 579.

gravelguy said:

Max,
You're correct. I knew mufflers are required, but I was shocked to see the CA Vehicle Code specifically addresses cutouts. I reckon explaining to the officer that they are "inspection ports" to check for carbon buildup wouldn't get me very far. LOL

Adequate Muffler Required
27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction.

Amended Ch. 558, Stats. 1977. Effective January 1, 1978. Supersedes Ch. 579.

Click to expand...

If you can install the cutouts in such a way that they can't be seen with the car on the ground (aimed up?), you should be okay.

I'm looking into getting a cobra intake. My plan is to bypass the EGR with a chip and use the delete plate. When getting a smog check just connect the EGR/tube and make the tube look like it's hooked up behind the firewall. I think that will fool them.

D Day said:

I'm looking into getting a cobra intake. My plan is to bypass the EGR with a chip and use the delete plate. When getting a smog check just connect the EGR/tube and make the tube look like it's hooked up behind the firewall. I think that will fool them.

Click to expand...

Like they haven't seen that one before!

I would go with a mail order tune and some nitrous if you aren't going to add a supercharger. I didn't see transmission cooler in there though, so that probably would be a good idea. Also exhaust to go with the nitrous.

logres said:

I would agree here. However since the Vortech is CARB certified, it is 100% legal if you go about it the right way. Don't mess with the intake, move the cats and O2 sensors to a bigger exhaust, and inform your local DMV prior to modifications. This gives them the sense that you are not hiding anything. It'll cost a little more, and will be a hassle, but it will be legal. There are plenty of smog shops that can be bribed, but you could end up red flagged by a cop like Lonnie was when he lived in Cali. If you end up on that special list, you have to go to a DMV operated smog shop, where they are meticulous, know everything about your car, and can't be bribed. Lonnie moved to Florida after failing half a dozen inspections, doing a lot of work to try to pass. They'll even fail your car for having an adjustable fuel pressure regulator - quickly becoming illegal in most counties. It's illegal in mine (Orange), and my smog inspector saw it, but he "overlooked" it since my car was tuned and maintained very well, and my emissions were VERY low. He even confessed that his own truck has an adjustable unit; you know it's getting draconian when your inspector is running illegal.

As mentioned above, J has found a "friendly" shop, but if the cops find him, he's toast. He'll have to sell his car.

Click to expand...

It wasn't quite like that. I didn't have to bribe anyone, I was legal at the time when I had the car inspected. As a matter of fact I had just had it inspected weeks prior to all the problems. The vehicle actual put out cleaner emissions than it did the year prior when stock.

The combination of half a dozen kids killed street racing their ricers in a 6 month period in San Diego and the law change is what killed me. They cracked down on any performance vehicle and of course mine stood out with the flames. They actually had stings and large task forces to take out any performance vehicle they suspected of street racing. These cops got so carried away that it almost shut down any cruise nights sponsored by our clubs and the towns. The new law was an additional visual inspection during the emission inspection. This new law left the cops to pull any type of BS they deemed to take the vehicle off the street. If it didn't look stock or they suspected it to have anything other than stock the vehicle was set up for a full on the spot inspection.

When I was pulled I was just a couple of blocks from my house in Coronado and driving under the speed limit. They didn't believe that the Mark came with a DOHC so that set the tone of the whole ordeal. Showing them the owner's manual and the 3 week old smog inspection report just pissed them off. They detained me until the van showed up with a so called certified smog cop. They hooked me up and it passed the sniffer. They then opened the hood and took pics of everything. I showed them the CARB certifications for the stuff I had installed and they weren't buying that either. They then jacked the vehicle up and took pics of the exhaust and cats. This whole thing was also video taped. They deemed the car was illegal and sent me to the ref station.

When I arrived at the ref station they already had a report from the police on the vehicle. The inspectors played their silly game with me and I followed every recommendation they tossed at me. I beat them at their very game by completing every single requirement they through at me. This just pissed them off to no end. After I left CA I was informed that they had orders to take my vehicle off the road at any cost. So in the end I was failed because they decided to change my drive train designation to a 98 Cobra and inspect it as said vehicle vice a 95 Mark 8 with a Cobra intake change. They forced me to upgrade my vehicle from an EEC IV / OBD I to an EEC V / OBD II Cobra processor thinking that it couldn't be done that they seen the last of me. When I showed up with everything single piece of hardware and electronic component from a Cobra intact and working they were in total disbelief. They wanted to know exactly how I was able to get all the EEC V stuff working and with a Cobra processor. All I told them was "this is what I do" and that pissed them off. So they ran every single diagnostic test they could think of along with the smog test hoping to find something to fail the vehicle on. It passed everything with flying colors; I watched them run back and forth from the dyno to the office in their little huddles. They made several phone calls in the process also. In the end they walked out and handed me my notice of failure to meet the CA emission. The reason why, because they classified it as a Cobra. The Cobra only came with a manual trans and I had an auto. So they failed me on not having the correct transmission. That was the last straw after bending over backwards for these AHs. I spend about 5K trying to get the vehicle passed when it was legal in the first place. I had not done anything illegal to warrant the hostilities brought on me either. They knew I had a lot of influence with several speed shops in that area conducting dyno tunes and subcontracted for special projects such as my EEC V swap. And I was an officer of the San Diego chapter SVTOA. I worked with the Coronado and San Diego police on several fund raising projects through the 3 different car clubs I belonged to such as DARE and MAD beside participated in their parades, car shows as well as admistrative assistance.

The other sad part of this is that I have built other Marks, Crown Vics and Tbirds with the same exact setup and they are all still on the road in CA and have no problem with passing inspections. So it all depends on the situation. I don't advise bribing anyone either. None of my other customers have had to do so.

Lonnie said:

It wasn't quite like that. I didn't have to bribe anyone, I was legal at the time when I had the car inspected. I don't advise bribing anyone either. None of my other customers have had to do so.

Click to expand...

My apologies Lonnie. I didn't mean to imply that you bribed anyone. Nor have I ever bribed anyone. I don't condone it. The reality of the situation in CA is that bribable shops are easy to find in a state where the laws are way too harsh.

I just felt it necessary to pass your story along as a warning to all the vehicle modifiers out there.

Why would you choose to live in that people's republik if you like cars? Come to Florida, lower taxes, fewer laws, and no emissions, and unemployment near the natural rate in most industries.

KyleH said:

Why would you choose to live in that people's republik if you like cars? Come to Florida, lower taxes, fewer laws, and no emissions, and unemployment near the natural rate in most industries.

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Because my wife's business relies heavily on being able to visit Disneyland a couple times a week.

That leaves Anaheim and Orlando. Since our relatives are in CA, we stay in Anaheim.

logres said:

My apologies Lonnie. I didn't mean to imply that you bribed anyone. Nor have I ever bribed anyone. I don't condone it. The reality of the situation in CA is that bribable shops are easy to find in a state where the laws are way too harsh.

I just felt it necessary to pass your story along as a warning to all the vehicle modifiers out there.

Click to expand...

I didn't take it that way Wayne. The post was pointed out by a couple of people that thought you were implying this though. That's the only reason why I posted.

Also, there are 2 different types of high flow cats. The standard that are apporved for anything under the OBD I catagory and then the ones for OBD II. I had the standard ones on my vehicle at the time I was pulled. They made me switch to the newer type after I had installed the OBD II electronics.