LS could use more power...

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blk04lse

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Alright, I will throw it out there.... for the price, especially the V8, the car is a bit light in power... Granted, this is not an AMG, S4 or CTSV, but for a starting price in the mid - upper $40,000 range for the v8, 320 hp / 320 + in tq is not too much to ask for since the car is around 3800 + pounds. Something to give an a little extra love when you accelerate.

To do so, the 4.6L would have been fine as we see it is being used on the same 5 speed auto (different bell housing/other externals) in the 05 GT... Granted, even the 03 Mach 1 motor is not "recorded" as making that power, but I am sure Ford could get another 20 hps w/ little effort out of that or the new 05 GT motor...

Anyway, the ride, handling and design is right on, but it would be nice if the car accelerated to reach low 14's and/or 350 hp to run high 13's would have been even nicer....

Granted, it doesn't matter now, so...

Not everyone is into speed and there are cars faster, less expensive cars, but for the price I do not think this is asking too much....
 
MODS can get you some power.

LLSOC intake +13rwhp
E-Pac Ground Box +7rwhp
SCT Flasher +14
Catback exhaust +11rwhp
Supercharher +~80??? (comming soon)
NOS +?

Can put an 03-up close to 400hp.
 
4.6L is a POS. When you talk money, don't forget that, although the sticker may say $42k for a V8, you shouldn't have to pay more than maybe $33k to buy one.

That being said, more power would still be good, just not through the awful 4.6L. Better choices would be the naturally aspirated or blown 4.2L Jaguar engines. They would actually fit under the hood (unlike a 4.6L) and would bolt up to the tranny (unlike a 4.6L). Lincoln should at least try offering the blown 4.2L on a limited number of LSes. Because everything would (seems like it should at least) bolt right in, it would probably be pretty cheap.
 
yeah the SC alone will set you back about 5k. The catback is 650 the llsoc intake about 500 and another 400 to 500 for the sct after you pay for a few more custom tunes or up to 1000 if you buy the sct and the software to make your own tunes.

It could get pricey. I'd rather pay an extra 10k on a factory version of the LS with 400 ponies.
 
Dutch - where can you buy a new LS V8 for $33K?

I agree the 4.6L is not the most reliable; however the 03-04 Mach 1 motor w/ forged internals and the 03-04 Cobra motor are the exception...

As far as adding a supercharger, turbo and/or nitrious to the 3.9, unless the motor is torn down and prepped for a power adder, the life span will be short lived...
 
blk04lse said:
Dutch - where can you buy a new LS V8 for $33K?

I agree the 4.6L is not the most reliable; however the 03-04 Mach 1 motor w/ forged internals and the 03-04 Cobra motor are the exception...

As far as adding a supercharger, turbo and/or nitrious to the 3.9, unless the motor is torn down and prepped for a power adder, the life span will be short lived...
Click to expand...

nope - the feelings are the the engine is good for 400hp - the trannie is the weakest link.
 
I just bought a 03 v8 LS I think the HP is adequate but hell if chrysler and GM can put out LUX cars with lots of HP Why can't Lincoln step up to the plate and offer a LUX car with the similar or MORE HP. isn't more better anyways. So if anyone is here from Lincoln and your listening please add another 100 HP to my next LS. thank you and let me know when I can pick it up!
 
If the transmission is good enough for the 05 GT, but is the weakest link on the LS? I would guess the rear end is the weakest link...

LS v8 can handle up to 400 hp... do we have forged internals?
 
blk04lse said:
If the transmission is good enough for the 05 GT, but is the weakest link on the LS? I would guess the rear end is the weakest link...

LS v8 can handle up to 400 hp... do we have forged internals?
Click to expand...

it's not the same trannie in the GT. The LS engineers thought that the trannie would be good for 'around' 340hp or so....
 
Quik LS said:
it's not the same trannie in the GT. The LS engineers thought that the trannie would be good for 'around' 340hp or so....
Click to expand...


ha! little did they know it has barely withstood the 210 HP the V6 is supposed to have or at least the V6 that I have. :)
 
The 4.6L is one of the best engines Ford has ever made.

It's in everything from the Crown Vic to the F150, Tbird (late 90's), and more.

200k miles is nothing to this motor, even under abusive driving by taxi, police, construction, etc.

I highly doubt our little 3.9L would ever stand up to long term abuse like that.

With that said - I agree that the LS is underpowered. But because of overhead cams, the 4.6 is about the biggest thing that will fit, and it hardly does (the One Lap of America LS used a 4.6L), fitting it nicely into a production model would be tough.

GM still uses push-rod engines, which is why they can stuff the 5.7L into small cars like the CTS, and have 400hp - stock.
 
According to onlines sources, such as www.fast-autos.net, the 05 GT also uses the 5R55S transmission... Then sources must be wrong, but here is a quote.

"For the first time, Mustang is available with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 5R55S automatic, also used in the Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird, has closely spaced ratios that keep the engine in its power band to produce better acceleration, with a wide ratio that provides remarkably good highway fuel economy. The new powertrain control computer delivers benefits in the transmission, as well as the engine, by precisely controlling shift duration and shift timing. Throttle position, engine speed, load, environmental factors and other parameters guide the transmission shift schedule.

A new electronic interface lets the powertrain control module communicate with the automatic transmission 10 times faster than before. For the first time, powertrain engineers could match transmission controls with other sophisticated features like variable cam timing and electronic throttle control. As a result, the entire powertrain works together to deliver smooth performance.”
 
my bad - should have noticed the '04 in your sig. My 01 is a 5R55N - more in common with the Explorer of the time. I have the 340hp-ish limit.....
 
No problem... Funny though, whether the 5R55N or 5R55S transmission, we all seem to have similar issues w/ the trannies...

So, from what I am gathering, it appears others feel the LS could have used a little more H.P. under the hood, especially w/ the S4, CTSV, G35 Sedan and AMG on the road...

Has anyone on this forum or other owners that you know of spoken w/ Ford Racing, BBK, Holley, Edlebrock, Steeda, Anderson Racing etc., for a broader selection of aftermarket parts, such as a rear end gear, axles, stalls, emission legal/yet modified cams, upgraded heads, mass air meters, etc?
 
blk04lse said:
No problem... Funny though, whether the 5R55N or 5R55S transmission, we all seem to have similar issues w/ the trannies...

So, from what I am gathering, it appears others feel the LS could have used a little more H.P. under the hood, especially w/ the S4, CTSV, G35 Sedan and AMG on the road...

Has anyone on this forum or other owners that you know of spoken w/ Ford Racing, BBK, Holley, Edlebrock, Steeda, Anderson Racing etc., for a broader selection of aftermarket parts, such as a rear end gear, axles, stalls, emission legal/yet modified cams, upgraded heads, mass air meters, etc?
Click to expand...


Always want more power. What ever happened to the guy that was working the Turbo!!!!????
 
dropped74 said:
Always want more power. What ever happened to the guy that was working the Turbo!!!!????
Click to expand...

I've also been wondering about him, maybe a twin turbo is still just a dream.
 
yes - he got it up to 7psi - it was a rear mounted turbo - installed behind the rear bumper.

he burned something out, took it off and was planning to re-fit it under the hood.
 
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