New in NorCal

Hibs

LVC Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2012
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Location
Monterey
Hey guys, found this forum via google, seems like a nice place. I recently picked up a base model '97 Mark VIII. It was a one owner, 90 year old lady, the car only has 38k miles! Had blown air ride and Grams doesn't drive anymore, so I scooped it right up for a good price. Here it was the day I drove it home...

photobucket-11085-1351346058917.gif


I then proceeded to buy a coil-over conversion from American Air Suspensions. Also did new upper control arms while I was in there. Old with the old....

photobucket-2682-1352598498586.gif


New...

photobucket-40323-1352598535208.gif


photobucket-2884-1352598567953.gif


And here is how she rides now...

photobucket-15970-1352787183637.gif
 
So, I was getting hard 1-2 shifts and a shudder at low speed/low rpm. Decided to do the 1-2 accumulator piston as recommended by this site and others, do the Jmod, and change out the fluid to Mercon V.....

I took it apart and the lower 1-2 accumulator spring was in 5 pieces...

photobucket-9090-1353852961231.gif


I replaced the 1-2 accumulator piston with a new/updated design, and also replaced the upper/lower spring. (new stuff on the right)

photobucket-44162-1353853016545.gif


I did do the Jmod, but I drilled the holes to the "mild or with gear change" specifications, which used smaller diameter holes then the other Jmod recommendations. Of the 11 holes they recommend drilling, only about 5 of them actually ended up being enlarged due to me going with the "mild or gear change" specs. And I did leave in the lower 1-2 accumulator piston to have softer 1-2 shifts.

Overall, the car drives like stock when you're driving it normal. The trans shifts very smooth, but there is no hesitation or hanging on gear changes. On WOT it's a FIRM shift, but nothing that barks the tires or jars your teeth. It's exactly what I was looking for. I enjoy the smooth ride of this and I didn't want something snapping my next every time I drove it.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Back
Top