Thinking about buying a MarkVIII.

[Perpetual Sinner]

Hey guys, I was thinking about buying my Mom's 95 Mark VIII. I've driven it on occasion and it's really nice. Plus after I graduate college and get into the real world, I'll need something more civilized than a head and cam Z28 with a 4000 stall. Use the VIII as a daily driver while I save up for another toy.

I had a few questions though. I only plan doing minor things to the car. Cold air intake, Dynomax bullet mufflers, stereo, wheels, tint, other random junk. Maybe shocks and/or springs.

First: What wheel options are there. Those stock 16x7's are ugly as sin. I've seen a few pictures of people putting Cobra R wheels on. Does the VIII have the same bolt pattern and backspacing as the Mustang? Hopefully they're a direct replacement, because it'd be a nice looking and cheap alternative.

2) I read somewhere that MarkVIII's are an open diff 3.08 rear end. What rear end do the VIII's have, and whats a nice posi unit to throw in there.

3) What options are there for the suspension? I know the VIII has that air ride system that lowers itself, so I don't know if that'll limit what I can do. The Mark VIII is way more nimble than the Camaro is in stock form, might as well take advantage of it, and go to the auto-x once and awhile with it.

Any other input is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Joeychgo]

Welcome to LVC.

There are many wheels which are direct fit, so that isnt a problem. You can also get larger wheels if you want, 17", 18" and even bigger.

As far a suspension, there are basically two choices. The stock air ride or replacing the air ride with coil shocks. You do have some flexibility with the air ride, there are ways to lower the Mark VIII even further. If you need shocks of either kind we have advertisers on the right side of this page that specialize in suspension for the Mark VIII.

 

[1wykdmk8]

First off....:W to the LvC!

Ok to answer your questions.....

1) Geno at LMS has the wheels you are looking for. With the correct backspacing and offset. So give him a call and he can hook you up, or just go to his webby. His number is 856-456-3605 and he is in NJ.

2) If it is a base model Mark VIII, and not a 'true' LSC it will have a 3.08 rear, but if it is a 'true' LSC it will have a 3.27 rear. You can put what ever you like back there. Most ppl have 4.10's with a locker, but if you plan on supercharging it then you may want a 3.73 with the locker.

3) Options options options.....It all depends on what you want to do. You can keep the factory suspension, or you can go with coilovers. It is up to you. Do you want to keep the smooth ride, or do you want to carve corners? If you want to keep the factory suspension there is several things you can do.....

a) You can simply upgrade the whole system if it is worn out.....$220 each for front struts, $150 for a rebuilt compressor (from Eddie at American Air Suspension) among a few other things that are not that expensive. It is a bit more to upgrade the factory suspension, but if that is what you want it is worth it. Also, you can lower the suspension by way of sensor lowering (pix #2 - 4, pic #1 is stock height) and if you want the 'ultimate' stance for the car, you can get one of my lowering kits and you can have it sit on the ground.....but I do NOT recommend anyone driving like this, but once you see the pic, you will understand (pic #5, and 6).

b) You can go with coil overs. There is a few ppl here that have done so, and they had the suspension lowered around 1 - 1.5 inches and they love it. One guy is BlackIceLSC, another is Cubster, and viiiball is the other one. There might be more, but I can not think of any.

I hope that help ya out......any more questions feel free to ask, or if you need more clarification ask away.....

 

[k9t8m]

Hey guys, I was thinking about buying my Mom's 95 Mark VIII. I've driven it on occasion and it's really nice. Plus after I graduate college and get into the real world, I'll need something more civilized than a head and cam Z28 with a 4000 stall. Use the VIII as a daily driver while I save up for another toy.

I had a few questions though. I only plan doing minor things to the car. Cold air intake, Dynomax bullet mufflers, stereo, wheels, tint, other random junk. Maybe shocks and/or springs.

First: What wheel options are there. Those stock 16x7's are ugly as sin. I've seen a few pictures of people putting Cobra R wheels on. Does the VIII have the same bolt pattern and backspacing as the Mustang? Hopefully they're a direct replacement, because it'd be a nice looking and cheap alternative.

2) I read somewhere that MarkVIII's are an open diff 3.08 rear end. What rear end do the VIII's have, and whats a nice posi unit to throw in there.

3) What options are there for the suspension? I know the VIII has that air ride system that lowers itself, so I don't know if that'll limit what I can do. The Mark VIII is way more nimble than the Camaro is in stock form, might as well take advantage of it, and go to the auto-x once and awhile with it.

Any other input is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Here is a pic of my Base 95. 18" chrome pacer Villian wheels, nitto nt455 215-35-18(not correct size, but i got a deal like u wouldn't believe). 30% window tint in rear, Module 8 Suspension Customization (best mod for the money hands down) can be seen at: www.module8.net Stereo, custom exhaust w\ 3.5" stainless steel magnaflow tips, and some other random mods. Im really excited about the Hid's i just bought, cant wait to get them on. more pics at: http://members.cardomain.com/k9t8m

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/394000-394999/394156_38_full.jpg :L

 

[1wykdmk8]

Here is a few pix of my old car with 18" Alba Blazes. A few of them with the car slammed rollin into the show at Carlisle a few years ago, and some other ones. :Beer

 

[MrWilson]

Hey guys, I was thinking about buying my Mom's 95 Mark VIII. I've driven it on occasion and it's really nice. Plus after I graduate college and get into the real world, I'll need something more civilized than a head and cam Z28 with a 4000 stall. Use the VIII as a daily driver while I save up for another toy.

I had a few questions though. I only plan doing minor things to the car. Cold air intake, Dynomax bullet mufflers, stereo, wheels, tint, other random junk. Maybe shocks and/or springs.

First: What wheel options are there. Those stock 16x7's are ugly as sin. I've seen a few pictures of people putting Cobra R wheels on. Does the VIII have the same bolt pattern and backspacing as the Mustang? Hopefully they're a direct replacement, because it'd be a nice looking and cheap alternative.

2) I read somewhere that MarkVIII's are an open diff 3.08 rear end. What rear end do the VIII's have, and whats a nice posi unit to throw in there.

3) What options are there for the suspension? I know the VIII has that air ride system that lowers itself, so I don't know if that'll limit what I can do. The Mark VIII is way more nimble than the Camaro is in stock form, might as well take advantage of it, and go to the auto-x once and awhile with it.

Any other input is greatly appreciated, thanks!

good luck with the mark, and welcome...there are definatly mods for the car, its basicly the same as a cobra 96-01 built on a t-bird platform. they either have a 3.08, or 3.23 open rear...i personally have the 08. its decent...but id rather have a 3.73 posi. 4.10's also give you a real nice bite. The suspension is great, dont trade it out...unless you feel that you are poping bags too much. i like them a lot. stock...(without governers on mine) iv gone probabily about...150-5 (cant tell it stops at 140). definatly a car that will beat the pants off of your z28 once you hook it up.

 

[Perpetual Sinner]

Thanks for the help guys! I'm gonna keep doing my research.