Upgrading and rebuilding

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Phatt_daddy

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Some will say I'm an idiot... I really don't care. I am starting to source parts for my 2002 Lincoln LS v6. The engine is using about a quart of straight 40 wt a week so I know a rebuild is looming once I get my truck running. While I have the engine out I will be going through the entire suspension- upper and lower front and rear control arms, shocks, struts, rotors, calipers, brake lines, sway bars, rear dif, ball joints and steering rack. Now on to my questions....... Where is a good place to source both the engine and suspension parts? places that will not cost a complete arm and leg to get. Yes I know in dealing with these cars that cost is to be expected. Im just looking to hopefully get what I need for around 3k (engine and suspension) doing all of the work myself.

The engine has 161k and smokes like a freight train and is just now starting to se a little power.
As far as the rear dif goes, I already have an 8.8 trak lok that will be going in.
I am planning on lowering it as well.

Any and all information will be greatly appreciated. I already get that I'm crazy for wanting to rebuild a car that is 14yrs old from anyone close to me but it is still cheaper than going out and buying a brand new car with the pmt for 5+ years fresh out of a divorce.

Thanks in advance,
Nate B
 
Some people would call it crazy, but most of us here get it. These cars (though prone to quite a few problems) are great cars. Nothing on the road catches my eye like the LS. I loved them as a little kid when they first came out, and am glad to finally own one 16 years later.

Subscribing to see how it turns out.
 
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but IMHO, $3K is a good starting point. You'll probably need custom shocks (no matter what anyone may tell you, the LS has coil-over shocks; NOT struts) as the only shocks (that don't need some sort of modification or aren't VERY expensive) available are Monroe SensaCraps. The control arms are in the $200 per, IIRC. Peruse rockauto.com to get an idea of what is available. You can try and see what S-Type part are interchangeable... Search this forum for that info. Interior parts are pretty much unavailable outside of a junk yard. Be careful w/lowering. It will wear the upper ball joints quite prematurely. Been there, done that...

As long as you're good with spending much, much more than the car is worth... HAVE FUN!!!
 
Good for you. The only additional comment I'd have is that when you're done it's STILL a six cylinder. You might look toward a V8 but to do so swap out the whole car. The electronics are NOT compatible.

KS
 
Pretty sure the idiot position is already taken on this forum. Fred not as there's next to no signs of that he'll vacate such anytime soon. Your golden for now.
 
Thanks guys. Really appreciate it. And cammer, I know it's still JUST a v6,that doesn't bother me as I have a few other toys with v8s. How often do the control arms fail? And to keep it at 3k would bushings be the way to go as far as bringing the car to a more performance oriented driver. When I got it I found out that the previous original owner ( yes I am technically the 2nd owner) put 123k miles on it with no service at all. Not even an oil change. Which is why I have the problems I do now
 
Best place for parts...

Any dealership willing to give discounts for factory only parts... and Rock Auto for aftermarket parts. The aftermarket is starting to open up for control arms and other suspension parts. New lower rear gen 1 arms can now be found for a buck fifty.
 
Oh you know that guy also?
Same guy that takes them stupid pills. Be mindful of ending up in conversation with that gearbox, he'll waste your time ten pages deep arguing who the Son of God is, kid you not! <wink>
 
Have fun fixing your cooling systems boys! WISH I had the money you've wasted and your advice to newbies has caused to be wasted on DE-GAS bottles..........LOL! don-ohio :)^)

04_Sport_LS said:
BigRig...

You wouldn't happen to be referring to the inventor of the unpressurized cooling system,,, would you?
Click to expand...
 
LOL :)^) ... tell me something ... does your brain run on hamsters or 9 volts?
 
Quote BigRig:

"Oh you know that guy also?
Same guy that takes them stupid pills. Be mindful of ending up in conversation with that gearbox, he'll waste your time ten pages deep arguing who the Son of God is, kid you not! <wink> "

Already did that twice... 20 pages deep! It's like talking to a brick wall. I don't feel so bad now that I have seen some of his posts in "normal" LS threads. The battery is wired in reverse polarity if you know what I mean. I have him blocked.

Funny thing is... after going to vocational high school for automotive over 30 years ago,,, and continuing in college for the same thing afterwards... there are certain natural laws,,, that show that an automobile will run hot with an unpressurized cooling system... which can cause early wear on the engine. Even Henry Ford used a sealed system in the model T. It's been the same ever since.
 
It also takes out the water pump. Its not meant to be for many valid reasons. System produces its own pressure as long as the levels are up. Both in volume and temp.
 
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