Another new owner...

Hey all,

I just purchased a 2001 LS V8 Sport 2 weeks ago. 3 hours after purchase, I was stricken with the rear window issue. Got it fixed and now I am happy.

Here are the specs and questions I have after reading this forum from one end to the other...

Specs on the car...
The only options it did NOT come with are Heated Seats, 4 way head rests, and the Audiophile stero. Every other option was on this car when ordered. It had 27,000 miles when purchased. I got it for $19,000 and feel it was more than worth every penny. It was owned by a 70 year old woman who barely drove it and took very nice care of it.

I do not know the names of the colors yet, but it is a medium Metallic Blue and has Light Grey interior.

Here is what I have done already...
Turbo Mufflers and ordered the Kurtz Kustomz intake.

The Turbo Mufflers make it sound exactly like a 4.6L Mustang GT from the factory. It (IMHO) is the perfect muffler for the sound I wanted. At idle, it has just enough light "burble" to let you know that it has a V8. Off of the line, it sounds exactly like the before mention Mustang GT. At freeway speeds, you cannot hear it at all.

I am excited to see if the intake performs well or not. I will let you know what I find.

Now to the stereo and the questions...
FoMoCo makes an MP3 player that is almost the exact shape and size as the Alpine unit that is currently in the dash. My Wife drives a 2002 Ford Escape and here buttons, options, well.. everything about her 6 disc is identical to that of the LS. But there are 2 differences. 1. Hers does not say "ALPINE" on it, and 2. Mine is shapped a little differently. Hers is totally square and mine obviosly is not.

The MP3 player that is made by FoMoCo is the exact same shape and size as the one in our Escape. So, here is my curiosity. Does FoMoCo produce this unit to fit the 2000 to 2002 LS?

I have a very nice Alpine MP3/WMA head unit in my previous daily driver (along with a lot of other stereo stuff) but do not want to lose the factory look as well as the steering controls for the stereo.

I am very aware that there is a company that makes it so you can adapt an aftermarket unit to the steering controls, but from what I have read about this unit, I feel that it is a well conceived and poorly executed device that almost makes itself redundant. It would seem that the amount of latant delay that is inherent in this device would make the whole premise of it worthless. When I turn the volume up or down, I do not want it done in 5 seconds, I want it done now.

I have considered adding aftermarket sub woofers to the trunk, but feel that a large enclosure and amplifier install would take away from the overall "classiness" of the whole car. If I wanted to drive around in a ghetto sled with "mad bass", I would buy a 1978 Ford LTD and put a dozen 12" speakers in the trunk. I want to maintain the cars level of sophistication, but it needs a little help in the bass department (IMHO).

I have upgraded the door speakers to Infinity Reference 5x7's but that only seemed to bring out the high end sound that much more. It has breat mid range sound, but needs a little help on the lows. Anyone here have a solution that does not involve me turning my car into the envy of every 17 year old in his 1988 Toyota Corrola with swap meet subwoofers and a hand me down amp?

Next, if I do decide to go aftermarket on my head unit, how god awful looking is the install kit? I once replaced the stereo in my Wife's 1998 Escort ZX-2 (the one with the big round radio/environmentals) and the kit was so horrible looking that I was actually embarrassed to say that I installed it.

Now, before everyone (or anyone) cops out of giving a real answer by telling me to spend $35.00 of my hard earned whopper flipping dollars to join LLSOC. Please take the time to at least attempt to answer one of my questions.

Thanks
Tyler

there are lots of post, recent ones, that will get you going on the stero. Spend a few hours reading please becasue everyones whopper flippling time is valuable, :)

Have fun tuning.

I have read almost every single thread in this forum. Although you are correct, there are a lot of stereo posts, none have answered my questions directly.

I have seen everything from how to hook up a sub to putting in an aftermarket head unit, but no one has said anything about a FoMoCo MP3 player, what type of subwoofers and how much power that compliments the factory system or if the aftermarket head unit install kit is a hidious monstrosity or actually looks decent in the car.

As I requested before, please take the time to ANSWER some of my questions. I have read this whole forum. I have seen the 25 threads about misfires and the 25 about windows that don't work, I have read the 25 threads about wether or not this is a good car. I have looked closely at the 50 threads asking if they make a supercharger/turbo charger/tuning chip. I have also read all 5 threads regarding anything stereo related for this car, and I have shook my head in disbelief while I read the rest of the threads that no one answered because they simply do not know the answer. Funniest thing is, that out of the 150 threads on this forum, 125 of them tell the guy to either join LLSOC or do a search while the remaining 25 were ignored completely.

So far all I have seen is a group of guys who know little about this car and so they tell everyone to join LLSOC or to do a search. Trust me, I have searched. These should be simple questions requiring simple answers.

If you do not know the answer, do not post. If no one here knows the answer, this thread will sink to the bottom and remain unanswered (like many other good tech questions on this board).

Wow, that was a great big "F" "U" to one of the most knowledgable LS owners I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. No offense, but "el es" has been with the LS crowd for a long time and deserves better. He's done things and put up with things in and around his LS that would put most other people into convulsions.

You say if we don't know then don't answer then criticize us for "ignoring" questions. You can't have it both ways. If say I don't know, at least the person who asked know they're not being ignored.

Anyway, on to your questions...

Ford MP3: The short answer is NO. FoMoCo doesn't support the LS. Neither does the aftermarket. Over half of what IS available was pioneered by owners...

Subwoofers: I've got coaxial 6x9's (F3 of about 26Hz) in the rear deck acting as subs. The tweets are disconnected and they are driven by a small 200W amp mouted under the deck. I wanted to maximize trunk space. Do yourself a favor and replace the crap "speakers" in the doors. They suck ass.

Adapter kit: They look pretty decent as long as the head matches the car. Some of the Bling-Bling heads just plain look out of place in a car like the LS. You need something subdued to make it look like it belongs there. Try www.Cardomain.com (http://www.Cardomain.com) for pictures. There are LOTS of guys running aftermarket heads.

If you want to add a little bass w/o putting in a bulky sub and amp, I know some have purchased the original rear deck subs and amp off of ebay or put in aftermarket speakers in the rear deck. Like yourself, I did not have the rear deck speakers, but wanted wanted a bit more bass. Since I already had a sub and amp, I decided to use it. I wanted to keep my in-dash CD changer, so installation was a bit tricky but well worth it.

Wow, that was a great big "F" "U" to one of the most knowledgable LS owners I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. No offense, but "el es" has been with the LS crowd for a long time and deserves better. He's done things and put up with things in and around his LS that would put most other people into convulsions.

You say if we don't know then don't answer then criticize us for "ignoring" questions. You can't have it both ways. If say I don't know, at least the person who asked know they're not being ignored.

Anyway, on to your questions...

Ford MP3: The short answer is NO. FoMoCo doesn't support the LS. Neither does the aftermarket. Over half of what IS available was pioneered by owners...

Subwoofers: I've got coaxial 6x9's (F3 of about 26Hz) in the rear deck acting as subs. The tweets are disconnected and they are driven by a small 200W amp mouted under the deck. I wanted to maximize trunk space. Do yourself a favor and replace the crap "speakers" in the doors. They suck ass.

Adapter kit: They look pretty decent as long as the head matches the car. Some of the Bling-Bling heads just plain look out of place in a car like the LS. You need something subdued to make it look like it belongs there. Try www.Cardomain.com (http://www.Cardomain.com) for pictures. There are LOTS of guys running aftermarket heads.


Awww shucks thanks for the compliment. However, I expected this sort of retort from this guy considering the way the initial post was closed. Maybe it is me but it didn't seem like a humble request. The unfortunate truth is many folks fail to read into the past which results in redundant posts. But fear not, I shall continue to support this shipmate of ours with future problems WHEN they occur.

Fair winds and following seas.

By the way the reason they suggest the LLSOC is because it has over 100k post and IMHO is the know all and end all when it comes to comparing knowledge bases. I will spot ya the 35 bux if you are tight on cash it really is worth the investment for new owners

Please make no mistake, I did not come here to insult any of the members here. I simply have little patience for people dodging answers. I am a long time member and moderator of a well known mustang website and get very tired of watching this sort of thing happen to new people.

New guy comes in and asks a simple question and instead of someone welcoming the guy and answering a simple question, they jump all over him and tell him to do a search and insult him for asking something becuase it was asked 5 months ago. The unwelcoming response usually comes from the members who know the very least about the cars and are simply crying out for attention.

el es, I hope you did not feel offended by my statements, but you have to understand that after spending 3 weeks to find the time to actually sit down and read every thread in this forum only to see 50% of the responses be "do a search" or "join LLSOC" instead of getting good hard factual answers is very frustrating to a new member. I figured I would simply state my distaste for this right out of the box. I do not feel that after wasting (yes I said wasting) the minimal free time I have for the past 3 weeks trying to find answers to my questions that I wanted to waste more time by taking those 2 canned answers and being satisfied.

It is my feeling that people come to a forum like this to find answers. If the members know the answers, I feel that they should be shared so our hobby might grow. But I noticed that there are only a few members here that stick around and I feel that it is because new people do not feel welcome when their first question is met with one of the 2 canned answers.

Sorry if I ruffled any feathers.

Now....

about the MP3 player. Ford and Lincoln outsource their audio work in my area to an outfit by the name of "Sound on Wheels". I have gotten the contact info as well as parts numbers for the MP3 player in question. I will be talking to them extensively to see how realistic it will be to take a factory LS CD player apart and transplant the face to a new MP3 player and to make sure the wiring is correct. If this works out, I will let you all know how hard it will be and what is needed to complete this task.

No hard feelings I hope.

one other note....

For those interested in intakes, you can buy the Kurtz Kustomz intake directly from their website for $89.95 plus $10.00 for shipping. This is the exact same price if you were to join LLSOC and get their 10% discount.

http://www.kustomz.com/lincoln.html#faq

Perhaps everyone already knows this, but LLSOC offers a free "test drive", so you really don't have to shell out the whopping $35 to access the most comprehensive source of LS info on the web. I will testify that it's the best money I ever spent, aside from the purchase of the car itself. By the way, I started with the Kurtz intake initially and later added the full LLSOC CAI system... the improvement was dramatic.

(On a different subject, after reading a current thread, I wonder why one would visit here and respond to a technical assistance inquiry with comments like "Lincolns are junk- go buy a Cadillac or another luxury car". If they're that displeased with the product, why the hell are they pouring through posts on a Lincoln-specific site???)

I dont get offended but I do often find that people fail to help themselves more frequently than they do. Our goal is to make people aware of the available knowledge in this forum and other and to that end we often refer folks to past posts in order to help new members become more self-reliant.

Granted my referal to past posts may not have addressed the mp3 player but the past threads will clearly point out the caveats of trying to install a replacement system oem or aftermarket. because there is nothing average or customary in regards to this car it seemed better fit to point you and sometimes others to past posts just to make you aware of the difficult problems and creative solutions submitted.

Caring for and maintaining this vehicle is an adruous task and sometimes I feel like I own a one off product.

Bill is absolutely correct about the test drive being free and I think once you gain exposure to the clubs vast wealth of knowledge you will see why many make referce to it. I look forward to future opportunities to help but I hope your ownership is problem free.

have a splendid weekend.

I know what you mean about maintaining a vehicle like this. If you have ever owned a classic vehicle (35 years old or more), owning a car like an LS is like a little slice of heaven. My 65 Mustang Fastback is a never ending maintanence/project. Just when you think you have gotten it right, something else comes along and the next thing you know, the whole engine is out of the car....again.

Good times :rolleyes:

I dont get offended but I do often find that people fail to help themselves more frequently than they do. Our goal is to make people aware of the available knowledge in this forum and other and to that end we often refer folks to past posts in order to help new members become more self-reliant.

Granted my referal to past posts may not have addressed the mp3 player but the past threads will clearly point out the caveats of trying to install a replacement system oem or aftermarket. because there is nothing average or customary in regards to this car it seemed better fit to point you and sometimes others to past posts just to make you aware of the difficult problems and creative solutions submitted.

Caring for and maintaining this vehicle is an adruous task and sometimes I feel like I own a one off product.

Bill is absolutely correct about the test drive being free and I think once you gain exposure to the clubs vast wealth of knowledge you will see why many make referce to it. I look forward to future opportunities to help but I hope your ownership is problem free.

have a splendid weekend.


We are always hurt the most by the things we love! DAMN LOVE!