Crown Vic P71 Performance

[jdrumstik]

Hi, I was wounderign Im looking at buying a 2001 CHP (highway patrol) P71. I understand that they have 5 speed autos, and then ta 220hp v8 or so. But I was woundering how fast they were in quarter mile times, and 0-60s. I imagine they are better than most cars, but not the best either, especially considering they have v8s.

[Chrome_Rust]

there are a few things to know about the p71. they dont have 5 speed tranny's. they have fords 4-speed 4r70w tranny. 0-60 times are around mid 7's and the qtr times are in the high 15's low 16's.

[jdrumstik]

hold up, I thought that they got five speeds for the police force?


Anyways, thanks for the specs, 16s is pretty slow, but then again, I wounder what my 135hp honda prelude from 1988 is actually doing.

[ModMech]

There is really no appreciable difference between a police cruiser and a regular old Lincoln Town Car or Mercury Grand Marquis in power or performance. Give or take 0.30s in the 1/4, one is just as quick as the other. They have EXACTLY the same engines, transmissions rear ends etc in them. The gearing varies by model and year, but they are all very similar.

The real differences in the CVPI is the frame, electricals,features and options for the departments to tailor the cars for their use.

Really, a CVPI is basically a stripped down version of a CVLX/Town Car/ Grand Marquis with some lights, a cage, and antennea on it.

[jdrumstik]

thats too bad, I was under the impression that they were something special!

Oh well, I'd still prefer it over a FWD car any day. But still, I wounder how much I could improve on that engine, I imagine a few basic upgrades would help it out a little. Well, maybe I need to look at other options.

[amo4387622]

jdrumstik Police package Crown Vics come with a bullit proof 5 speed trany and a 4.6 engine but with a little more power than you would get on a stock Crown Vic at the dealer. But when the highway patrol and police departments decide to sell there cars they put the stock 4 speed trany back in the car. They also reflash the computer and put the speed limiter back on. I know this for a fact because when i was in high school i took a field trip to are local police department and when we got to check out the cars they used the officer told me all of this.

[ModMech]

amo,

That info is all incorrect. You CANNOT even put a manual trans in a CVPI, the parts are not there nor are they available. The computers are exactly the same with VERY MINOR programming differences (top speed for one). The engines make the SAME power as all other CV/GM/TC cars with dual exhaust (Sport, HPP etc).

[theFREAKnasty82]

Originally Posted by ModMech

amo,

That info is all incorrect. You CANNOT even put a manual trans in a CVPI, the parts are not there nor are they available. The computers are exactly the same with VERY MINOR programming differences (top speed for one). The engines make the SAME power as all other CV/GM/TC cars with dual exhaust (Sport, HPP etc).

I agree w/ you ModMech, I used to work for a police department maintaining cruisers and I drove several of them to either the local tire shop or what have you; anyway, they came with a 4.6 w/ dual exhaust and the 4R70W tranny. The only real difference between that and stock is that police packages have (well used to have on older crown vics) is that they didn't have manual low only manual second; now those cruisers have drive, overdrive cancel switch, second and first. Other than beefed up suspensions and run flat tires, they're only slightly modified from stock.

[cobradude360]

thats crazy a manual trans in a crown vic i mean come on so what ur saying is theres basicly no differnce performance wise from pi and regular crown vics

[amo4387622]

First my info is all correct i got the info from three different police officers that work at the station. I also called Ford to see what is the difference with Crowns with the police package and the dealer told me already what i knew. And it is not a manual trans it is an 5 speed auto.

[theFREAKnasty82]

that maybe true on newer '05 models, but the ones I used to work on at the police station I worked for had 4-speed trannys. In fact, I have the sales code for that: Sales code 720A Police Interceptor/Base Pref Equip Pkg 720A.........All Vehicles.........28.00 Invoice/30.00 Retail....Includes vehicle w/ Crown Victoria standard equipment plus hub caps, 78-AH Heavy Duty Battery, heavy duty suspension, front & rear springs, shock asorbers & stabilizer bar, heavy duty frame & steering gear, heavy duty alternator, light bar connector, police accessory feed wires, dual exhaust, engine oil, transmission oil, power steering oil coolers, 0-140 MPH speedometer, P225/60VR16 All-Season BSW tires/conventional spare; 3.27 rear axle ratio w/ non-locker axle, remote deck lid release, 3 1/2" aluminum driveshaft, unique calibration w/ increased idle speed, lower radiator air dam, courtesy lamp wiring, conventional headliner w/o grab handles, engine compartment light, front cloth bcuket seats w/ power lumbar & weapons cut-outs & single key locking plus color keyed retail body side moldings, rear applique w/ color keyed panels, "Crown Victoria" badge, color keyed mirrors, Chrome grill, fascia inserts, door handle bezel & tail lamp applique & full wheel covers. Those were the options available for 2003 Crown Victoria police cars. They only made 224 hp w/ single exhaust, but the dual exhaust pushed horsepower up 15 to 239.

[bobcoop06]

Originally Posted by amo4387622

First my info is all correct i got the info from three different police officers that work at the station. I also called Ford to see what is the difference with Crowns with the police package and the dealer told me already what i knew. And it is not a manual trans it is an 5 speed auto.

I'm afraid you are wrong good buddy! Taken straight from the Ford website, here are all of the features of the '05 CVPI...


200-amp generator (provides additional electrical capacity for police equipment)
Air conditioning
Aluminum drive shaft
Audio - Standard stereo delete
Axle (Choice of 3.27 Non-Limited Slip Axle or 3.55 Limited Slip Axle)
Battery saver
Body-on-frame, RWD construction
Conventional spare tire
Engine - 4.6L 250-hp SEFI V8 with overhead cam
Engine, power steering and transmission oil coolers
Fail-safe engine cooling system
Floor covering - Heavy-duty rubber
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Fuel tank - 19-gallon capacity
Heavy-duty suspension and frame
Light bar connector
Mirrors - Power sideview
Seats - Cloth bucket with driver's-side power lumbar support (vinyl rear seat)
Speed-sensitive, variable-assist, power rack-and-pinion steering
Stainless steel dual exhaust
Tilt steering wheel
Transmission - Automatic 4-speed
Wheels - 16" steel
Windows - Power


https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...cPoliceInt.asp

[bmnlsc]

Originally Posted by amo4387622

First my info is all correct i got the info from three different police officers that work at the station. I also called Ford to see what is the difference with Crowns with the police package and the dealer told me already what i knew. And it is not a manual trans it is an 5 speed auto.

I am calling BS on this one....

First off, I am Supervisory Federal Agent for ICE. I have been a fed since 1990. I have driven just about every type of law enforcement vehicle, that were produced from Ford, Chevy and Dodge. My agency has the Ford P71 CV's and Taurus' (civilian), the Police Package Chevy Impalas, Tahoes, Surbubans and Civilian package CK 15 pax carrying vans, and lastly we have the Police Package Dodge Intrepids (primarily used in NYC).

There are no special tranny's, nor power adders in the drive train in any of these vehicles. The only thing they will have, if a Police Package will be the standard coolers (tranny/oil), heavy duty suspension parts, wheels, etc.

I have been around the world, three times at least. I have been on various task forces, throughout NY, NJ, PA, CT, AR, CA, GA and FL. None of the cars I have driven issued to the various agencies (local and federal), had anything special other than what the manufacturer offered in their police packages.

Another example - I have a co-worker who in his prior years before transferring to my agency was CA Highway Patrolman. Prior to coming to NY, he purchased one of their P71's and drives it daily now. There is nothing special with his P71, as compared to my agency issued P71.

I would like to know which Ford Dealership you are talking too. I can tell you as a boss within my agency, I have a say as to which vehicles my agents drive, and being a major gearhead (see sig), I would ensure my office would get the fastest P71 made....

Sorry to bust your bubble, but unless that Police agency is making the changes to the drivetrain, which I seriously doubt due to warranty issues from Ford, that would be the only way.

Would love to get a vin number off one your police buddies vehicles.

Now let's talk about US Customs...they "may" use vehicles that were siezed during raids. In NY, they drive anything from Corvettes to Escorts. A friend of mine in NYC Customs drives a Beretta, of all cars, which is hooked up with lights and sirens...go figure.

Peace,
BMN

[jdrumstik]

hmmm. Well I have hear dmay times about these bullet proof five speed autos. Also about the high prefromance ECU Chips. So whats the real deal here?

[ModMech]

The CVPI have a FOUR SPEED auto, and have since the mid '80s, NO optional transmission is available. The current cars ALL use production 4R70W transmissions, the same trans since 1995.

There are NO "chips" installed in the EEC. There are a very few departments that use some form of "chip", but NONE are factory. All factory EECs are programmed basically the same. The only real difference between a CVPI EEC and a civilian one is that the CVPI idles faster, does not have "PATS", and is programmed to allow exteneded idle periods w/o ruining the catalysts. Now, the CVPI has a higher top speed than many other Crown Vic models, but it is also LOWER than some other panther models (Marauder and CV Sport).