Pump Up Hp

[96GRANDMARQ]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum. I currently own a '96 Merc Grand Marq, with a TFM4.6V8GFEL SOHC engine. I've owned the car a year now, and love it, but want to do my usual upgrades to the engine. I'm curious if anyone has had luck using mustang 4.6L upgrades on the MGM.

Specifically looking to updgrade to Shorty headers, X-Pipe, & dual exhaust. Change stock 2.73 gear ratio to 3.73. Reprogram ECU, pulleys, and throw in a good cam. Has anyone out there done this already? Any luck? Greatest gains?

I appreciate any help in trying to hunt down performance upgrade parts. I want to pull up to the light and roast both tires and leave a nice set of skid marks, current setup won't allow that. Also if anyone has seen some body kits that are available I would appreciate finding some. No luck on google yet, except for how awesome they made that crown vic look in the movie Taxi.

Thanks for the help,

GMAN

[Fuely]

You would be suprised how much just changing to 3.73 will make on the performance of this car. I dont own a CV, but know someone who did this to theirs. Pretty quick.

[96GRANDMARQ]

Thanks, I appreciate the response. I have been doing my research and what you stated seems to be the concensus. I guess 3.73 with a Mustang GT differential really awakens this hidden beast.

I did some research today and determined that the other best upgrade is a set of headers, with X-PIPE and Dynomax SuperTurbo Muffler. Anyone know if the Shorty Headers are required because of a clearance issue? If my calcualations are correct I should be able to gain anywhere from 40-60 HP with the setup described above. Anyone had experience implmenting this?

Bound and determined to make this a sweet ride, the granny sleeper. Looking forward to a new exhaust, and my new Polygraphite front suspension kit is enroute via FED EX.

Stay tuned as I attempt to transform this car into a 10 second car.

[BiggerJon]

a 10 second vic will be kinda tough. but hey, that is half the fun of modding.

go to this sight if you wanna go to heaven.

http://adtr.net/

[BiggerJon]

make sure you get a limited slip rear in there as well.

the fomoco diff tag will say 3L73.

[96GRANDMARQ]

Thanks for the tips. This past weekend the Merc got it's well deserved front end. PST Performance (Polygraphite) Front end kit; one heck of a job for the weekend warrior, but totally worth the price. $399.99 for the kit; 16 hours of labor (including the machining; unless you want to pay to have this done), $70 for an alignment. Original estimated quote for the job ($1500 parts & labor).

Though I've only driven the car now for 36K miles since my date of purchase (6/05), this upgrade is amazing. The ride, the cornering, and speed bumps feel like you are running over a pencil at 25mph.

Next upgrades:

(2 weeks) KN Cone Air Filter; Custom Cold Air Intake

(4 weeks) Either Pace Setter or Summit Racing short headers, straight back exhaust to Dynomax SuperTurbo mufflers. (FYI: I'm eliminating the X-PIPE factor.) This should help the beast breath a little better, and give it that mean voice that the grandpa version of this car doesn't have.

(6 weeks) Mustang GT differential (Possi trac) and 3.73 ring and pin.

I am going to have an HP test done on the car before applying the above upgrades. Sorry I didn't get a chance to take any photo's of the last upgrade; promise to the forum "All future upgrades will include step-by-step removal and installation."

Anyone had luck with those Superchips for this car? Any noticeable performance gains?