94 Crown Vic mod options + starting troubles?

[fordfan4life]

Posted this over at the vic forum with no response, thought I'd try over here...

Ok guys, I have a 94 vic with 152K miles. Currently, comparing to a newer vic in better condition, I don't think mine makes much horsepower (probably a bit less than it did stock), the transmission is steadily failing, not to mention it needs a new paintjob (badly!). I'm really attached to this car, though, and have always had plans of doing a complete restoration when I had the necessary fundage (the only thing I've done to it so far was replace the exhaust [cat-back] with custom duals and flowmasters). Still don't know when I'm gonna be able to do anything else to it, but I wanted to hear from ya'll about what my options are (within reason).

I want to make approximately 275-350 HP... can this be done easily with the first gen 4.6 engine? I have read I would need to use PI heads, intake, cams... I take it all this stuff would require computer modifications to operate properly?

Secondly, I imagine if I replace the heads, there would be no more burning of oil. Does anyone know what causes the valve stem seals to go bad on these cars? I heard it could be the EGR channels getting clogged, but that's a PITA job to keep those passages clean often, so replacing the intake would probably be a must (if indeed this is what's causing the seals to dry-rot).

Lastly, the car has issues with starting; when it's cold (has been sitting for at least 12 hours) and I go to start it up, it cranks for about double the time it would normally. When the engine finally catches, it idles too low and misses considerably (sometimes to the point of completely dying). Pushing on the gas doesn't help; then the engine just dies. Most of the time, though, if I let it get through it's issues, after about 10 to 15 seconds, it finally gets into it's groove and revs waaaaay up, then back down to idle. If the engine does indeed die during this whole ordeal, it will start up just fine right after, with no spitting or sputtering.
Other Observances:
-turning the key to "ON" before cranking, to let the fuel pump build up pressure, has no effect
-sometimes, on VERY cold mornings, it starts fine.

Any ideas?

[slash09]

Anything you do to make that horsepower is gonna require a chip or computer. As for heads and intakes, the PI's are better and will raise compression almost a point with the older pistons(they used pistons with a larger dish to keep compression down when they switched to the PI's) Also you can use a bullit or svo, which are the best flowing heads. The oil burning could be from blow-by too, and you would want to rebuild the bottom end anyways. Lastly if you use REALY thick oil it can have start-up problems like that, but it sounds like your idle air control valve(that little cylinder with the black cap next to the throttle body) or it could be pump pessure or injectors.

[92mercmadman]

im making just around that much horsepower that you want look at my signiture itll tell ya what i had to do, but it doesnt say the internals of the motor, and that it cost me about 5000 dollars.4 lunati cams, interceptor motor, gt40p heads, ported & polished, bored .020 over, throttle body spacer, full intake, custom headers and downpipes, straight pipes no cats, 2 Flowmaster Chambered mufflers, shift kit. plus the driveshaft and rear end help. and i still get about 19-20 mpg on the highway.

plans to come are B&M Hammer Shifter with custom longer shifter(so i can reach it without kissing the floor) and possible supercharger down the road.



message me for more questions.

heres the front end hidden fogs and blue LEDs in headlights that strobe or stay steady.

[92mercmadman]

oh and the idle issue could be the idle air control valve(IAC) i had the same issue with mine.

-cheers

[noitall]

go to fordracing.com and they have a 300hp 05-07 mustang motor--use your wiring etc--the motor is an air pump so it doesn't know what electronics you are using. And it will probably cure most of your problems--same basic block as yours so trans,flywheel,convertor should hook-up--otherwise rebuild yours and slap on pi heads and intake and Mustang GT cams--and a set of 3:73 gears in the rear