BUYING A CROWN VIC

ok so next month i think i may buy a crown vic cause they seem pretty cheep on price but is there any way to make them faster and are there problems that go wrong with the crown vics?  

The best engines are the '99-and-up P.I. mills (excluding, of course, the 2003-2004 Marauder).  The best chassis are the 2003-and-up models.

Any of them can be made to run with common SBF/modular techniques.(Although the 1980s SBF models didn't have valve notches in the pistons for big cams and the pre-'99 modulars have small-port heads).

Panthers like power-adders just as much as Mustangs.

The major problem stuff is: (a) electrical on the older 1980s CVs; (b) transmission on the older AOD-equipped CVs (the later electronic-controlled transmissions seem to hold up better, and all of them can be built to the 1000 h.p. level); (c) composite intake manifold leaking on the early mod-motor CVs (most should have been recalled or fixed by now); (d) switch gear that wears out on high-mileage models; (e) oil leaks on the pre-modular SBFs.  And worry-warts like Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety would also point out that occasionally a Police Interceptor has ruptured its fuel tank when rammed in the back by a drunk/perp at 70 m.p.h. (Not really much of a risk unless you're running a radar trap on the side of the interstate)

The fact that nearly every taxi company in the U.S. has a fleet of CVs ought to prove that they're plenty tough.   Where else are you going to find a full-frame RWD V8, a massive trunk that will easly hold a pair of mounted slicks or a week's worth of luggage, and a sturdy 8.8 inch rear end, at that price point?  
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460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
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October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
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"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

DO IT!! You are correct, these cars can be had for cheap and parts are plentiful, they also get pretty good mileage for the boats that they are. Check out crownvic.net, you'll find a lot of info. on there, there is a few people on there that have gotten these cars to run in the 13s, which isn't bad considering they're achieving that with 281 cubic inches and about 3,900 lbs.  

Hey,

As an enthusiast I would avoid the first several years for the bubble body (92-94).  The AODE has a really tall first gear which is just awkward (@WOT 2nd comes in at 62mph).  Later years got the 4R70W.  Early years also had unique front suspension.  This is my experience with a 92.  On the bright side Johnny Law definitely gives you the benefit of the doubt.  Good luck.

~sam  

". . . they also get pretty good mileage for the boats that they are."

They're not really much more of a "boat" than a lot of '60s muscle cars.  The standard models (not the long-wheel-base taxi) have a 114.7 inch wheelbase and are 212 inches long.  In comparison:

--a 1967 GTO had a 115-inch wheelbase and is 206 inches long.  
--The "Duke Boys" Dodge Charger (1969 model) had a 117-inch wheelbase and was 208 inches long (excluding the front push bar).  
--A 1965 Pontiac 2+2 had a 121-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 214.6 inches.
--A Plymouth Superbird is a whopping 221 inches long.

"there is a few people on there that have gotten these cars to run in the 13s. . . "

Actually, there are some who have gotten Marauder models of the "Panther" into the 10s (in the quarter, not the eighth)!

And there are a lot of Marauders in the elevens . . . .

Here's a CV in the mid-low Elevens!

And another in the twelves! (With little more than a 100-shot on a stock PI-type lump)  
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460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
-------
October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
-------
"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

I think the boat comment may be referring to the weight issue.  Hot Rods/muscle cars were originally small cars with big motors because this produced a lot better power/weight ratio.  A 67 Camaro was under 3000 lbs.  Even the lightest panther body Vics were 800lbs heavier.  I know that Camaros have generally gotten heavier.  Part of this is the general public demanding amenities.  Part of it is safety equipment.  I don't agree with any of it.

Where weight is concerned...

Less is more more.  

Maybe so. But then the current OZ "Camaro" would be a "boat" in comparision to a first generation F-body. And certainly that middle-aged flab gain is because of increased content, both market-driven and government-dictated.

Of course when I read or hear "boat," (usually launched as a term of derision) I think of something like described in the B-52s "Love Shack:

"Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sail!"  

On the other hand, there were plenty of two-ton muscle cars sold back in the day.  And compared to the "happy, smiley, shiny" government-dictated green micro-cars that are on the horizon, nearly everything in CC is a "boat."

And there's nothing wrong with a "boat" if the power-to-weight ratio is favorable.  
--------------------------------
460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
-------
October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
-------
"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

i have a 98 crown vic dark blue with baby blue flames 22" rims.and it has cost me a lot of money.i have problems with it and no machnic can figue out the problem.when i first got it, it ran fine.i bought it with 90 thousand miles on it,paid 6 grand for it  

I love my 04 CVLX sport...
 

Nice sport! If I can ever find an affordable Marauder, the sport is definitely my next choice, I'll always love my CVPI though.  

So, consider that the 2010 Camaro SS has a curb weight of 3900+ lbs (http://www.qualitychevy.com/2010-Camaro-Specifications.html)(not to be confused with the 200 lbs lighter LT) and this quote from Car Craft May 2009, page 96:

"An '03 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor tipped our Longacre scales at 3983 pounds."

and this quote from the same issue page 31:

"Another engine that is virtually free in the junkyard is the 4.6L two-valve. This is proving to be the budget oriented swap for guys who want a big, modern engine in their Mustangs and Cougars and don't care to make more that 400 to 500 hp."

If I had 450 hp in my Crown Vic, wouldn't that be a better power to weight ratio than the new Camaro SS? When is some magazine going to do a junkyard build-up of a 4.6L 2-valve to 450 hp?  

get ready to spend some coin. better off doing a 5.4  swap and adding some boost. only way to make a 2v breath is to cram it down her throat.  

Richard Holdener dynoed a twin-turbo 2V 4.6 at 1000 h.p.  It was in MM&FF or 5.0. last month.

The specs weren't all that wild either . . . ported heads, mild Comp cams, stock style short block with a stroker crank.  Around 480 horsepower on the motor before hitting it with 20 psi of boost. The only wrinkle was fairly high compression for a forced induction mill (you'd probably need a little methanol injection on the street).

Now an engine like that in a cop-style CV . . . . "Here Camaro . . . Here Camaro"  KAPOW! The heartbreak of America.  
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460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
-------
October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
-------
"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

I would buy one again.

My 2001 is great. The only problem I had was three months after I bought it with 26,000 miles ( it was still under warranty).  The differential had to be replaced.
Wow, was i glad it was covered. (I had a mechanic inspect it but he did not find this - i will never see him again either.)