any suggestions for an 97 Grand Marquis???

[smokycuda17]

I have recently acquired an 97 Mercury Grand Marquis GS. My family has been buying the Grand Marquis' since 1996. We have had a 1996, 1998, 2001 and now we have a 2003. The first car I drove was a 1996 Grand Marquis, I love driving these cars!!!!

Like I said I have a 97 Grand Marquis but I can't seem to find any exterior mod-parts, interior mod-parts and suspension mod-parts. It only has 82,000 miles on her, however whoever had her in the first place was really rough on her. Any suggestions for these type of parts for my wanna-be Marauder???

Also, she is in kinda of rough shape, the engine is in excellent condition but the transmission is beginning to slip, suspension is really worn out, headlights need to be replaced and it needs to be painted. Should I try to save this baby or should I just wait until I can afford a newer Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria??

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance.

Chinny:help:

[Breadfan]

I would not flush the trans at this point, but I would drop the pan and do a fluid drain, new filter, and new fluid. This may help the slippage.

Suspension shouldn't be too hard to fix either, depends on where it's sloppy. Are the shocks gone? Steering loose? Might need some shocks, tie rods, balljoints, etc...

[RoyLPita]

I would have the front end checked out. You could do exhaust, gears, limited slip differential, a chip or tune, Vortech*, Procharger*, Powerdyne*, Paxton* or Allen Engine Development supercharger.


*Be the 1st to have this application made to possibly start a trend.

[wchain]

I'd start by making sure the car ran good 'as stock' i.e. doing maintenance items to get it up to snuff, then start doing mods, i.e. making suspension improvements such as monotube shocks, etc.

Performance would be next, such as a tune, MM Airbox/MAF combo etc.

Good luck

[smokycuda17]

to be more specific, when I am at a complete stop.....she purrs like a kitten, but when I start to press the pedal, the rpms go up and then she will kick into gear after a few seconds and then it seems like shes almost chugging or choking or something.

Do you still think that drain the tranny, changing the filter and putting in new fluid will solve this?? I was thinking of putting in a shift improver kit or getting the tranny rebuilt with a few modifications for better speed and acceleration, etc........good idea or a bad idea????

thanks Chinny

[Breadfan]

A drain, filter, and new fluid is a cheap way to see if that solves your problems. It's been known to solve many problems by getting most of the old burnt fluid off the clutches.

I had an old TH350 GM tranny in my first car, it started slipping really bad, on my way home I couldn't even outrun a slowly accelerating beat up '84 Dodge work truck.

Thought my trans had bit the big one. Did a fluid drain by dropping the pan, put on a new filter and pan gasket, and filled her up with new trans fluid.

The trans ran like a top for another 30,000 before I got rid of the car.

[KillJoy]

I have a a set of Stock MM Sway Bars (Front and Rear) sitting in my garage.

If they'll fit, just pay shipping, and they are yours. ;)

KillJoy

[RF Overlord]

Chinny, see this thread (http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB23&Number=1204329&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) from CVN...it sounds similar to your transmission issue...also, if you do decide to change the transmission fluid, be sure to use Mercon V, not DexronIII/Mercon. Ford has back-spec'd MV for all years for 4R70W.


Vortech*, Procharger*, Powerdyne*, Paxton* or Allen Engine Development supercharger.


*Be the 1st to have this application made to possibly start a trend.Brian, Dennis has already done a few Vortech Crown Vics...

[RoyLPita]

Chinny, see this thread (http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB23&Number=1204329&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) from CVN...it sounds similar to your transmission issue...also, if you do decide to change the transmission fluid, be sure to use Mercon V, not DexronIII/Mercon. Ford has back-spec'd MV for all years for 4R70W.

Brian, Dennis has already done a few Vortech Crown Vics...

I stand corrected. Thanx for the clarification.

[Drock96Marquis]

CVPI suspension parts are a direct fit, and offer considerable handling improvement.

I am running a CVPI 29.5mm up front, a Marauder 21mm in the back, both on poly bushings. An 03+ Front swaybar wont work on our cars. Also ADDCO makes direct replacement bars for our cars (92-02 panthers)

Also, CVPI shocks offer a good bang-for-the buck, I have CVPI shocks (the 2002 m/y variation) up front, and Edelbrock IAS monotubes in the rear (along with air-lift coil bags for a stiffer spring rate out back)

Overall the handling of the car improved dramitcally. No more wallowing over bumps, and body roll is near eliminated.

If your control arm bushings (front and rear) are shot, look into upgrading them with ENS polys as well, more info on those and much more at www.ADTR.net (http://www.ADTR.net)

Dual exhaust is a nice kick for little money, info at www.p71interceptor.com/dualexhaust (http://www.p71interceptor.com/dualexhaust)

A rear gear swap makes the car feel much quicker off the line, 3.27s or 3.55s are a nice choice. The stock 2.73s will just *eat* any performance mods you put into the car. Look for a 8.8" ring&pinion, trac-lok is nice as well, an FRPP 28spline/8.8" will be ore than suitbale for the power output of your car.

If your car is an HPP, you will already have 3.27s, dual exhaust, stiffer springs, and upsized f&r swaybars.

As far as interior/exterior, it is up to you. WHeels are a nice addition, and stereo components make the car more enjoyable to drive, so does a floor shifter :D. Check out my modification page for info on anything I have done (p/ns there as well) www.crownvic.net/drock96marquis/MERCmods.htm (http://www.crownvic.net/drock96marquis/MERCmods.htm)

BTW, http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/welcome..gif back to the panther community :)

[smokycuda17]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info, I really do appreciate it. I have a few more questions to ask if anyone is willing to answer for me.

Does anyone know for a fact that I can use a 03-04 MM floor shifter in my 97 GM???

Has anyone done an auto to manuel tanny swap in a 97 GM or CV????

Does anyone know where/how I can get the fancy clear headlight lenses??? and is it possible for me to add the turn signal spot light to my 97 GM??? (the light that turns on when you put the turn signal on, I know its available for 00+ CV and GM, but I got a 97 GM)

Anyone know the legal limit that I can tint my windows in Massachusetts and can I also tint my windshield???

Thanks in advance, this is an awesome site, I've met really nice and curtious people here.

Chinny

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Like I said I have a 97 Grand Marquis but I can't seem to find any exterior mod-parts, interior mod-parts and suspension mod-parts. It only has 82,000 miles on her, however whoever had her in the first place was really rough on her. Any suggestions for these type of parts for my wanna-be Marauder???

Also, she is in kinda of rough shape, the engine is in excellent condition but the transmission is beginning to slip, suspension is really worn out, headlights need to be replaced and it needs to be painted. Should I try to save this baby or should I just wait until I can afford a newer Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria??

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance.

Chinny:help:

If you can wait and save up the money, just get a 2001+. They have the PI intake and the 2003+ has the suspension updates.

There won't be many exterior mods available except for the OEM spoiler. I believe the pre-98's has a different contour to the trunk lid. ADTR.net has some nice HID/projection headlights for the 98+ Crown Vic. You can probably get some hood and trunk lid liners from a couple of Marauder vendors.

There are some mods available for the 1997 but there are more when it's a more recent model. Vendors are also more likely to make something for a newer model than an older one too.

[RF Overlord]

Specs for window tinting in MA:

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.

All other windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.


Where in MA are you? I'm down on the Cape...

[mrjones]

[QUOTE=smokycuda17] My family has been buying the Grand Marquis' since 1996. We have had a 1996, 1998, 2001 and now we have a 2003.

Reminds me of something I read, I think in Automotive News, a while back. It said that the Grand Marquis was the model name with the most owner loyalty of ANY nameplate. A GM was more likely to be replaced with another GM than any other vehicle made, period.

[smokycuda17]

OverLord,

Im in Norfolk County, near Bellingham, Norfolk, Franklin, Walpole etc. etc. If you look at a map of MA, Im in the arm-pit of Massachusetts......lol

Regards,

Chinny

[Drock96Marquis]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info, I really do appreciate it. I have a few more questions to ask if anyone is willing to answer for me.

Does anyone know for a fact that I can use a 03-04 MM floor shifter in my 97 GM???

Has anyone done an auto to manuel tanny swap in a 97 GM or CV????

Does anyone know where/how I can get the fancy clear headlight lenses??? and is it possible for me to add the turn signal spot light to my 97 GM??? (the light that turns on when you put the turn signal on, I know its available for 00+ CV and GM, but I got a 97 GM)

Anyone know the legal limit that I can tint my windows in Massachusetts and can I also tint my windshield???

Thanks in advance, this is an awesome site, I've met really nice and curtious people here.

Chinny

Yes you can use the floor shifter, get the console and the gold-tone mounting plate as well to mkae it an easy(er) install.

Clear headlamps? THey have a/m relplacemnets on eBay, OEM are better though.

No tranny swaps I have heard of in a 97, but if you look around the High-perf forum on www.crownvic.net you will see examples from other years, which would be almost exactly the same for all 96+

You can add the cornering light, pick up a LH and RH sidemarker w/ corner lmap and the cornering lamp equipped sidemarker harness for each side. I had the cornering lamps for a few months, but IMO actually preferred the look of the lamp-less.

[jimlam56]

[quote=smokycuda17] My family has been buying the Grand Marquis' since 1996. We have had a 1996, 1998, 2001 and now we have a 2003.

Reminds me of something I read, I think in Automotive News, a while back. It said that the Grand Marquis was the model name with the most owner loyalty of ANY nameplate. A GM was more likely to be replaced with another GM than any other vehicle made, period.

That sure is true here in Florida!
You can always find some low mileage GMs scanning through the classifieds.
That's where to look, because sometimes the sellers, may be older and aren't familiar with computers, and only advertise locally.

[MM03MOK]

OverLord,

Im in Norfolk County, near Bellingham, Norfolk, Franklin, Walpole etc. etc. If you look at a map of MA, Im in the arm-pit of Massachusetts......lol

Regards,

ChinnyCooper, a member here and on CVN, lives in Franklin and has two very nice CVs. :welcome: