Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: xjeffs on July 08, 2010, 10:28:54 PM

Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on July 08, 2010, 10:28:54 PM
I had one of these a while back and couldn't choke down the payments so I sold it.  Found another low mile one at a much better price and am going to pick her up in a couple weeks.  Deposits paid, tickets bought, etc.

1997 Mark VIII LSC.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 08, 2010, 11:22:16 PM
Purdy:D

How many miles are on it?
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Scott D on July 08, 2010, 11:46:01 PM
Nice looking ride. Congrats, man!
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on July 09, 2010, 12:19:19 AM
61k old man miles in Arkansas. 

I was considering a Marauder, then it occurred to me that a Mark VIII weighs 400 lbs less with an identical engine and trans and costs half as much.  It also has an IRS with 3.27 (vs 3.55 solid) but no Trac Loc.  I like the idea of a 3650 trans some day.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on September 07, 2010, 10:07:51 PM
Just took some of my first pics of the Mark.  I've bought the parts to do the Mustang hub swap and am going to put white Mustang Bullitt wheels on it.  I'm really enjoying driving it.  It's actually longer than my minivan.

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs411.snc4/47447_426526614789_787104789_5065841_1924519_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs431.snc4/47447_426526624789_787104789_5065843_5775232_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs431.snc4/47447_426526619789_787104789_5065842_1689766_n.jpg)
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Scott D on September 08, 2010, 04:13:36 AM
the wheels are similar to Steve's red '96 t-bird ...and how mine were for all of 12 hours :rollin:
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: ProTouring442 on September 08, 2010, 05:30:20 AM
Nice looking ride!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Thunder Chicken on September 08, 2010, 06:29:05 AM
Nice Mark. I've always loved those cars, even though they're an even heavier version of the MN12. Can't believe they only weigh 400 pounds less than the much larger, full frame Marauder...
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: irv on September 08, 2010, 07:23:42 AM
another MN-12 person! the power and comfort wins you
over.nice ride.--irv
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: bhazard on September 08, 2010, 08:15:36 AM
Your front wheels need swapped around.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on September 08, 2010, 09:30:10 AM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;334991
Nice Mark. I've always loved those cars, even though they're an even heavier version of the MN12. Can't believe they only weigh 400 pounds less than the much larger, full frame Marauder...


Really? So you would’ve guessed the Marauder is more than 4200 lbs or the Mark VIII was less than 3750?  I was surprised it was so much.  And it’s only 100lbs more than the V8 MN12 Tbird with 30% more power.  It’s close to the best power to weight ratio of any RWD Ford car in the last 30 years that’s not a Mustang.

Quote from: bhazard;334997
Your front wheels need swapped around.


Yeah, I didn't feel like swapping them if I was just going to change them out.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Bob on September 08, 2010, 09:51:32 AM
Nice mark,  some advice for you since I had one of these little over a year.  As soon as you have air ride problems don't put any money into the air just buy the spring conversion.  Nothing like coming outside to goto work and see the front end either 2 feet in the air or slammed completely to the ground.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: bhazard on September 08, 2010, 09:55:46 AM
+1 the coil conversions work nice. Get the one thats lowered an inch or two.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: 88CougarGT on September 08, 2010, 10:05:25 AM
I'm totally jealous.  I need to sell my Jetta and get a nice black LSC.
Congrats...
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on September 08, 2010, 05:08:35 PM
Quote from: bhazard;335007
+1 the coil conversions work nice. Get the one thats lowered an inch or two.


Those are good tips.  Is that lowered from the 60mph height or the under 60mph height.

Do the coil overs eliminate the strut bar?  I was kind of planning this when it happened.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Thunder Chicken on September 08, 2010, 08:35:54 PM
Quote from: xjeffs;335003
Really? So you would’ve guessed the Marauder is more than 4200 lbs or the Mark VIII was less than 3750?  I was surprised it was so much.  And it’s only 100lbs more than the V8 MN12 Tbird with 30% more power.  It’s close to the best power to weight ratio of any RWD Ford car in the last 30 years that’s not a Mustang.

Actually, I'm surprised the Marauder only weighs 4200. I woulda thought 4500+...
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: sarjxxx on September 08, 2010, 09:07:29 PM
Suuhhweeet. That thing looks cleeeeeaann. I think I just found my new desktop wallpaer:D I would love to trade my bird for one like yours

Quote from: irv;334995
another MN-12 person! the power and comfort wins you
over.nice ride.--irv

:rollin:Don't know about power,(least not in mine) but comfort, yes!
Quote from: Scott D;334988
the wheels are similar to Steve's red '96 t-bird ...and how mine were for all of 12 hours :rollin:
No, 4-wheel discs, mine are pretty dirty too!
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: sarjxxx on September 08, 2010, 09:08:30 PM
Quote from: irv;334995
another MN-12 person! the power and comfort wins you
over.nice ride.--irv

:rollin:Don't know about power,(least not in mine) but comfort, yes!
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 09, 2010, 11:00:36 AM
Depending on who's test you read, Marauders were listed as weighing 4150-4200Lbs... I believe Ford's official weight is 4195...

No matter, mine with the supercharger will hand my Bird it's ass every day and twice on Sundays...
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: sarjxxx on September 09, 2010, 05:04:21 PM
Well it all depends on what each car came equipped with... although I think they both only came with the EVERYTHING option...

I would like to know how they made the Lincoln so light when the 'bird is in the 4700 range...
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;335098
Depending on who's test you read, Marauders were listed as weighing 4150-4200Lbs... I believe Ford's official weight is 4195...

No matter, mine with the supercharger will hand my Bird it's ass every day and twice on Sundays...
Idk about your bird, but my door tag says the cougar weighs 4323lbs so if yours is similar, I would expect 100+ horsepower and ~150 pounds less to kick its ass:rollin:
:burnout:
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Thunder Chicken on September 09, 2010, 07:06:58 PM
If your Cougar weighs 4323 pounds you've got about a half ton of lead hidden in there somewhere...

Your door tag does not show the vehicle's weight, iti shows the gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR). The GWVR is the maximum weight of the vehicle, cargo, and all passengers combined. It is not the weight of the car.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Bob on September 09, 2010, 08:11:20 PM
I thought the weight equaled GWVR - 720 ( which is 4 passengers @ 180lb)
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 09, 2010, 08:47:31 PM
My Bird weighed 3760 with me(200 LB), mini spare, small tool bag and 3/4 tank of gas... Take me out of the car and the approx 40-60 odd lbs and it weighs right around 3500... This was on the scales NHRA used at Virginia Motor Sports Park, no doubt they were correct...

EDIT

GVWR on the Bird is 4448Lbs but of course that was with the half motor...

The Marauder GVWR is 5240 and is stated that includes 1100Lbs of passengers and luggage...
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: sarjxxx on September 09, 2010, 09:55:52 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;335128
If your Cougar weighs 4323 pounds you've got about a half ton of lead hidden in there somewhere...

Your door tag does not show the vehicle's weight, iti shows the gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR). The GWVR is the maximum weight of the vehicle, cargo, and all passengers combined. It is not the weight of the car.

ohhhhhhh....

:dunce:
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on September 09, 2010, 10:41:42 PM
Curb Weight is how much the car weighs
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: irv on September 10, 2010, 08:40:03 AM
always one upping me. i get a newer cougar and you have
to get a loaded mark 8 that oozes cool. how is the swap
coming with the XR7?--irv
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on September 10, 2010, 05:32:13 PM
Well there's mutual envy, Irv.  I should have an update on the XR7 shortly.  3v Engine and T56 trans are sitting next to the car ready for a test fit.  Could be this weekend or I could be helping on a friend's car.  Last weekend it was a leaky roof.
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on October 08, 2010, 10:32:16 PM
Just got my new rims.  I have to swap out to the Mustang hubs and re-drill the rotors to get them on.

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs789.snc4/66939_438079644789_787104789_5298243_6754357_n.jpg)
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: Bob on October 09, 2010, 12:08:46 AM
That's a clean mark.. Looks good
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: xjeffs on November 02, 2010, 11:55:26 PM
Just updating the thread with pics with the new Mustang rims.  I had to swap the hubs to Mustang hubs and redrill the rotors.

It gets lots of looks around town.

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs484.ash2/75780_447579379789_787104789_5462960_3779893_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs444.ash2/71720_447579414789_787104789_5462962_8379696_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs807.snc4/68754_447579449789_787104789_5462964_2081604_n.jpg)
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 03, 2010, 12:01:51 AM
Ooo purdy
Title: Got a new DD - 97 Mark VIII
Post by: RunninWild on November 03, 2010, 04:54:30 PM
Quote from: xjeffs;335205
Well there's mutual envy, Irv.  I should have an update on the XR7 shortly.  3v Engine and T56 trans are sitting next to the car ready for a test fit.  Could be this weekend or I could be helping on a friend's car.  Last weekend it was a leaky roof.


You should start a thread about that when it's done.


You mark looks sick!!