1st Gen Build Thread

[blwnbyu]

Well, now that my car is pretty much done, I decided to make a build thread. If I find a good deal on an LSE Bumper, I might upgrade, but other than that, I'm done spending money on this car. My Cobra is calling my name

So, here she is.. From Start to Finish..

I thought I'd make a thread for my DD, another Ford Product, and the object that all of of my free money has gone to lately. Now that it is done, I can get back to work on the Cobra


Here it is how I bought it..

2002 Lincoln LS8 Ultimate
One owner. 40,000 Miles

Clean, but really plain.. The factory wheels are hideous...

The first thing I did was install a new Kenwood Excelon 9990HD DVD/Nav
This thing is AMAZING.. I also installed XM/Sirius, Steering Wheel Controls, Ipod Video Cable, USB, and Backup Camera

Then I got to work building a custom sub box.. I needed bass, but this is my DD, and I travel, so I need my trunkspace.. A regular box wasn't going to work. I've done fiberglass before, but never a negative mould.
This was my first.. and it turned out great..


The battery and fuses are under neath the trunk floor, so I made the box so the trunk floor could easily be removed, while the box remains in place..

Then I ordered some Focal Components and 4 Channel Amp. The Cobra has a RIDICULOUS SQ stereo system, but this one gives it a run for it's money with about 1/4 the power..

Beautiful Crossovers..

Then I ended up ordering a matching JL Amp for the Sub..

And found a nice location to mount the Gain Knob..

Then I ordered up some UMnitza Angel Eyes and DDM HID's

Time to put the headlights in the Oven.. eeeeek

I also removed the amber reflectors and installed amber bulbs instead..

Then I went on a long quest for wheels.. I had my heart set on Vossen CV3's.. They are amazing!! But the LS has a high offset, because, it's retarded.. And VOssen's won't work.


So.. I ended up Settling for Jaguar WHeels.. My choices were limited.. I hated the wheels in pics, and pics still don't do them justice, but they do look damn good on the car in person..


PHOTOSHOPPED VOSSEN'S

My new Wheels

Front wide II by MattWhidden, on Flickr

Front wide by MattWhidden, on Flickr

Snowy Sentas by MattWhidden, on Flickr

closer pearl by MattWhidden, on Flickr

Fender Flush by MattWhidden, on Flickr






After I got the wheels on, I decided I could lower it. So the next day I ordered Eibachs.

It seems like Most LS's that are lowered are lower in the rear.. The front fender has a higher wheel opening cut, so it's hard not to make it look like the rear is lower..

So to start out, I only installed the front springs, and i think I will leave it this way, at least until, I can have some spacers made to keept the back higher with the eibachs..


Here is the only pic I have lowered so far..

Settled Front's only by MattWhidden, on Flickr

straight on by MattWhidden, on Flickr



And Finally, the last thing I did was order some genuine Jag Centercaps.. ( My wheels didn't come with ones I liked)

caps by MattWhidden, on Flickr

 

[Ben's LS]

Looks fantastic! Glad you lowered her. How much did the Kenwood run you for?

Looks like a container of Animal on your countertop, what do you think of it?

 

[1LoudLS]

classy, for sure!

 

[blwnbyu]

Looks fantastic! Glad you lowered her. How much did the Kenwood run you for?

Looks like a container of Animal on your countertop, what do you think of it?

Lol.. that's random.. Been taking it for years. The pills are a meal in themselves. I usually split them up with some meals or get a bad stomach ache. Good Vitamins though.


I think I paid $1225 locally for the Kenwood, plus got a $100 Rebate.. At the time, that was cheaper than I could find it online, where it was backordered Nationally. I have a DVD player in all 3 of my cars, and always have. This one blows every Alpine I've ever owned out of the water. Cant' praise it enough.

It's alot more expensive than what most guys on here buy, but most of it's expense comes from the audio features.. If you have stock speakers, it is a waste, but it really brings these Focal Components to life.. I'm actually thinking about buying another for my Cobra. I don't want or need nav, but I really need a better HU/Processor, and don't want to run an external PEQ

 

[mark0101]

Car looks amazing in the snow pics. What camera are you using?

 

[blwnbyu]

Canon EOS 7D

 

[Ben's LS]

Lol.. that's random.. Been taking it for years. The pills are a meal in themselves. I usually split them up with some meals or get a bad stomach ache. Good Vitamins though.


I think I paid $1225 locally for the Kenwood, plus got a $100 Rebate.. At the time, that was cheaper than I could find it online, where it was backordered Nationally. I have a DVD player in all 3 of my cars, and always have. This one blows every Alpine I've ever owned out of the water. Cant' praise it enough.

It's alot more expensive than what most guys on here buy, but most of it's expense comes from the audio features.. If you have stock speakers, it is a waste, but it really brings these Focal Components to life.. I'm actually thinking about buying another for my Cobra. I don't want or need nav, but I really need a better HU/Processor, and don't want to run an external PEQ

If I actually had money I would buy one.

My buddy takes those. The one day I was there he swallowed everything in the packet at once with no water or anything lol

 

[Broseph]

What Focal components are you running and what's your impressions? I'm looking at the Tni for tweeters- hear pretty good things and the cost is well below the tn53 and tnk

I'm still looking figuring out a mid but damn focal can be expensive

 

[scjmc]

Very nice job with the car.

 

[manoli]

Nice work! Looks great man you have done more to your car than most people on here do in a year

Im getting eibachs by the end of the month and I think im only installing the front and well.

 

[blwnbyu]

What Focal components are you running and what's your impressions? I'm looking at the Tni for tweeters- hear pretty good things and the cost is well below the tn53 and tnk

I'm still looking figuring out a mid but damn focal can be expensive

I've always been a big audio nut, especially on the SQ side. This is my first time trying out Focal. A good friend of mine at the local Car Audio place sells them like hotcakes, so I thought I'd give them a try. I'm only running the entry level ones, and I'm most impressed by the midbass. They receive 75watts RMS, and I can feel the bass hitting next to my legs.. They will stay clean as loud as your ears can handle it, and the tweeters are very bright. As you can see, I opted to put them in the pillars for a better soundstage, and I usually just like my tweets up high anyway.. With the tweets in the pillars, I'm running the crossovers at -3db, just to tone them down a little. Everything else is adjusted in my Kenwood.

I had installed a huge Memphis Audio system in my roommates Silverado SS a few years ago, and after hearing my Focals, he ordered two sets for his truck as well.. Best $140/pr we've ever spent..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P80920/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

 

[blwnbyu]

Nice work! Looks great man you have done more to your car than most people on here do in a year

Im getting eibachs by the end of the month and I think im only installing the front and well.

Thank you.. I'm pretty much done. Just hoping nothing breaks now lol.

If you need any pics, I can send you some with just the fronts installed.

Alot of guys gave me **** when I only installed the front, but my wheelgaps are almost identical. The rear is usually only about 1/8" higher, which is nothing.

And I would much rather have the rear sit a tad higher, than have it look like it's dragging the ass end around

 

[Broseph]

I've always been a big audio nut, especially on the SQ side. This is my first time trying out Focal. A good friend of mine at the local Car Audio place sells them like hotcakes, so I thought I'd give them a try. I'm only running the entry level ones, and I'm most impressed by the midbass. They receive 75watts RMS, and I can feel the bass hitting next to my legs.. They will stay clean as loud as your ears can handle it, and the tweeters are very bright. As you can see, I opted to put them in the pillars for a better soundstage, and I usually just like my tweets up high anyway.. With the tweets in the pillars, I'm running the crossovers at -3db, just to tone them down a little. Everything else is adjusted in my Kenwood.

I had installed a huge Memphis Audio system in my roommates Silverado SS a few years ago, and after hearing my Focals, he ordered two sets for his truck as well.. Best $140/pr we've ever spent..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P80920/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

So far all I've heard is great things from focal. Even though the Ls' factory system is equal, if not better, than most equivalents at the time, I found the factory system lacking in the high range. So while I am planning to upgrade the bass and mid a little, I am really wanting to open the high ends for clarity without ridiculous screeching; hence looking into focals

 

[hite337]

Your LS has come along nicely. Well done! What are your plans for your Cobra?

 

[blwnbyu]

Your LS has come along nicely. Well done! What are your plans for your Cobra?

New True Forged Wheels to start with. 19x9, 19x11
I'm also looking to switch to IRS from an 03/04 Cobra.

My blower is pretty much maxed out at this point, so I'm thinking about going with a bigger blower and some meth.

Projector headlights

Paint the other rear bumper I have that says "cobra" instead of mustang.

 

[blwnbyu]

These wheels... Either Chrome, or with Dark Grey Centers.. Not sure, maybe both.

True Forged Victory's 028 copy by sleeper04sleeper, on Flickr

True Forged Victory's 034 copy by sleeper04sleeper, on Flickr

True Forged Victory's 036 copy by sleeper04sleeper, on Flickr

DSC_0187_edited by MattWhidden, on Flickr

DSC_0081_edited by MattWhidden, on Flickr




Dark Grey Centers.

True Forged High Performance rims by char1iej, on Flickr

 

[HyeLifeLS]

I likes!

 

[De-marko]

Very nice!

 

[chris2523]

I'm also looking to switch to IRS from an 03/04 Cobra.

nice. i'd like to see that. everyone i read about is going the other way. which is dumb, cuz a SRA is stupid. lol.

 

[blwnbyu]

nice. i'd like to see that. everyone i read about is going the other way. which is dumb, cuz a SRA is stupid. lol.

It can be made to handle very well, but all those guys drag race.. My car is set up for Corner Carving in every way, and with a bushing kit and IRS brace, you can't beat it.. I already have the side exhaust, which was bought because I was going to run a watts link, but haven't quite gotten that far. I do have a panhard bar setup, which I'll sell off. The IRS is around $1000 plus shipping.


On another note, I got the LS stuck today, while picking up my snow tires from storage.. OHHHHH the Irony..




Lastly, the transmission has really been bugging me lately.. Car runs great, but doesn't want to coast.. If you let off the gas, it really feels like something is dragging.. I was thinking about starting a thread about it, but it seems like you get crucified unless you search for days on end..

And then someone will just tell me it's the coils lol...

 

[1LoudLS]

well it is the coils...

jk

 

[hite337]

And then someone will just tell me it's the coils lol...

Its your degas bottle, not your coils....duh

 

[blwnbyu]

well it is the coils...

jk

Well... I just pulled the passenger side valve cover... The spark plugs holes were completely full of oil.. I don't have coils, but I do have new plugs and Valve Cover Gaskets.. I'll fix what I have and then order a set of coils lol.

I really do hope it's the coils. There is no reason I should have tranny issues at 45,000 babied miles.