Finally registered! 2001 LS V8 on 20's. Thanks for all i've learned from the forums!

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chlowe11

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What's up LS lovers? I've owned my LS almost a year now and have used this website to same me more money than any other! The help and maintenance knowledge in this forum is phenomenal and I find myself browsing the forums just looking for new information.


About my LS....

She's a 2001 LS V8 with 135k. How her previous owners maintained her has been the biggest issue for me in my first year of ownership. When I got her, first thing I did was change the COP's opted for cheap-o's because I usually trade a lot and didn't really plan on owning the car very long. Within the last month I have put new outer tie rods on the front, torque rods in the back, replaced COP's and plugs again (got about 6k miles outta the last set, i think ive got an idle air valve needing cleaned) because the misfires came back, installed 8000k HID low beams, just ordered purple/white fog lights to really set those HIDs off, Kicker CS 6x8's in the front doors, Pioneer 6x8's in the rear doors, 12in sub in the trunk, pioneer bluetooth double din deck (no screen/dvd... i've got a smart phone, who needs all that anyway? lol)... Got the mirror replaced where it's missing in the pics, some kids playing basketball knocked it off. And got all 4 center caps for the wheels, just gotta get a broke center cap outta the last one to get it on.


My next big purchase will be the K and N intake setup I have seen so many raving reviews about on here, but all that has set me back quite a bit lol... I am gonna get some AMSOIL power foam this week to run through the intake, any tips around that specific to the LS?


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No K&N intake for the Gen 1's. El Cheapo coils don't last and they kill the spark plug.

Welcome......
 
Rojasnyc said:
My Gen1 has the K&N intake..but you're right cheap coils is the wrong move..lol.
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A K&N filter is different than having an entire intake including the tube...which is what is being referred to here. K&N made an intake kit with the filter, heatshield, and intake tube for the 2nd gen LS (03-06)....actually made for the retro Thunderbird but fits the LS. K&N never made an intake kit for the 1st gen LS (00-02)...just a replacement filter.
 
hite337 said:
a k&n filter is different than having an entire intake including the tube...which is what is being referred to here. K&n made an intake kit with the filter, heatshield, and intake tube for the 2nd gen ls (03-06)....actually made for the retro thunderbird but fits the ls. K&n never made an intake kit for the 1st gen ls (00-02)...just a replacement filter.
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Exactly!!!!!!!!!
 
Nice clean first GEN and welcome.
 
Well, thanks for the warm welcome? My fault on one the filter set up, kinda sucks to learn honestly. She's paid for, and I don't have much in it cash wise. Did some trading with an expedition I had got a great deal on and cleaned up. So I made a noob mistake, I've seen worse on here and know you have too... Lol. But back to my question, that I actually searched an answer for but didn't find a sufficient answer in the LS forum. Anyone ever used it seafoam or amsoil power foam on their car? What's your process for doing so? Id love to try to clear the cat out. From what I've learned cats aren't usually at fault for the buildup of carbon. Something else causes it to fill up or not function properly, right? Please correct me if I'm wrong and point me in the right direction. Even with new plugs and coils it still has a little miss when it idles and I'd realllllly like to try and fix it.

I'm just outta college, and don't want to finance a newer car, and really love this one. It's a gorgeous car that I've always had an eye for on the road. I'd love to drive this thing for another 2-4 years so any advice is appreciated. I am about to order a code reader, I do know that's my next step. This is the first car I've ever had to really dive into maintenance wise, nor really wanted to. I've got a lot of learning to do.
 
chlowe11 said:
Well, thanks for the warm welcome? My fault on one the filter set up, kinda sucks to learn honestly. She's paid for, and I don't have much in it cash wise. Did some trading with an expedition I had got a great deal on and cleaned up. So I made a noob mistake, I've seen worse on here and know you have too... Lol. But back to my question, that I actually searched an answer for but didn't find a sufficient answer in the LS forum. Anyone ever used it seafoam or amsoil power foam on their car? What's your process for doing so? Id love to try to clear the cat out. From what I've learned cats aren't usually at fault for the buildup of carbon. Something else causes it to fill up or not function properly, right? Please correct me if I'm wrong and point me in the right direction. Even with new plugs and coils it still has a little miss when it idles and I'd realllllly like to try and fix it.

I'm just outta college, and don't want to finance a newer car, and really love this one. It's a gorgeous car that I've always had an eye for on the road. I'd love to drive this thing for another 2-4 years so any advice is appreciated. I am about to order a code reader, I do know that's my next step. This is the first car I've ever had to really dive into maintenance wise, nor really wanted to. I've got a lot of learning to do.
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I assume you're using a quality 91+ octane fuel... Motorcraft coils? What plugs? Plugs and coils together? The connectors seated securely on the coils?

The Welcome is sincere!!!!
 
Always run 91+ octane, opted for cheap coils again, but went with NGK BKR5EIX-11 Iridium IX spark plugs. When these go out I'll spring for the motorcraft coils, I'll actually just start ordering them one at time to spread the cost out over time and to already have them once they need changed again. But all 8 coils and all 8 plugs were replaced at the same time. I did read it's essentially pointless to change one and not the other. I didn't truly think there was that big of a difference in the coils. Connectors are seated securely, and other than idling at a light or drive thru I it runs great. I


I do appreciate the welcome! Thank you guys, I'm excited to learn about this car and see just how good I can get it running.
 
chlowe11 said:
Always run 91+ octane......
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But from which station? An independent or major like Chevron, Shell, 76, etc. That will make a difference. For now you can run a couple of bottles of Techron through the system.
 
LS4me said:
But from which station? An independent or major like Chevron, Shell, 76, etc. That will make a difference. For now you can run a couple of bottles of Techron through the system.
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Usually a major .. Shell or Thorntons most of the time.
 
welcome to lvc the motorcraft coils are the best in my old LS I started using the advance auto ones with a 30% discount just so I can have the 2 year warranty and so I can replace it. but if you can afford motorcraft then get them also make sure they are the latest build I think its dg252 I think
 
Welcome, I am sort of a lurker here too and haven't been able to really spend a lot of $ on my gal until recently. One of the things I was VERY worried about was when I read how driving with marginal coils takes out the cat quickly and sometimes even the PCM. hate to be the bringer of bad news but have you considered that your PMC was damaged by running the el cheapos? I was lucky and after I put it motorcraft cops and fine wire plugs she runs very hard with zero misses. I didn't have oil in the plug wells either, even though I was ready to replace the vcg's...
Bought this gen 1 because it already had a dealer rebuilt tranny 30k ago and the receipts to prove it. Hopefully you find the cause of your miss and are as lucky as I have been. One thing I have learned about this car is if I haven't been under the hood in a few weeks I had better save some coin cause I am going to need it soon.
 
zrxinch said:
Welcome, I am sort of a lurker here too and haven't been able to really spend a lot of $ on my gal until recently. One of the things I was VERY worried about was when I read how driving with marginal coils takes out the cat quickly and sometimes even the PCM. hate to be the bringer of bad news but have you considered that your PMC was damaged by running the el cheapos? I was lucky and after I put it motorcraft cops and fine wire plugs she runs very hard with zero misses. I didn't have oil in the plug wells either, even though I was ready to replace the vcg's...
Bought this gen 1 because it already had a dealer rebuilt tranny 30k ago and the receipts to prove it. Hopefully you find the cause of your miss and are as lucky as I have been. One thing I have learned about this car is if I haven't been under the hood in a few weeks I had better save some coin cause I am going to need it soon.
Click to expand...


What are the VCG's? sorry if this is a dumb question. I am currently working on getting either BWD or Motorcraft coils. Advance apparently no longer carries the motorcraft coils and from all ive read the BWDs are a close second best.


edit: valve cover gasket. gotcha...
 
chlowe11 said:
edit: valve cover gasket. gotcha...
Click to expand...

:cool:

not a dumb Q at all.

I would highly recommend pulling the coil covers and taking your COPs out and check for oil to see if you need valve cover gaskets so you can order them at the same time if necissary.
supposedly one of the most common causes of coil failure is the VCG leaking around the plug well causing excessive heating and eventual breakdown of the COP.
This was not the case with my coils..
Come to find out the PO(previous owner) of my LS had changed out the spark plugs and did not tighten them properly so I ended up getting blowby which caused my coils to fail.

I debated about the ACCELL vs Motorcraft replacement and ended up springing for the extra $ to get the Motorcraft, glad I did cause I didnt have to reverse polarity and my covers are all buttoned up instead of leaving them off, personal choice really.
I dont know much about the BWD, but I do know that I have yet to see many people on this forum complain about replacement motorcraft parts and theses LSs seem to be very finicky when it comes to electrical replacement parts. matter fact my cousin is a ford mechaninc and when I asked his advice proir to buying this LS he warned me that they have alot of electrical problems but once they are taken care of they usually run very well, so far his advice has rung true in my case.
 
Welcome to LVC! What size tires and wheels you running man? Looks sharp! Some wide tires and nice rims really makes the LS look good I think. Also welcome to the club of "owning a LS in college" lol!
 
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