New LS8 owner here...

PayUpSuka

PayUpSuka

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Hello all! Name's mike. I just picked up a '03 LS8 the other night to be my sporty daily. :) I do have a few questions about it though. I did do some reading using the tech/search button before I decided to post a new thread.

I was wondering what I should do to it, it has right around 103k on it. I have NO idea on the previous maintenance (if any). I do want to do a oil change, plug change, air filter, check the coolant, maybe change the trans fluid depending on what it looks like. But i was wondering if there is anything LS specific I should look for. I was reading the V8's have the valve cover gasket problem, so when i'm in there looking at the plug's and COP's i'll take note if there is oil or not. Other then that, I don't know really anything to look for.

Currently though it does have a problem...

The car is like bucking/hesitating right around 50mph. It feels like the torque converter is locking/unlocking. If I take it out of 5th, it goes away. Although the check engine light came on tonight. So i'm hoping that the problem triggered the light. I'll go get it tested when I have a chance though.


I do have a few questions about the car though.

- Does it have a LSD? We got some snow down here and both wheel's where spinning... I'm curious if it was a option or not.

- Does it have HID's? I'm almost positive it does, because the light's "flick" on. The low beams are also much whiter then the fog's.

- Whats are options as modding go? Exhaust or intakes or anything. I saw SCT does offer tuning for us, that's cool. My mustang uses that currently.

- Are all V8's "Sport" editions? I was thinking they are, but wasn't sure.

- Where can I find the keyless entry code? I don't have the manual or anything for the car, just 1 key and remote. I did look in the truck area but didn't see anything with 5 digit's.

I'd appreciate any help. :)

-Mike
 
I can answer a few of these

- As far as modding goes, most people stick to new air intakes, tuners, and exhaust, although a few enterprising individuals have fashioned turbos and superchargers to work.

- You can tell if it has factory HIDs by looking at the headlight. If the low beams have a projector, then you have HIDs. But as far as i know the 03's didnt have this as an option

- Not all V8's are sport editions. If you have 17" wheels, non-chrome bumpers, and all leather steering wheel and shifter, you have the sport edition.
 
first of all no ls's have projectors,,,,hahahahhaha noob, anyway if they are hid there will be a warning high voltage sticker on top of the assembly if you pop the hood, your keyless entry code will have to be pulled at the dealer for about 25-40 bucks, your bucking issues sound like bad coils especially since the cel was thrown, to my knowledge there is no LSD unless you bought rays old car, yes there is intake options i currently have an k&n,
 
The 03 had HID as an option and will have a obvious high voltage warning sticker on top of the head lamp under the hood.

Key less touch pad code came with the owners manual on a credit card like card. If not you have to go to a dealer to read cost $$$...$75-$100.

No LSD - Traction control.

Exhaust on the 2nd gen is pretty efficient, doing a cat back mostly changes sound with maybe a 4hp gain at +/- $800.
 
Thanks guys. I just thought it had a LSD since both where spinning, but when turning you can feel the inside spinning faster. :rolleyes: It has the chrome wheels, so I don't know if it's the sport or not. Though has wood grain inside too, not full leather.

Yea, I have no manual. Had to download the PDF to see what options it does have lol. For being a spacious 4 door, it does move quite well.
 
I agree your 5th gear bucking sounds like coils. It feels like a trans problem, but its not. You are under high engine load conditions in top gear at that speed, shifting into fourth gives you more revs, and the engine load drops. I always feel my coils going bad in 5th gear. After a while you will notice it when you floor it. I replaced a few one at a time.... Do what I finally did-get 8 coils on ebay for about $200, and chang them all at the same time. I did the VC gaskets also because I have a 1st gen.
 
scjmc said:
I agree your 5th gear bucking sounds like coils. It feels like a trans problem, but its not. You are under high engine load conditions in top gear at that speed, shifting into fourth gives you more revs, and the engine load drops. I always feel my coils going bad in 5th gear. After a while you will notice it when you floor it. I replaced a few one at a time.... Do what I finally did-get 8 coils on ebay for about $200, and chang them all at the same time. I did the VC gaskets also because I have a 1st gen.
Click to expand...

Does ford still carry the coils? I'd like to get them, or atleast a very well made reproduction.
 
Word on the street is that the aftermarket coils are fine. Maxx is great though if you want OEM. Mention the forum if you call him.
 
I had a new engine put into my car back in august of '07 and the moment they installed it, it had the Valve cover gasket on. You should look up the reliability on Consumer Guide Reports and fix any problems your year might have. 103k miles? Jesus thats' 40k more than my LS....even with the newew engine....
 
That's an expensive Hobby...that's like the combined purchase of my Norinco AK47,H&K91, and my Robinson Arms XCR.......and that's a large amount of expendable money....
 
scjmc said:
Word on the street is that the aftermarket coils are fine. Maxx is great though if you want OEM. Mention the forum if you call him.
Click to expand...

Yea, I emailed him. I'd go aftermarket if they work good. :) Any links?
 
Check ebay at one point and time there was someone selling sets of 8 coils that a few guys from the forum bought. From what I know they all had good luck with them.
 
PayUpSuka said:
It has the chrome wheels, so I don't know if it's the sport or not. Though has wood grain inside too, not full leather.
Click to expand...

I have an '03 With wood grain, its called premium sport. Check your tire size. If you have 17" wheels its a sport.
 
All '03+ V8s have the sport suspension. Due to dealer whining Lincoln went from 4 arrays to 2. All '03-'05 V6s lack the sport suspension and all '03-'06 V8s have it. The Canadian market kept the 4 arrays, IIRC. Also, the V8 could be purchased with 16" wheels to allow for snow chains.
 
PayUpSuka said:
Hello all! Name's mike. I just picked up a '03 LS8 the other night to be my sporty daily. :) I do have a few questions about it though. I did do some reading using the tech/search button before I decided to post a new thread.

I was wondering what I should do to it, it has right around 103k on it. I have NO idea on the previous maintenance (if any). I do want to do a oil change, plug change, air filter, check the coolant, maybe change the trans fluid depending on what it looks like. But i was wondering if there is anything LS specific I should look for. I was reading the V8's have the valve cover gasket problem, so when i'm in there looking at the plug's and COP's i'll take note if there is oil or not. Other then that, I don't know really anything to look for.

Currently though it does have a problem...

The car is like bucking/hesitating right around 50mph. It feels like the torque converter is locking/unlocking. If I take it out of 5th, it goes away. Although the check engine light came on tonight. So i'm hoping that the problem triggered the light. I'll go get it tested when I have a chance though.


I do have a few questions about the car though.

- Does it have a LSD? We got some snow down here and both wheel's where spinning... I'm curious if it was a option or not.

- Does it have HID's? I'm almost positive it does, because the light's "flick" on. The low beams are also much whiter then the fog's.

- Whats are options as modding go? Exhaust or intakes or anything. I saw SCT does offer tuning for us, that's cool. My mustang uses that currently.

- Are all V8's "Sport" editions? I was thinking they are, but wasn't sure.

- Where can I find the keyless entry code? I don't have the manual or anything for the car, just 1 key and remote. I did look in the truck area but didn't see anything with 5 digit's.

I'd appreciate any help. :)

-Mike
Click to expand...

you seem to be getting coils problem witch really suck cuz they are covered upto 100k miles, if you want to do maintanance just do the 60k maintanance on it it has eaverything you need just in case the previus owner didnt do it.
all V8 are sport and you my friend have the ultimate sports package because you have the wood grain if you had the satin nickel interior then thats just the sports witch is the base model for the V8. For updates the exaust of the 2nd gen LS ( thats what you have if you didnt know) is preety much maxed even the peaple from magnaflow could not significantly improve it so they gave up on it. the keyless code u are going to have to go to the stealership and get it. It seems like you do have HID's on your LS you can easily tell if you stand infront of the car and turn it on when the lights come on they will be blue and gradually turn white while your fogs are still yellow, thats if you cant find the high voltage sticker under the hood. the LS can move do yourself a favor and go find some twisies and you will be impressed what a american car can do and save yourself some cash and go to ebay and get the coils thats if imf team ford does not have them lol... welcome to LVC
 
PayUpSuka said:
Hello all! Name's mike. I just picked up a '03 LS8 the other night to be my sporty daily. :) I do have a few questions about it though. I did do some reading using the tech/search button before I decided to post a new thread.

I was wondering what I should do to it, it has right around 103k on it. I have NO idea on the previous maintenance (if any). I do want to do a oil change, plug change, air filter, check the coolant, maybe change the trans fluid depending on what it looks like. But i was wondering if there is anything LS specific I should look for. I was reading the V8's have the valve cover gasket problem, so when i'm in there looking at the plug's and COP's i'll take note if there is oil or not. Other then that, I don't know really anything to look for.

Currently though it does have a problem...

The car is like bucking/hesitating right around 50mph. It feels like the torque converter is locking/unlocking. If I take it out of 5th, it goes away. Although the check engine light came on tonight. So i'm hoping that the problem triggered the light. I'll go get it tested when I have a chance though.


I do have a few questions about the car though.

- Does it have a LSD? We got some snow down here and both wheel's where spinning... I'm curious if it was a option or not.

- Does it have HID's? I'm almost positive it does, because the light's "flick" on. The low beams are also much whiter then the fog's.

- Whats are options as modding go? Exhaust or intakes or anything. I saw SCT does offer tuning for us, that's cool. My mustang uses that currently.

- Are all V8's "Sport" editions? I was thinking they are, but wasn't sure.

- Where can I find the keyless entry code? I don't have the manual or anything for the car, just 1 key and remote. I did look in the truck area but didn't see anything with 5 digit's.

I'd appreciate any help. :)

-Mike
Click to expand...


Haha...your screen name is what you'll be doing with that LS for sure.
 
gcwimmer said:
FYI: LS8 is a trade mark of Toyota for their Lexus.

Lincoln uses LS V8.
Click to expand...

You've busted two people for this recently. I think it is fine to use LS8 and LS6 on this forum. We all know what they are talking about. It is just forum jargon. Are you the Toyota Trade Mark police? Lighten up
 
rainjacks said:
You've busted two people for this recently. I think it is fine to use LS8 and LS6 on this forum. We all know what they are talking about. It is just forum jargon. Are you the Toyota Trade Mark police? Lighten up
Click to expand...

Coming from this form vigilante.

Just being informative. "Lighten up".
 
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