Suggestions and corrections would be appreciated.

[For the love of the Mark]

Sorry for a some what long post.After thinking for a while about what I need/want to do with my 93 mark VIII I decided to make a list with prices attached to the jobs to give me some sort of heading in what I can actually do with the car on my budget.
I live in Orlando Fl. so any local prices would be great but not required. Most work would be done by myself with some help from family so rateing the difficulty of replacing these things would be nice.

Here is a list of things that I need to replace or may need to replace soon in my car.

Possible Head light solutions
Driving lights behind grill $50-100
(I belive someone did this on this board and heard they had good results.One question, Will I have to remove the whole bumper or could i just remove the cover in the engine bay?)

New regular head lights $250 each

HID replacement $1000+
(Don't really know these prices. I belive I would have to get the HID housings and balasts and an alternative kit to change what kind of light is used.)

Suspension
Shocks and mounts$ 40?
(From what I have heard T-Bird shocks are what I will replace them with)

Control arms $ ???
(I think these may be going soon)

Tie rods $???
(Uncle says these are bad)

Strut rod bushings $???
(Uncle says these are going bad and is the reason my car pulls to the right when I brake)

Transmission
J-mod and required components $ 150?
(Looking for a recent price on the items required.)

Engine
Full tune up
(sugestions on replacement parts are what I am looking for here)
Spark plugs $???
Wires $???
Anything else I will need. ???

Miscellaneous stuff

Fix sun roof
(Roof was said to have been working before I bought it but was not the case. Recently siliconed it shut as a quick fix because it was leaking. Could be simple as a fuse or as much as the motor or whole unit.)

Window tint

Replacement grill $300?


Intake $300
Chip $300
Wing $300
(Prices from Lincolnmotorsport.com)

As stated before prices and suggestions to fill in the blanks would be nice to point me in some sort of direction. Prices taken are from various posts and sites. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Iszi]

Sorry for a some what long post.After thinking for a while about what I need/want to do with my 93 mark VIII I decided to make a list with prices attached to the jobs to give me some sort of heading in what I can actually do with the car on my budget.
I live in Orlando Fl. so any local prices would be great but not required. Most work would be done by myself with some help from family so rateing the difficulty of replacing these things would be nice.

Here is a list of things that I need to replace or may need to replace soon in my car.

Possible Head light solutions
Driving lights behind grill $50-100
(I belive someone did this on this board and heard they had good results.One question, Will I have to remove the whole bumper or could i just remove the cover in the engine bay?)

New regular head lights $250 each

HID replacement $1000+
(Don't really know these prices. I belive I would have to get the HID housings and balasts and an alternative kit to change what kind of light is used.)

I've seen Gen 1 HID setups go for $800 and less, might want to look around if that's the option you'd rather explore.

Suspension
Shocks and mounts$ 40?
(From what I have heard T-Bird shocks are what I will replace them with)

For rear shocks/mounts, get the Monroe Sensa-Trac kit from American Air Suspension. $110 for a full set.

Control arms $ ???
(I think these may be going soon)

Uppers are about $80 a side, lowers around $120 a side. RockAuto.com

Tie rods $???
(Uncle says these are bad)

$20-30+ a pop, RockAuto.

Strut rod bushings $???
(Uncle says these are going bad and is the reason my car pulls to the right when I brake)

Kits are $20-40 at RockAuto

Transmission
J-mod and required components $ 150?
(Looking for a recent price on the items required.)

Haven't gotten to this myself, but someone had estimated around $60-$80 for me when I was looking. Might want to check up on that. Make sure you're getting the 1-2 accumulator piston upgrade while you're at it, and flush with Mercon V.

Engine
Full tune up
(sugestions on replacement parts are what I am looking for here)
Spark plugs $???
Wires $???
Anything else I will need. ???

LOTS of stuff to go in here, depending on your mileage and the background/condition of your car. My tune-up will be including: Plugs, Wires, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, PCV Valve, Serpentine Belt, and more. Of course, don't forget your oil change and filter. May want to do a radiator flush while you're at it, if you're like me and want to cover ALL the bases. RockAuto.com is a good place to get price ideas for your parts (Their catalog is VERY well-organized and easy to navigate.), but you may want to get the parts at a local store like Advance Discount Auto or such. That will save you a LOT on shipping, and maybe even a little in actual cost.

Miscellaneous stuff

Fix sun roof
(Roof was said to have been working before I bought it but was not the case. Recently siliconed it shut as a quick fix because it was leaking. Could be simple as a fuse or as much as the motor or whole unit.)

Window tint

Replacement grill $300?


Intake $300
Chip $300
Wing $300
(Prices from Lincolnmotorsport.com)

As stated before prices and suggestions to fill in the blanks would be nice to point me in some sort of direction. Prices taken are from various posts and sites. Thank you in advance for your help.

Don't know much to help you with the rest of this stuff. Although I'm pretty sure I've looked up intake kits cheaper than the one at LMS. I'll post if I can find it.

I live in Orlando also, and will be doing a lot of the "general maintenance" stuff mentioned above on my own car shortly. If you want any help with those items afterwards, let me know.

 

[mespock]

I have a guy who will refurbish your old head lights for $100 a piece reflective backing and lenses. I purchase a set as I needed some new ones (mine were broken). They are great.

For Control arms and suspension parts, you can go to www.rockauto.com look up parts for a 1996 Ford Thunderbird. Great prices good parts, and fast shipping.

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

oh thank god. i was about to say, where are all the mark owners in orlando!!! lol. we all need to hangout!!!!

 

[Calabrio]

Possible Head light solutions
Driving lights behind grill $50-100

I did this for a few years and it worked well. Not quite as good as HIDs, but it certainly got the job done for a small fraction of the price. It also looks really cool.

It's simple to do and you do not need to remove the grill or bumper cover to install them, it can all be done from on top.

HID replacement $1000+

From a cost perspective, if you want to do the HIDs, you can do what I did, collect the individual pieces as inexpensively as possible. And given the problems were having with replacement bulbs, it might be better to just get two lenses and then retrofit the DS2 aftermarket bulbs to work, as you mentioned.

But, short term, put some lights behind the grill.

Control arms $ ???
(I think these may be going soon)

Upper with ball joint- MarkVIII- $80
Lower with ball joint- TBird- $60

Tie rods $???
(Uncle says these are bad)

About $25

Strut rod bushings $???

about $20 each

First thing to remember, THUNDERBIRD PARTS. They are often the same, but 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Strut rod bushing, tie rods, and control arms are the same. The upper control arm for the Mark VIII is slightly different because it has a small mount for the air height sensor.

check here for prices:
www.rockauto.com

Replacement grill $300?

check Ebay,they often sell good used ones for about $125.


My two favorite resources are Rockauto.com and Maxx at Five Star Ford.

 

[KC96LSC]

I have a set of HID's That I will sell you for $700.00 with ballast and all. Bulbs have less than 42,000 on them and are in great shape. I got brand new ones and just took these of my car a few days ago. I'm painting my car and I wanted new ones.

 

[Iszi]

oh thank god. i was about to say, where are all the mark owners in orlando!!! lol. we all need to hangout!!!!

I've been wondering the same myself. Before I found LvC, there was a meet with me and two other guys from MarkVIII.org along with a few T-Birds from TCCoA out near Vero Beach last year. Most seemed to come from the coast, or South FL though.

Seriously, we gotta get the Central FL guys together sometime!

 

[Iszi]

Found the conical filter parts!

First you'll need some MAF adapter parts from BlueOvalChips.com. These work to fit your existing MAF unit to the intake tube without the airbox housing. Part # is BOC-0045-5 Cost is $35.

http://www.blueovalchips.com/index.php?action=item&id=64&prevaction=search&previd=&prevstart=0

Next you should have an adapter so that you can actually attach a conical filter to the stock MAF (which was built for a flat panel filter). This also comes from BlueOvalChips, part #BOC-0047. Cost: $45.

http://www.blueovalchips.com/index.php?action=item&id=18&prevaction=item&previd=64&prevstart=

Lastly, you'll need the actual filter. I'd go with an Amsoil filter over K&N. Instead of having to wash it out and recharge with oil, (which can get sucked into your engine and contaminate your MAF if you're not careful) these you simply just vacuum clean or blow out. Part numbers that should (I think - not actually tested) fit our cars are: EaAU4075, EaAU4090, and EaAU4091. Prices range from a little over $60 to $91+change.

Product Overview: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/eaa.aspx
Ordering Page: https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=346

So, altogether the cost of a basic conical filter intake setup with the parts described above should cost you between $140-$171 plus shipping. Sounds a lot better than $300 from LMS if you ask me. The only reason I'd go with one of the LMS kits is if you were going to get the 90mm MAF. But that's only really needed for special high-performance applications.

Also, as for RockAuto ordering: Be careful how you order with them. If not all of your parts will be shipped from the same location, you are going to be paying out the tailpipe to get them sent to you. That's why I went with Advance Discount Auto (AKA: PartsAmerica.com) - FREE SHIPPING on orders $50+ as long as individual parts don't weigh over 20 lbs. (IIRC)

 

[ONEBADMK8]

Call me up our 10th anniversary sale prices are in full effect. Our chip is now $249.00 shipped!! MAF Kit $259.00 both have a LIFETIME warranty and the Wing is $349.00 lus Crate and s&h fee.

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

geno, is the sale for all items that you have in stock. or is it for certain items?

 

[Calabrio]

Also, as for RockAuto ordering: Be careful how you order with them. If not all of your parts will be shipped from the same location, you are going to be paying out the tailpipe to get them sent to you. That's why I went with Advance Discount Auto (AKA: PartsAmerica.com) - FREE SHIPPING on orders $50+ as long as individual parts don't weigh over 20 lbs. (IIRC)

I wouldn't say "be careful," just be aware. The more locations it ships from, the more the shipping costs. But similar items are usually stored at the same locations. I find that most all my suspension and larger parts ship from one place, and the small things like filters and such ship from somewhere else.

Be aware, so you don't have one single, trivial item being shipped from a separate location. If you can do without that one part, you can knock $7 in shipping off the price.

Other than that, the shipping on RockAuto is quite low.

 

[For the love of the Mark]

Thanks guys

First of all thanks for the info thanks for the info.

Iszi
Well I have already replaced a lot of things mentioned about the tune up. Serpentine belt, Fuel filter, Air filter, and of course oil changes. I was wondering what the PVC valve is and how hard it is to replace as well as the difficulty of a radiator flush.
The MAF solution you sourced for me looks good. But I think When it comes time to put some power in my car I’ll get with Geno and work something out as a package.
But I will keep this in mind and it may be the first upgrade to my car.

Mespock
Will these refurbishments make my headlights like new? Also where is he located and how long will it take to get my lights back?

Calabrio
What type of lights would you suggest to mount behind the grill? Also could you maybe PM me and explain how to go about installing them.

KC96LSC
If I had the money I would go for it in an instant but unfortunately I don’t. Most of this stuff may be done over the summer when I can get some serious hours in at work and in the fall after I get my Financial aid check/loans for college. I do need a solution to these head lights though. Its like I don’t even have them on some times.

Also I think it would be fun to get all the orlando members together. I was suprised when I saw how many were in orlando and I didn't notice.

 

[For the love of the Mark]

New driving lights

Well I just went out and bought a set of driving lights and I hope they will work out for me. They seem good enough but have 2 options that I just wont use. One option is a strobe light which is something I was never into so that otion will remain off. The second thing is that the light has a blue led ring around it. This would not be good because of police, but i believe that I can disconect those so they wont be on.
Other than that my only problem will be running wires and mounting the lights but I don't think that will be much of a problem.