 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Ford / Ford Mustang / December 2006Fricka fracka ricka racka Ford
Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? Regular readers know that TFrog ('93 LX 5.0) has been in the shop lately for a rough idle and difficult starting when cold. We've started with the mass air sensor and worked up to the idle air bypass, which (I'm sure) helped with the air flow but did not cure the problem. Now TFrog is in for the annual inspection, and has failed emissions miserably. The fact that I've complained before about the gas smell coming through my exhaust pipes may have been a clue, so I'm not all that surprised. The mechanic now tells me that the intake manifold gasket seal was leaking, which may account for the bad idling (TFrog has no problems when the RPMs are up, only at lower revs). And, over time, that has taken out one or both of my catalytic converters. GOD DAMMIT! The car only has 199,450 miles on it, so there's no reason that I should have to spring for new cats. Aren't these covered by warranty or something? Ach. They need to finish the repairs on the gasket seal and give me my damn car back, 'cause CFrog goes in on Monday for the transmission overhaul and shift kit. Once that's done, TFrog can go back in for the new cats and re-inspection. Meanwhile, I have to find a suitable H-pipe that fits my beautiful Dynomax Ultra-flo cat-back system... dwight www.tfrog93.com  SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > dwight > www.tfrog93.com May I suggest a nice Bassani catalytic X pipe. Signature"Trespassing on private computer networks through intentional misrepresentation is an activity that merits no First Amendment protection" - Judge James W. Haley Jr. "And now Dib I leave you to your.... Moosey fate!" - Invader Zim >> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >> [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > May I suggest a nice Bassani catalytic X pipe. http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=BE-BX5092R3%20%20%2 0%201&comp=LRS Stock headers, matching up to a 2.5" Dynomax Ultra Flow cat-back. You think this would be right? dwight >>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>> [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > dwight Hmmmm. Stock headers wouldn't be "long tube", would they? And they're probably not shorties, either. How 'bout this one from MAC? http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=MAC-CH37991%20%20%2 0%201&comp=LRS duh-wight >>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > duh-wight I keep answering myself... Called Dynomax and got the part number for their H-pipe, that should hook right up to my UltraFlow setup with minimal effort. "High flow performance converters", gimme a break. dwight SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >>>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > dwight There's a difference. The high flow cats actually do flow far better than the stock ones. Signature"Trespassing on private computer networks through intentional misrepresentation is an activity that merits no First Amendment protection" - Judge James W. Haley Jr. "And now Dib I leave you to your.... Moosey fate!" - Invader Zim > >>>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? > >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > >>>>> www.tfrog93.com > >>>> May I suggest a nice Bassani catalytic X pipe. http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=BE-BX5092R3%20%20%2 0%201&comp=LRS > >>> Stock headers, matching up to a 2.5" Dynomax Ultra Flow cat-back. You > >>> think this would be right? > >>> > >>> dwight > >> Hmmmm. Stock headers wouldn't be "long tube", would they? And they're > >> probably not shorties, either. How 'bout this one from MAC? http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=MAC-CH37991%20%20%2 0%201&comp=LRS > >> duh-wight > > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > There's a difference. The high flow cats actually do > flow far better than the stock ones. To add further, in the case of the Mustang 5.0, it is possible to open the exhaust up to much, causing loss of low end torque by going to too large a pipe, even with stock Cat's. > To add further, in the case of the Mustang 5.0, it is possible to open the > exhaust up to much, causing loss of low end torque by going to too large a > pipe, even with stock Cat's. Yeah but that's a simple fix, just add a blower..... Signature“I intended that "not stupid" be a requirement.” – Seth Breidbart Dwight, If you're still using the stock headers then do yourself a BIG favor and get a set of these: http://reviews.stangnet.com/showproduct.php?product=160 They look great, never rust, keep excess heat out of the engine bay, fit great and are a fantastic bargain. I've had a set on my LX for years with no complaints. >>>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > dwight > Dwight, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > great and are a fantastic bargain. I've had a set on my LX for years with > no complaints. This is a no-brainer, when it's "crate engine time", but I wouldn't waste them on the current setup. Interesting comment, "the only shorty headers that will fit with GT40P heads." That's good to know, if true. dwight >>>>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>>>>> [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >> >> dwight >>>> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > duh-wight That won't work, that is for long tube headers, the stock are shorties, and they are 2.25" outlets. Signature"Trespassing on private computer networks through intentional misrepresentation is an activity that merits no First Amendment protection" - Judge James W. Haley Jr. "And now Dib I leave you to your.... Moosey fate!" - Invader Zim >>> Meanwhile, I have to find a suitable H-pipe that fits my beautiful >>> Dynomax Ultra-flo cat-back system... [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > dwight Wait. How do you have stock headers connected to a 2.5" H-pipe? The stock exhaust is 2.25". Also, I paid the same $369 for mine but it is stainless, not aluminized. I have the Mac shorty headers with 2.5" outlet, SS Bassani catalytic X pipe and 2 chamber Flowmasters. I had 2.5" stock pipes out the back but put dumps on it when I didn't drive it daily anymore. Signature"Trespassing on private computer networks through intentional misrepresentation is an activity that merits no First Amendment protection" - Judge James W. Haley Jr. "And now Dib I leave you to your.... Moosey fate!" - Invader Zim >>>> Meanwhile, I have to find a suitable H-pipe that fits my beautiful >>>> Dynomax Ultra-flo cat-back system... [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > pipes out the back but put dumps on it when I didn't drive it daily > anymore. I don't. I have stock headers, connected to a stock exhaust until the cats. Cat-back is 2.5" Ultra Flows. The Dynomax H-pipe that I'm ordering is supposedly "direct fit", and they were well aware that I had that 2.5" cat-back, so I sure HOPE they know what they're talking about. Guess I'll find out Tuesday or thereabouts... dwight > Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? > Regular readers know that TFrog ('93 LX 5.0) has been in the shop lately for > a rough idle and difficult starting when cold. We've started with the mass > air sensor and worked up to the idle air bypass, which (I'm sure) helped > with the air flow but did not cure the problem. > Now TFrog is in for the annual inspection, and has failed emissions > miserably. The fact that I've complained before about the gas smell coming > through my exhaust pipes may have been a clue, so I'm not all that > surprised. > The mechanic now tells me that the intake manifold gasket seal was leaking, > which may account for the bad idling (TFrog has no problems when the RPMs > are up, only at lower revs). Yea, that could be it. It's definately on the fuel/air side (not spark) with the symptoms you describe. Is everything else fresh/new on the intake side -- EGR/throttle-body gaskets? > And, over time, that has taken out one or both of my catalytic converters. A gassy smelling exhaust on a modern car is something that can't go on too long before the cats will give it up. > GOD DAMMIT! Replace the cats NOW or your engine will be the next thing to give it up. > The car only has 199,450 miles on it, so there's no reason that I should > have to spring for new cats. Aren't these covered by warranty or something? lol > Ach. > They need to finish the repairs on the gasket seal and give me my damn car > back, 'cause CFrog goes in on Monday for the transmission overhaul and shift > kit. Once that's done, TFrog can go back in for the new cats and > re-inspection. Get the idle worked out first or you'll kill your new [expensive] cats. I suggest, at this point, to just gut your existing ones and use those to get the engine (until the engine is) sorted out. > Meanwhile, I have to find a suitable H-pipe that fits my beautiful Dynomax > Ultra-flo cat-back system... See Fox's reply. Dwight, now might be a good time to send a sample of your oil in for diagnosis. Nearing 200K, I'd give your car a complete physical and an oil diagnosis is just what the Doctor would order. It'll give you an idea of how much life the ol' girl has left in her. That way you can sorta plan for any additional repairs that might be in your 5.0's future. Patrick '93 Mustang 110K >> Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > spark) with the symptoms you describe. Is everything else fresh/new on > the intake side -- EGR/throttle-body gaskets? Oh, hell no. Everything is original, and this is the first time the engine's been opened. >> And, over time, that has taken out one or both of my catalytic >> converters. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Replace the cats NOW or your engine will be the next thing to give it > up. I don't have a choice. I have to replace the cats before the 31st, in order to pass emissions. I'm looking forward to the day I qualify as a "classic", so I don't even have to worry about the emissions. That day is fast approaching. >> The car only has 199,450 miles on it, so there's no reason that I should >> have to spring for new cats. Aren't these covered by warranty or >> something? > > lol Yeah, I know. So far, TFrog has been a magic car. I mean, I do try to keep up with maintenance, but it's been the most forgiving car I've ever owned. The mechanic was actually surprised to learn that I still had the original cats onboard at almost 200,000 miles. And TFrog has always passed emissions with flying colors, before this year. >> Ach. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I suggest, at this point, to just gut your existing ones and use those > to get the engine (until the engine is) sorted out. Good news. The manifold gasket seal was replaced, and I picked TFrog up tonight. As advertised, it started right up, smooth idle, and everything seems fine. It even cured the clutch shudder I had starting up in 1st gear (especially uphill). An amazing change. Makes me wonder how much torque I was losing with that leaky gasket... >> Meanwhile, I have to find a suitable H-pipe that fits my beautiful >> Dynomax [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Patrick > '93 Mustang 110K Interesting thought. TFrog is still running strong, still frisky. I know that 200,000 is a serious milestone, though, and that 5.0 won't last forever. There's a nice new crate 302 in TFrog's future, so I'm not overly concerned with getting another 100,000 out of this engine. Another, say, 30,000 would be just fine. I'm looking forward to having a fresh engine with 50% more horses. dwight > Good news. The manifold gasket seal was replaced, and I picked TFrog up > tonight. As advertised, it started right up, smooth idle, and everything > seems fine. It even cured the clutch shudder I had starting up in 1st gear > (especially uphill). An amazing change. Good deal!! > Makes me wonder how much torque I was losing with that leaky gasket... If your car was running fat, probably quite a bit. > > Dwight, now might be a good time to send a sample of your oil in for > > diagnosis. Nearing 200K, I'd give your car a complete physical and an > > oil diagnosis is just what the Doctor would order. It'll give you an > > idea of how much life the ol' girl has left in her. That way you can > > sorta plan for any additional repairs that might be in your 5.0's > > future. > Interesting thought. It would be interesting. I've been think about sending in a sample from mine. It's really not that expensive and it can tell you a lot. > TFrog is still running strong, still frisky. What have you replaced so far? A fuel pump, TPS sensor, coil... what? > I know > that 200,000 is a serious milestone, though, and that 5.0 won't last > forever. There's a nice new crate 302 in TFrog's future, so I'm not overly > concerned with getting another 100,000 out of this engine. Another, say, > 30,000 would be just fine. I'm looking forward to having a fresh engine with > 50% more horses. Me too! With the factory HP races going on, we need 'em bad! Patrick A not so fast anymore 1993 Cobra >> Good news. The manifold gasket seal was replaced, and I picked TFrog up >> tonight. As advertised, it started right up, smooth idle, and everything [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > If your car was running fat, probably quite a bit. Still spun the tires at 45 in 2nd gear... >> > Dwight, now might be a good time to send a sample of your oil in for >> > diagnosis. Nearing 200K, I'd give your car a complete physical and an [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > What have you replaced so far? A fuel pump, TPS sensor, coil... what? Oh, man... Lessee... Radiator, wires, fuel pump, air pump, couple of alternators, a few water pumps, three heater cores, threw on a K&N, took off the K&N, cat-back exhaust, 32 tires, 5 batteries, front light assemblies, and now wondering about that lifetime warranty on my now-leaking Konis. Other than that, not much. >> I know >> that 200,000 is a serious milestone, though, and that 5.0 won't last [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Patrick > A not so fast anymore 1993 Cobra I'm really looking forward to it. And I keep looking forward to it. I thought I'd have had one installed by now, but now I'm house-poor and it's bumped back another year (or two) while we pay down some debt. But I'm a patient man, and TFrog ain't goin' nowhere. dwight I'm rapidly closing on 300,000 miles on my 88GT, and it still is running quite strong. The best advice I can give anyone who owns a 5.0 is "If it ain't broke don't fix it, & if you have to fix it put it back the way it was" This is especially true of the exhaust. The "restrictive" stock 2.25 inch pipes & staggered length mufflers work better than any of the aftermarket stuff out there. (It took me three separate exhaust systems & close to $1000 dollars to figure out that little nugget of information.) > Why the hell can't Ford build a car that lasts 200,000 miles?!? > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > dwight > www.tfrog93.com > I'm rapidly closing on 300,000 miles on my 88GT, and it still is running > quite strong. The best advice I can give anyone who owns a 5.0 is "If it [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > aftermarket stuff out there. (It took me three separate exhaust systems & > close to $1000 dollars to figure out that little nugget of information.) 2.5" isn't all THAT big a step up. But I really prefer the baritone sound, as opposed to the original tenor. I notice, now with the Dynomax H-pipe, a more "gurgly" sound coming through the pipes. Like a guy with a phlegmy throat. That's cool. dwight SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to maintain my speed. Since I've switched back to the 2.25 mufflers I now can pull them in 5th gear. (I'm not sure about this next bit, but I was told that you can flow twice as much gas through a 2.5 pipe as you can through a 2.25. So upping your pipe diameter just 1/4 inch could slow your flow {velocity} much more than you would suspect.) > > I'm rapidly closing on 300,000 miles on my 88GT, and it still is running > > quite strong. The best advice I can give anyone who owns a 5.0 is "If it [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > dwight > Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway > where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to > maintain my speed. Since I've switched back to the 2.25 mufflers I now > can > pull them in 5th gear. Must be a hell of a grade. I've never had to downshift to stay at 75... > (I'm not sure about this next bit, but I was told that you can flow twice > as much gas through a 2.5 pipe as you can through a 2.25. So upping your > pipe diameter just 1/4 inch could slow your flow {velocity} much more than > you would suspect.) ...hmmm... maybe I should look into two-inchers... :() I'm talking 88GT vert with a stock engine here, at 75mph the engine is turning less than 2000rpm in 5th gear with larger gears the equation changes somewhat due to the engine running closer to its power band. > > Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway > > where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > :() > I'm talking 88GT vert with a stock engine here, at 75mph the engine is > turning less than 2000rpm in 5th gear with larger gears the equation > changes > somewhat due to the engine running closer to its power band. Yeah, I've got the same. I was just saying, must be a hell of a grade. We don't have real mountains out here on the east coast. That said, though, I've never minded downshifting and pushing the skinny pedal down. dwight >> > Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway >> > where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >> >> :() > Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway > where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > pipe diameter just 1/4 inch could slow your flow {velocity} much more than > you would suspect.) But have you done anything else? I have 2.5" and I gained power from it, but I have different heads, intake manifold and throttle body as well. Signature“I intended that "not stupid" be a requirement.” – Seth Breidbart > > Trust me on this one, there are a few long uphill grades on the freeway > > where I live that used to require me to downshift at 75mph in order to [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > gained power from it, but I have different heads, intake > manifold and throttle body as well. My engine is mostly stock, the only major changes being the addition of an adjustable fuel pressure regulator & a FRPP Cobra Fuel system. (Cobra ECU, 24 pound injectors & 73mm MAF) other than that the engine is still factory. When you start talking new heads, cam, manifold & the like then you're talking about things outside my range of experience. (Which is why I tend to preface my remarks with the term "On an other wise stock engine". ) |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.