Mods for the Essex Continental

[Maranello]

Anyone any mods that can be done to this car/engine? I checked out a couple of the v6 performance sites. Anything specific, i want to do headers/exhaust/intake. I'm new so forgive me if i say things wrong but are there any ecu tuning stuff for this car?

[pro-five-oh]

Check the TECH section for a high flow cold air kit that's been done before. Exhaust is where I'd start after that, a few people have used V6 Mustang headers and built a completely new exhaust to go with them. That would be cool.

I'd check with SCT to see if they have any software tunes for this car, but I doubt it will do much without other engine modifications.

The real bang for the buck is suspension and brakes: Taurus SHO swaybars for starters, and Mark VIII front brakes. (see the TECH section for the latter)

[Maranello]

Thanks alot, i seen this video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WULfzSvD0QQ&feature=channel_page

BTW, what is SCT? And if i make my own highflow intake, can i still get that aggresive cold air intake sound?

[pro-five-oh]

Thanks alot, i seen this video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WULfzSvD0QQ&feature=channel_page

BTW, what is SCT? And if i make my own highflow intake, can i still get that aggresive cold air intake sound?

Nice hot air intake on the video. :( Don't do that. Do what we recommend in the TECH section.

SCT is a computer tuner company. You can find their website on Google.

[Maranello]

Thanks, I just may try that out but i'm just wondering can i get that sound(or similar sound) with the homemade intake.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Thanks, I just may try that out but i'm just wondering can i get that sound(or similar sound) with the homemade intake.

There is a simple way to make your own "cold air intake" out of the parts you already have and a few extra parts that are pretty easy to find at a scrap yard. Heres the >>>TECH<<< (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00209.html)link. I did this and it sounds pretty good (I also have cherry bombs)....just get a K&N replacement filter for your car. A "true" cold air intake has piping running to the extreme front of the car, NOT just sitting under the hood semi blocked by a "heat shield":rolleyes:...Im eventually going to cut off the cats and get a better sound out of it as its exempt from any emissions here in Wi.:cool:

[pro-five-oh]

Thanks, I just may try that out but i'm just wondering can i get that sound(or similar sound) with the homemade intake.

You get more sound with the kit from the TECH section. Maybe not as much...but...

...you should be more concerned with the incoming air temperature than sound, because nothing is worse than sucking up 100-200 degree air when the engine can get the same quality of stuff YOU get to breathe...for less money.

[Maranello]

Well i'll probably do it, i saw someone on another site that said they removed the air silencer and the car sounded nice when punched and they referenced this site. I want a performance exhaust as i need mufflers right now, and don't want to replace it with stock.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Well i'll probably do it, i saw someone on another site that said they removed the air silencer and the car sounded nice when punched and they referenced this site. I want a performance exhaust as i need mufflers right now, and don't want to replace it with stock.

Between the 2 cats and the uber insulation you can pretty much run straight pipes out the back and hardly hear it in the car. I just run the cherry bombs cause they were only $25 a piece and they look cool:cool:

[Maranello]

Between the 2 cats and the uber insulation you can pretty much run straight pipes out the back and hardly hear it in the car. I just run the cherry bombs cause they were only $25 a piece and they look cool:cool:Do you have pictures, i wish i could hear the sound. EDIT:I'm listening to V6 mustangs with cherry bombs. Also, can't i just simply remove the silencer for now without making my own intake right now?

[pro-five-oh]

Yup, definitely remove the resonator. Making the tube later is no biggie.

[Maranello]

I took the silencer out but i'm confused about what to cut, and if i'm suppose to take the plastic thing(the thing that holds the resonator in) out and leave it out.

[DustyLBottoms]

If you're intent on getting the exhaust upgraded then I'd do the high-flow y-pipe as well.

http://shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=55

Loved it on my Conti.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

I took the silencer out but i'm confused about what to cut, and if i'm suppose to take the plastic thing(the thing that holds the resonator in) out and leave it out.


pretty much take out everything that doesnt hold the air filter in. In other words, Sit the filter in the box. The box should be free flowing from where the tube comes in to the filter. All the non essential plastic bits can be removed with a jig saw or a dremel with a roto bit. Again use a high flow filter to get the best results:cool:

[Maranello]

If you're intent on getting the exhaust upgraded then I'd do the high-flow y-pipe as well.

http://shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=55

Loved it on my Conti.I didn't know that was out there for it, i may just buy it later on, and btw do you know if those suspension mods on that page can work on a Conti?

[Maranello]

pretty much take out everything that doesnt hold the air filter in. In other words, Sit the filter in the box. The box should be free flowing from where the tube comes in to the filter. All the non essential plastic bits can be removed with a jig saw or a dremel with a roto bit. Again use a high flow filter to get the best results:cool:What about the open area under the bottom side(its not covered with the top back on?) after the plastic piece is taken out(the piece where the tabs haved to be pushed out in order to take it out)? I hope i'm not confusing things.

[DustyLBottoms]

I didn't know that was out there for it, i may just buy it later on, and btw do you know if those suspension mods on that page can work on a Conti?


Yes, they all do - provided, of course, that you remove the air suspension.

I have front and rear stut tower braces, front and rear SHO sways, TPR bushings alll the way around, SHO Control arms, fender braces from a v8 Conti, high flow y-pipe, Jasper AXODE, front and rear seats from a 2002 Conti and a center console from a late model Taurus (it really does look good).

[Maranello]

Do you have any pictures? And how does your car handle? My air suspension is gone by the way, its converted.

[DustyLBottoms]

It handles very well. I don't have pictures of my setups, sorry.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

What about the open area under the bottom side(its not covered with the top back on?) after the plastic piece is taken out(the piece where the tabs haved to be pushed out in order to take it out)? I hope i'm not confusing things.


As I said; The goal here is to get an unobstucted shot from the fresh air, through the filter, and into the intake. Any non-essential parts can be removed. Just be sure that you dont cut out too much to where the filter wont properly seat/seal. other than that everthing else can go. Pretty much the upper and lower parts of the box should be empty with the filter sitting in the middle. again, just be sure that you dont cut out too much to where the filter wont properly seat/seal

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Yes, they all do - provided, of course, that you remove the air suspension.

I have front and rear stut tower braces, front and rear SHO sways, TPR bushings alll the way around, SHO Control arms, fender braces from a v8 Conti, high flow y-pipe, Jasper AXODE, front and rear seats from a 2002 Conti and a center console from a late model Taurus (it really does look good).


So none of the suspension upgrades will work with the air ride?

[DustyLBottoms]

So none of the suspension upgrades will work with the air ride?

No, everything will work, I was refering to the shocks & springs they sell.

I've often wondered how it would handle if I'd left the air springs & electronic struts in.

I'll see about getting some pics this week.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

No, everything will work, I was referring to the shocks & springs they sell.

I've often wondered how it would handle if I'd left the air springs & electronic struts in.

I'll see about getting some pics this week.


I'm sure the ride would no longer be like floating along in a cushioned dream

[DustyLBottoms]

I'm sure the ride would no longer be like floating along in a cushioned dream


True, but the ride level control and electic shocks would have been nice with the SHO goodies.

[DustyLBottoms]

Yes, they all do - provided, of course, that you remove the air suspension.

I have front and rear stut tower braces, front and rear SHO sways, TPR bushings alll the way around, SHO Control arms, fender braces from a v8 Conti, high flow y-pipe, Jasper AXODE, front and rear seats from a 2002 Conti and a center console from a late model Taurus (it really does look good).


Forgot, I have late model Conti Wheels and the Big-brake upgrade as well.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

True, but the ride level control and electic shocks would have been nice with the SHO goodies.


TBH I really dont get a chance to toss it around in the twisties around here so doing the upgrade would probably be more detrimental than its worth. I was just curious.
The way it sits now I really cant complain too much. It handles the worst of what these "streets" can throw at it very nicely. My street is pretty tore up and I can cruise down it pushing 45 easy! Anyone else has to let up at 30-35:cool:

[Maranello]

Doesn't the continental on the Brake Upgrade page, have those panels on the outside of the door removed? I never seen a sportier looking continental.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Doesn't the continental on the Brake Upgrade page, have those panels on the outside of the door removed? I never seen a sportier looking continental.

yes it looks like the 'belt line' has been removed..mine is gettin the ax soon too;)
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6478&d=1236997254

[Maranello]

Think this may work? http://www.sctflash.com/Chip.php

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Think this may work? http://www.sctflash.com/Chip.php
I dont see why you couldent put a chip in it. I think you could grab an ECM from a scrapper and have that reflashed and just swap them out. Should be cheaper.

[Maranello]

I dont see why you couldent put a chip in it. I think you could grab an ECM from a scrapper and have that reflashed and just swap them out. Should be cheaper.I would have to learn about how to go about doing that. Where do i start?

[pro-five-oh]

I dont see why you couldent put a chip in it. I think you could grab an ECM from a scrapper and have that reflashed and just swap them out. Should be cheaper.

Chips only for these cars...you can't reflash a pre-1996 Ford, only chip it.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Chips only for these cars...you can't reflash a pre-1996 Ford, only chip it.

OK I wasnt sure..Thanks;)

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Do you have pictures, i wish i could hear the sound. EDIT:I'm listening to V6 mustangs with cherry bombs. Also, can't i just simply remove the silencer for now without making my own intake right now?
I think they look cool;)
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6737&d=1241489950