[Dying Breed]

Ive been wanting to make a few improvements here and there on my Eagle. Ive had it for a little more than a year, and all ive gotten to was replacing the oem aluminum rims with 16" steelies. Now to start, I wanted to do the simplest thing, and thats installing a cold air intake. The thing is, I have no idea where to start. Ive read up on Spectre and I like what they are about so I've made my brand decision, but where to go from here.

As a side bundle of questions, in the future, is it possible to do an AWD conversion and/or replacing the 4-speed auto with a 5-speed manual transmission? Or are these just ridiculous.

I appreciate the replies in advance!
Help me out here fellas!

[Dying Breed]

Another thing.

What about exhaust systems? Any Bolt-on options?

And I've read up on an ECU flash for the greater flow of air from a CAI to actually count. Something to do with the fuel injector putting through more fuel to accommodate the increase in air flow.

[EagleESI]

The first thing, how is maintenance? Oil, Plugs, Trans Service, any suspension parts worn out?

CAI is not that big of a gain. Improving the airflow from the filter to the throttle bodies would net the same. To have a true CAI would require alot of effort such as moving the charcoal canister and ecu out of the way so the filter can drop down into the fender more. Personally I suggest opening the opposite side of the airbox open (facing towards fender) adding a K&N filter and replacing the accordion style tube with decent piping from the box to the throttle bodies.

There is no reprogramming for our cars. And with it being electronically controlled swapping injectors will only improve in a small window of things. AKA WOT (wide open throttle) where the duty cycle is near 100% on injector flow rate. However you can get more air into the engine by boring out the intake and swapping those twin 38mm for 52mm 3.3 throttle bodies. But that does requires alot of work.


Exhaust is all a manner of personal choice. These engine rather you have the 3.3 or 3.5 are not big enough for a nice tone like a v8, however At low rpms and higher rpms mine sounds freaking awesome. But alot of annoying rasp in the 2.5k-3.8k range. I have the 3.3 however and OHV engines always sound different than OHC engines.

Here is decent vid to hear my exhaust..
http://youtu.be/1s1ey8HriUk

One of the biggest things you can do is get a Aux. Trans cooler. This helps out on so many levels for keeping your car happy always a huge upgrade. Why I have this huge thing on mine..





The biggest things you can do are Factory Upgrades, such as OTIS (Overhead Travel Info System), leather seats, and the biggest one AutoStick. A/s will bring whole new level of enjoyment to your car far as drivability. Also, there is a 300M PHP brake upgrade which is considerable amount of work and parts but worth it if you are a spirited driver.

There is a bunch of ways to go far as upgrades and personalizing your ride. All just depends on which way you want to go. Handling? Power? Comfort?

[Dying Breed]

Well I've been keeping up on maintenance as best I can. Since I got the car I've kept up regular oil changes, using 10w-30 synthetic. Every 5 thousand miles. Keep the fluids topped off, and plugs are good. Aside from me needing new head gaskets im pretty much set. As for suspension wear, I have no idea how to check.

My plan was exactly as you said, removing the things underneath the air filter box now and attaching them elsewhere. That would leave a nice gap for the cone head of the CAI to go pretty damn low. However I'm not sure what parts I need. In fact I was going to use APC piping is make myself instead of the name brand stuff. Saving some money where I can.

And what is this auxilliary trans cooler? I don't think ive ever heard of it.

As for the big picture, I'm looking for a nice sound to my 3.5 and POWER.

[YesImLDS]

AWD and manual transmission is not very possible without you wanting to do have a ton of self frabication... Sadly.

As for my opinion on some things:
Some Alloys or maybe some nice hubcap covers haha.
Exhaust always adds a little pep in your step and makes you feel good with the rumble.
Other then that I don't specifically know enough about 1st gens to say much more.

[cdmccul]

hehehehe, I like your yellow tape intake mod...

I honestly thought it was deliberate - took me a minute to see that it is tape!

[GTXKen]

I kind of like the stock Vision rims, what did you do with them?

I would spend money on poly bushings, wheels and tires before doing the exhaust, you need to take in more air before you NEED a larger exhaust so there is not much to be gained there. You could probably just replace your current muffler with something different to get the nice tone. I agree with Eagleesi that you should go through the car as far as maintenance goes. Look at a site like summit racing for a trans cooler, increasing the size of the trans cooler keeps the trans fluid cooler and keeps the trans happy. The transmissions worst enemy is heat.

[Dying Breed]

well then it looks like I'll be starting with general upgrades. I've already decided on a spectre CAI and will be ordering that soon enough. And the transmission cooler will come soon after.

As for the stock alloy rims, I've got them stocked away, probably putting them up for sale. I always preferred steelies and want to get center caps for them, though I don't even know where to begin looking for those.

[Dying Breed]

And I have to say, GTXKEN, your Eagle is GORGEOUS. I wish my paint was that beautiful, maybe then I'd be more apt to get myself a set of nice rims.

On my eagle...well...there's barely any clearcoat left.

[cdmccul]

Center caps generally have to be found on second gen police units - but they take special lug nuts - make sure you get the lug nuts with the caps... They are like 8 bucks a piece, and only available at dealerships.

There are a few sets floating around here from time to time.

[Dying Breed]

I wonder if caps from crown vic models will work, or perhaps a second gen intrepid interceptor?

I could have sworn I saw a black trep on here with black steelies and center caps, just dont remember what use it was.

How do I even begin to look for these? what dimensions do i need to look for?

[cdmccul]

I'm 99% sure it has to be a Second Gen Intrepid Interceptor (or what ever they called them). Looking on eBay, Kijijijijijijijijiji (like bananananana?), or CL is your best bet, or your local salvage yard. I know I was with a member (GORM) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and we scored a full set with lug nuts - I think he gave like $50 for the set.

The steel wheel you are using I think uses a different center design than the Ford units, and keeps them from working. You might explore using factory Ford wheels though. Also, talk to user ShadowVox6 here on the board - he had some other sort of centers on his wheels I think...

[Ronbo]

I believe shadowvox(Tom Romans) used steelies on his Special and used some sort of GM center caps on them. Something like from a Grand Am or Grand Prix. Might want to do a search for him and his posts.

I believe the 2nd gen PoPo lug nuts might be the same as what you find on the 2nd gen Intrepid SE. The type that hold wheel covers on. They both have the shoulder on the lug nut that holds the wheel cover or Police center cap on. Like Cean said they're dealer item only. If you can find some from an SE in the wrecking yard that would be the way to go. I think the Police center caps run around $30 each if you have to buy them new. Might be more.

[Dying Breed]

Sadly, I've already looked through eBay, CL, and extensively through simple google search. I havent come up with a single seller of those center caps. I've got a feeling that dream is crushed. My local salvage yard doesnt have much of a chance of having them either.

I really appreciate the help though.

[Dying Breed]

I will get in touch with Shadow, then.

I was looking through the trep albums here on the site, and noticed that all the center caps were mounted on five spoke steelies rather than the oem ones.

Is there a significance?