modifications, made precautiously and informatively... kinda long

[XLoudFN97X]

Well I'm about to get into some moderate performance modifications on my '97 2WD EB, but with just over 100K miles on the odometer, getting oil and air filter changed only (but religiously), the engine/drivetrain is going to be more susceptable to breakdown. Increases or changes in fuel/air delivery alone can quicken the deterioration of aging components (as it did in my '92 TBird 302 when a plug/wire change at 120K miles fried my factory cats). It seems I don't see enough consideration of this before mods are made that cost more to fix than they did to install. I'd like the experienced ones here to see if you all agree that it is a decent "plan of action" to both maximize improvements and still avoid a situation like I had on my last 5.0L.

Mods/Maintenance Already Completed:
Transmission flush & fill, new filter (at 70K, all others below after 99K)
K&N Oil Filter upgraded from FRAM
Wagner premium brake pads & new OEM rotors all around
New fuel filter
New IAC
cleaned intake/TB
Seafoam 3 stage treatment

Mods due next (front end slippy):
Energy Suspension Poly sway links (F&R) and bushings (all, as needed)
Front Shocks (Edelbrock, KMS... opinions, please!)
TT on front end

soon:
XSpec Rear end drop blocks
Rear Shocks
KKM or K&N Intake
High flow cats and O2 sensors
Stock pipes up to Flowmaster 50SUV, side exit tails.

then and only then:
Bosch Platinum (or equivalent) plugs and wires
1" EFI manifold Heat spacers (i'll get a chance to manually clean the intake guts and replace old gaskets, here)

then we'll be ready for a wheel & tire pkg, EE sway bars, headers, chip upgrade, and a nice MSD ignition system. did somebody say n2o?


~stu

 

[aldive]

Increases or changes in fuel/air delivery alone can quicken the deterioration of aging components

(as it did in my '92 TBird 302 when a plug/wire change at 120K miles fried my factory cats). It seems I don't see enough consideration of this before mods are made that cost more to fix than they did to install.

Please explain that statement; I do not concur.

I seriously doubt that replacing plugs/wires had anything to do with hurting your cats. Why do you think it did?

 

[XLoudFN97X]

I was told by the mechanic that b/c the cats were old and were probably beginning to deteriorate, the increased spark from new plugs and increased air flow from a fresh K&N filter caused a rapid breakup of the converter's ceramic core. Of course he WAS just a tune-up mechanic (in other words, an ASE cert. class drop-out) but I couldn't disprove him so I ended up paying for the new cats/o2s . I also had an incident when the shocks were replaced in the TBird and about a month later a stabilizer bar bolt broke on the highway (not fun!), the front wheel-well fell on the tire and the tire, wheel, wheel-well, fender, and most of the front suspension was damaged. The shop ended up biting the bullet on that bill, needless to say. What all this tells me is that old, dirty parts (o2s, cats, bushings), sometimes are harmed by the benefits of powerful new parts. Doesn't this seem to make any sense?
~stu

 

[aldive]

I was told by the mechanic that b/c the cats were old and were probably beginning to deteriorate, the increased spark from new plugs and increased air flow from a fresh K&N filter caused a rapid breakup of the converter's ceramic core. Of course he WAS just a tune-up mechanic (in other words, an ASE cert. class drop-out) but I couldn't disprove him so I ended up paying for the new cats/o2s

What all this tells me is that old, dirty parts (o2s, cats, bushings), sometimes are harmed by the benefits of powerful new parts. Doesn't this seem to make any sense?~stu

I am afrade that so called mechanic say you comming.

No, sorry.

 

[Robz98EB]

XLoudFN97X,

I found this post while doing a search. Did you execute your plan? If so, how were the results? I'm at a similar point with my '98 EB. I've had it since new and have done all of the required maintenance, religiously. I'm thinking my cats are going to need to be replaced at some point anyway, why not go ahead and do a performance y-pipe with high flow cats? I currently have a Borla cat-back and plan to add a FIPK or some other air intake with a K&N. Right now I just have a K&N filter in my factory air box. Thanks!

Well I'm about to get into some moderate performance modifications on my '97 2WD EB, but with just over 100K miles on the odometer, getting oil and air filter changed only (but religiously), the engine/drivetrain is going to be more susceptable to breakdown. Increases or changes in fuel/air delivery alone can quicken the deterioration of aging components (as it did in my '92 TBird 302 when a plug/wire change at 120K miles fried my factory cats). It seems I don't see enough consideration of this before mods are made that cost more to fix than they did to install. I'd like the experienced ones here to see if you all agree that it is a decent "plan of action" to both maximize improvements and still avoid a situation like I had on my last 5.0L.

Mods/Maintenance Already Completed:
Transmission flush & fill, new filter (at 70K, all others below after 99K)
K&N Oil Filter upgraded from FRAM
Wagner premium brake pads & new OEM rotors all around
New fuel filter
New IAC
cleaned intake/TB
Seafoam 3 stage treatment

Mods due next (front end slippy):
Energy Suspension Poly sway links (F&R) and bushings (all, as needed)
Front Shocks (Edelbrock, KMS... opinions, please!)
TT on front end

soon:
XSpec Rear end drop blocks
Rear Shocks
KKM or K&N Intake
High flow cats and O2 sensors
Stock pipes up to Flowmaster 50SUV, side exit tails.

then and only then:
Bosch Platinum (or equivalent) plugs and wires
1" EFI manifold Heat spacers (i'll get a chance to manually clean the intake guts and replace old gaskets, here)

then we'll be ready for a wheel & tire pkg, EE sway bars, headers, chip upgrade, and a nice MSD ignition system. did somebody say n2o?


~stu