1997 vs 1998
- Thread starter sxystev0
- Start date
sxystev0 said:
I don't know of anyway to tell the difference between the 96-98 Stangs visually. As far as differences:
- 98 has a unique fuel system (it was an intermediate step between return and returnless systems). The piece that would be considered the fuel pressure regulator is built into the fuel rail. The fuel pump has a basket that must be modified for the Walbro 255.
- 98 has more parameters that can be adjusted in the computer. The J3 terminal on the 98 is thinner and sometimes doesn't like chips (mine)
- 98 has a slightly different console.
I can't think of anything else right now.
Tim
Sam98
Founding Member
sxystev0 said:
96-97 Mustangs have a strut tower brace, 98 doesn't.
96-97 Mustangs have a fuel pressure regulator that bolts onto the fuel rail on the driver's side. On the 98 it is integrated into the fuel rail and is not removable.
98 does not have the clock on top of the dash as some of the 96-97 Mustangs do.
The hangers for the exhaust pipes under the rear bumper are parallel to the exhaust pipe, they are perpedicular on just about every other year.
There are a number of other subtle differences that you may or may not be able to readily detect - PCM is different, PATS is different, speedometer is fully electric (no cable from the transmission). I probably missed a couple of things but that is pretty much it.
GoBabyVroommm
Active Member
the heads are the same. the 17" split spoke rims are polished on the 98s. the rear lower bumper is color-matched on the 98's, but flat black on the 96, 97's.
AdamantiumKnot
Founding Member
not all 17" split spoke rims are polished. mine aren't. i thought only 96's had the flat black on the rear bumper also. who knows.
stangman
15 Year Member
well half of the 98's made that year had the exhaust hangers like the previous years, the other half had them like on the newer cars, they changed a bunch of stuff like that mid-year, beacuse they were prepping for the 99's. fuel system is another.
and as for the flat black on the bumpers, i thought only the 94-95's had the black on the bumper & the 96+ had it all the same color
and as for the flat black on the bumpers, i thought only the 94-95's had the black on the bumper & the 96+ had it all the same color
Sam98
Founding Member
c2see21 said:well half of the 98's made that year had the exhaust hangers like the previous years, the other half had them like on the newer cars, they changed a bunch of stuff like that mid-year, beacuse they were prepping for the 99's. fuel system is another.
and as for the flat black on the bumpers, i thought only the 94-95's had the black on the bumper & the 96+ had it all the same color
If so, they did it early because my car was built in Feb 98 and it has everything I mentioned.
stangman
15 Year Member
Sam98 said:If so, they did it early because my car was built in Feb 98 and it has everything I mentioned.
wouldn't that have been in the middle part of the build year
My 98 was built in late 97 and it dosen't have the painted black on the lower rear bumper.
The easiest way to tell the difference visually is the clock pod on the dash. 94-97 have the pod 98's don't. I believe some 96's had a honeycomb mesh in the grille as well, not like the 99-up's but hardly noticable. I've seen some w/ the grille this way.
The easiest way to tell the difference visually is the clock pod on the dash. 94-97 have the pod 98's don't. I believe some 96's had a honeycomb mesh in the grille as well, not like the 99-up's but hardly noticable. I've seen some w/ the grille this way.
GoBabyVroommm
Active Member
LOL I couldn't understand why my 96GT had a red bumper and at the buttom it was black. When i would see other GTs im' like why the hell is there bumper one whole color? Personally i have no problem with the blk because i live in the city and usually other cars plates hit into.
Sam98 said:There are a number of other subtle differences that you may or may not be able to readily detect - speedometer is fully electric (no cable from the transmission). I probably missed a couple of things but that is pretty much it.
I believe the speedometer is identical from 96-98. The 99+ models went all electric. All 1998GTs I've worked on still have the speedo gear.
The fuel pump changed in 1998 also.
GoBabyVroommm
Active Member
68Stang said:
I'm in the lincoln park area. That is not to far from downtown. My area has a lot nice places to eat, bars, and clubs so people come from all over and hit my car. My back bumper doesn't look that bad honestly but the front bumper 
I don't even wanna talk about this anymore. 
pinski
Founding Member
RysRed96GT said:
I've got polished split spoke 17"'s on my car and it's a '97. My rear bumper is all one color too!
I really want the 1998 console though, the damn cupholder flopping out of the console in the pre-98's sucks.
JLstang351
Founding Member
I thought the split wheels went something like this......96 were dull looking, 97 was polished w/ black inserts in between the spokes, and 98 were fully polished! my build date on my car was 10/98...i guess I have one of the later 98 gt's!
asthmaticZeater
Active Member
i have a very early built 96 (built october 14th 95) and my back bumper is blacked out at the bottom.
but i would hate to have it any other way. i really dont care for the color matched part down there.
i also have the honeycomb crap in the grill on mine. and on every other 96-98 ive ever actually looked for it ive never seen it. and actually i never even noticed it, a buddy did and commented on how i had it and he didnt (a 96) and ive always thought it was kinda funny. it dont bother me cause you really never tell its there until you actually look.
but i would hate to have it any other way. i really dont care for the color matched part down there.
i also have the honeycomb crap in the grill on mine. and on every other 96-98 ive ever actually looked for it ive never seen it. and actually i never even noticed it, a buddy did and commented on how i had it and he didnt (a 96) and ive always thought it was kinda funny. it dont bother me cause you really never tell its there until you actually look.
redlined50
Founding Member
SilverHorse
New Member
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