Doc's Driving a Ford Now . . .

Doc GTO · Mar 14, 2007

That's right guys and gals, but I didn't get rid of the GTO, just added a Ford to my stable of autos!!! I've had it since December but had to do a few things to it and just got around to taking some camera pics of my new daily driver.

It is a retired Florida Highway Patrol car. It is a 1998 "Supervisor Packaged" P71 Police Interceptor that was a Captain's car from start to finish. It had 70,200 miles on it and is in great shape as you can see in the photos. It had 8 strobes still in the car and I removed the colored ones and left the clears (2 - front, 2- rear) and the wig wags which have been changed to have both go on and off at the same time instead of back and forth. No law breaking here!!!

For a sedan it is quick and people will move out of my way! My son loves riding in it and loves to show his little friends the strobes. Here are a few crappy camera pics:

'13_ImpactBlue_GT · Mar 14, 2007

Nice Crown Vic

What all does the "interceptor" version have that the civilian version doesnt?

Mr_Q · Mar 14, 2007

Cop brakes, cop shocks, cop motor.....heheh.

Spdfreak · Mar 14, 2007

He's on a mission from God.

Hoboattacker · Mar 14, 2007

I hate those cars...I always hit the brakes when I see a white or black crown vic

stang8urimport · Mar 14, 2007

Toms_2003_Stang said:
Nice Crown Vic

What all does the "interceptor" version have that the civilian version doesnt?

Nothing other then a better cooling system, oil cooler, bigger alternator, a little stiffer suspension, and V rated tires. There is nothing on the vehicle to make to go faster... just make it last longer.

Mike97gt · Mar 15, 2007

PoopDawg said:
Nothing other then a better cooling system, oil cooler, bigger alternator, a little stiffer suspension, and V rated tires. There is nothing on the vehicle to make to go faster... just make it last longer.

it's also got that "certified" speedo..

TGJ · Mar 15, 2007

They have 3.55 TL differentials, a different driveshaft and a dual exhaust system as well as the mentioned differences above.

Doc GTO · Mar 15, 2007

I love the comments from the Blues Brothers. Here is the list of items specific for the P71 Police Interceptor:

140 speedometer
HD cooling
Larger sway bar
HD alternator
Bushings
4-wheel disc Brakes
HD driveshaft and U-joints (aluminum or composite)
Engine oil cooler
Stainless dual Exhaust
Power steering cooler
HD Suspension
Trans Cooler
HD Wheels
Cooling Package
HD Body mounts
HD Tires (V rated)
HD Roof Reinforcement
Deleted hood insulation
Working spot light from factory
HD seats
Full size spare tire
3.23 Traction Lock (3.55 optional)

TGJ · Mar 15, 2007

I am pretty sure the 3.55's are not an option but standard equipment. Perhaps it is the Canadian PI crown vics that get 3.55's as standard equipment.

Doc GTO · Mar 15, 2007

TGJ said:
I am pretty sure the 3.55's are not an option but standard equipment. Perhaps it is the Canadian PI crown vics that get 3.55's as standard equipment.

On my year(up to 2002) the 3.23s were standard and the 3.55s optional which the trooper cars got. My car was a Captain's car so he did not run the highways all day long. As of 2003+ the 3.55s are standard and the traction lock and 3.23s are optional now.

'13_ImpactBlue_GT · Mar 15, 2007

Are ya gonna leave her as she is Doc or are ya gonna mod it

Doc GTO · Mar 15, 2007

Toms_2003_Stang said:
Are ya gonna leave her as she is Doc or are ya gonna mod it

Ahhh, well, . . . That's a tough question. I want to leave it alone but I have already dropped in a K&N and put a dual 2.25 inch exhaust with magnaflos and Maurader tips. It did need a new exhaust.

Now, if the tranny does take a crap down the road I may put in a 2800 stall and slap in 4.10s in the rear and If I find a wreaked 03/04 Mach 1 automatic I may do an engine swap . . . Damn - here I go again . . .

Fourth Horseman · Mar 16, 2007

Damn, Doc, if you're going to do all that to it you might as well go find a used Marauder.

QtrWarrior · Mar 18, 2007

I Knew sooner or later you'd see the light Doc...

Dee and I will be in Gainesville, Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon.. Drag Racing School for her... look us up..

Mike

metroplex · Mar 19, 2007

1998s weren't called "Police Interceptors". The Police Interceptor officially became the trim name for the P71 starting in 1999. If your 98 has a "POLICE INTERCEPTOR" emblem on the back, someone added it. In addition, the center caps in your photo were not used on the P71 until the 2000 Model year. Prior to the 2000 model year, the P71s used the same plastic center caps as the Explorer. The 2000-2002 model year P71s used the Type 170 stainless steel center caps used on the Ranger. In 2003, Ford re-designed the chassis and went to new wheels, resulting in the use of different center caps (if I recall correctly). Ford is now using 17" steel wheels on the late model P71s. FYI, the 2003-up Panthers can use take-off S197 wheels, and use the same 235/55R17 tire size.

I can't tell from your pics, but the 98 P71 never came with a black grille. They used chrome grilles (same as the 98-up civilian grilles). In 99, they used a glossy black painted slat grille while in 00 they went to a matte black slat grille. In 2001-present, they switched to a honeycombed black grille with a larger Ford oval. I suspect in 2008 or 2009, Ford will switch to a tri-bar design similar to what they are using on most 2008-up Fords (reference the 2008 Taurus, Focus, etc...)

The 1998 P71 has a matte black rear fascia with chrome trim, while 1999-up have a glossy black rear fascia with blacked out trim.

The 1998-2000 P71/P72/P73/P74 all have the same NPI 4.6L 2V V8 as the 96-98 Mustang GT, while the 2001-up Crown Vics have the PI 4.6L 2V V8 (same as 01-04 GT).

Only the 1999-early 2001, and 2006-up CVPIs had 3.55s (optional 3.55s for 2006-up). NONE OF THE P71s ever came with Traction-Lok differentials as a stock feature. They are $87 options.

All 98-up Crown Vics have the same trans oil and power steering fluid coolers, while the P71s have an added engine oil cooler that is notorious for leaking engine oil out of the seals and hoses. The radiators are all the same, and the transmissions are all the same.

The P71s w/ 3.27s have speed limiters set at 130 mph, while the 06-up w/ 3.55s are limited to 120 mph. The 99-early 01 CVPIs with 3.55s had a special aluminum metal matrix composite driveshaft that allowed them to safely drive at 130 mph. Ford switched to regular aluminum for the 06-up 3.55 equipped CVPIs, so back it went to 120 mph.

Other than 99-early 01 and 06-present, the CVPIs all came with 3.27:1 rear axle ratios.

The 2000 model year had inferior programming, resulting in a meager 160 rwhp bone stock (less than 190 fwhp) whereas the 98-99s dyno'd at 180+ rwhp, right at the advertised 215 fwhp rating.

The CVPI's dual exhaust is the SAME as the dual exhaust on the Handling and Performance Package (HPP) civilian Panthers and the LX Sport civilian Panthers, with the exception that the CVPIs do not have the resonators at the tips. These resonators are only found on civilian models, and are not restrictive at all.

The civilian Vics that are not LX Sports or HPPs have a single exhaust with 2.73s in the back. All Panthers come with open differentials unless it was ordered with an optional Traction-Lok (P71 only).

The fastest accelerating CVPIs were the 99s and early 01s due to good factory programming and the 3.55 rear axle ratio. The 99s were the first P71s to get the 11.25" torque converter (same one used in the 4R70Ws for the Mustang GTs and Mark VIIIs). In 2003-present, all the Panthers gained extra weight and did not receive much more horsepower. In 2004, the Panthers finally got extra hp but only for the CVPI due to the new airbox and MAF (250 hp from 239 hp). Since the race-ready weight is generally around 4300 lb, 250 hp does jack schitt to make it competitive with the Dodge Hemi Charger (R/T and 5.7 Police Package) which weighs about the same, and has 340-350 hp.

Doc GTO · Mar 19, 2007

metroplex said:
1998s weren't called "Police Interceptors". The Police Interceptor officially became the trim name for the P71 starting in 1999. If your 98 has a "POLICE INTERCEPTOR" emblem on the back, someone added it. In addition, the center caps in your photo were not used on the P71 until the 2000 Model year. Prior to the 2000 model year, the P71s used the same plastic center caps as the Explorer. The 2000-2002 model year P71s used the Type 170 stainless steel center caps used on the Ranger. In 2003, Ford re-designed the chassis and went to new wheels, resulting in the use of different center caps (if I recall correctly). Ford is now using 17" steel wheels on the late model P71s. FYI, the 2003-up Panthers can use take-off S197 wheels, and use the same 235/55R17 tire size.

I can't tell from your pics, but the 98 P71 never came with a black grille. They used chrome grilles (same as the 98-up civilian grilles). In 99, they used a glossy black painted slat grille while in 00 they went to a matte black slat grille. In 2001-present, they switched to a honeycombed black grille with a larger Ford oval. I suspect in 2008 or 2009, Ford will switch to a tri-bar design similar to what they are using on most 2008-up Fords (reference the 2008 Taurus, Focus, etc...)

The 1998 P71 has a matte black rear fascia with chrome trim, while 1999-up have a glossy black rear fascia with blacked out trim.

The 1998-2000 P71/P72/P73/P74 all have the same NPI 4.6L 2V V8 as the 96-98 Mustang GT, while the 2001-up Crown Vics have the PI 4.6L 2V V8 (same as 01-04 GT).

Only the 1999-early 2001, and 2006-up CVPIs had 3.55s (optional 3.55s for 2006-up). NONE OF THE P71s ever came with Traction-Lok differentials as a stock feature. They are $87 options.

All 98-up Crown Vics have the same trans oil and power steering fluid coolers, while the P71s have an added engine oil cooler that is notorious for leaking engine oil out of the seals and hoses. The radiators are all the same, and the transmissions are all the same.

The P71s w/ 3.27s have speed limiters set at 130 mph, while the 06-up w/ 3.55s are limited to 120 mph. The 99-early 01 CVPIs with 3.55s had a special aluminum metal matrix composite driveshaft that allowed them to safely drive at 130 mph. Ford switched to regular aluminum for the 06-up 3.55 equipped CVPIs, so back it went to 120 mph.

Other than 99-early 01 and 06-present, the CVPIs all came with 3.27:1 rear axle ratios.

The 2000 model year had inferior programming, resulting in a meager 160 rwhp bone stock (less than 190 fwhp) whereas the 98-99s dyno'd at 180+ rwhp, right at the advertised 215 fwhp rating.

The CVPI's dual exhaust is the SAME as the dual exhaust on the Handling and Performance Package (HPP) civilian Panthers and the LX Sport civilian Panthers, with the exception that the CVPIs do not have the resonators at the tips. These resonators are only found on civilian models, and are not restrictive at all.

The civilian Vics that are not LX Sports or HPPs have a single exhaust with 2.73s in the back. All Panthers come with open differentials unless it was ordered with an optional Traction-Lok (P71 only).

The fastest accelerating CVPIs were the 99s and early 01s due to good factory programming and the 3.55 rear axle ratio. The 99s were the first P71s to get the 11.25" torque converter (same one used in the 4R70Ws for the Mustang GTs and Mark VIIIs). In 2003-present, all the Panthers gained extra weight and did not receive much more horsepower. In 2004, the Panthers finally got extra hp but only for the CVPI due to the new airbox and MAF (250 hp from 239 hp). Since the race-ready weight is generally around 4300 lb, 250 hp does jack schitt to make it competitive with the Dodge Hemi Charger (R/T and 5.7 Police Package) which weighs about the same, and has 340-350 hp.

Very good info! My car says Crown Vic on the matt black rear insert and I swapped out the grill because the stock chrome grill was starting to peal and I got a newer set of wheels with a fresh powder coat and newer center caps. My car did have the factory recall on the intake and got the PI intake with the aluminum coolent crossover while in service with the Florida Highway Patrol. My car does have the traction lok rear as all FHP cars are ordered that way. Supervisor cars have the 3.27 and the trooper cars have the 3.55s.

metroplex · Mar 19, 2007

I would have thought the Supervisors would get 3.55s so they could burn rubber, while the Troopers would get 3.27s for better fuel economy!!

My 00 HPP gets 14-16 mpg in the city and 18-20 mpg on the highway (factory 3.55s...) I had to swap in a Traction-Lok diff, which was a take-off unit from a 1998 Mustang GT.

The Crown Vic is a decent daily driver, but the S197 GT blows it away in terms of performance (which isn't a surprise based on the specs, but in the driver's seat, it's a huge perceivable difference).

Doc GTO · Mar 19, 2007

metroplex said:
I would have thought the Supervisors would get 3.55s so they could burn rubber, while the Troopers would get 3.27s for better fuel economy!!

My 00 HPP gets 14-16 mpg in the city and 18-20 mpg on the highway (factory 3.55s...) I had to swap in a Traction-Lok diff, which was a take-off unit from a 1998 Mustang GT.

The Crown Vic is a decent daily driver, but the S197 GT blows it away in terms of performance (which isn't a surprise based on the specs, but in the driver's seat, it's a huge perceivable difference).

If I want to go really fast I just take the goat but the CVPI is a real nice driver!

metroplex · Mar 19, 2007

Bone stock, the 98-02 CVPIs will run an earth-shattering low 16s in the 1/4 mile.

Doc's Driving a Ford Now . . .

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