What were changes for 1998

[super302]

What are the changes for the 98 model compared to the 96/97, i know they were rated at 10 more horsepower, why is that

I also know the clock pod is missing, anything else.

thanks,
Patrick

 

[bdcardinal]

enough to make it a pain in the ass to find 98 parts thats for sure. i just bought my 98 on monday. i think the difference was in teh fuel system. but luckily im mostly focusing on suspension because all that matters to me is the twisties.

 

[super302]

anyone??

 

[def1eppard]

Yeah I just got my 98 GT and I've always noticed certain parts are only for 96-97. The 98 GT must be sooooooooooooo different.

 

[1tirefire]

On 98 gt, no pod on dash, different(returnless)fuel sys, different exhaust,and I think different computer tune.

 

[98stangv8]

extra 10hp came from exhaust mods..


with the fuel system...you can take a fuel rail from a 97 and put it on..that way you can have an adjustable regulator put on..since you can't take the regulator off a 98

 

[Moonlight97GT]

Let me see if I can answer all the questions, etc.

First '98s for some reason have a lot of differences compared to a '96-'97. I don't know why ford did it but '98s don't have a clock, the stock regulator is welded to the rail, different fuel pump, different exhaust hangers, different rear bumper support, no strut tower brace, & a more aggressive tune.

You can use the '96-'97 rails to add a regulator to a '98.

 

[bdcardinal]

what sucks for me is that in CA if your car had a returnless style fuel system from the factory, you cant change to a return style. also adjustable fuel pressure regulators arent kosher.

 

[tomustang]

10hp is due to the 2 1/2in exhaust compared to the 96-97's 2 1/4

 

[super302]

thanks

 

[def1eppard]

10hp is due to the 2 1/2in exhaust compared to the 96-97's 2 1/4

Is it full 2 1/2" exhaust or just the tailpipes?

 

[Blev]

what sucks for me is that in CA if your car had a returnless style fuel system from the factory, you cant change to a return style. also adjustable fuel pressure regulators arent kosher.

Damn California CARB........

bdcardinal: You need to make it down this way to one of our meets. We are also planning on a run to Longboards as well, check the West Coast forum's for events.

 

[tygr1]

enough to make it a pain in the ass to find 98 parts thats for sure. i just bought my 98 on monday. i think the difference was in teh fuel system. but luckily im mostly focusing on suspension because all that matters to me is the twisties.

Right on bud. Another road warrior.

 

[tygr1]

Damn California CARB........

bdcardinal: You need to make it down this way to one of our meets. We are also planning on a run to Longboards as well, check the West Coast forum's for events.

Blev...tell me more, will you?!?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Is it full 2 1/2" exhaust or just the tailpipes?

I'm 99% sure that it's just the tailpipes.....or mufflers back at the most. I don't believe that the '98's were a full 2 1/2" all the way through.

 

[LI98GTStang]

I'm 99% sure that it's just the tailpipes.....or mufflers back at the most. I don't believe that the '98's were a full 2 1/2" all the way through.

The stock catback I pulled off of my '98 was 2.25" (non-mandrel bent) and tips from the wheels on back were 2.5". I replaced it with the mandrel FRPP 2.5" catback with 3.0" tips. Most of the repalcement catbacks you are going to find are 2.5" with various sized tips from 3.0", 3.5" or 4.0"(too big IMO on 96-98s but looks great on 99+).

 

[def1eppard]

2.5" tailpipes is supposed to add 10 HP?! So I wonder where the 2 1/4" part ends and the 2 1/2" part starts. I know it sounds like I'm over thinking this, but I wanna make the right choice the first time...and I really wanna get Spintech Sportsmans! I don't wanna have to buy a catback kit just to be stuck with mufflers I don't want.

Wait i'm making this way too complicated, i just realized that probably just the H-pipe, mufflers, and flowtubes are 2 1/4"...man I just wanna start moddin and its getting to my head.

 

[Blev]

Blev...tell me more, will you?!?

Tell you more about what? California CARB? You can find out alot at that page. We are so limited on what we can and can't do, it's pathetic. As long as you don't get to crazy, you can find a "smog friendly" shop that will pass you.

 

[LI98GTStang]

2.5" tailpipes is supposed to add 10 HP?! So I wonder where the 2 1/4" part ends and the 2 1/2" part starts. I know it sounds like I'm over thinking this, but I wanna make the right choice the first time...and I really wanna get Spintech Sportsmans! I don't wanna have to buy a catback kit just to be stuck with mufflers I don't want.

Wait i'm making this way too complicated, i just realized that probably just the H-pipe, mufflers, and flowtubes are 2 1/4"...man I just wanna start moddin and its getting to my head.

The answer to the 2.5" tips giving 10hp is no. Ford changed some items on the '98 compared to the 96/97s. One of the differences is they changed the tip size and hanger locations for the '98. That's why you see replacement catbacks listed seperately. There are ECU differences between the 96/97s, which most people believe is the 10hp increase.

If your in cali, you really have to be careful when changing out parts to stay emissions legal. Catbacks or mufflers are OK, but touching the midpipes is a no-no, unless you know someone that won't give you a hard time about reducing the number of cats.

I say go for the mufflers you want to get the sound your looking for, then if later you want to open up the exhaust more, then do so by changing out the catback.

 

[def1eppard]

Thanks for the info LI, appreciate it....but I don't think I'll have much trouble cause I live in Texas