How to Make a Crown Victoria P71 Handle Like a Sports Car

Can you turn an old cop car into a sedan that handles like a sports car? Jim Leonard, the owner of this 2008 Ford Crown Victoria P71 walks us through how he did just that.
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[@RenshiSerenity]

I’ve got a 2011 CVPI and I’ve done almost the exactly what he’s done. Great vid! Thanks! Once I upgraded the suspension her really is a blast to drive.

[@folditcuzucan]

In 2019 i got a p71 with 80k miles and a missfire for $2300 long story short i seen water around the sparkplugs on the lot and it had a missfire when i got it i changed coil packs and plugs and it has been even better and more perfect than i could have imagined

[@ThatGuy-wz3or]

I love my 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis. I have the KYB shocks and added a rear sway bar and wow what a difference.

[@ukemike1]

There are a fair number of these in Lemons, and I am always impressed with how well they handle. I do hear that they devour consumables, like gas, brakes, and tires.

[@zac.bolin01]

Oh yeah they’re heavy cars for sure

[@sw4rm_fpv]

While heavy cars, those components are also highly dependent on driving style and aggressiveness. The easier you drive these, the more they will last. Usually the case with most vehicles but honestly it's quite impressive how bulletproof these vehicles are.

[@John-Anderson]

Also alternators and starters for being a realible car those suck every 100,000 miles or less and they do nottt handle well lol one of the worste cars bmws are well balanced they handle great until about 2016. Also stay away from the old crown voc/lincoln town cars / mercury grand marquis from 2005 and back they had transnissions problems fixed in the newer models

[@sw4rm_fpv]

@John-Anderson many people can not afford a modern BMW or older BMW, not to mention that BMW is not necessarily known for high mileage reliability. People love what they love. If you like Bugatti, then you like Bugatti. If you like Saab, you like Saab. If you like ford, the same applies to the aforementioned. People love old cop cars, not because they are the most capable track car or that they are the fastest, it's because the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is an icon of America for many people when they were growing up as either children or even modern adults. It was, and still is, a legend in the United States. People want that piece of history.

[@John-Anderson]

@@sw4rm_fpv yeah but old e46 aka 2000 to about 2005 or 2006 bmws are like 3000 dollars same as a crown vics and they really are worth trying on a track. My 2004 325i got up to 250,000 miles problem free when we sold it

[@MintyFreshTurds]

Just keep in mind, that aluminum diff cover is pretty and the drain plug is very convenient... but with it you are going to be very vulnerable to fuel tank rupture in a rear collision with that sharp webbing.

[@fastway007]

Do even know where the fuel tank is? Turd

[@abdullahyaseer4304]

I was looking for a nice Panther but couldn’t find one so instead I got a 2004 Lexus LS430 with the Sport Suspension for $4500. If I ever sell it then I would get either a P71 or Lincoln Town Car with these mods u did. Great video and car.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

Lexus is nice too

[@yaboirico5221]

I used to own a 1996 LS400 and it handled really well with just BC Coilovers even with some of the old worn out suspension. with 18" SC430 Wheels and some old used Michelins it drove great. I recently helped a friend buy a basic CV and it needs front sway bar bushings but it feels like it has no steering feel at all.

[@benmeyers9325]

I promise you for performance driving neither car is oriented for it, but it’s a hard say, I actually have both a 1991 LS400 (160k) and a 2010 CVPI (190 idle hours) and they’re both great cars for different reasons but the LS handles miles better, in my opinion. Just so smooth and comfortable, the Crown Vic kinda feels like driving a mini-F-150, feels like a truck, handles like a truck, is a truck.

[@benmeyers9325]

And weirdly my Crown Victoria with the open diff likes to understeer quite a bit, she heavy.

[@Warped9]

Did pretty much the same things to my ‘04 CrownVic LX. The car is transformed.

[@DeathTollRacing]

I thought that was our twin turbo Vic build. Nice car!

[@DeathTollRacing]

watch that cover on your rear end and make sure it’s not hitting your fuel vapor stuff. They get really close when lowered.

[@6bandzjaay942]

Whole time the police package come with advanced sports handling and suspension all the good stuff

[@kevinvilmont6061]

I really just need an expert like this guy to do it all for me and then get a new project and sell me this.

[@GrandPitoVic]

I have a 03' and a 08' both from the Miami Police Auction

[@MogulFarmer]

Thank you for sharing this info.

[@flyer2359x]

I have a crown vic here in Canada Nova Scotia and sadly the rust will take it long before it actually dies :(. Still in solid shape for being 16 years old but the rust is coming.

[@clmco36]

Have you ever heard of "washing your car?"

[@flyer2359x]

@@clmco36 apparently you've never dealt with salt 🤣. Most cars here are dead in 10 to 13 years so mine at 16 is doing solid. In winter it gets washed weekly and it's always waxed before winter and undercoated every year.

[@CuriousGospelofMark]

If you love the car stop driving it in the winter. now it’s like a Florida car

[@924patrik]

I want one, i want one bad. But there are only 115 Crown Vics in Sweden, which makes it a tad more difficult.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

Texas loves the Swedes! Come out to Austin for a big car show, enjoy the warm weather and high speed limits.

[@4.6lv8crownvictoria8]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERES 115 CROWN VICS IN YOUR COUNTRY?! YOU'RE SO LUCKY 😢

[@sixsixST2]

What springs did he use? All I can find are coilovers.

[@christianpray2432]

Probably civilian town car springs. Cvpi springs are higher.

[@WarriorOfEden3033]

Where did you get the lower front control arms?

[@rollonthis]

KYB Gas - Adjust? Thx 🙏 That’s what I put on since this video 🎉

[@Isthatujohnwayne]

So what did the engine make after the improvements?

[@nicreyes922]

Like your Ford Crown victoria Where can I get one like that clean? What's the website?

[@gabrielpalacios624]

Im confused, sometimes i hear individuals use front shocks instead of struts? Trying to learn fixing a car bit by bit, so, whats the difference bw them? If anything whats a good strut recommendation (fronts) for the vic?

[@ShredderSensei]

He could benefit from a Mo's Speed Shop tune

[@rollonthis]

Do you find the KYB gas adjuster to firm?

[@drevildruid]

I looked on the ADTR website and could not find a billet aluminum intake for a 4.6. Do you have a link or part number?

[@ninline2000]

The only aluminum intake for the 4.6 I've seen is full race. You'll lose all bottom end power.

[@ehambright]

Looks amazing!

[@laurenshommen1767]

nice one,those cars run good stock,but that wil even better with those hedders on 👍

[@rollonthis]

Is the ride to harsh ? I prefer the feel of the OEM Motorcraft P71 shocks… I put KYB Gas-a-Just and the ride is too harsh for me I feel every bump…

[@azizshavershian2065]

which springs did he use? I'd really appreciate if someone could connect me with this gentleman.

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

You can see more about this car on the owners website: jimsgarage.wordpress.com/tag/p71/

[@fiorella132]

Good video and good car the bestiario 8v car arpa d the Word los cost and fiability i get Onésimo grand marquis 2000 LS

[@HvacTrust-hw3xt]

cool that can do that when it is old

[@Nathan_King]

I've wanted to do this many times, but the numb steering, comfort-oriented seats, and weak engine seem to make it not worth the money and time. Maybe the ultimate sleeper if your willing to put the money into the engine though.

[@yuriabmxr]

This is just a way to have fun and be different, not to compete with a new M3C. I'm sure you could use a different rack from something or have a stock rack modified. A race seat would be a smart upgrade for safety's sake and gutting the thing would complement bolt on engine mods for a little speed boost. All in all, not a bad way to put together a reliable track car for way under $10k, if you don't want a Miata!

[@Nathan_King]

@ybaha1995 agree completely. I don't have the mechanical ability to do any of that except change out the seat. It would cost me a good bit more than $10K haha

[@CobraR1993]

The power is in the heads. Trick Flow makes heads for these cars that you can bolt on over 100HP.

[@musicrowbum]

... if you've upgraded everything between those heads & The air-filter, to take advantage of the 'Trick' flow. Cams, too. Valve springs, for RPM without float. Or you could look for an Intech 32V from a donor Lincoln MK-VIII, & start there.

[@DJackson1232]

best bang for your buck for these engines is to install a power adder and tune; supercharger or turbo or even NOS. set it up for low boost so you wont destroy your engine and save your money for supporting mods down the road. thats what i did to mine till i had enough money for everything else.

[@T_Smooth_]

Your voice sounds like a robot or A.I. 😂 But sweet car ❤

[@glockumollie1230]

Mine was a Fleet maintained by a department that takes care of anything that needs attention.

[@2006Mercury]

Wow

[@Charbacca]

WHAT no video of it driving?!

[@ryanjacobsen9557]

Just call Chris at Adtr and he will sell u a full performance suspension makes it handle like a ferrari

[@MogulFarmer]

Thank you for this I just found ADTR's website

[@ryanjacobsen9557]

@MogulFarmer I did the full suspension on my marauder front and back coil overs upper lower control arms sway bars watts link and the rear end bars are now billit aluminum with grease fittings

[@MogulFarmer]

@@ryanjacobsen9557 Wow. That sounds awesome. It must ride really nice with the upgrades.

[@ryanjacobsen9557]

@@MogulFarmer that and the fully built motor with pro charger and 4:10 gears

[@postalpancho]

Definitely not my taste but I understand the appeal. Would be cool to drive.

[@Tick25]

Don't be like me a spend 3k getting the frame patched. Along with another 2k replace the rockers.

[@JESUSRAMIREZ-rd7br]

Therrrrrr way too. Expensive even. with high. Mileage. Maybe I'll find one

[@CCPwillfall01]

Its a big car but it's a well balanced big car I've driven Porsches that handle worse

[@tiredlawdog]

Sounds like you shoveled a ton of money in that $4500 police interceptor. I have several, and love them, but that is a bit of an overkill. Car looks great by the way.

[@counterthirty]

Exactly , just a good throttle body setup, gear change , and a good tune is all you need.

[@DJackson1232]

maaaan i know for a FACT he spent at least 2 to 4 grand in parts just to make this car perform mildly better. the panther platform is just too expensive to mod unless you have a DEEP bank account.

[@JESUSRAMIREZ-rd7br]

10.000 Jesus Christ

[@DickLeehr]

Spoke yesterday at Morrisville C&C…wanted to get back to you but had to go out for breakfast. Told you about the Alpha One project at Ford….to read more, Google author Howard Crabb, my old neighbor and his book, The Virtual Engineer…enjoy, great history, enjoyed your Crown Vic😎

[@shoktroop]

Stay off meth. A CV will NEVER EVER handel like a "Sports Car"