Remember me guys, I've got a '96 now....

[96gts]

I was going to get a '99 about 3-4 months ago, but the deal went sour. But I didn't give up hope, I found a '96.

I've got some question's. What's different about the '96s from the '99s?? Don't the '96s have an electronically adjusted suspension??

Also, since it's used I'm not sure what oil has been used in it. Do you guys think I'll have any problems switching to Mobil One full synth?? And should I use 5w-30 or 10-30?? I live in Houston, so it's hot 10 months out of the year.

I'm aware of the cam problems the car could have, but I can't afford the $1K to help the problem not happen. Maybe down the road some day....

 

[Mike Kopstain]

99's do not have the semi active ride control suspension. You do.

As for the cams, I would go as far as to say it is foolish of you to not get them taken care of immediately. You paid all this money to buy the car. Now fix the one problem that can destroy it. If you think that the $500 to weld the cams would set you back, imagine a $5,000 bill for a new engine and labor to install it, and that is a very conservative estimate. There is sometimes no warning. One minute you are driving, half an hour later, your 3500lb paperweight is being towed to the mechanic who's kids you will be putting through college.

Get my point?

 

[XLSuruaT]

Congrats on the purchase.

Definitly do something with your cams. I'm keeping myself updated on the issue and www.v8sho.com have had 18 failures reported this month, that's a failure per day!!

 

[PROPHET]

SE 2 SHOSE:
Congrats on the purchase.

Definitly do something with your cams. I'm keeping myself updated on the issue and www.v8sho.com have had 18 failures reported this month, that's a failure per day!!

eek! eek!

 

[Bob Gervais]

Congrats on the purchase! And yeah, the cams...

 

[96gts]

So how many of you guys have had the cams welded or pinned??

I checked out how far it would be for me to drive to FPS, it's a 1600 mile round trip. That's not too bad, and I wouldn't mind taking a road trip in my poor man's Jaguar. wink

If I actually do drive it to FPS, will they do the job that day, or will I have to wait. Well, now that I think about it, I'd call and make reservations basically.

What's the total bill usually from them guys, welded cams, labor, etc.?

 

[snake396]

what part of the houston area do you live in? i'm up in the woodlands. my dad just took the car up to OKC last weekend and had the cams welded by kirk. but he's only gonna be down there for this week, and i think you have to make reservations.

 

[SHOZ123]

Living in Houston I would use Mobil 1 10w 40. Mobil 1's 30w oils are on the low scale of the 30w range.

The '96s had ride height sensors for ther SARC in the back which the other years didn't have. Not saying that this is a plus as I removed all of mine.

Cam welding should be in the $400 to $500 range. And actually that is a bit high for someone experienced. About 2 hours work unless doing other things like cleaning the IRM.

 

[96gts]

snake396:
what part of the houston area do you live in? i'm up in the woodlands. my dad just took the car up to OKC last weekend and had the cams welded by kirk. but he's only gonna be down there for this week, and i think you have to make reservations.

I used to live in Spring, but I moved out to the Katy area. I mainly hang out with Mustang guys, BSing about our cars. I've been to the Woodlands car show about 10 times.

Who's Kirk, and where's he at?? Is he just visiting Houston to weld cams for SHO guys??

 

[96gts]

SHOZ123:
Living in Houston I would use Mobil 1 10w 40. Mobil 1's 30w oils are on the low scale of the 30w range.

Well, Mobil One doesn't make a 10w-40, the go from 10w-30 to 15w-50. I use the 15w-50 in my stang, and I have never had a problem with it, and it's got 128K+ on the odometer.

I'll probably go with the 10w-30 wieght, and if it uses any or if I can see it smoke real bad out the tail pipes, then I'll switch to the 15w-50. Also, these car's take 6.5 quarts, right??

 

[MilTownSHO]

96gts:

SHOZ123:
Living in Houston I would use Mobil 1 10w 40. Mobil 1's 30w oils are on the low scale of the 30w range.

Well, Mobil One doesn't make a 10w-40, the go from 10w-30 to 15w-50. I use the 15w-50 in my stang, and I have never had a problem with it, and it's got 128K+ on the odometer.

I'll probably go with the 10w-30 wieght, and if it uses any or if I can see it smoke real bad out the tail pipes, then I'll switch to the 15w-50. Also, these car's take 6.5 quarts, right??

Yep the 3.4 V8's take 6 1/2 quarts of oil

 

[SHOZ123]

Yes you are right they do not make a 10w40. But they do make a 0w40 and a 15w50. With the bigger filter you can get 7 quarts in the car.

 

[96gts]

What bigger filter?? Doesn't it take a FL-400a??

If I can put a bigger oil filter on there, I'd be very interested in knowing which one?? To me the more oil capacity the better.

Do you think it would hurt to go with 15w-50?? That's what I use in my stang, and she has over 128K.

 

[SHOZ123]

The Fl-1A size. I use K&N HP-3001. I would not worry about the 15w50 if you race in TX. Otherwise I would run the 0W40 or a different brand of oil.

 

[96gts]

SHOZ123:
The Fl-1A size.

......or a different brand of oil.

So an FL-1A will fit?? That's freaking awesome, I guess the oil seals are the same diameter on the 400a and the 1a??

And what other oil are you talking about?? If it's twice as much as Mobil One, like Amsoil or Redline or even Royal P, then don't worry about it. I've checked out just about every oil there is out there.

 

[snake396]

96gts:

snake396:
what part of the houston area do you live in? i'm up in the woodlands. my dad just took the car up to OKC last weekend and had the cams welded by kirk. but he's only gonna be down there for this week, and i think you have to make reservations.

I used to live in Spring, but I moved out to the Katy area. I mainly hang out with Mustang guys, BSing about our cars. I've been to the Woodlands car show about 10 times.

Who's Kirk, and where's he at?? Is he just visiting Houston to weld cams for SHO guys??

If you've been to the woodlands car show you may have seen me out there. i'm there every weekend.

And Kirk is from Mass. he cam to Oklahoma to do cam welds for about a week, i think he may have already gone back.

 

[SHOZ123]

Mobil 1 comes in 0w40 and 15w50. Along with the ususal 0w30, 5w30, and 10w30.

 

[MilTownSHO]

SHOZ123:
Yes you are right they do not make a 10w40. But they do make a 0w40 and a 15w50. With the bigger filter you can get 7 quarts in the car.

What's the actual benefit of the bigger filter besides more oil. I just changed the oil today with the FL-400. Should I use the bigger one from now on? I mean the car already takes 6.5 quarts!

 

[SHOZ123]

The bigger filter will not only increase the oil capacity, but has a larger surface area to filter. This means less pressure drop as well as the ability to hold more dirt before going into bypass. There is also more outside surface area to radiate heat but this is somewhat negated by the close proximity to the exhaust header. I have a heat shield on my filter.

 

[snake396]

SHOZ123:
The bigger filter will not only increase the oil capacity, but has a larger surface area to filter. This means less pressure drop as well as the ability to hold more dirt before going into bypass. There is also more outside surface area to radiate heat but this is somewhat negated by the close proximity to the exhaust header. I have a heat shield on my filter.

but wouldn't the increased volume of the larger filter lower oil pressure as well?