MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) Since it's been kinda dead on here, I figured I'd let you all in on what I'm considering for the MKX... If you're on the mobile version, you probably don't see my sig so I'll mention again that it's a 2009 Tuxedo Black Lincoln MKX Limited Edition AWD (with the black grille). Pushing around 80,000 miles, bought it used in 2013, and it's been a nice car. I slapped a K&N air filter in the stock box about a year ago, I've used Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 and K&N oil filters since I got the vehicle and I religiously change the oil every 5000 miles. So far I've done a 4 wheel brake job with all Motorcraft rotors and pads, new outer tie rod ends, a driver side rear wheel bearing, and a set of Toyo Versado CUV P245/50R20 tires. I got the two front windows tinted to match the rest of the stock window tint and got a dark tint strip across the top of the windshield. Now... What I envision in the big picture here is some minor appearance changes and some performance mods to enhance the driving experience. "Why",You ask? Well, I guess that's just the kind of guy I am. I typically keep my vehicles for a long time. So, in an effort to keep things fresh, I can't leave anything alone I guess. Anyway.. The first thing I'm doing is conducting a little experiment with the side mirrors. I'm going to attempt to replace my stock 09 chrome capped mirrors with some black paint to match 2011-2014 style Edge mirrors. I just like the way they look better and I'm going to de-chrome my car a little... Next, I'm thinking H&R springs. Probably getting to be about due for new shocks and struts anyway so I plan to do that while we're in there. I like the idea of lowering it slightly and improving the handling a bit. I will probably paint the calipers at some point during or around this process and maybe slap some prettier Stoptech drilled rotors and a new set of Hawk pads in there too. Because... After that, I want some 20X8.5 Black TSW Max wheels. Not negotiable... Super badass looking and that's where my tastes lead me. Now onto performance... I must have at least an intake, exhaust, and tune combo. It's what I always do and this vehicle will not change that trend. Lol I dig the Gibson cat back sound in comparison to the Magnaflow as far as exhaust kits go. Magnaflow sounds good too but From the videos I've seen, Gibson won that contest. Now with the fact that Gibson is a kit made for the FWD cars, that means that there will have to be modifications. So I don't really know what I'm going to do there yet because if I have buy the kit just to take it to a muffler shop to modify, I might as well just have them build me a kit. It would no doubt be the more inexpensive way to go... Still undecided. Intake wise, I'm leaning towards the Weapon R Secret Weapon. I honestly just like the way it looks better than the K&N and I've heard nothing bad about them. Plus I may be able to find a way to rig their ram air tube off my lower grille somehow but I haven't really looked into it much yet. K&N intake isn't off the table completely but I'm not a fan of oiled filters anymore so if I went with that kit, I'd buy a dry filter for it from AFE or someone. Also thinking heavily about trying out the BBK 73mm throttle body for the 3.7L mustang. If it fits, which it should, it'll likely help performance all the way up the power band. I will be buying an SCT device and some custom tunes. (X4 or Livewire TS+) Seems like people are all about Torrie at unleashed tuning so I'll no doubt be at least talking to him. If anyone else has tried tunes from anyone else that they want to endorse, hit me up. I like the idea of the Livewire device mostly for the extra functionality and the ability to hook up a backup camera. Also up for consideration is the sprint booster. Just sounds like a fun mod. We'll see... So there you have it. Let's discuss! Edited July 17, 2016 by MikeKiloXrayOhNiner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted July 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) Oh yeah... Forgot to mention that I want some black Lincoln center caps for the TSW's and some black 4" tips on whatever exhaust setup I go with... Also looking at some middle of the road tinting options for the rear tail lights and side markers! Got a neat idea for that. Stealthy... That oughtta get some of you folks all riled up! Lol Edited July 1, 2016 by MikeKiloXrayOhNiner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted July 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 As of today I can check the side mirror project box off on the checklist as a success!!! Planning to start building up the parts pile to get her lowered next month. Doing H&R springs, most likely going with Motorcraft shocks and struts, Stoptech drilled rotors, Hawk HPS pads, new hardware packs on all 4 wheels, stainless steel brake lines, gloss black caliper paint, and possibly even 4 new wheel bearings. Needless to say, this next phase may take a little while. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 My H&R springs are here. New shocks and struts have been ordered. I went with the KYB's. My new plan is to get the shocks, struts and springs done and re-aligned this month. I hope to have some before and after shots and a progress report up on here in a couple weeks if I can. I'm still planning on getting the brakes redone eventually. But I'll probably plan on getting all that stuff closer to when I can get my wheels. I'm thinking about starting in on some performance mods first. We'll see how it goes. I did order some new cheap pedal covers off eBay. I'm going to be experimenting with some VW and Volvo style pedals so hopefully I can get a combination that fits and looks good but we'll see how that goes. More on that to come when they get here from China. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3500cc Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Don't waste your money on that sprint booster. Their website specifically states it will not increase horsepower. Your tuner will make your car very responsive and add horsepower. Spend that money on beer instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 I was mulling it over. I'll most likely see if the custom tunes leave anything to be desired in the throttle response department before I pull that trigger but you're right. Tunes should be sufficient assuming they're working correctly. Leaning towards exhaust next after the springs and shocks but I still need to decide what I want to do after I explore the custom options and the costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted August 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 KYB Excel-G's just showed up. Hoping to get this sucker lowered next Friday night or Saturday morning and aligned the following Monday after it's had some time to settle a bit. Can't wait! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted November 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Well it took a lot longer than I expected to find the time to get the H&R springs and new KYB shocks and struts installed. But it finally happened last night. The MKX's stance already looks a lot better in my opinion. I have an appointment set up for a four wheel alignment on Monday and she's getting detailed on Wednesday so I'll put up some new pics soon! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted November 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2016 (edited) Ok... here's some before and after the new H&R Springs pics as promised. The sun is in a different spot but I tried to replicate the "before" shot as best I could. Here we go... Before: After: BOOM! Edited November 13, 2016 by MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted November 13, 2016 Report Share Posted November 13, 2016 Looks much better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted November 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) Tackled another minor project today... I know I said in my post above above that I wanted some 4" black exhaust tips but the best I could find that'd bolt right on to the Stock tail pipes were 3". I also didn't like how low the tips sat in the stock bumper exhaust cut outs which was part of the reason I wanted 4" tips. Well I put the new 3" tips on and they were still sitting low but even more noticeably. So I got three shorter than stock rubber exhaust isolator hanger thingies and replaced the stock ones in order to pull the whole rear exhaust assembly up closer to the bumper. They sit pretty high and tight now. See below: Before: After: Before: After: Edited November 14, 2016 by MikeKiloXrayOhNiner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Whitehead Posted November 14, 2016 Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) l Edited November 14, 2016 by Tyler Whitehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Whitehead Posted November 14, 2016 Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 I was mulling it over. I'll most likely see if the custom tunes leave anything to be desired in the throttle response department before I pull that trigger but you're right. Tunes should be sufficient assuming they're working correctly. Leaning towards exhaust next after the springs and shocks but I still need to decide what I want to do after I explore the custom options and the costs. I have a Gibson Catback on my Edge Sport and oh my does she sound sexy!!!! also with the combination of the K&N air intake it sounds like a beast and can hear it from blocks away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Whitehead Posted November 14, 2016 Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 Ok... here's some before and after the new H&R Springs pics as promised. The sun is in a different spot but I tried to replicate the "before" shot as best I could. Here we go... Before: IMG_3375.JPG After: IMG_3755.JPG BOOM! How does it drive with the springs installed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted November 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 Handling and drivability improvements across the board in my opinion. Substantially reduced body roll. Takes curves and corners exceptionally well for what it is. I definitely recommend it to those who appreciate these kind of things in a crossover SUV. (Some people like the SUV characteristics more and wouldn't want it to drive more like a car.) It's a subtle appearance change for the better in my opinion but I see that as a bonus given the awesome handling benefits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Posted November 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) I have a Gibson Catback on my Edge Sport and oh my does she sound sexy!!!! also with the combination of the K&N air intake it sounds like a beast and can hear it from blocks awayWhat year Edge Sport do you have? Is it AWD? I was really interested in the Gibson cat back kit for my 09 at first but from what I've read, it doesn't fit the 3.5L 1st gen AWD models without modifications. I'm not sure exactly what needs to be modified on it though. Anyway, the Magnaflow kit would probably be alright and it appears to fit all models but it's pretty damn pricey and from the videos I've seen, it doesn't sound as good as the Gibson kit or even some of the custom routes people have tried. (Muffler swaps, straight piping, etc...) So I'm still on the fence about all that. Leaning toward messing with some custom options rather than buying a Gibson kit and paying to modify it because then I'd be paying Magnaflow price and I can't really justify that right now. For now, and this could change but I'm thinking I'll probably just start piecing together brake stuff for the next project. That way, when I finally get around to buying the wheels I want, everything looks good behind them. Good responsive brakes and lighter wheels are good for performance regardless. Still thinking Stoptech drilled sport rotors, Hawk HPS pads, stainless brake lines, and new caliper hardware kits are going to be next. We shall see. Going to take a while to buy all that stuff. I'm not really going to be in the position to do any car mods for a little while anyway. Once I got all that stuff and the wheels on someday, it'll be time for some "go-fast" stuff. Edited November 14, 2016 by MikeKiloXrayOhNiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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