I really doubt there is much to be gained here. I've done it to my 91, but I think I would avoid it on a super low mile, pristine car like yours. Or maybe buy another stock lid for the filter and modify that one while leaving the stocker intact. Another, cleaner option, is something like the SLP Claw intake.

www.zfdoc.com sells one for your 6 speed. While most don't think it's necessary unless you are abusing/using the car hard on a road course or something, it most definitely can't hurt. Seeing as your ultimate goal is longevity, I think this might be a worth while mod for you.

For added HP, I think the lowering the engine temperature to maximum the cooling system will allow is a good idea, for longevity, the stock temperature is probably the best. Allowing the oil and other fluids to come up to temp should aide in the overall longevity of the engine. Never allowing the oil to top 210 degrees could eventually shorten the life of the engine.

I've never heard of that, unless you are auto crossing or road racing the car. Even then it seems like the majority of the failures are due to boiling the fluid. A quality fluid certainly won't hurt anything.

I wouldn't expect a tremendous horse power gain, I would suspect less than 10 RWHP without the addition of high flow cats and headers. The main draw would be the sound. In my opinion, I think these are a worth while mod, but some like the stock sound just fine.

Good luck, that's a sweet car you've got.

 

Neat,
Thanks for the advice!

With all the inputs, I think I will:
-KN Filter w/o cutting box
-Corsa system (at later date)
-Install drain tube around Opti-spark on water pump

and leave the rest alone.
Thanks to all....

 

Thats fine for some I guess, but the way everyone is talking him out of mods, you would think that a stock LT-4 was powered by NASA or something. You can mod the car to different levels and still maintain balance or even increase it. If you increase the power and care about handling, then make mods to that area as well. I personally can run my AC in traffic, and did so when it was almost a hundred degrees and humid and the car never went over 200 degrees. Add that to the fact that it sounds a hundred times better and I could eat a sandwich and still run down a stock LT-4 and I fail to see where there is a big negative. I mean, it isn't like you are voiding a warranty on an almost 11 year old car. The only reason I would see for him NOT to mod his car is for resale if he wasn't sure he was going to keep the car for a while. You definitely won't get your money back and some of the potential market will be mistrusting of anything not factory.

Sure poorly done mods can have adverse side effects, but with the exception of the smoke and mirrors doodads that sell for 19.99 on Ebay, most mods will give you something related to going faster. Also, a modified engine or car is not necessarily less reliable. A properly chosen package can give decent returns without loosing any real dependability. When you go in and mod, it can make you more inclined to push your car and if you do then parts that aren't up to par may show their weakness, but you just have to be aware of that and upgrade areas that you know are living on the edge and be prepared for others that may not give you warning. If you can wrench yourself you will also save a fortune in labor, though understandably not everyone wants to or can. I've got a shiny polished Zex kit to go on over the winter, with the safety percautions, but I've also got another bottom end just in case.

Basically reading some of these replies sound like the subject being disussed was something fragile or was in a Lincoln Towncar forum. Nogoodsam, if you were going to do just a few mods that won't touch the motor then do the gear, the exhaust and maybe an air intake. You will notice a nice SOTP result from the gear, the exhaust will free up a few ponies and at least sound like you are driving a Corvette and the intake doesn't hurt anything at the worst. A Hurst shifter will also not harm anything and will give you a much better feel going through the gears. I also would say to put on the electric waterpump when you do decide to do the opti. Sounds like you got a great car and these won't do anything but add to your enjoyment of it.

 

I highly recommend 4.10 gears on an LT4. The motor has plenty of rpm range and with the 6 speed, it still tachs very low on the highway...2,000 rpms = 78 mph. It makes the drive alot more fun as you can wind the motor up more often without bending the speed limit laws too much. I definitely would not want to go back to the stock gear.