ArmyofOne

I know that im probably gonna get quite a few "I told ya so's" for this, but i dont really care... :P For those of you that do not know, I currently drive and Modify a 2002 Ford Escort ZX-2 5speed. It shares the 2.0L DOHC Zetec I4 with the Contour/Cougar Focus. Well, I consider the car highly modified: The Go: Ported and Polished head with 5 angle valve job, Brembo Ventilated Front Rotors, with Protech pads and shoes in rear, Steel Headgasket, 11:1 compression ratio (increased from 9.5:1), Gutted Cat, Removed Resonator, custom exhaust piping, 4-2-1 Header, Superchip, Ajdustable Cam Gears. The Show: JL Audio 10W3v2.4 10" D4 Subwoofer, Elemental Designs slot-ported Enclosure, Kenwood KAC-7202 Amplifier, Kenwood KDC-1028 HU, 2 Apline Type S Co-ax 6.5's in front, 4 Alpine Type S Co-ax 5x7's in rear, Llumar High Performance Window Tint, 5% rear, 20% front, Falken Ziex ZE512's, 4300K HID kit by HIDtronix Well now, im adding 3 more mods to the list...and they are big. Last saturday, i came around the corner to pull into the parking lot of my apartment complex, downshifted from 5th to 2nd (i usually use 5th at speeds 35 and above to save gas). I had nothing. I shifted out of 5th, into netural and i couldnt go into any other gear. the stick literally would not go in. so myself being a dumbass pushed as hard as i could. i couldnt get into any gear except 5th, so i left the clutch down in 5th gear and coasted into my parking space. (in case i couldnt get going again, at least i was parked). I put it in reverse, got a slight grind, and then the shifter went in, but as i let out on the clutch, i got a real bad shudder and grinding, almost like it was halfway in gear. I brought the gear shift out of reverse, and SLAMMED it back in. this fixed the problem, i went aroudn the parking lot in a couple of circles, and all seemed well, though i never left second (fairly large lot). so i parked and when on about my night. Well about 10 pm or so, I come back out, and start the car. all seems well, shift from 1-2 at 10mph...2-3 at 20...3-4 at 30...4-5 at 35 and CRUNCH. the gears grind with a quick grind as the selector slid into 5th. Ordinarily, i would do this repair myself, but when i purchased the car, I also purchased a 4 year, 48,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. (SMART ME). So I took the car to the dealer this morning...and the diagnosis is, a bad 5th gear/Reverse Synchro and Shift fork. Here is the suprising part. For the part and the labor, the total was going to be less than $450. The tech said the transaxle didnt have to be taken out for the repair, which is true, there is an access panel in the top of the transaxle, 4 bolts and your in, and the Synchros are an 8mm wrench and an allen key and they are off. At any rate, I faxed my warranty paperwork over to the dealer and they called my warranty company. My warranty company has no issues at all paying for this, BUT, they wanted my authorization for the dealer to pull the transaxle out and do a complete inspection, to check and make sure nothing else has gone wrong, and at no additional expense to me (I hope). So that in case something else is wrong, we can replace it now, under one go round, saving the warranty company money. Understandable. now, here is where the mods come in. Because They are going to have the transaxle out, and the car has 70,000 miles on it, there is no sense in pulling the transaxle and NOT replacing the clutch. So a CenterForce Clutch, good for 500 HP goes in . Also, at the cost of another hours labor ($65) and the price of the part, a Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel will be installed. and for FREE (because i had it in my contour, AND I KEPT IT AGAINST THE ADVICE OF MY FATHER), A Quaife Limited Slip Differential is going in too. So, i am DEFINATELY prepped for a turbo now. I even have one off of a humvee...but its entirely to large to put in my car...so i will search EBAY for a T3 when i return from Iraq. then we will get this party started. and FTWAC (For those who are curious), I am putting somewhere around 200HP to the flywheel, in a car that has a transaxle rated to handle 150 MAX. Thats why it blew...I hammered the hell out of it, and overpowered it at the same time. Unmodded and driven normally, these trasnaxles last 300-400K miles no problem. I am still quite happy with my overall purchase and will continue to be. I will just have to be more careful. Visit the Dragway less. ;) At any rate, I just thought my friends here at LOC might like an update.

Well perhaps....I'd sure like to know what Lexus was thinking with the Bridgestone RE 92's as an OE tire over the years (I'm guessing fuel economy was much more important & won over the safety factor of good grip.....even in light rain). The MXV4's are catagorized as a 'grand touring all season' tire though. But understood about the Dunlop's. B) well, i can say this, i will be purchasing a 1998-2001LS when i return from Iraq. It WILL have falkens on it. ^low profile? those look like low profile? hardly. i have found, with the falkens, the best ride/grip is acheived between 28 and 33 Psi. this accelerates wear a little bit, but not much. I have had my falkens on my escort for 10K of Spirited driving. no signs of wear. they make my escort sound very similar to my ES in terms of road noise. almost nothing. I REFUSE to pay $170 per tire or more for an MXV4...my mother had them on her last car (Concorde Limited) and i COULD NOT STAND THEM. went to falkens for christmas. and her camry, has falkens too. my brothers ranger has them as well. My ONLY complaint about these tires, is that when the temp is cold (below 30) and the roads are dry, its easy to leave rubber behind in the first 10 minutes of driving. you have already dropped the pressure, and you still arent happy, i would be more than happy to buy them from you, but i dont have an application for them as of yet, i have 195/60/VR15 and they almost rub, a 205/65.15 would not only look rediculously large, it would rub my struts...otherwise i would have ben more than happy to buy them from you for the price you paid, minus install and sales tax. Im sorry you werent happy with your purchase. Cant please everybody.

ACK! no i didnt, lol thanks for the link, dont know where my mind has been lately. so what do you guys think of this? is this the right direction for our country to head, with so much of our economy dependant on oil?

I dont have cable here, and CNN's website hasnt been very forthcoming. so can someone break down the State of the Union Address for me? I woudl like to start a discussion on it, but first i have to know what it was about. and lets try to keep this civil people. I dont care who you voted for, or why, i just want to have a civilized discussion.

There once was a man, rather reckless. Who enjoyed dangerous things in his Lexus, Ideas in his head, almost got him dead but they killed the poor lexus instead :( i only put this out here, cause it was me...i was the man. :cries: OR With Lexus pushing the limit, The germans seem kind of timid. Then Chris Bangle said: "Hey, Lexus is dead" But boy we sure gave him a kick in the head.

it may affect your alignment, and will put wear and tear on other suspension parts that isnt needed.

The GS300 has an I6 engine (same engine as the IS), but you don't have to worry about the sludge. That problem was strictly limited to the ES300 V6 (from 97-01 I believe). actually, the camry V6's those years, and the RX300's as well were all subject to this. also the 3sfe I4 of the early/mid 90's.

It's sad you typed so much after that. Big waste of your time. You'll find that most people won't respect anything you say once you've shown your !Removed!. Army said your statement was ignorant. It was. It seems to me your only reply is typing just enough to mix some insults in & get by with them. Anyways, on topic... When it came down to evaluating my car, the dealership quoted me $18,000 (2001 Gs430 - black, nav, levinson 60k miles). This obviously killed the deal and I walked away. First: Am I nuts for considering trading a lexus for a ford? Second: Are they nuts thinking my car is worth only 18K? I dont think you are all that crazy, it depends on what suits your persoanlity. if you like the In your face styling of the mustang, go for it. i personally wouldnt want to take the kick in the pants when trading it, but then, if you own your GS outright, you could all but pay cash for the stang, then trade it every 2-3 years on a newer car so your value stays up, and pay cahs every time. thats whta my folks did, and now they have 2 nearly new vehciles and no payments (well the camry is new). i would personally stick with the GS430. although the only real thing i dont like about Lexus is there lack of a manual in all except the IS in recent years. i really think the GS would be a HOT seller and reseller with a supra 6 speed behind it, at least in the 300.

Yes, you're going from most reliable to least reliable <_< Ford and chevy are the worst cars you can buy. i hate it when people make ignorant statements... So do I, so you really need to stop making them escort boy Nice...you know how many lexus/toyota cars i have been under the hood of? you need to pull your head out of your 4th point of contact before you get this thread locked. you got something to say to me, do it via PM's. I have been working on cars since before i could see over the hood. your knowledge is based off of other peoples experience and what magazines and news tells you, i make my desicisions based off of personal experience. in fact, the last time i owned a lexus, i went off of what other people said "oh its 15 years old, sure it will have its problems, but will be largely trouble free" was the basick jist...$5,000 and 4 months later... I was rebuilding engines when i was 10. im 21 now. 11 years of rebuilding engines, and about 14 years of working on cars. better think before you speak next time. A class act you are... oh and FWIW, i dont exactly drive easy, so thats not the reason... You're correct it was an ignorant statement! I and every magazine, report, artice and person who contributed in surveys that said ford and chevy are the worst cars should have consulted you before that vote was cast. Your mature and logical facts have shown me the error of my ways. Your escort is the cherry on top of the cake and should be the driving force behind all fords new ads and you as an "army of one" owe it to america and the world to educate everyone, as you've educated me that because your escort has given you no problems then Ford must be the greatest automaker on earth. Like my mazda mx6 that I bought new in 94 made by ford and has given me 0 problems because I meticulously maintain it myself. Although many others who bought the MX6 had distrubutor failures and left the owners stranded, hey but not mine, so it must not count. Maybe with your vigilence ford won't have to close it's Explorer plant because of decline in customer sales of the explorer line and they won't have to move to mexico, like GM already did. You will be the one to turn around the Ford line, you could be the what Lee Iococa was to Chrysler. Go forth and tell everyone young man, your future awaits. Then come back in 15 years and talk to me once you have some experience and knowledge in the big oval thing on top of your shoulders, that is if you can find any room in there for it. While you're at it why don't you get a little more worked up over what someone says about a POS car, keyboard warrior. Since that must be your only enjoyment in life. Get a life and a girlfriend, your car doesn't count. First off, I just went through a bitter breakup. I am working on a GF at the moment, some of us have to work a little harder to get what we want. I hate people who act like kids, as such, finding a mature cadidate for a GF that meets my standards is, well, a daunting task to say the least. There is a need to reply. I dont think you understand what I am saying. You read/see what you choose. I HAVE BEEN AROUND CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE WITH THEM. Probably moreso than you. I cant stand people that think just cause I am young means I dont know jack *BLEEP* about anything. Ask Steve, as he and I had this fallout once before (and now get along quite well since we understand each other's views) I HATE stereotypes...with a passion. So dont bring them at me, cause I will throw them back in your face, much like I am about to do. :D THAT ONE STATEMENT was ignorant. You cannot class all vehciles made by american car makers into an unreliable status. I am simply pointing that out. Just because a cavalier is notorious for being a pile of crap, doesnt mean an escort or a neon is equally so. they do their job fine for what they were designed for. That is a cheap commuter car with a few ounces of fun thrown in. If they didnt do this, does it stand to reason people would still buy them? I am not BY ANY MEANS stating that my Escort is the best car out there, because its not, by far. (you were the only one that stated this). It has lots of little things that go wrong but do not affect the overall function of the car, but has never given me a major problem, nor has any other ford we have ever had. I bought it because I need RELIABLE, and fuel effeicient transportation (better than the camry, almost 30 mpg in the city), at a cheap price, and the $6,000 pricetag for a 2002 model car fit the bill, and its decent amounts of fun. The LS400 I is what I wanted, but I couldn't find it. And quite frankly, after seeing the amount of salt on the roads here, I'm glad I didn't. The MAIN reasons I bought this car are because it was here, and I needed relaible transportation. BUT, I WOULD LAY MY NEXT CHECK ON THE FACT THAT IF I HAD BOUGHT A SUPRA INSTEAD, I WOULDNT HAVE CAUGHT ANY OF THE FLACK FROM YOU THAT I JUST DID . So now, your opinion means a whole lot of nothing, to me or anyone else. I DID NOT SAY THAT FORD WAS THE BEST, nor will I ever, Toyota is, we all know that, BUT THAT DOESNT MEAN THEY DONT BREAK. My mom's camry has had trouble already. 20,000 miles and its leaking oil. ALOT of oil. Going to the dealer tomorrow for a possible rear main seal. And you know, maybe if american car owners would OWN UP TO IMPROPER maintenance, then Fords and Chevy's could be right alongside the competiton. (or maybe not, ill give you this one, PONTIAC sucks...and they are crossplatformed with GM, their V6 needs HELP with the timing chains). But the tranny failures and headgasket failures that are inherent on the Suburban's/Silverado's/Tahoe's/Escalade's, if owners would not RACE the engine CONSTANTLY and give the transmission service every 30K instead of every 100K, the problem would likely be largely solved. Because they dont have this problem in europe. The drivetrain in the european Ford Cougar is IDENTICAL to the mercury cougar here in the states, and they dont have near the tranny issues over there, BECUASE THEY MAINTAIN THIER CARS. That doesnt mean there aren't bad ones out there, I'm sure as much reseach as you just did, you won't mind doing some more to find out about the rod bearing faluires in the Ford 2.5L v6 from 1995-2000 due to improper draining of the heads. Come around a cloverleaf and BOOM, no more engine. Or the chronic auto tranny failures of the Ford CD4E (the automatic transaxle in the automatic version of the very car i drive). Or the ball joit failures on thousands of Dodge Durangos, and Dakota's OR THE TRANNY PROBLEMS THAT PLAUGUED THE RX300AWD. or the sludge problems that plauged the ES/RX/Camry v6. See, I can find Toyota's *BLEEP* up's too. If you wanna play that. I'm not stupid, and I know this is a site for non american cars, so maybe I shouldn't be here, only reason I stuck around was to offer some help to other memebers, ESPECAILLY those with ES250's as I ripped into mine to repair it more times than I care to count. I cant tell you how many times I got an email or a call from an estranged member with a problem on their car, and I went out front to tear my own car apart to find the solution. I know I am a valued member here, as has been stated by more than 5 other members that I can think of off hand, so the opinion of 1 member, really doesnt mean that much to me. I could care less of what you think of me. You have now brought personal attacks ONLINE, and that is wrong, according to the forum rules. Having said all of that, the only major difference between this company (Toyota) and the american compaines is that Toyota acknowledges the oops's, and fixes them largley. While the big 3 continue to make the same mistakes for 5-10 years running. Get off your high horse please, we all have much we can learn from each other, but you had better get one thing straight...just because I do not drive a Lexus, doesn't mean I am not welcome here.

I never said Toyota wasnt one of the most reliable brands on the road, thats the reason my mother drives a camry, but I see no evidence to see why one cant make a Ford last as long as a 'Yota with maintenance. I have done it. I guess it has alot to do with the fact that I dont buy domestics with auto tranny's, cause I'll give you that one, the big 3 cant design an Auto tranny (especially for their FWD's) for *BLEEP*. You can get flaws in any car, my dads best friend bought an 89 Toyota pickup in 1990. Brand new, between 1990 and 1994, 4 trannies, 3 rear ends, a transfer case, and an engine. It was what became the Tacoma, with a 4 cylinder. As such he will never own another Toyota, so there are 2 sides to the coin.

Yes, you're going from most reliable to least reliable <_< Ford and chevy are the worst cars you can buy. i hate it when people make ignorant statements... So do I, so you really need to stop making them escort boy Nice...you know how many Lexus/Toyota cars I have been under the hood of? You need to pull your head out of your Fourth point of contact before you get this thread locked. You got something to say to me, do it via PM's. I have been working on cars since before I could see over the hood. Your knowledge is based off of other peoples experience and what magazines and news tells you, I do and will continue to, make my desicisions based off of personal experience. In fact, the last time I owned a lexus, I went off of what other people said "Oh its 15 years old? Sure it will have its problems, but will be largely trouble free" was the basic jist...$5,000 and 4 months later... I was rebuilding engines when I was 10. im 21 now. 11 years of rebuilding engines, and about 14 years of working on cars. Better think before you speak next time. A class act you are... oh and FWIW, I dont exactly drive easy, so thats not the reason...

no problem...thast why we are here :)

Yes, you're going from most reliable to least reliable <_< Ford and chevy are the worst cars you can buy. i hate it when people make ignorant statements... for every example of a ford or a chevy having serious issues, i can show you a toyota that has had an issue as well. im not convinced (and im a mechanic) that any one car is any more or less reliable. i cant believe that my family has been just lucky with 5 fords gone through us. 1992 Ford Explorer-450K (i will admit, i only had it for a few months, but it never gave me any trouble, and didnt burn any oil, had original engine and tranny, no i didnt put all those miles on it) 1995 Ford Contour-384,991 miles. i totalled it (hit a dodge ram). only problem recorded was 1 clutch at 270K. the stock one lasted that long. never any other issues. and yes my dad put 150K on it, and i put the rest. 2002 Ford F150-45K and yet to have an issue 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 (my current DD)-70K and not an issue yet, other than normal wear. 1995 FOrd Ranger, 130K never had a problem, its my brothers.

this may have to do with a mid 95 switch to NI...its very possible.

Ah,...still 20w40 is thick too...i woudl go for like, 5w30, thats what i use, maybe 10-40 would be the thickest i would ever go, in any gasoline engine. however, it is your car and it seems to work for you, so more power to you LOL.

hmm....im stumped...could be the control module for the auto locks and windows took a crap.

I give up... Its a flux capacitor.

how do you get in the car?

I have personally seen the pistons from both a 1995 and a 1998 (at jasons shop matter of fact)...the pistons are cupped at the top on the 1995, on the 1998, they arent. the reason they are cupped, is because the indentation allows for enough clearance between the pistons and the valves, should the belt break.

Do many folks have Falkens on their LS? B) not sure, i have them on my current car, and i had them on my ES250, best tires for the money hands down.

thats what i figured... wait a second...that looks like the piston from the tranny modulator...we have those at work too. do these cars have tranny modulators brandon? or is that what the kickdown cable replaces?

looks like a valve maybe?

OK, first off SK, you have GOT to get the 20/50 weight oil out of that motor, that is nearly the weight of the oil we use in humvees (15-40). use 5w30, year round, makes life easier, and is much less harsh on your engine, with oil that think, you could very well wear out things prematurely (like your oil pump). Its like honey inside your engine. a good 5w30. i could see 20-50 weight if you lived in phoenix, where is 125 in the summer, but come on man, you live in CANADA, where it rarely tops 90. i know, cause im 40 miles south and 200 miles to the east of you. nearly the same latitude. your weather is about the same as it is here, and i can tell you these humvess with 15-40 will not start in the winter...not without masssive amounts of help, and blood sweat and tears. im not saying you have too, but it is my professional opionon. :D

im on the ordnance corps...Go Ordnance! i dont deal with the transportation corp, those are 88M. I am in a maintenance unit.

please elaborate! did your timing belt break? I totally agree that if it did and bent valves were the result, then it definately is an interference engine! Wanda: I'm out of town at the moment, on my way to the airport. I will go into more detail, probably over the weekend. Thanks it doesnt have Variable Valve Timing with Intellegence...it is NOT an interference engine. I promise you. ask jason at JP Importz, he will till you... think of the "i" in VVT-i as standing for interference. there was no VVTi in the LS until 1998.