making 300rwhp crown vic

Hello everyone! I've recently finished up a 2006 mustang and I'm selling it. Now I'm going to be getting a crown vic and I'd like some input from the community.

1.) what's the best model year to do this with? I'd like to pick up the car for 5-8k
2.) should I pick up a CVPI or is a civilian model going to be just fine? what trim should I look for?
3.) what are the best mods to hit 300rwhp?

as for my exceptions for the car... coming from a mustang I don't expect to be thrown back in my seat, I understand these cars are heavy. I don't want to go street racing or take it to the track but there are a couple civics that need to be reminded of their place in this area ;p I'd like a daily driver. I'm selling the mustang because it was too aggressive but i couldn't bring myself to tune it down. sold it to a guy in the neighborhood who always loved the car.

I'd like to car to look stock, sound as close to stock as possible and float over the bumps in the road. I'm open to a super charger, UDP, new intake, new exhaust (headers to mufflers) and I know a shop that can retune the car when it's all said and done. I just don't want to over do it or make it too crazy like my mustang was.

300rwhp, somewhat quiet, keep stock look

thanks everyone!

EDIT: I forgot to mention I'd like the car to last - I do not want to put a very aggressive tune on a super charger and blow the bottom end out

Welcome! Coming from a Mustang to a CV is a difference. But just about everything you can do to a Mustang engine, you can do to a CV, GM, or TC. (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, or Town Car).

Best model? IMHO, the 2003 and up are the best, with the superior suspension and higher horsepower. Also, I believe they weigh less than the previous models.

The differences between the CVPI and the civilian are minimum. The PCM computer is adjusted and flashed for 1) higher and variable idle rpms, 2) higher top end (125 MPH over 105 MPH), and 3) different shift points and firmness on the transmissions.

If you invest in a handheld programmer flasher that will allow you to modify these things, you can make any Panther run like a cop car. Or you could invest the time and money, and get a custom tune at a great shop with a dyno that will do all this.

You want 300 RWHP from a Panther? Simplest way is a supercharger or turbo setup. You can use the TVS M-112 (I think that is what the supercharger is) from a Mustang and insert. Now you may have to modify the hood, as nobody makes custom hoods for the Panther. This is similar to the Mercury Marauder setup.

Or you can do your own thing and add dual turbos under the car back around the mufflers. Lots of piping to work on and cover with a heat shield, but it is stealth if you don't go overboard on the new mufflers. And depending on the size turbos you use, you can get over 900 RWHP.

Go check out these websites:

www.crownvic.net www.crownvic.ca www.p71.ca

These should help you out in your searches.

Oh yea. I went stealth mode on mine.

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Welcome! Coming from a Mustang to a CV is a difference. But just about everything you can do to a Mustang engine, you can do to a CV, GM, or TC. (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, or Town Car). If you invest in a handheld programmer flasher that will allow you to modify these things, you can make any Panther run like a cop car. Or you could invest the time and money, and get a custom tune at a great shop with a dyno that will do all this You want 300 RWHP from a Panther? Simplest way is a supercharger or turbo setup. You can use the TVS M-112 (I think that is what the supercharger is) from a Mustang and insert.

All true, for 300 RWHP you'll need a custom tune anyway. Cams, headers, more fuel will get you close but you would probably need better heads to get TO 300.
If you wanna go all out: heads, cams, headers w/full exhaust, more fuel, better intake(Vic Jr comes to mind), larger TB, bigger/better MAF to help with tuning the setup.
The easiest way to get to that HP at the wheels is forced induction, stock wheel HP is under 200.

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Now you may have to modify the hood, as nobody makes custom hoods for the Panther. This is similar to the Mercury Marauder setup.

Untrue, Class Glass performance makes a fiberglass cowl hood for the whale panther(I think it was the Marauder that it was made for initially but they are all the same)
http://www.classglassperformance.com/merc%20cr%20vic.html

I'm going to try to avoid heads and cams, I'd like to do all the work myself and they are just beyond my ability. Im hoping the super charger is pretty simple too. So would the super charger (6lbs of boost), catted long tubes, x pipes, cat back exhsust, UDPs and new intake get me 300rwhp or is a shop going to be required to do heads and a mild cam? Also I want to keep the entire body stock! Hood too, dont want to attarct attention, would like a quiet exhaust too. Had a loud monster with the mustang, still want the power but none of the noise or aftermarket look