Known failures.

[trackhermit]

So my my 02' SVT has right under 49k miles. I bought it a year ago with 28,206 miles on 1-1-11.

I love it.



I'm curious to what are some known problems besides the faulty thermostat housing? Being my car is now 10yrs old I'm trying to be proactive. I already know about replacing the suspension and I plan to do so with-in the next few months to a year.

Below is a list of things I'm doing in the month of Feb. some of parts are already on the way! I'm excited!


Things I'm doing Feb. either maintance wise or for added performance.

- SCT Livewire Tuned by FSWerks
- VF Mounts Driver and Passenger.. (already have dogbone insert)
- Dominant Enginerring ORP & Flex pipe
- New Upstream O2
- Timing Belt
- Timing Pulley
- Tensioners for timing & serp belt
- Serpentine Belt
- New Waterpump
- FJ Member - Turbofab (Jim) Custom thermostat housing
- 180 degree thermostat
- Shortshifter
- Powdercoating my K & N ShortRam Intake, ValveCover and Therm housing. (Silver)
- Powdercoating my 5spokes - Gloss Black (unless someone has EAPs to trade)
- Repaint my brake calipers (Red)
- Replace brake pads

[6spd_RS]

It looks like you've got most of the routine and optional maintenance items covered.

Should keep your car running for a long time.

[COSVT03]

The ECU won't like the 180* thermostat. It will also ONLY be beneficial if you track the car, otherwise it will just be prematurely wearing the internal components of the engine.

Everything else looks good. Only thing your missing is some cams

[trackhermit]

The ECU won't like the 180* thermostat. It will also ONLY be beneficial if you track the car, otherwise it will just be prematurely wearing the internal components of the engine.

Everything else looks good. Only thing your missing is some cams

I live in Florida and it get's hot here. When I talked to Randy at FSWerks he said there isn't a tune for having a different thermostat in the car.

As for Cams I'm potentially picking up another complete head from a guy locally for really cheap. I plan on going turbo with-in a year or two. But I figure I can build that head with newer upgraded components valves and springs with a mild mid to highrange cam. Something that if I wanted to I go run NA I could or wait and put it on when I do my turbo.

I think I'll be plenty happy for awhile once I do all the things I have planned right now in the next few weeks. My car has been running like a dog because both of my O2 sensors are out right now. Thankfully I'll only need to replace one from now on after turning off the rear O2.

[COSVT03]

Good to know. (The FL thing)
I suppose it says it right there too. I should read more.

[trackhermit]

Good to know. (The FL thing)
I suppose it says it right there too. I should read more.

Ha.. no worries. I like knowing it'll hopefully run a little cooler during the summer months. It's honestly only cold here like maybe 2mths out of the year if were lucky.

But besides the thermostat housing. I had another Foci member tell me about the oil ring gear or something being an issue.. is that something I should worry about now or later? What else is there..

[SVT3658]

Keep an eye on your bearings too Travis. We already changed one on your car, so there is a chance another could go on you. But hopefully not

And for what it's worth, I've driven my SVT well over 100k in the FL weather and have never had the car come anywhere close to overheating.

Are you planning to swap to a "normal" thermostat for winter months? Having a 180 degree in there when it's not 100 degrees out might not be beneficial, it might even be detrimental

[trackhermit]

Well if everyone drove their SVTs to get 30mpg like you do then my car might have a problem warming up lol.. jk jk.. I think it'll be fine I've driven cars without thermostats and they were fine.

On a side note drunkie.. I waited around 45mins the other night for you to come meet up. Good thing it's your birthday. I'll have my pigeons fly somewhere else to take a sheet.

Oh and can you donate like 62 posts my way.. this 100 posts thing stinks.. I'm gonna have to average like 5-10 a day to get there if I wanna post anything to classifieds. Well at least this is a +1. lol

[COSVT03]

Leave one word comments on other posts. Whore it up.

[trackhermit]

Leave one word comments on other posts. Whore it up.

As a senior team member..

Leave one word comments on other posts. Whore it up.

I like the way..

Leave one word comments on other posts. Whore it up.

You think sir. Oh and good luck with your project NA.. hope things are coming along well, I know it's getting soon to being done right?

[FORDSVTPARTS]

Leave one word comments on other posts. Whore it up.

Works unless a Mod checks your post count and finds all the one word posts, it does say in the regs "non-whored posts".

Speaking of post counts, you've been slacking Chris. You registered a month before me and just look at the post counts

[trackhermit]

Works unless a Mod checks your post count and finds all the one word posts, it does say in the regs "non-whored posts".

Speaking of post counts, you've been slacking Chris. You registered a month before me and just look at the post counts

Yes, Steve.

I totally agree with most of the rules and regs of the forum and I don't want to disrespect anyone. I did stab at a few whored posts in there but as you can see most of my reponses and thread topics are typically on point. Thanks for your help getting my list of parts together. I'll be calling you soon to finalize my order there's only a few things I'm going to remove.

[svtf02red]

You can get one more by responding to my question: Have you replaced the clutch yet? If not, do you know how many miles are on it? Based on your screen name, do you plan on attending some track days? If so, I would plan on ditching that POS dual-mass flywheel & clutch setup - it WILL fail on you. It will be a huge benefit if you auto-x, and rev-matching is so much easier with less mass in the bell housing. While you're in there and the trans is out, plunk down the coin on a Quaife LSD.

[trackhermit]

You can get one more by responding to my question: Have you replaced the clutch yet? If not, do you know how many miles are on it? Based on your screen name, do you plan on attending some track days? If so, I would plan on ditching that POS dual-mass flywheel & clutch setup - it WILL fail on you. It will be a huge benefit if you auto-x, and rev-matching is so much easier with less mass in the bell housing. While you're in there and the trans is out, plunk down the coin on a Quaife LSD.

Right now my car is a daily driver.. I don't plan on tracking it. Years ago when I was younger I used to go to the local 1/8th mile in Jax alot. I used to drag my car all the time.. my friends gave me the nickname Trackhermit.. that's where the name derives from. The car currently seems fine as far as the clutch goes.. I'm not really hard on them. Plus the car only has 48k miles on it right now, 20k of which I put on in the past year. I've even heard from a friend who knew someone who had an SVT with almost 200k miles on their stock clutch. Now I doubt mine will last that long but right now mine seems to be doing just fine.

At some point if I start autocrossing my car which is possible I may consider getting a better clutch.. but I'll probably wait until I do a turbo kit because there's no point having to replace it twice. That and yes.. getting a LSD would be on the list as-well. All great ideas for sure.. but not quite yet. Meanwhile.. I'll just be sure not to burn my 10yr old clutch up.. knock on wood!

[svtf02red]

The SVT clutches can be hit & miss. I've heard stories like that several times as well. FORDSVTPARTS had/has quite a few on his original clutch. My first (Pre-tsb) burned up at 30k, my 2nd met an untimely grave from a bad slave cylinder. My 3rd (lol) feels like it's on it's way out - the car has 76k on it. I just hate the feel of the dual-mass and IMO, the the weight of the flywheel is more than the pressure plate can handle under track/autocross situations.

[trackhermit]

The SVT clutches can be hit & miss. I've heard stories like that several times as well. FORDSVTPARTS had/has quite a few on his original clutch. My first (Pre-tsb) burned up at 30k, my 2nd met an untimely grave from a bad slave cylinder. My 3rd (lol) feels like it's on it's way out - the car has 76k on it. I just hate the feel of the dual-mass and IMO, the the weight of the flywheel is more than the pressure plate can handle under track/autocross situations.

I agree with the dual mass flywheel being uniquely different. My previous tuner car had a 7.5lb lightweight fly wheel and light weight underdriver pulleys, it was a 1.6L Nissan 91' GA16DE not the SE-R 2 liter. But With all my bolt-on's having it gutted out and a good clutch it was running right there with them. It was a rev monster even though I had no head work it rev'ed up like a motorcycle it was a fun car to drive and match rev with.

With your clutch situation either you must be really hard on your clutches or you just have horrible luck because thats crazy your thinking your 3rd clutch is about to go out and your car doesn't even have 100k miles.

His to his own I guess. I'll worry about mine when it becomes an issue and stops grabbing affectively. Until then.. I'll enjoy what life she has left.

[2008GT500]

You may want to check your pedals to see if you have any brake fluid on them...since you're sending Steve an order. I know my clutch master cylinder was gone around 49k miles.

[trackhermit]

You may want to check your pedals to see if you have any brake fluid on them...since you're sending Steve an order. I know my clutch master cylinder was gone around 49k miles.

Thanks I'll look into that. What do you do basically just feel around the clutch where is connects to the firewall from under the dash or am I going under the hood looking for potential said leak?

[FORDSVTPARTS]

Thanks I'll look into that. What do you do basically just feel around the clutch where is connects to the firewall from under the dash or am I going under the hood looking for potential said leak?

Directly above the clutch pedal, you'll see it. When it leaks it drips on the pedal and/or the toe of your shoe.

[FORDSVTPARTS]

The SVT clutches can be hit & miss. I've heard stories like that several times as well. FORDSVTPARTS had/has quite a few on his original clutch. My first (Pre-tsb) burned up at 30k, my 2nd met an untimely grave from a bad slave cylinder. My 3rd (lol) feels like it's on it's way out - the car has 76k on it. I just hate the feel of the dual-mass and IMO, the the weight of the flywheel is more than the pressure plate can handle under track/autocross situations.

I changed my clutch at 116k but I did it before it started to slip so I have no idea how much farther it would have gone, I've heard from people with over 200k on original clutches so they most certainly can last a very long time.