Project: MKSinister

[DJE624]

Looking very well!

[REDSHOCGO]

Nice ride....Personally I like the full 20% tint around the windows. But its all on preference

[Joleat]

Thanks everyone!

281Thunder,
My wife and I lived about 15 miles east of Charleston until mid-October when we sold our house. We're in the process of relocating to North Carolina (to the area where the last picture was taken) now, so we're staying with relatives for the time being.

REDSHOCGO,
My preference would be 5% all the way around, but 35% is the legal limit on the front side windows. I've taken the risk in the past and never received a citation, but I want to go legal on the MKS.

[n8rfastback]

What did you go with for pads in the front? Any issues with the brakes so far?  I plan to go the same way.   I also am running the general gmax tires, I have 15k on mine, been excellent so far

[Joleat]

I went with the Power Stop "1-Click" kit that comes with Power Stop branded rotors and pads. The pads are a ceramic compound.

To be honest, I'm not pleased with the kit. My original intent was to go for EBC rotors and pads, but in effort to save a little money, I went with the Power Stop kit after finding an amazing deal on it. Others have had great success with the kit, but I'm positive my front rotors were warped out of the box. I also don't feel as though the braking has improved dramatically over the stock setup. I contacted the seller and I would be required to ship the entire kit back to receive a replacement kit. That would mean that my car would get to sit in jack stands while I wait on replacement parts. That is not feasible since this is my only vehicle, so I guess I'm just stuck with warped rotors.

[Joleat]

I received a goody box in the mail today. It's mostly just routine maintenance stuff (air filter, cabin air filter, and oil filter), but I'm anxious to replace the 50k mile spark plugs with the newly acquired SP534s. The car isn't exhibiting any symptoms that lead me to believe they need replaced, but I'm interested in seeing how the stock plugs have held up.

[DJE624]

Sounds like some fun!  Please let us know how the old plugs are.

[Brucelinc]

I'm anxious to replace the 50k mile spark plugs with the newly acquired SP534s. The car isn't exhibiting any symptoms that lead me to believe they need replaced, but I'm interested in seeing how the stock plugs have held up.

I think you will find the gaps on the old plugs will have eroded to about .040.  I am really happy that I switched mine to the 534s and .030 gaps.  Mine was running great with the old plugs and I really didn't expect the new plugs to help anything.  However, I think it idles smoother and has sharper throttle response.  It seems to run super-strong.  I am anxious to hear what you think after you change yours.

Joleat, when are you getting a tune - or do you have one and just not have it listed in your signature?   With all due respect, having a beautiful MKS like yours without a tune is almost criminal! 

[Larrylu]

Ditto for me. Car ran fine but at 50K I was anxious to change. Gaps were all 40 with one about 42. Now runs super smooth and is pulling stronger than ever. Glad I made the switch to SP 534's

[Joleat]

I'm anxious to replace the 50k mile spark plugs with the newly acquired SP534s. The car isn't exhibiting any symptoms that lead me to believe they need replaced, but I'm interested in seeing how the stock plugs have held up.

I think you will find the gaps on the old plugs will have eroded to about .040.  I am really happy that I switched mine to the 534s and .030 gaps.  Mine was running great with the old plugs and I really didn't expect the new plugs to help anything.  However, I think it idles smoother and has sharper throttle response.  It seems to run super-strong.  I am anxious to hear what you think after you change yours.

Joleat, when are you getting a tune - or do you have one and just not have it listed in your signature?   With all due respect, having a beautiful MKS like yours without a tune is almost criminal! 

I haven't purchased a tune yet, but it is definitely on my list. I've been on the fence about tuning prior to warranty expiration, but I'll probably go for it. I'm leaning toward an XCT X4 and Torrie at Unleashed.

I'll be sure to post spark plug updates when I have a chance to change them.

[Brucelinc]

I'm leaning toward an XCT X4 and Torrie at Unleashed.

I think you will be amazed at the difference between stock and tuned whether you go with Torrie or LMS.  As soon as the weather improves, I am going to get a tune from Torrie, also.  I love my LMS tune but since I already have an SCT tuner, I am going to check out Torrie's tunes.  He seems to do more with SCT than anyone else.

[Joleat]

I'm definitely looking forward to it. I've had tuned cars in the past and I've been underwhelmed, but there seems to be a lot of owners here who are tuned and wouldn't consider looking back.

On a side note, I just realized I typed XCT instead of SCT in my last post, haha.

[Joleat]

Today's weather was surprisingly pleasant. I changed the spark plugs and tossed in new cabin and engine air filters. Four of the six plugs came out with .040" gap and two of them with around .042"-.043". I used a wire gapper, so I'm just estimating on the last two. All six plugs had good coloration. Keep in mind that these plugs were pulled from a stock MKS and the mileage is just under 50k.

[Joleat]

While installing my new spark plugs earlier today, I noticed that both my upper and lower grilles are showing some wear. I just repainted the lower grille a couple of weeks ago. It isn't that bad of a job, but the upper grille is a nightmare with all of the little chrome bits. I've had great luck with Krylon Fusion in the past, but it just isn't holding up on these smooth surfaces as much as I had hoped. Therefore, I have decided to explore my options. I have a painter friend that I plan to consult shortly, but the idea will be to paint these grilles, along with the fog light surrounds, with automotive base and clear.

From this day forward, I dub this build "Project: MKSinister".

Below, you will see three photos. The first is a stock MKS with EcoBoost Appearance Package, the second is my MKS from when I had originally painted the upper and lower grilles. The third is a PS'd version of the second photo. In it, I have modified the upper and lower grilles, the fog light surrounds, the headlights, and the Lincoln emblem.

[SwampRat]

Go for it ... the name fits the look ....but a tune would make it THAT WAY !