Are police cars suped up?

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: AvesPKS
There is an article from Popular Mechanics where they took a stock Crown Victoria and a Police Interceptor Crown Victoria and compared them. They were basically the same.

I thought that the Police versions got a stiffer frame and suspension and a bunch of other smaller stuff

I should have articulated farther. They did a acceleration test, handling test, etc. and the civilian version of the Crown Vic performed almost exactly the same as the Police Interceptor.

Performance wise, yes. However police interceptors are heavier and use heavy duty parts for many reasons, most having to do with long term reliability and more importantly, in case they need to push someone off the road.

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: AvesPKS
There is an article from Popular Mechanics where they took a stock Crown Victoria and a Police Interceptor Crown Victoria and compared them. They were basically the same.

I thought that the Police versions got a stiffer frame and suspension and a bunch of other smaller stuff

I should have articulated farther. They did a acceleration test, handling test, etc. and the civilian version of the Crown Vic performed almost exactly the same as the Police Interceptor.

Performance wise, yes. However police interceptors are heavier and use heavy duty parts for many reasons, most having to do with long term reliability and more importantly, in case they need to push someone off the road.

Sure, I don't think anybody could contend otherwise. It surely has to have a larger alternator, etc., and from what everyone was posting. The original question, however, was whether police cars are "suped [sic] up." I don't think bigger alternators and a and a heavy duty transmission exactly connotes "souped up."

 

[compuwiz1]

Guys / Gals, I have on my desk (at work, of course), more information than they give the general public. (I work for Ford). I will be able to provide all the information you will ever want on this car. Just give me 48 hours and I'll be back. 😉

 

[Bolvangar]

Where is this video of the kid in the m3 running from the police? Any links anyone?

 

[dman]

One thing that is top secret... but I have discovered... is that their flashing lights reduce drag on the car.
Something about red and/or blue lights and wavelength and centrifugal motion, the lights split the air ahead
of and and around the car so it just moves as if there is no wind Resistance. Off the line it doesn't make a
big difference but in high speed chases it's huge.

I used to think it was the star decals and such, like most ricers, but unmarked cruisers also have this ability.
I started thinking about it, and they all have the flashing lights as well. It also explains why civilians can't
use those lights.

😉

 

The Crown Vic PIs have upgraded suspension, cooling systems and electrical equipment, but everything else in terms of mechanicals is stock. The main upgrade is the HD cooling system so that long periods of idling won't harm the engine.