Grey Goose Project

[Dj Tranz]

Hello all. I’m new here I’m Dj Tranz and I just got a 2017 MKZ Reserve 2.0T. FWD. I just wanted to share with you all my GREY GOOSE PROJECT. Here I will customize my Lincoln the best I can and with help from you all. I’m starting with the first mod is getting the windows tinted like quick. Here in Florida the heat and the sun will blind you so I went with 5% tint. Next I will be adding some exterior changes. Here is the list I just ordered.   A rear deck spoiler, some side skirts, rear side skirts,  front chin splitter, 20x9 front and 20x10.5 rear KOKO KOTURE WHEELS. Wrapped in 245-35-20 front and 285-35-20 in the rear.  LEXANI LX-TWENTY high performance tires. That’s just for starters I will be getting it tuned and adding a larger Intercooler. For more horsepower. I also plan on wrapping the hood in black as well. I’m trying to find the clear tail light bars but I am having trouble finding them anywhere if someone can help me with that it would be most appreciated.  Stay tuned. If you would like to assist with the build, I’m also open minded to some suggestions. Enclosed are some photos before the Tint and after as well as photos of the wheels I ordered and the stance I’m going for. 

Hope you enjoy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by Dj Tranz
Misspelled words

[drolds1]

Welcome to the forums.  

 

I'd double-check for fitment issues before going with that wheel/tire combo.  Your next mod should be to take that dealer sticker off the decklid.?

 

I have a very different idea for a grey goose project.?

[bbf2530]

Hi Dj Tranz. Congratulations on your MKZ and welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum! Nice exterior color choice (see my signature...lol)

 

Good luck with all of your planned modifications too. I would only offer one word of advice: The ABS/ESC and other sensors operate by comparing rotational speed of the wheels on all four corners of the vehicle. Using tires that are so different in diameter on the front versus rear will lead to different wheel speeds, and therefore cause problems with those ABS and ESC systems.

In addition, as drolds1 stated, a 285-35-20 wheel/tire combo will probably not fit in the wheelwell. At least not without a large wheel offset change and modification of the rear quarter panels.

 

Again, welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum, keep us updated on your progress and good luck!

 

P.S.- I do like drolds1's Grey Goose project too. Quite a bit!

Edited May 10, 2021 by bbf2530

[Dj Tranz]

Thanks for the heads up. They assured me they will fit with they assured also the offset they are sending me. If not they’ll be getting those wheels back. 
 

[Dj Tranz]

New spoiler. 

[Dj Tranz]

[Dj Tranz]

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, Dj Tranz said:

Thanks for the heads up. They assured me they will fit with they assured also the offset they are sending me. If not they’ll be getting those wheels back. 
 

 

Hi Dj Tranz. Keep in mind: Even if you can squeeze them in there to "fit", you will still have the issue of the difference in overall wheel/tire diameter being 4%+. This will cause issues with your MKZ's ABS and ESC systems.

 

Keep us updated and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Edited May 11, 2021 by bbf2530

[Dj Tranz]

Can you reprogram the ESC to reflect the wheel and tire diameter?

[bbf2530]

16 hours ago, Dj Tranz said:

Can you reprogram the ESC to reflect the wheel and tire diameter?

 

Hi Dj Tranz. Overall wheel/tire diameter can be programmed for speedometer calibration. However, I do not believe you can program a front/rear diameter differential, which is what you would need, if you use front to rear wheel/tires combinations with such a large differential. And as mentioned, there will be major issues with the ABS, ESC, AWD system, etc. etc., if it can not.

 

However, I am not 100% sure, so hopefully one of our tech members will jump in with a definitive answer.

 

Good luck.

Edited May 11, 2021 by bbf2530

[Izzy3906]

Definitely like the wheels ☺️

[Dj Tranz]

On 5/10/2021 at 12:08 AM, Dj Tranz said:

Hello all. I’m new here I’m Dj Tranz and I just got a 2017 MKZ Reserve 2.0T. FWD. I just wanted to share with you all my GREY GOOSE PROJECT. Here I will customize my Lincoln the best I can and with help from you all. I’m starting with the first mod is getting the windows tinted like quick. Here in Florida the heat and the sun will blind you so I went with 5% tint. Next I will be adding some exterior changes. Here is the list I just ordered.   A rear deck spoiler, some side skirts, rear side skirts,  front chin splitter, 20x9 front and 20x10.5 rear KOKO KOTURE WHEELS. Wrapped in 245-35-20 front and 285-35-20 in the rear.  LEXANI LX-TWENTY high performance tires. That’s just for starters I will be getting it tuned and adding a larger Intercooler. For more horsepower. I also plan on wrapping the hood in black as well. I’m trying to find the clear tail light bars but I am having trouble finding them anywhere if someone can help me with that it would be most appreciated.  Stay tuned. If you would like to assist with the build, I’m also open minded to some suggestions. Enclosed are some photos before the Tint and after as well as photos of the wheels I ordered and the stance I’m going for. 

Hope you enjoy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2021 by Dj Tranz

[Dj Tranz]

Just installed my splitter. I think it looks awesome. 

[drolds1]

You'll need to be doubly careful when parking in lots where there are concrete stops or curbs.  It's already too easy to scrape the bottom of the bumper cover if you get too close.   IMO, a front camera should have been made available on this car.  The proximity sensors don't alert you to anything that low.

[jimflutes]

Dj Tranz , Spectacular looking Z . As usual drolds is right , no matter how careful I am the bottom bumper seems to get scraped ( I hate that sound ) , this is my second Z and now I have same color spray paint to do the front bumper bottom now and then . I did notice it was better with the 19 inch wheels then the 18 . Good luck you have a real showpiece there .

[Dj Tranz]

21 hours ago, drolds1 said:

You'll need to be doubly careful when parking in lots where there are concrete stops or curbs.  It's already too easy to scrape the bottom of the bumper cover if you get too close.   IMO, a front camera should have been made available on this car.  The proximity sensors don't alert you to anything that low.

Thanks for the info. But I try to back in everywhere I park. I hate it as well. It’s happened to me in the past. Not with the Z though. 
 

 

[Dj Tranz]

14 hours ago, jimflutes said:

Dj Tranz , Spectacular looking Z . As usual drolds is right , no matter how careful I am the bottom bumper seems to get scraped ( I hate that sound ) , this is my second Z and now I have same color spray paint to do the front bumper bottom now and then . I did notice it was better with the 19 inch wheels then the 18 . Good luck you have a real showpiece there .

Thanks. My wheels come in tomorrow. I’ll let you guys know with the picks. The dealer said that it should be ok with the larger wheels and tires and staggered. They did say I will get a slight bit of oversteer. So I’m excited to see what it will look like and feel of the ride. I also just ordered the side splitter and rear as well. I will keep you guys posted. 

[Dj Tranz]

Ok so I got the wheels and tires put on. No problems no issues with the ABS. I had to put in a 1/4” spacer in the rear so it wouldn’t hit the shock. However. I got a10.5” wheel and tire in the rear. 

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by Dj Tranz

[bbf2530]

Hi Dj Tranz. Your MKZ and new wheels look nice.

 

Just need to correct some information you were given though. The wider rear wheels/tires will give you more understeer, not "a slight bit of oversteer". Generally speaking, wider tires in the rear means more traction in the rear than the front. And apples to apples, more traction in the rear/less traction up front means more understeer.

Generally speaking, it will not really be noticeable in everyday driving on the road. However, it will understeer more in 9/10ths and 10/10ths driving, or in low traction situations such as rain, snow...if you ever get snow (I see palm trees...lol) etc. So be aware of that.

And front engine, FWD/FWD based AWD cars (like ours) inherently understeer in the first place. And certainly more than comparable front engine, but RWD/RWD based AWD cars. Again...apples to apples.

 

And the damage which may/will occur to the AWD, ESC and ABS systems due to "staggered" front to rear tire differentials will be cumulative and occur over time as the system tries to compensate for what it senses as different rotation speeds between the front and rear wheels.

So while you may not get any warning lights now, the damage is occurring and will occur over time, as the system sensors and components try to compensate for what they sense/feel is a loss of brake traction and/or steering control. And this constant, excess compensation will lead to excess heat, which will result in component damage over the long term.

And as with all mechanical devices, damage due to misuse, whether unintentional or intentional, is cumulative. 

 

It's like smoking cigarettes. The smoker may feel and claim there is no damage in the beginning, since they feel fine and are not coughing up a lung. But the damage is occurring, and sooner or later they will not feel fine, will be coughing, and it will be terminal.

 

Understand I am not wishing this on you. I only want to make the drawbacks known.

 

Hope you have many safe, happy driving miles and good luck.

Edited May 29, 2021 by bbf2530
A few typos and some information clarification.

[Izzy3906]

Looking good 

[Dj Tranz]

Thanks for the info guys. I really appreciate it. I’m just going to enjoy it for now. I generally don’t keep my cars for more than two years. Hopefully it’ll last me that long.