The last chapter on the Thunderbird project is completed....hopefully. This was my first fox platform car that (when bought) I thought was exactly the same as a Mustang. It had a 5.0, AOD and lots of options. After buying it I found out the 5.0 was a sad, pathetic excuse for a 5.0 and was way underpowdered (150hp) and super sluggish. After a year or so of sourcing parts from SCS I started working it over in October.
88GT HO 5.0 w/ aftermarket shorties was sourced from Mark Aubele.
T5 w/ Centerforce Clutch, PP and B&M Short throw from badstanglx.
Explorer upper/lower intake from HowMuch?.
H pipe, Edelbrock TB/EGR from badstanglx.
Flowmaster catback from Lou.
A9L from Mark Aubele.
Manual Prop Valve from celeste.
MAF conversion from badstanglx.
Radiator from Lou.
TC hood (yet to be installed) and outer tie rods from 1Badbird
There may even be other stuff that I can't remember and a bunch of new stuff that's not even mentioned....steering rack, MC, lines, Walbro 255, and on and on.. I'm also working on a set of SN-95 stock springs that will lower it about 1.5". The car also has a Turbo Coupe rear with disc brake and 3.55's. It had nasty ten holes so I swapped on other wheels from the wife's fox'vert w/ 225/60-15 BFG RTA's.
Today was the first voyage after getting all the bugs sorted out. For a stock 5.0L HO w/ the usual bolt-ons this thing rips. It will break traction from a 15mph roll in first gear to redline, keep them spinning well through second gear and chirp tire in third gear. Yeah, it's no new 5.0 or Termi but for my budget it's a helluva bunch of fun. Including the purchase cost and HO/T5 swap parts I have maybe a hair over $3K spent.
If the weather holds for Thursday I plan on taking it to PRP just for giggles.
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