Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Some real vintage video from 1983!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK9a7hYHNoA

I posted it before but it's always fun to watch again.:D

Maybe as close to dealership photos as we'll get.

I have a festiva that got 50 MPG. It might get 40 after I'm done doing what I'm doing to it.:D

http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=27435

The T5 from a V8 Mustang may not work, as I think there's a difference in the of the input shaft. That, and the gearing will leave a lot to be desired, as the 2.3t T5's had a deeper first..

Wish I still had the one I sold about a year ago...although shipping would be a beeyotch to where you are lol

The 2.3 bell bolt pattern is different from the V6/V8's, so if you can use a V8 T5, you'll need a TC bell.....since the '87-'88 used a hydraulic clutch, you'll probably have to swap in all that stuff.

you'll need:
pedals from '87-93 5 speed Mustang
clutch cable
pre-'87 TC T5 bell (XR7 will work too)
flywheel and blockplate from a 5 speed TC
obviously a clutch ;)

There's probably a couple things I'm forgetting, but that's the gist of it.

If you search for a4ld to t5 swap in the drivetrain section, I'm sure you'll come up with a lot more and better info :D

Luckily for Mike I'm sure "pick-n-pull" has a couple cougars and tbirds. Also there's a shop in Yorktown off of production drive that specializes in fox platform cars.

Also, is this the car you speak of? I assume so.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1643496910.html

Have you seen these?

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1647582309.html

 http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1659785404.html

:)

So it's an auto car? Bummer...I'd throw in a T5 if it was mine

I'd also let the engine warm up a minute or 2 after starting regardless of turbo or not.


There's a guy I work with who revs the hell out of his engine on startup....just in the last few weeks, it's been smoking pretty hard when he starts it. I told him he's tearing it up, all he says "I don't care." Idiot. :D:punchballs:

He says when it blows up he'll put another 350 in it....yeah right. Can't even change his own oil or plugs! :hick:


If nothing else, let the oil pressure get built up before taking off

Your welcome. I would come with you but I will be with my dad all day until he does better.

On top of the normal things you look for in a 20+ year old used car, for one thing see if its the stock turbo. Check for shaft play if you can, ask him if the seals have been replaced or if the stock turbo has been rebuilt. And also do a compression test :). Check the oil and oil leaks, under the hood look and see if the hoses and lines are worn/crack, check and see if the exhaust mani is cracked (they get pretty darn hot),  check the brakes as best as you can visually, the idle shouldn't be surging or super low probably should idle around 750 (I'm not sure I personally never drove a turbo coupe). When you drive the car and it bogs and sputters and falls on its face then you know something is wrong. I don't know much about the 2.3 but I heard they are pretty hardy motors. It should have some pep in its step once it goes into boost. 
That's all I can think of at the moment being that its so late.
Good luck hun :)