Introducing the "latest" project. Fast-4-Cheap! It's a 1984 TBird Turbo Coupe (4-eye :D ) that was rescued. Some TF guy bought it running and driving, and tore out the engine and wiring for another ho-hum 87-93 Mustang swap (booooooring). He was ready to part it out and send it to the crusher. Too bad we got in the way!
It's got the vinyl interior with Halo's, factory 2-tone paint, and not much else. Dual manual seats even! It is a 5-Speed car too ;)
So, John (ThunderCougarFalconGoat) and I are in 50/50 on it. Our goal is the lowest possible ET for the lowest possible $$$ outlay. Obviously this means V8 and LOTS of nitrous ;)
The initial goal is to get the 5.0 from my Sport (step dad didn't want it, he scored a 351!) and get it in and running so we can drive the car. Our total outlay (after selling spares) is $0 so far! All we really "need" is a Mustang T5 and a clutch kit.
So, look here for lots of updates! We plan on racing all of next season at PIR (you're going down Ted!!! :hick: ). As time wears on it will get nicer and nicer parts. The "final" iteration is up in the air, but we do want to paint it next winter, and the "final" engine may be a 351 based stroker all the way to some form of BB Ford.
We're sticking with Ford power on this one (the only other engine we'd even remotely consider right now is my AMC 401 just because, NO Chevy's in this one, that's for the 88 ;) ).
Anyways, enough rambling, here's some pics! And NO, we're NOT naming it. Just call it the 84, or the 4-eye, or something. :hick:
Errrrr...since when did an 84 TC have "factory" 2-tone paint?
I remember that car. At least it's not getting crushed.
Hey Mike do you actually have a bird or cat that you own now?
With all the parts and cars that you talk about you should.
Luv ya anyway.
Hey leather ;)
We *think* it's factory Chuck. The jambs are black and the underhood and trunk are grey. It's Dark Charcoal Metallic, so if it's a 1-color car, that's the factory color. Unfortunately the door tag has faded into nothingness :(
We did get the title transferred and new plates with registrations. Still trying to crack all the numbers on the car. We thought it was leather at first, but looking "close" at the seats we're starting to think all-vinyl.
Well there weren't any 2-tone TC's in 83-84.
On the seats, they are most likely the leather inserts with the rest vinyl. The way the seat bottoms look from the pics, they're leather. I'm sitting on one right now....
Nice Save!
Is that red bird emblem on the grille just painted or is it factory? I found a light blue one from the factory... Wondering what the deal is on the colored birds... :hick:
so im guessing it was in an accident... are you going to swap the correct TC/84 parts on the front?
Chuck,
That sounds good to us! We thought it was leather to start with when all we had were pics.
The crazy thing about the 2-tone is this is not the first 84 I've seen in this exact color combo. In fact a guy just made Popular Hot Rodding (1-2 months ago?) with an 84 TC (V8 conversion, drag car) wearing the same scheme. I wonder if a dealer was pumping them out in this combination?
Yeah, it washiznit. We don't have a proper nose for it, so it's just going to stay like that for now.
The red paint is all painted on by the previous owner. He changed the emblems around to read "Turbobird" too. Except it's a little "Turbo" and a big "bird". Yeah, so all that's coming off...
The surprising thing (other then NO rust, not even around the windows!) is the condition of the interior. Sure the seats and carpet are damaged, but the dashpad is crack free and the headliner is mint looking. The door panels are pretty nice too. Luckily the theft recovery 84 TC I stripped 2 years ago (the PIT maneuver'd bullet-hole-ridden one) was the same color interior and we saved all of it. So we should have enough to make the inside look pretty nice.
Duh! I was the one that posted it! :hick:
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=16068&highlight=phr
(http://images.popularhotrodding.com/events/0711phr_36_z+nmca_drag_racing_event+.jpg)
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/events/0711phr_nmca_drag_racing_event/photo_36.html
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/events/0711phr_nmca_drag_racing_event/1983_ford_thunderbird.html
Except it's an 83 :hick: and not a TC :hick:
I wonder if that was the scheme the (re)painters of this car were going for?
I should be down there running with you at PI|R next season. The T-bird is stock now but running pretty good. But I have all the parts to make one mean motor now. So all I have to do is get it all together.
Also purchased "another boring Mustang" the other day, 1988 Coupe. Hope to do a not so boring swap with Cadillac power. Don't know if this will be done in time but if it is it should make a nice fun light ride.
Sure you don't want a 500 in your new bird? I happen to know where you can find an engine.
TED
Ted,
Don't you tempt me or John... ;)
We're kinda set on it being a stick car. If that's easy enough to do with the Caddy 500 though...
we have a sign in our shop that reads:
FAST - CHEAP - HIGH QUALITY CARS
Choose Any Two.
:birdsmily:
For parts it can
SOMETIMES be:
Fast, cheap, reliable, new --- choose any 3.....
What's your 1st motor mod gonna be besides the giggle gas?
Right now? Running. (That's a mod right?)
Cam will be first, and I'm seriously considering a set of Patriot heads to go with it.
Sticks are hard to do with the Cadillac 500. The flywheel has to be custom made for about $500. Also the torque tends to turn most production transmissions to garbage.
Would have to to to a turbo 400.
TED
Ted,
Darn! See, it's easy to do a T5 style trans behind the AMC 401 (since AMC was the first to use them, ala 4-Speed in the Spirit). I even have a proper bellhousing here for it. So, yeah, if we were going to do a non-Ford, the 401 would get the nod.
gumby,
YEP! :hick: I have a similar one: FAST - CHEAP - GOOD, You may choose any two
That's why it's a race car only (no daily driving) and we'll at least bring the tow strap to the track (we'll still drive it there) and the truck!
I have a theory that theres something in the Dark Charcoal Metallic Paint Mixture that fights off rust better than other factory Paint choices. :hick:
Personally i think mine should have serious rust issues from it's hard life, But it doesnt... And it amazes me.
This has not been done more than once around where i live and not for a few years ago. A Nova with a cement filled 350 and a 350 SHOT finished the 1/4 doing 160mph+. Heard this story a few days ago again sounds like a cheap build to me.
Have you ever came up with an engine for this Michael?
I have the 302 from my totaled 87 Sport. That's where the idea for the project came from. Unfortunately, we never got it to run :( So I hope it's OK down in there...
Doesent matter if it is or not, I got ya covered!
Fast for cheap brings this to my mind
(http://i13.tinypic.com/6ldzubp.jpg)
That going in your TC? ;)
We all know what kind of havoc a orange motor causes in a bird
So thats what i done
im tired of spending money and its time to have fun:burnout:
/glare
Your distributor hole is gone!
I don't recall anything like that being cleared through the Forum!
Michael:
All loaded and it will be there tomarrow about 4 to 4:30.
It's not going to be in the way, it had to go up there sooner or later, I'm in no rush for the fender or door (the mirrior would be nice however) so whenever is good for you after that.
Hell yeah! SBC in a Bird that's already seen a 460 and a 13 second 2.3! 11's soon? ;)
Jim,
We're coming down that way for Thanksgiving this week. Will you be around Thursday morning? Or maybe the weekend?
this motors done been deep into the 11's in the mustang i had so we will see what happens:D
Not Thursday, Thats TG will be leaving here (apartment in Vancouver) for Boring Or in the morning then most of the day.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, yes! (along with every other free minute of every free day of my life till the house is done) we (I) usually get there by noon and then are there until 6-8 or until I can't stand up straight anymore.
Good lord, nooo! a 351w can make the same power for close to the same price nowadays and be just as dependable!:mad:
I live in a chevy town and absolutely hate the "chevy guy" mentality that a SBC is better than everything, when I can nit-pick and find a few py design features of this 50+ yr. old design that everybody loves so much. SB fords deserve alot more respect!! Don't mind me, I'm just venting...
Anything can be dependable when built right.But then again your comparing a 351 wich is 41 cu bigger then my motor.Lets compare the top 302 "based" motors here none of them can even get near what this motor (310 cu in) has ran.Only one on the list that is faster is a turbo 351w.
If you knew me you would know my history ive been hardcore ford since i was 12,sometimes you have to open your horizons.
You can knit pick any 50+ year old motor.No need to vent
Oh God no...:screwy:
Do it! Screw the haters. I'm still trying to figure out how to get my AMC 401 and T5 into the 84. Not to mention we're putting an LS1/T56 into John's 88. I'd put a Buick Nailhead in one if I could find one!
Look at Ted's TC. It's an awesome car with great street manners and it goes 12's on a scarily-close-to-stock Caddy!
Looks good Aero. This is the same approach I am taking with my 85 with the eception of cross breading engines. :) I've got enough left over parts from Mustangs and one rowdy Nitrous kit to build a pretty quick 4 eyed bird.
how hard is it to put a LS1 in 87-88 T-bird???
:locked: :flip: :nono: :confused: :crazy: :beatyoass: :D
sorry, I felt the urge to use smilies.
I wanna see somebody put a V10 in an '88 Tbird...THAT would just be effin sick.
About your idea.
Not funny ha ha, funny queer...
OMG wait ppl lemme get my popcorn this is gonna be gooooood
Ya, I know. I just like puting the correct brand engine with the correct brand car. I might build a GM car one day, but It would more than likely be a firebird...with a pontiac motor in it!
buy a mid seventies javelin for that 401! Or better yet, a hornet...
Very, very, extremely, ridiculously easy. :evilgrin:
Have you priced either of those lately? AMC stuff is getting insanely expensive :(
The only non rust-buckets under $2500 the last few months have been a 70 Rebel SST 2-door and a 69 Ambassador 2-door, both of which weigh 3900 Lbs.
All the Spirit's/Eagle's/Hornet's are 4-doors, wagons, or 4WD SX/4 types. All the bubble fender Javelins are rusted or a mint to buy. Good luck even finding a 68-70 AMX or Javelin.
There's been a few Rambler's, and I may still go that route.
, about a year ago, my buddy let a nice Hornet go to the syard. It had the 258 six and an auto, I wish I'd have bought it, and dropped the 360 out of my old J-10 in it.
That thing is a beast.
Just remember the old adage: "Now matter how fast your car is there is always someone who has a faster car". ;)
Hehehehhe.....
Thanks to Jim Miller we now have a 302 flat-tappet style for the car, that runs even! It's sitting in the back of my truck now...
(I have to go out and stick it on an engine stand in the garage, but it's like 38* outside! :hick: )
Cool! I have two 5.0 ho motors,with roller cams,e-7 heads but I live far away from you!! I also have a 84 flat tappet police interceptor out of a ltd but looks pretty none hi-po to me. not sure if they were special,prob only like 150hp is my bet. I cant wait to see your bird fly. I still dont know what to do with my 87 Sport,but it needs to go faster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha
Michael
Did you by chance get to check out that Javelin on the way down the hill? When I left the garage door where he has it parked was a-jar like maybe he was showing it to somebody.
dude one word GREMLIN
Ha ha. Cool a SBC in a t-bird! I like the Caddy motor as the best mod.:burnout: BBC would be another good mod. Remember everyone CUBESRULE :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:
The door was closed when I went by, but I saw the Pacer. I have to go back up there and talk to him for sure...
Is that what is the MerthMobile in Waynes World is. A pacer of the late 70's.
Here's a dandy AMC for you
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/482884783.html
Or this one, going down the strip with right hand drive.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/car/488927943.html
Wayne's car was a Pacer.
TED
Waynes World ,Waynes World, Party time, Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!