Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Carl on February 22, 2011, 11:27:05 PM

Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on February 22, 2011, 11:27:05 PM
*EDIT*

I have now moved this project over to my black Tbird and am using the white one as a parts car.

Everything is still going to be updated in this thread.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on February 23, 2011, 12:30:10 AM
*update*

Here are a few of the parts I already have or am getting soon.

http://www.corbeau.com/products/fixed_back_seats/forza/

Very rarely seen wheels from the UK. I am getting them custom drilled for my car.

http://www.teamdynamicsracing.com/pro-race/Pro-Race-2black.htm
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: gumby on February 23, 2011, 06:10:19 PM
Definitely keep us updated here! Time attack should be a blast in a TC.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 10, 2011, 07:41:35 PM
My seats are in! Time to order an intercooler, and injectors!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 19, 2011, 03:00:33 AM
We've made A LOT of progress on the race prep.  99% of the sound deadening / caulking material is gone.  I uploaded a new episode on youtube!  Sorry about the quality... it got screwed up in processing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fofIfR4vAG0
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: DVP on March 22, 2011, 12:22:31 AM
Heat gun and putty knife. Takes that shiznit right up if you can get under it right. Might have to go over a few spots and clean the sticky off.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: fordguy545 on March 22, 2011, 02:23:39 AM
I also hear dry ice and a hammer work too.  Just freeze it and hit it with a hammer and it comes right off.  I wish I knew that when I did mine.  I got right at 40# of sound deadener off the floors.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 22, 2011, 09:31:07 PM
That would have been nice to know, but all the stuff is off now.  I did the finishing touches with the wire wheels.  The trunk is painted and I'm moving to the floor next.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on June 21, 2011, 04:37:23 PM
Here is my parts list for 2011

2011 Race Build

Boport Pistons $549.00 or Stinger CP Pistons $580
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=26
http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Boport Head $1250.00 or Aluminum Borport Head $2950.00
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=72
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=58

Boport Stage 3 Ported Upper/Lower Intake Manifolds $425.00
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=13

Garrett GT35R Ball Bearing Turbo (600HP) $1342.95
http://www.frsport.com/Garrett-GT3582R-GT35R-Ball-Bearing-Turbocharger-Customizable_p_16163.html

Stinger PIMP ECU w/Tuner Studio $670.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/universalparts.html

1000cc Injectors (640-700HP) $230.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/universalparts.html

38mm External Wastegate $170.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/universalparts.html

2.3 to SBF Bellhousing Adapter Plate $175.00

Aluminum Flywheel $335.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Stage 3+ Clutch $435.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Short Throw Shifter $75.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Brembo Big Brake Kit $1500.00

Bullet Proof Edition T5 Transmission (600+HP) $1790.00
http://www.promotionpowertrain.com/TRANSMISSIONS.html

4.10 Moser Gears $190.00
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/2005-2010-mustang-gt-tech/69270-s197-mustang-tsb-list-3.html

Snow Performance Stage 3 Water Methanol Injection $500.00
http://www.snowperformance.net

Summit Fuel Cell $104.95
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-290106/

Roll Cage $1500.00

Frozen Boost Water to Air Intercooler Kit (600HP) $299.99
http://www.frozenboost.com/product_info.php?cPath=216&products_id=1006&osCsid=8afa0ae1d6e3c19af4764096411a5ea3

Full 3 Inch Custom Exhaust (header/downpipe/out) $1000.00

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total Cost  $14241.89



There is currently no suspension because I don't know what kind I want to get.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on August 19, 2011, 02:11:26 AM
Installed

Big NPR Front Mount w/ Stinger's Kit
Dual Piston BOV
Optima Battery
New Performance Radiator
Taurus Fan
Stinger's 3 inch downpipe with magnaflow 3 inch race series ler

Pics to follow tomorrow! :)
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Coliosis on August 19, 2011, 03:17:00 AM
I cant find anything but 1.5" lowering springs for these as far as suspension goes... Maybe SOMEONE would know where to get coilovers or maybe mustang coilovers will work with little to no fabbing.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: vinnietbird on August 19, 2011, 01:06:23 PM
I think an inch and a half to two inch drop is good. If you get the car to low, it loses it's usefulness. Have to come to a near stop to cross a speed bump. Not worth having a car that drags or easily bottoms out for the sake of looks.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on August 20, 2011, 06:37:23 PM
Sorry for not posting the pics yesterday!  Here they are!

The Big NPR Intercooler wedges perfectly between the explorer radiator and the car's radiator housing.

I did have to modify the stock radiator clamps to make them work, and had to cut the feet on the bottom of the explorer radiator a bit because it was too tall.

(http://i51.tinypic.com/bimkpc.jpg)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/29ngtis.jpg)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/21exnht.jpg)
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Mischief on August 20, 2011, 08:46:47 PM
Also, don't forget your 65mm TB and MAF.  :)  I would also get some carbon fiber work done, take off the quarter panels, hood, new grounds effects, carbon trunk.  If you're running in a straight line take off the sway bar.  Crower rods, Steel crank, Adjustable cam gear, new oil cooler as the old one is inferior and relied on the lower heat from the smaller turbo as well as the fact that the stock turbo is also water cooled.  The Holset HX45 is a meaner turbo.  Bore .030 over.  If you do get some bubble mold or carbon work done, make sure you replace the front ground effects.  You can make air dams that will put air flow over the tire, similar to the Lambo Spyder design, that helps give the front of the car a bit more downforce.  Also do a ram air design from the bottom, ,also off another air .  I actually thought about putting an oil cooler in the factory intercooler spot, but that was just a thought and would probably look sloppy with the hood up.  Just a few thoughts, but def don't foget the Throttle body and the MAF.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: DVP on August 21, 2011, 12:17:30 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;365530
I think an inch and a half to two inch drop is good. If you get the car to low, it loses it's usefulness. Have to come to a near stop to cross a speed bump. Not worth having a car that drags or easily bottoms out for the sake of looks.

LOL, I cant get low enough. I do agree that once you start to usefulness its too much. For me that is just handling. I s everywhere, part of the deal.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: fordguy545 on August 22, 2011, 05:55:57 PM
Maximum motorsports coilovers here.  I think I should've gone with koni's, but I bought all the bilstien stuff.  650# in the front, 500# in the rear.  I should probably go higher in the rear because in a hard corner, it still picks up the inside front tire off the ground.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 04, 2011, 03:29:19 PM
Just got

Boport 1.9 Cam
Holset HX35 with rare oil and water cooled seven blade billet wheel and vband internal wastegate
Hallman Pro Boost Controller
SPEC Stage 3+ Clutch

Pics to follow as they come in the mail!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 06, 2011, 09:14:21 PM
Hallman Pro RX Boost Controller Installed

Works great and as advertised.  Low boost spring gives me 5 extra PSI over stock as advertised (from 10 to 15) I have yet to try the high boost spring (advertised to give much more but I'm going to set it to the 18 PSI the gillis valve failed to hold)

Turbo spools up a lot quicker!

(http://i51.tinypic.com/14c46ea.jpg)
(http://i53.tinypic.com/aekwf9.jpg)

Very Rare version of the Holset HX35 with
-Billet Wheel
-Water and Oil Cooled
-Internal Wastegate with 3in Vband
-T4 

Wheel is tight in all directions and spins great!

Paid $380 bucks!

(http://i55.tinypic.com/2m5lztj.jpg)
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2pq1jmb.jpg)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/969w60.jpg)
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Coliosis on September 14, 2011, 03:54:29 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;365530
I think an inch and a half to two inch drop is good. If you get the car to low, it loses it's usefulness. Have to come to a near stop to cross a speed bump. Not worth having a car that drags or easily bottoms out for the sake of looks.

 
Adjustable coilovers would be nice though... So you can lower it further when you want to play, but leave it a little higher when daily driving.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: DVP on September 14, 2011, 11:29:24 AM
Id run the boost controller inside... I can tell you it is much more tempting to bump it then. Boost is like a drug.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 14, 2011, 02:09:28 PM
Quote from: DVP;367633
Id run the boost controller inside... I can tell you it is much more tempting to bump it then. Boost is like a drug.

 
No real need to do that untill I run the holset.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 15, 2011, 11:09:13 AM
How much weight do you think I will save from:

Full Fiberglass Front Clip
Hood
Trunk
Doors
Lexan

I was guessing 400 to 500 lbs?

http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: cougrrr302 on September 15, 2011, 08:26:06 PM
I don't know how much the doors weigh, I can only assume at least 75+ pounds. I know the hood is heavy itself. I would say around 300-400 easy. I don't know about 500 though. The decklid, windows and front cover/fenders don't weight that much.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 21, 2011, 12:29:49 PM
Quote from: Carl;367699
How much weight do you think I will save from:

Full Fiberglass Front Clip
Hood
Trunk
Doors
Lexan

I was guessing 400 to 500 lbs?

http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html


Actually all the parts are Carbon, not fiberglass.  Should be able to reduce weight considerably.

Just a little update for everyone.

Rebuilt all the injectors and ran new fuel lines for E85. (have 1260cc lucas injectors for when my ECU comes in from Stinger)

In the process of replacing clutch to the stage 3+ SPEC but am having trouble removing the Pilot Bearing.  I will probably be able to get the thing off today.

Put a fresh gasket on the oil pan, which will hopefully fix my oil leak.

Cleaned like 30 pounds of old oil dirt and grease off the bottom of my car... lol

Next mods after this.

Sway bars
CHE Control Arms all around
Chuck's Motor Mounts
Custom Gauges (probably autometer)
Clean up dash
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 24, 2011, 08:05:31 PM
Got my clutch in, and cleaned up everything!  I can't really go to hard on it, because I am going to obey the 500 mile break in rule for the new clutch.  I still have an oil leak, but I suspect that it's the valve cover.  From what I read online it seems the ranger valve cover is the way to go.

I am at work, but I will post pics of the progress soon!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Shadow on September 24, 2011, 08:19:45 PM
Quote from: Carl;355812
We've made A LOT of progress on the race prep.  99% of the sound deadening / caulking material is gone.  I uploaded a new episode on youtube!  Sorry about the quality... it got screwed up in processing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fofIfR4vAG0

 

alright! that's what i'm talking about.. pennywise! hahah
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 24, 2011, 08:32:21 PM
Yeah man, gotta love punk rock.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: fordguy545 on September 25, 2011, 07:28:57 PM
Quote from: Carl;368349
Got my clutch in, and cleaned up everything!  I can't really go to hard on it, because I am going to obey the 500 mile break in rule for the new clutch.  I still have an oil leak, but I suspect that it's the valve cover.  From what I read online it seems the ranger valve cover is the way to go.

I am at work, but I will post pics of the progress soon!

 
I'm going to say you mean valve cover gasket, not the valve cover because I think the ranger valve covers are stamped steel instead of the cast aluminum ours are.  The ranger gasket is worth the extra money!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 26, 2011, 12:00:03 AM
Quote from: fordguy545;368414
I'm going to say you mean valve cover gasket, not the valve cover because I think the ranger valve covers are stamped steel instead of the cast aluminum ours are.  The ranger gasket is worth the extra money!

 
Yup I meant the gasket :hick:

Good to know!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 26, 2011, 09:59:51 PM
Ok, so... I may have been overboosting my ihi for the past 6 mos.. I found out the stock boost gauge is garbage. Turned my boost down to 16 and am slowly inching it up to a correct 18. The good news is the turbo took no damage at all. My car is wayy faster than its ever been now!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on September 30, 2011, 10:31:36 PM
So... the car started running lean and I couldnt figure out why. Come to find out, my strainer tore and a bunch of dirt clogged up the pump. I cleaned it out and the car is running better than ever. Put some E85 in to take advantage of the new lines and injectors. Ive picked up a substantial amount of horsepower.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on October 06, 2011, 05:04:47 AM
2011 Parts List Update

Things I have left to buy

Boport Stage 3 Head $1250.00
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=72

Boport Stage 3 Ported Upper/Lower Intake Manifolds $425.00
http://www.bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=13

Stinger PIMP ECU w/Tuner Studio $670.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/universalparts.html

Short Throw Shifter $75.00
http://www.stinger-performance.com/suspensionparts.html

Roll Cage $2000

2004 Mach 1 Mustang 8.8 rear with 11.5 Vented Disks ABS 355 Gears $800

Cobra 13in Front Brake Conversion $400

Aeromotive A1000 Fuel Cell $800

Chuck's Motor Mounts



Things I have already bought

Innovative Wideband
Stinger Intercooler Piping and Big NPR Front Mount Intercooler *installed*
Holset HX35 with Billet Wheel Oil/Water Cooled Center
Hallman Manual Boost Controller *installed*
Corbeau Racing Seats *installed*
E85 Fuel Lines *installed*
Lucas 120lb Injectors
Boport 1.9 Cam
Spec Stage 3+ Clutch *installed*
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: The Shredder on October 06, 2011, 10:19:04 AM
Nice!  Have you taken it to the track lately?  I'm sure you would beat tyour 15.8 time.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on October 06, 2011, 11:48:08 AM
Unfortunately I have not had time.  Another thing is I think the Walbro is dying because it's still running lean on pump gas.  Sometimes it will run fine and other times it leans out.  There is probably a bunch of dirt that got in the pump.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on October 08, 2011, 08:33:25 AM
Some of the recent work I've done

Rebuilt all injectors, cleaned fuel rail, installed Kirban FPR

(http://i54.tinypic.com/f5ueg.jpg)

New flywheel and pilot bearing

(http://i56.tinypic.com/69fkt1.jpg)

SPEC Stage 3+ Clutch Installed

(http://i55.tinypic.com/rk4oly.jpg)

Bellhousing cleaned and installed

(http://i52.tinypic.com/t9fl7l.jpg)

Just a recent pic of the bird :)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/jsiryf.jpg)
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on November 01, 2011, 12:41:50 AM
Ordered an Aeromotive Stealth 340lph.  Should be in by wed or thur. :)
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on November 01, 2011, 08:28:07 PM
Welp... my fuel rail just cracked... right below the fpr. Is this common?
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 29, 2012, 02:12:48 PM
I crimped my fuel line, and am going to finally run E-85 lines the entire length of the car.  (before I only had E-85 to replace the non metal line)

2 Questions.

How many feet of line do I need to accomidate the feed and return line?

What size should I go with to support 300-500whp? On an Evo site I read 3/8th for feed and 1/2 for return is good. Can the feed and return both be the same size?

Sorry for not posting in a while. I was hybernating this winter!
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: 1BadBird on March 29, 2012, 07:12:19 PM
Why run a smaller feed line than return?? I'm thinking that with running E-85 you'll need the bigger feed line. Someone should chime in that would know more about that than me as I'm toying with the idea of running E-85 all the time but haven't figured out what I need either, besides, I'm not that far along.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Shadow on March 29, 2012, 10:56:50 PM
wait.. what?! 1/2" return line?! 1/4" is more realistic, but that's too small if you ask me.. 300-500hp will live happily with a 3/8" feed and return line.. i think what you may have stumbled across was for a turbo's oil lines.. that's the only sense i can make of 3/8 feed and 1/2 return
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 30, 2012, 12:49:43 AM
Oops... I meant to put a 1/4 return line in my question.  Not 1/2.  Either way it doesn't matter.  I just installed 3/8 for feed and return.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Shadow on March 30, 2012, 01:20:19 AM
with 3/8 feed and return, you should be in good shape.. i don't remember, but i think these cars came with 5/16" feed lines and they're 'ok' up to about 350hp or so.. some people squeeze more than that out of them
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 30, 2012, 02:08:55 AM
Quote from: Shadow;385589
with 3/8 feed and return, you should be in good shape.. i don't remember, but i think these cars came with 5/16" feed lines and they're 'ok' up to about 350hp or so.. some people squeeze more than that out of them

The lines I am using now are temporary until I decide on a path for 3/8 steel lines. 

With the Aeromotive 340 now installed, I am going to experiment with full E85 and a 50/50 mixture.  Mess around with fuel pressure... etc.  I should have the right combo by the end of the weekend.  Mind you, this is also temporary until I install my 120lb hr injectors and Standalone ECU.  Then I should be able to run full E-85 on full Boost.

I will post some install pics tomorrow.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: 1BadBird on March 30, 2012, 07:41:46 AM
I was just reading in the May 2012 MM&FF an article that when running E-85 that you basically need to increase the size of the feed/return lines due to the fact that you need a larger volume of E-85 compared to the size needed for gas at a given hp level, that's because of the lower energy output of the ethanol compared to gas. As far as fuel mileage goes, I can live with a 20 - 30% decrease in mileage over the higher price of 93 octane.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on March 30, 2012, 01:56:15 PM
Quote from: 1BadBird;385614
I was just reading in the May 2012 MM&FF an article that when running E-85 that you basically need to increase the size of the feed/return lines due to the fact that you need a larger volume of E-85 compared to the size needed for gas at a given hp level, that's because of the lower energy output of the ethanol compared to gas. As far as fuel mileage goes, I can live with a 20 - 30% decrease in mileage over the higher price of 93 octane.

 
I have personally seen 75WHP gains from a good E-85 tune.  There are several hurdles if you want to see those gains.  ECU needs to be aftermarket or mapped for E-85.  Injectors need to be approaching 1000cc or better.  Fuel lines need to be 3/8 or better.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on April 02, 2012, 12:43:02 AM
Ran the lines and all... but forgot to install a filter in line.  I only ran the car around the block.  Anyone think that did any major harm?
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on April 03, 2012, 10:13:24 AM
Alright, so I ran seafoam through the vaccuum line.  Followed the instructions and everything worked great.  Throttle response is much better and it got a good clean. 

I finally found the problem though.  When the carbon was burning off, smoke pored out of two small cracks in the manifold.  One that I knew was there, the other I had no clue about.  To top things off, the gasket that connects my turbo to the manifold is bad too.

I am convinced this was causing my bad A/F Ratio and various other problems with boost response etc...

I am going to go aftermarket, but was wondering what is the better option.

Bob's Log Header

I hear it's very durable, and there is provision for EGR.  Not something that really concerns me, but it's nice to have.

Stinger's Header

I am leaning towards because of the ability to take the turbo off with relative ease.  Also, I am going to need an external wastegate to run an HX35 properly.

Does anyone have experience with either of the two?
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Shadow on April 03, 2012, 10:37:00 AM
i've seen a few horror stories with the stinger header cranking and the wastegate  snapping off.. never heard anything bad about the bob's log
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on April 03, 2012, 10:55:15 AM
Quote from: Shadow;385880
i've seen a few horror stories with the stinger header cranking and the wastegate  snapping off.. never heard anything bad about the bob's log

 
Bob's it is then!

Now... I have to decide if I want stock mount or center mount.  I think it might be easier to fit that Holset with center mount.
Title: Carl's Road Racer
Post by: Carl on July 03, 2012, 02:40:16 AM
Just got Stinger's "PIMP" ECU in the Mail.  Now I can put my 1250cc injectors and Wideband on and use E-85!  Wooo!  Dyno run soon to come!