Opinion?

Topic: Opinion? (Read 2822 times) previous topic - next topic

Opinion?

November 18, 2016, 08:28:33 PM

Hey all,
So i have a 5.0, AOD, 7.5in rear tbird. Not exactly fast by any means. I looked into doing 8.8 TC rear swap, T5 swap, 5.0 HO swap. I know its all pretty easy to do. But at what point does it become easier to just buy a cheap mustang foxbody off craigslist? Most fox mustangs i see already have sfc's, cam, heads, and other things.

-Kyle

Opinion?

Reply #1 – November 18, 2016, 10:13:53 PM

The mustangs will also cost more and suffer from tinkeritus.

Cougar birds are cheap and until recentily parts were plentiful. You can easily deck out a tbird in good condition for the price of a hass affed beat up gt if you do the work yourself.

Opinion?

Reply #2 – November 18, 2016, 10:18:54 PM

It may be easier to buy a cheap Fox Mustang off craigslist, and lots of people go that direction. I can respect that, but have a lot of admiration for those who take the road less travelled. Why not pick up someone's Mustang project and cannibalize it for parts for your Thunderchicken? :D At least you know the history of your Bird...
Daniel

Opinion?

Reply #3 – November 18, 2016, 10:41:45 PM

Haystack: Yeah tbirds/cougars are cheaper. And mustangs definitely get "tinkered" on more. headlights....body kits...wings

Daniel: but then I could have 2 cars? a daily tbird and a haggard mustang

And are turbocoupes actually fast? even mostly intact TC's are cheaper than most fox mustangs

Opinion?

Reply #4 – November 19, 2016, 08:36:03 AM

Quote from: kylesburrell;458029

And are turbocoupes actually fast? even mostly intact TC's are cheaper than most fox mustangs

Depends on your definition of fast, totally stock you'll be lucky the get out of the 16s... With a boost increase, a few tweaks and clutch that will hold the HP, they'll break into 14s(unless majorly modified forget a automatic being fast) ... Most of the really fast ones I've seen are strippped out shells, but hey it has a 4cyl...

Nice for a driver but really not my style...

Opinion?

Reply #5 – November 19, 2016, 09:54:44 PM

Depends what you like. I prefer the difference and better ride of the Cougar/Tbirds. Every jackass can have a Mustang, it takes a little more work to have one of our cars. I just like the lines and style of our cars.

But hey, I was a Cougar guy from the start. First car 81 XR7, 85 5.0 LS was my next car. Now have what I always wanted as a young man 88 Cougar 5.0

Opinion?

Reply #6 – November 20, 2016, 01:16:28 AM

Quote from: mcb82gt;458055

Depends what you like. I prefer the difference and better ride of the Cougar/Tbirds. Every jackass can have a Mustang, it takes a little more work to have one of our cars. I just like the lines and style of our cars.

But hey, I was a Cougar guy from the start. First car 81 XR7, 85 5.0 LS was my next car. Now have what I always wanted as a young man 88 Cougar 5.0

I would agree, every jackass can have a mustang. Also Ive always thought of fox mustangs as kinda redneck-y

Opinion?

Reply #7 – November 20, 2016, 04:56:03 AM

It really depends on what you want for an end product. If you just want a fast car with no other requirements, get a LS1 car.

If you want a fast Thunderbird, get to building.

Opinion?

Reply #8 – November 20, 2016, 10:55:58 AM

I have both and each have their challenges. The Birds, Cougars, and Mustangs share a lot of things in common but the one thing they do not share is the aftermarket. I can build a Mustang a lot cheaper so for the same dollars I can go faster, build it better, and basically beat the dog shiznit out of it and then someone will still want to buy it when I am done. I love my Bird but it is because of the sentimental value of my dad buying it new. I seriously doubt I would have ever had the car if it were not for that. With that being said and being that I do have it I absolutely prefer the body lines of the Bird over any other car and it is built well enough I get compliments when I drive it.

As for the LS1 comment, seriously man? I think you need to drive a Coyote car and ask yourself that question again. GM no longer has that edge as the 5.0 Coyotes are in the salvage yards and very available. Tuners know how to get around the PATs and CAN bus and all kinds of aftermarket is available including the controllers for the six speed autos.

Build your Bird if that is what makes you smile. If not sell it and go get that Mustang and have fun with it. Me, I would find a cheap Mustang, pull the drive train, and sell the roller with your 7.5 rear under it. Take that power train and put it in the Bird and drive accordingly.

Opinion?

Reply #9 – November 20, 2016, 07:47:41 PM

I think Shawn meant that buying an LS1 car is cheap and fast. 4th gen CamBirds are cheap, while Fox Mustangs (and even SN95's) are comparably more expensive. T-birds and Cougars are cheap but not fast. As for the coyote swap - the aftermarket is slowly warming up to them, but there is no denying that LS-based engine swaps are the cheapest way to big speed. It's not the most interesting, no, but definitely the cheapest. Even a bog stock 5.3 truck engine starts at 290-310 horses, and they give them away with any $20 purchase at a pick-and-pull. A few cheap and easy mods and you're well into the mid 400's for power. I love my coyote, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the LS engines (of which I also own one, in my Avalanche).

Opinion?

Reply #10 – November 20, 2016, 09:37:56 PM

Quote from: Aerocoupe;458095

Me, I would find a cheap Mustang, pull the drive train, and sell the roller with your 7.5 rear under it. Take that power train and put it in the Bird and drive accordingly.

This is what I did. I bought an 88LX/HO/T-5/ 8.8 with 3.73s. Body was rotten but the drivetrain was perfect.

Opinion?

Reply #11 – November 21, 2016, 12:51:55 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;458123

I think Shawn meant that buying an LS1 car is cheap and fast. 4th gen CamBirds are cheap, while Fox Mustangs (and even SN95's) are comparably more expensive. T-birds and Cougars are cheap but not fast. As for the coyote swap - the aftermarket is slowly warming up to them, but there is no denying that LS-based engine swaps are the cheapest way to big speed. It's not the most interesting, no, but definitely the cheapest. Even a bog stock 5.3 truck engine starts at 290-310 horses, and they give them away with any $20 purchase at a pick-and-pull. A few cheap and easy mods and you're well into the mid 400's for power. I love my coyote, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the LS engines (of which I also own one, in my Avalanche).

This is exactly what I was getting at. Locally, the cheapest I've seen a Coyote out of a car is 5500. For that price, you could toss an On3 turbo setup on a LSx and make 600+ to the wheels. Cheap? Certainly. Reliable? Who knows.

Opinion?

Reply #12 – November 21, 2016, 09:50:53 AM

Quote from: kylesburrell;458021

Hey all,
So i have a 5.0, AOD, 7.5in rear tbird. Not exactly fast by any means. I looked into doing 8.8 TC rear swap, T5 swap, 5.0 HO swap. I know its all pretty easy to do. But at what point does it become easier to just buy a cheap mustang foxbody off craigslist? Most fox mustangs i see already have sfc's, cam, heads, and other things.

-Kyle

Lookin at your signature Id say you have some time and money invested as well as some sentimental value in your bird. If its a clean car Id say go foward with your first idea. Nothing about it is very hard or to expensive.

The days of going on Craigslist and finding a "good" cheap Mustang are gone I think. A good Mustang will cost you a decent amount and a cheap one will be a hack job with who knows how hands on it over the years. No way Id want to get into fixing years of stupid mods,fixes and brain farts from other people. You sound like you know your car..probably inside and out. No brainer to me.

8.8 swap is easy. Dospoogeented here in a bunch of threads.

T5 swap easy as well. I would bet both of these could be done for well under $1000 in parts for good used donor parts.

The motor mods can lead you down many,many different paths. Some cheap, some not so much. But I would say even just a 8.8 swap with some 3.73s and a t5 would make that car feel like a completely different animal!