Advice

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Advice

January 17, 2010, 07:50:46 PM

Want to buy a fox body t-bird. My project will end up with a 302, with a 5-speed. For example, is it smarter to buy a 5-speed car and drop in a 302, or a V8 car and convert to a 5-speed. Also, did any years come with twin pipes? (Not 2 pipes coming out of one cat). Carburated/EFI? Which are speed density? Are any MAF?
Thanks in advance.

Advice

Reply #1 – January 17, 2010, 08:03:21 PM

alright...... for 83-88 tbirds and cougars. all were Standard Output 302's which were 150 hp. in 86 they switched from CFI to SEFI with roller blocks. they used a speed density set up. as far has any having factory true duals i couldnt tell you for sure. I would suggest looking at wether you want A. 83-86 (4 eyed) or 87-88 thunderbird (aero) i think you are better off going with a 5.0 car and swapping a manual transmission in its place. Just my 2 cents

Advice

Reply #2 – January 17, 2010, 08:18:55 PM

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/search.php?

best advice i can give, use it well.

Advice

Reply #3 – January 17, 2010, 08:53:11 PM

As ductape recommended, "Search" is your best friend. If you ask 10 different guys on here, you will probably get 10 different answers. My $.02, if I was going to do what you are going to do, I would find a rust free (easy for you in CA) 87/88 TC that someone pulled the motor out of to do a Ranger swap and buy the roller. Then you'd have the 87/88 TC looks, interior, suspension (including the disc brake T-Loc), etc. That would be a great start and you'd have a nice ride when you were done.

Advice

Reply #4 – January 17, 2010, 09:13:21 PM

There's also a parts interchange page on Coolcats. It may sway you in a direction of what parts swap from diff cars easily from fox years.

Ok

Reply #5 – February 06, 2010, 12:03:06 AM

Thanks for all your input. After taking some time to investigate, I think I'll go with an 83 to 86 (just because I like the design), 5.0, add a 5-speed, and then just tinker with the engine to get more power, but not so much that I can't get it smogged by the dmv. The state is real strict about mods here, unfortunately.

Advice

Reply #6 – February 06, 2010, 09:17:44 AM

You could get a 5 speed TC/XR7 and play with the 2.3T in it some. You can get good power from it with easy bolt ons and when its smog time just turn the boost back down.

Advice

Reply #7 – February 06, 2010, 10:57:14 AM

The last Fox v8's had 155 hp due to dual exhaust, earlier ones were 150. None are MAF systems. Some of these cars had factory duals (my '88 5.0 had it) but they were not true duals as far as I know. However some do have the double hump crossmember that will accept true duals (I have this on my car).

If you want a 5.0 to begin with and don't plan on extensive mods, I would suggest starting out with V8 car and swappin in a t-5. A ton of members have done it and its not that hard or expensive if you do some junk yard searching and watch your spending. You can then do like many of us and convert the 5.0 SO into a HO by changing the heads, intake, cam, fuel pump, computer, etc. This should get you 225hp or so and I would think this should keep you emissions legal.

You need to check out Erics site; http://www.coolcats.net/

Just remember that a lot of the fox Mustang parts will interchange but not all, especially in the suspension department.