1988 T-Bird - Page 2

Topic: 1988 T-Bird (Read 10512 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #15 – March 05, 2005, 12:01:34 PM

As far as the engine trans swap goes, back in 1991, we had a prototype mustang that was used for fuel evaluations, the gt was plucked from the line and sent to our shop in Romulus Michigan, they removed the engine and sent it to Fords engine research lab in Southfield, MI, where they ported and polished the heads, and balanced the bottom end, they sent the motor back to our shop where we re-installed it. Then the vehicle was shipped to Fords fuel research lab in denver Colorado where they did the final tuning and fuel mileage calulations, the numbers were then reported to the EPA for listing. The mustang was then shipped to us in Palm Springs where we used it for a year for catalog photography. In the spring of 92' I got to use this mustang for my donor, I used every thing I could, from the charcoal canister to the spindles, and everything in between, also the car had less than 200 miles on it. The engine swap was easy, I used the computer out of the mustang, the engine harness out of the mustang, and kept the t-bird chassis harness, I only had to re-pin a couple of connectors. I used all of the mustang exhaust, had to legthen it of course. Pedal assembly and center console were from a turbo coupe. Since the swap in 92' I have logged only 15k on the car, it has plenty of power and it passes our smog test out here better than a new car. Here is a scan from 95' after I had finished everything.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #16 – March 05, 2005, 12:14:29 PM

shame302, quite a collection of rc's. I am slowly building up mine as well. I had 2 aerohawk helicopter's that I was learning on, but the mixing boards went out on both of them, so for the moment, I am without a helicopter. As far as my revo goes, I have done some minor upgrades, but is it mostly stock, I just painted a 70' cuda body to match my real 70'cuda, I will post a pic, although I don't know if it is appropiate as this is a t-bird cougar site, but I will see if anyone has a problem.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #17 – March 05, 2005, 02:31:28 PM

Was the trim on the doors removed for the official ford photos? If so I've never noticed that. Sweet 'Cuda also.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #18 – March 05, 2005, 02:52:02 PM

I have a big soft spot for 'Cudas. Very nice. I think you'll find most of the people here have a pretty good appreciation for other cars (except horribly done rice).

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #19 – March 05, 2005, 04:37:28 PM

On a few of the press cars we removed the body side moldings, but not for the catalog's. Also, I had installed a set of HID headlamps from a 98' mark VII, I replaced them this time with new original headlamps. When I did the conversion, I morphed the reflector/ballast/bulb from the mark into the rear of the tbird headlamp housing, and mounted the transformer to the center radiator support.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #20 – March 05, 2005, 04:37:31 PM

Nice toys, what is the gunmetal grey color on the bird? Looks good.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #21 – March 05, 2005, 06:04:24 PM

Do you have any pictures of the HID setup? What did you do with them when you went back to the originals?

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #22 – March 05, 2005, 06:13:33 PM

The colors are from a 2005 Ford GT-Lt. gunmetal grey with satin silver pearlcoat stripes.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #23 – March 05, 2005, 06:20:23 PM

Nice! A GT and a Fox T-Bird in the same shot. Both look amazing!

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #24 – March 05, 2005, 06:30:05 PM

Here are a couple of pics of the hid lights, sorry about the quality, the fluorescent lighting in the shop is not very good.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #25 – March 05, 2005, 07:16:33 PM

how was that seat install? and what kinda rocker switches are they on the console? not the normal 6way power seat switch

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #26 – March 05, 2005, 07:35:11 PM

wow! that is one of the cleanest looking TBirds i have ever sawed! VERY nice. ^_^

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #27 – March 05, 2005, 07:39:58 PM

Ok it's bad enough that your bird looks as good as it does. But that pic of it with the GT in matching paint makes me sick. :D Do you have any of the two side by side as opposed to back to back? They really look awesome together.

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #28 – March 05, 2005, 08:09:41 PM

the pic of you have of youre tbird and the gt is so frickin awesome it makes me sick.

how well did the hid headlights work in the tbird? i assume not all that good being as you went back too a stock headlight setup...

Re: 1988 T-Bird

Reply #29 – March 05, 2005, 11:03:29 PM

WELL DONE.

If I had a Thunderbird instead of my '88 XR7, I would have done it exactly like that... I mean, exactly. Very good taste.

Can I have it?