1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #825 – January 04, 2012, 10:28:31 AM Quote from: thunderjet302;376946Why all the tape on the center console? I had to mod the console to accept the Mustang shifter. Covering it and the armrest with leather are on the to-do list. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #826 – January 09, 2012, 01:29:40 AM I just put a water pump on this morning since the one I had on it started to leak the other day. On the way home from work tonight I realized I had put more than 1,000 miles on it since I started to drive it. In my mind that deserves a little reflection.First of all, I want to list some of the things that are good about my experience. (in no particular order)The power is nice. I always feel like I am sitting on an animal. I definitely like it.The ride is very solid and comfortable. Just as I remember and expect from the Fox Thunderbird.I like the carpc. I am always playing with it, at least until I get the software as I want it. I expect to just be sorting through different elements to get to what I will use on a regular basis. So far I have been listening to the HD radio or playing music from the hard drive the most. I like having MS Tuner studio on-board. Big plus to have it on the center display. Having the Garmin GPS built -in is pretty cool. I used it the other day to get to a guys house. I also have a screen that displays GPS mph and a compass with some other things. It's nice to double check the speedo with.I like the way it handles in snow! I am surprised by this since I thought it would be too squirrely to drive once the snow flew. I think because the car is a stock 5.0 out of boost it is manageable. I have to give high marks to the Yokohama Avid tires, too.The tranny rocks. What else can I say. I'd do it again in a minute.Some of the things I am disappointed in, or am going to be working on:I have an oil smoke smell. Probably will until I get the breather contained and plumbed back into the intake. It takes away from the enjoyment when I come to a stop at a light and smell fumes.I can't integrate the phone I have with the PC for taking calls over the stereo. Support just isn't there for this kind of thing for my smart phone. I refuse to downgrade my phone just to be able to use it the way I want in the car. I solved this issue with a separate hands-free unit. It works great.I wish my paint didn't look like gray instead of silver.I think I need a different rear gear. Even with OD, I am over 2500 rpm at 70 mph. It's gonna hurt mileage. I will probably look for a lower numbered gear for the future. (This has 3:73's)The car is running a tad hotter than the thermostat. I think I have that covered, since today I cut some cardboard and used it to block off the air from escaping around the radiator. Now it is directed through the core more, and my temps dropped over 10 degrees after doing only one side of the rad. I think that making nice shrouds for the rad will make a huge difference.Cup holder for chrissake!The idle is OK for now, but can still surge at random times. Once I add AC it will probably be bothersome again. I may add an air valve to bump idle when AC comes on. If I had it to do again I'd go with MS2 and utilize a GM stepper valve. Even if it's only because I am fed up with the Ford valve . So, that's my story so far. The car is over 95% complete. I still have to trim out the trunk and finish the side moldings as well as finish the tpuppies of the console. Then add AC this summer.One last thought.I was out recently with a friend who is a successful businessman, and coincidentally just bought a (spectacular!) twin turbo BMW. His car and mine got about equal attention from the peanut gallery, which was kinda cool. After all, mines 25 yo and paid for! Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #827 – January 09, 2012, 07:45:29 PM Nice, reflection sounds way better than contemplation :) Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #828 – January 13, 2012, 06:45:14 PM Hey JimAll the turbo 5.0 guys say 3.27. Which I just got off ebay for $30 shipped. With your car being abit heavier than the average fox mustang. Maybe 3.55? But hardly worth the effort and expense. I would personally go with 3.27. You can always up the boost. :-) I have read abit about MS and idle. Guys say add a couple of degrees of timing at idle. It helps the transition. I really want to do the 4r70 swap....in 2013. I will just use the built C4 I have for this year. I have read OK things about the Mach1/Maurader torque converter. Maybe a custom tc when my money tree blooms.Travis Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #829 – January 14, 2012, 11:26:02 AM Thanks for the input, TravisI'm thinking 3:27 also. Unless I come across a local, cheap, and complete late TC 3:55 axle that I can just swap in real quick. I have the idle bumped in the spot where it idles after the trans is engaged. It does help some to be sure.I recently added a catch can in the valve cover vent and put a PCV valve in it so it closes off under vacuum. That helped the car idle better as well. Next will be to put a fitting in the air cleaner to plumb the breather back in to the intake tract and I should have the smell problem taken care of. (It's way better with just the catch can being relocated beside the radiator.)Quote from: turbotrav;377667Hey JimAll the turbo 5.0 guys say 3.27. Which I just got off ebay for $30 shipped. With your car being abit heavier than the average fox mustang. Maybe 3.55? But hardly worth the effort and expense. I would personally go with 3.27. You can always up the boost. :-) I have read abit about MS and idle. Guys say add a couple of degrees of timing at idle. It helps the transition. I really want to do the 4r70 swap....in 2013. I will just use the built C4 I have for this year. I have read OK things about the Mach1/Maurader torque converter. Maybe a custom tc when my money tree blooms.Travis Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #830 – January 14, 2012, 01:38:00 PM With the stock aod and 273 gears, you sit 1400-1600rpm's at 65 and 75mph. The tranny you have is just slighttly lower overdrive then an aod. I know its not aperformance upgrade, but it would help mileage a lot. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #831 – January 15, 2012, 08:55:17 AM I'd have to think the mileage would see a large difference indeed.Performance wise, the common view is that a boosted car will benefit in the 1/4 more from a lower numerical rear gear than a higher one. I am not very focused on racing so it's not too important to get the absolute best time out of it.I am more concerned with mileage since I can't use the power this has on the street very much as it is. It would be nice if it would pull rather than spin. I am thinking 3:27 would be the best compromise between economy and performance.Anyone familiar with what would be a fair price to pay for labor to have a new gear installed? Quote from: Haystack;377714With the stock aod and 273 gears, you sit 1400-1600rpm's at 65 and 75mph. The tranny you have is just slighttly lower overdrive then an aod. I know its not aperformance upgrade, but it would help mileage a lot. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #832 – January 15, 2012, 10:03:35 AM last time i had a trans shop do 1, i paid $350.. i supplied the ring, pinion and a pack of shims.. they supplied the bearings and what-not for the new carrier and pinion Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #835 – January 15, 2012, 01:40:03 PM I think he has 3.73's now. 3.27's are a common swap for turbo v-8 guys that run at the strip. If they launch on boost it makes it easier to get out of the hole without spinning. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #836 – January 16, 2012, 09:49:02 AM Thanks. I was ball-parking 3-400 in my mind. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #837 – January 16, 2012, 03:24:49 PM flylear. If it is any consolation, I plan to swap my Lincoln Mark VII LSC rear end into the t-coupe. It is 3.27 gear from the factory with Limited slip. Should be an easy swap. If you want to go 5-lug, get a 91-92 Mark VII as the rear calipers are similar enough to the TC's for parking brake hookup. But of course you have new tires on your snowflakes. Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #838 – January 16, 2012, 05:27:32 PM I thought the Mark 7 rear end was 1.5" wider?????!!!Travis Quote Selected
1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W Reply #839 – January 16, 2012, 09:36:39 PM Hey Travis... the Mark VII rear axles are about 3/4" longer than the TC axles. But have to seen the wheel well space we have in the rear of the thunderbird/cougars? Quote Selected
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