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Topic: NewT-Bird owner...pic added (Read 1402 times) previous topic - next topic

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Hello All.

My name is Dan and I'm a confessed Ford-o-holic and engine swap junky.  ;)

I have been swapping V8's into Rangers for years and have a pair that I've kept for myself (see my sig).  Lately the wife's been wanting a drop top fox-pony car.  Sadly, most of what you find in SWPA of that vintage is pretty rough. 

Last week I found a '88 Bird that is a EXCELLENT shape both inside and out.  It's a grey 5.0L/AOD car w/ cloth interior and 92K miles.  The interior is also full power everything and has a power sunroof.  She's on the fence about it but Im buying it regardless...will be trailering it home tonight (it drives but I'm going after it alone).  It also has a set of very dated ARE wheels (but perfect condition) and granny Firestone tires.  Wheels and tire swap will be a certain upgrade!

The car has been sitting since 2003, never driven in the winter and I'm getting it from the second owner.  The pink slip indicates the sale price was $18,600!!  Yikes!  The current owner wanted $2500, I got it for $1500.  Seemed like a good price to me...your thoughts?

Anyhoo...very nice site.  I'm trying to figure out of this is a "sport" model or what is it really called.  Been cruising most of the day learning about my new toy.  I'll post up some pics over the weekend.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #1 –
:ttiwwp:

To see if it's a Sport look at the VIN. The 6th and 7th digits tell the story. If it starts out 1FABP61 it's a Sport. 1FABP60 is a base model, 1FABP62 is an LX, and 1FABP64 is a Turbo Coupe.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #2 –
Welcome! I see your from Armagh, Pa. I went to school in Blairsville and that's where I found my 88 Thunderbird.
88 Sport, custom white 140 mph gauge, 11 in brake upgrade, stock mustang headers, bassani x-pipe, cherry bomb vortec lers, HO conversion
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #3 –
Welcome abord!!! Youll get the fox fever soon..... H.O. conv... 3.73s...lol... but then again its for the wife.......
[/IMG]
Just enjoyin the ride!!!!

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #4 –
She's home.  Checked the VIN, it's a "61" so must be the sport.  Getting dark now...I'll post up pics on Sunday.  Took her for a 10 miles ride (test drive was a short .5 mile) and LOVE it!!

masscoug...I'll likely go straight to up to the 331CID and never look back!

I'm bummed that it has the 7.5" rear...but it's a posi so that's cool.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #5 –
I have an '88 Turbo Coupe rear if you are interested.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
"as if 'religion' were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature." -C.S. Lewis

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #6 –
Welcome aboard.
Were gonna need those pics now. :D
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #7 –
why stop at 331 instead of 347?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #8 –
Ranger pics my man, we need em!

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #9 –
Tbirds are just like Lay's chips...betcha can't have just one!

Welcome...and we need pics. now. now...now! NOW!!!! lol
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #10 –
Here's one of the Ranger with one of my helpers.



Here's a link to a small Ranger album.

http://imageevent.com/17encore/danb/ranger

It's got a .030" over 351W, WP 2.02/1.60 Windsor Jr. heads, KB slugs, 10.7:1, Crane Energizer roller rockers, Crane .512" lift cam, Edelbrock Air Gap, Holley 750, Total Performance headers, 3" duals w/ race lers, C4, TCI Convertor, Mopar 8.75" rear narrowed 15", 3.55 gears w/ Sure Grip posi, S-10 rear springs, Lakewood traction bars, fuel cell and batt in bed, Hurst Shifter, 10" wide rear wheels w/ 275/60R15's for the street and 26x10.5 MT ET Street for the track.

I recently grenaded the C4...so the Ranger is sidelined for now.

And I promise.....T-bird pics will be posted in the AM.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #11 –
Here's the 1988 I just picked up.



1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.
 

NewT-Bird owner...pic added

Reply #12 –
Welcome to the board!!  I see you already have a nice ride going.  Good luck!
1987 TC