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Topic: Blue by You - TC+4 (Read 41971 times) previous topic - next topic

Blue by You - TC+4

Wanted to get started on my Build Thread... 

I have a 1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.  It is Twilight blue metallic (or was before the clear-coat peel) with blue cloth interior.  It has every option except for leather seats.  I bought it as a parts car, but I have decided to make it something special...

The plan:
A smooth, comfortable, great handling street machine with 400+ rwhp -- something that can hang with 90% of the street cars, but something my wife wouldn't be afraid to drive.

A 5.0L HO with a single turbo kit and an automatic transmission.  Hoping to keep all of the creature comforts, but have power to spare.

This will be a longer term project that won't happen overnight.  So check in every so often and enjoy the progress!

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #1
Here are some pictures of the victim as I purchased it...






Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #2
For some reason I just never could get into blue interiors... maybe cause mine's red... Anyway looks nice man. No doubt you'll be taking some pointers from flylear?
--Steve
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L
2011 Mustang 3.7L

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #3
It looks way to nice to be a parts car. I'm glad you decided to do something with it instead.

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #4
The car had been sitting for years because of ABS brake issues.  And the lady that owned it didn't want to put money into it to fix it - so it just sat and sat.

I bought it thinking I might use the drivetrain for a project.  But after cleaning up the car and interior, it was actually in very good shape.  So I decided to get it running...

- So I swapped the ABS unit to Vacuum Assist - SN95 booster/master cylinder. 
- Plus the fuel tank was completely rusted from sitting so long.  Replaced the fuel tank and fuel filter
- Changed the oil and filter
- Replaced transmission fluid/filter
- Put a new battery in it

It started and ran really pretty well!  But the A4LD transmission front seal was leaking like a sieve.

- So I pulled the transmission and replaced the front seal
- Repaired the rusted exhaust mid-pipe

And now the car runs very well and the transmission shifts great.

So why would I go and mess with a perfectly running stock TurboCoupe?  Just because.

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #5
Quote from: sarjxxx;354623
For some reason I just never could get into blue interiors... maybe cause mine's red... Anyway looks nice man. No doubt you'll be taking some pointers from flylear?

Yep!  Flylear has been my inspiration to get started.  I have been following his thread from the beginning.  Our builds will be similar except I hope to buy a turbo kit rather than fabricate one.  He has more skills than I do. :)

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #6
Since I got the car running, I noticed the Electronic Automatic Temp Control (EATC) was acting funny.  The control unit would blink saying something was wrong.  And with the blower motor on high, it would vibrate the whole car and spit acorns out the floor vents.  Plus the heater core started leaking. 

Time to start teardown...

Engine compartment view:

Removal of heater and A/C lines and heater box fasteners:




Removal of dash wiring in the engine compartment:


Interior view:

Removal of the console, steering column and disconnect dash mount points:


Disconnect all the wiring harness connections and remove the dashboard:






Next, the heater box needs to come out:


And what would I find?






A critter had made a happy home in the heater box, storing up nuts for the winter - probably for many peaceful years while the car sat.  It was NASTY in there with the upper area above the blower fan being the creature's bathroom.

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #7
Haha I found the same thing in mine.  You should just be thankful that's the only thing our teardowns had in common.  I had a nest under the upper intake on a 5.0 and as I was pulling it out I got a handful of a live five foot long blacksnake.

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #8
Quote from: jridenour31;354640
Haha I found the same thing in mine.  You should just be thankful that's the only thing our teardowns had in common.  I had a nest under the upper intake on a 5.0 and as I was pulling it out I got a handful of a live five foot long blacksnake.

 
I would totally freak!!! I hate snakes!!!

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #9
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;354641
I would totally freak!!! I hate snakes!!!

I definitely did.  It was funny later but I wasn't too happy at the.time.

OP, I really like the project, although I may be a little biased lol.  Are you going to run a stock HO with an AOD?  That's definitely a peppy little street setup.  What are you controlling it with?

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #10
Well here is a little more detail about the drivetrain build...

Engine plan:
stock 306 roller block with forged dished pistons
explorer rods (a little beefier than HO) with arp wave-loc bolts
stock HO cam and roller lifters
stock iron gt40 (not P) heads with upgraded TrickFlow springs/retainers
cobra intake with phenolic spacer and 65mm TB
42lb injectors with explorer rails and kirban fuel pressure regulator
Lightning 90mm blow-through MAF

Transmission:
4R70W from a 5.0L explorer 2WD
Baumann OptiShift controller

Rear-end:
Lincoln Mark VII 8.8 Traction-Loc with 3.27 gears

Suspension:
stock ride control struts/shocks
SN95 front and rear springs
SN95 spindles
Cobra 13" disc front brakes
89 Lincoln 11.x" disk rear brakes
CHE Rear control arms

A lot of these are the ultimate goal, but I plan to build it in stages so that I can enjoy driving it for a while before the next phase.

Phase 1 - GT40 HO Engine running 19lb injectors and stock HO MAF and TB with stock AOD.  stock A3M1 HO computer.
Phase 2 - Rear-end and suspension/brake modifications
Phase 3 - Ponydown or B&G turbo kit running 7-10psi with 42lb injectors and Lightning MAF and 65 or 70mm TB.  Upgraded 255 lph high pressure walbro fuel pump.  4R70W with Baumann Optishift controller. Quarterhorse or Tweecer controlling A3M1 EEC-IV - possibly moates.net chip once the tune is dialed in.  Hi/Low electronic boost controller and tunes controlled by the Prem/Regular Fuel switch on the dash.  LOTS of other mods planned too.

Man, I can't wait to get there.  But slow and steady wins the race!

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #11
Nice setup, I really like the decision to go with the 4R.

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #12
Yeah.  I like the durability and tune-ability of the 4R70W electronic transmission.  And I think the stock ford ecu is flexible enough (with J3 port add-ons) for my needs in engine management department.

The plan is to have the premium/regular dash switch control the level of boost, the engine tune and the transmission shift patterns/firmness.  In 'Regular' setting, I can tame it down when others drive it... but turn it up (with the flip of the switch) to impress the friends and neighbors. :)

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #13
I agree that car is too nice to part out.  They just aren't found around every corner anymore.

I have a blue interior as well.  It's almost overwhelming sitting inside looking at all of that blue.  I have a grey interior I hope to install down the line.  Someday..... someday.
1987 TC

Blue by You - TC+4

Reply #14
After having two 'Birds with the red interior, I couldn't stand it anymore...felt like I was driving a whouse on wheels (sans...ws. well, except for that one, but I never got any action lol)

So yeah, I could relate to the blue. Then again, I'm partial to black. And gray.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)