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Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

I find myself contemplating going on Power Tour again this year for a few legs and want to try and fix a few issues that popped up last time.  What upgrades/fixes/changes do you guys have planned for 2012?

Here are mine.  My goals are to keep the car looking nearly the same but to make the driving experience better and to make it more reliable. 

Edited 2/18/12

Must do's:
1.) change from adjustable CHE LCA's and Steeda springs to CHE non-adjustable LCA's and Moog 8599 springs.  Hopefully the car will ride a little better. DONE
2.) Police fan clutch, new fan.  The bird was overheating last summer in stop and go traffic during the power tour. DONE
3.) I still have a vibration around 70 mph.  Been fighting this since 2004.  The driveshaft is about the only thing left that could be causing it.  I took it to a local driveshaft/drivetrain guy and he checked it for balance.  Its balanced perfectly.  He gave me a few ideas on what it could be.  I have some hubcentric rings on order, hopefully they cure my issue. NEW DRIVESHAFT, CURED IT! DONE
4.) We will see what the ride height looks like and how the mismatch of spings will ride/handle after swapping in the Moog rear springs.  I may install a set of Moog 8598 front springs if it looks goofy (too low in front compared to the rear). EDIT: Looks a tad goofy.  I'm planning on cutting my springs down a little to get it where I want it.
5.) Weld in the subframe connectors that have been collecting dust in the corner of my garage...maybe I need to move this up to the "must do" list.  DONE
6.) Tune her up before Power Tour in June: new plugs, ford racing plug wires, MSD coil, MSD cap/rotor, add some sort of nice wire separators to spruce up the engine bay a tad.
Dream list:
1.) change from Cobra R's to Chrome 93 Cobra replicas.  Doubt my budget will allow this, but I've been really thinking that would make a nice change to the car that would be somewhat different and look TOUGH.  DONE (lol, dream list and it was the 1st thing I did)
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #1 –
I had a drive line vibration that went away when i had a new driveshaft made.
As far as my to do list, I have 2003 mustang conrol arms, and 93 Mustang spindles and brakes that just arrived in the mail. Also need to install my TC hood that i already painted.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #2 –
Quote from: bryan163;377848
I had a drive line vibration that went away when i had a new driveshaft made.
As far as my to do list, I have 2003 mustang conrol arms, and 93 Mustang spindles and brakes that just arrived in the mail. Also need to install my TC hood that i already painted.

 
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your aluminum ds made?
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #3 –
Swap master cylinder, current one appears to have failed internally
Swap wheels to something nicer
Start looking at cleaning up engine bay
83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #4 –
Quote from: 50tbrd88;377849
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your aluminum ds made?

 
I did it in steel, at a place in Hartford Ct. I think the place was called The Drive Shaft Center. Spent about $200 and got a nice neat job. Haven't any vibration since.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #5 –
:evilgrin: I've got a door ding and a section of paint flaking on the front edge of the hood. I've got a real good body guy plus I still have some paint left over when he painted it 20+ years ago...he says he can blend it in...we'll see.
84 COUGAR/90 HO, 1.7RRs, performer RPM,700DP, equal length shorties, stainless EXH ,T-5,Hurst pro-billet, KC clutch, 8.8/ 4.10s, line-lok, bla ,bla, bla.
71 COMET/289,351w heads, 12.5 TRWs, 750DP, Liberty TL, 9"/6.00s, 11.9x @112 , bla,bla,bla.

Never shoot your mouth off, unless your brain is loaded! ....I may get older, but I'll never grow up!....If you're not laughing, you're not living!  :laughing:

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #6 –
My list.

1. Do the mod work to the replacement hood
2. Do the mod work to the trunk lid
3. A little bodywork
4. Paint the Sport
5. Recover the seats
6. Hide some wires under the hood and do some super cleaning
7. Replace the broken hood latch cable
8.Swap on my new 1.7 roller rockers
9. A really good tune up
10. Dyno the ol' girl.
11. Tint the windows.
12. New lers
13.Do some fiberglass modifications to the spare TC header panel ( a "maybe" project if I like the results)
14.New shift  (tired of the current pistol grip Hurst piece)
15.Swap the tailshaft bushing in the T-5
16. Install a new master cylinder
17. New struts
18. New shocks
19. Subframe connectors
20. maybe swap my Cobra intake for a polished Cobra intake.....

Not necessarily in that order.


And probably more as I put some thought into it.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #7 –
Vinnie, you do realize you have an addiction.....don't you?  LOL
84 COUGAR/90 HO, 1.7RRs, performer RPM,700DP, equal length shorties, stainless EXH ,T-5,Hurst pro-billet, KC clutch, 8.8/ 4.10s, line-lok, bla ,bla, bla.
71 COMET/289,351w heads, 12.5 TRWs, 750DP, Liberty TL, 9"/6.00s, 11.9x @112 , bla,bla,bla.

Never shoot your mouth off, unless your brain is loaded! ....I may get older, but I'll never grow up!....If you're not laughing, you're not living!  :laughing:

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #8 –
I would move the subframe connectors to the "Must Do" list. It will make a hell of an improvement.

I have something to do to mine in the early spring when it gets warm out, so late March/early April. All I'll say is that in involves some aluminum components ;).
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #9 –
Quote from: bryan163;377851
I did it in steel, at a place in Hartford Ct. I think the place was called The Drive Shaft Center. Spent about $200 and got a nice neat job. Haven't any vibration since.


OK cool...I think I will probably go alum. but thanks for the info regardless.

Quote
I've got a door ding and a section of paint flaking on the front edge of the hood. I've got a real good body guy plus I still have some paint left over when he painted it 20+ years ago...he says he can blend it in...we'll see.


Hopefully that will give you an excuse to post pics of your car!  Its one of my (many) favorites on here.

Quote
My list.

1. Do the mod work to the replacement hood
2. Do the mod work to the trunk lid
3. A little bodywork
4. Paint the Sport
5. Recover the seats
6. Hide some wires under the hood and do some super cleaning
7. Replace the broken hood latch cable
8.Swap on my new 1.7 roller rockers
9. A really good tune up
10. Dyno the ol' girl.
11. Tint the windows.
12. New lers
13.Do some fiberglass modifications to the spare TC header panel ( a "maybe" project if I like the results)
14.New shift  (tired of the current pistol grip Hurst piece)
15.Swap the tailshaft bushing in the T-5
16. Install a new master cylinder

Not necessarily in that order.


And probably more as I put some thought into it


I knew you would come through with a nice list Vinnie!  lol.  Going to the same color again w/the repaint or something new?

Quote
I would move the subframe connectors to the "Must Do" list. It will make a hell of an improvement.

I have something to do to mine in the early spring when it gets warm out, so late March/early April. All I'll say is that in involves some aluminum components .


After reading your thread I am in 100% agreement with that statement.  I have a buddy who runs his own shop and has a lift.  If I do the front springs I will probably take it down some evening and have him help me install the springs and do an alignment.  We can weld in the subframes at that point.

So you have some alum heads in your future, eh?
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #10 –
Install shift kit
Install rebuilt posi and 3.45s
Headers & 2.5" exhaust
Maybe, Carb swap with torker intake and 650 holley
Or Mass air swap
redo headliner
Port P heads, install big valves, screw in studs, install on car with trickflow cam.
suspension
In this order
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #11 –
Swap parts out to make HO.
Weld in some subframe connectors.
Paint my pony wheels darker grey and get a Cougar head in the center cap.
Get my exhaust done, its dumps right now.
Silverfox valvebody.
Better tranny cooler.

Well see how it goes....
Mike

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #12 –
Same color for the Sport, but gotta get rid of the hail damage. Oh, and subframe connectors.that has to be added to the list. I'll edit above.. Gotta do that as well...after I teach myself to weld.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #13 –
Hmmmm... Back it out of the garage
[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

Post your 2012 Tbird/Cougar TO-DO list

Reply #14 –
Quote from: daminc;377869
Hmmmm... Back it out of the garage

 
I cant wait, your Cougar is beautiful.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.