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Topic: My GTbird build (Read 47309 times) previous topic - next topic

My GTbird build

Reply #45 –
I'd leave the front bumper and header panel together, then separate them off the car. Much easier to get the 5 or so screws from in between.
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

My GTbird build

Reply #46 –
To late! It was actually super easy to get it off. # nuts on each side to the fender,2 under each light bezel and one in the middle support behind the grill. I removed the fogs and brackets so I can restore them also.



Then my trusty Dewalt made quick work of the core.




Thankfully the bumper cover was undamaged and didnt have a single rip in it. Im going to bend up a 1.5" tube to replace the wrecked core and make new mounts for the rad and lower bumper cover.
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #47 –
Had the Marshal frames and mounting brackets powder coated.  I got the wiper panel off the base of the windshield also and had it coated as well.

Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #48 –
The Pro-M came today


And I bent up the replacement lower core support today. I hope to have this burned in by Saturday so I can get paint on it asap.
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #49 –
Real happy how these turned out today!



No more rust and red overspray now.

Getting excited to see this thing together!
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #50 –
Got the lower core all finished and most of the engine bay painted the new color. Turned out great so far. All the 2.3 engine wiring gone now and I just need to pull the booster and all the brake lines to finish the paint and re-route the brake lines better for new setup.



Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #51 –
Looking good!
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

My GTbird build

Reply #52 –
Today I got the master,booster and all brake lines off the car so I can replace all of those. I pulled all the cruise control stuff off and swapped in the Flaming River manual rack.

I pulled out the front fender liners to get to the broken washer bottle and holy  was there a ton of dirt and debits packed in at the bottoms of the fenders! No wonder these things rot out! Might need to find better liners tho since these have some cracks and broken parts.

I also should have my T5 back  by the weekend from getting rebuilt.

As soon as I get the new booster/master in and run the new lines with the adjustable P-valve the motor will be dropped in.
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #53 –
:popcorn: Updates on the build? :popcorn:...
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

My GTbird build

Reply #54 –
Sorry the last two weeks has been filled with weddings and graduation parties both weekends and two weeks ago I ordered a new truck so in the little free time I had left I was cleaning,touching up, removing speakers,amps,wiring and other aftermarket stuff off my '12 f150 in preparation for trade in.

In other news I now have one half of my new matching daily fleet ready!

Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #55 –
:cool:  Nice looking ride.
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

My GTbird build

Reply #56 –
I really like where this build is going. Thanks for the pics.
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

My GTbird build

Reply #57 –
Had to address the mis-match of my Pro-M meter and the  /filter kit I bought.

The two bolt patterns were different and I didnt want a sharp edge at the front of the meter where it would go from 80mm to 75mm. Grabbed a .750 thick piece of plastic and ran over to my buddies shop and carved out a nice smooth adapter.





Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #58 –
Finally got the car inside so I can work out of the sun and into the nite.


I got the booster and everything else out of the engine bay today so I could finish the paint work. Turned out great.


And I threw some paint of the grill just so it looks better than bare plastic.


I also started pulling interior apart. I had to change the hood release cable,pulled the clutch cable out in prep for my UPR adjustable quadrant kit and pulled out the cluster to start coming up with a plan for my new gauge layout.


When I had the P-valve off I took it apart to clean it,gut it and do the Maximum Motorsports plug. Wow was it caked with !


Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

My GTbird build

Reply #59 –
Slowly goin together..

Chassis harness all back in,booster,master,battery,washer bottle and a few other things installed. Turns out the firewall adjuster for the clutch cable doesnt clear the booster so I will have to rethink what to do with that.


And how bout that face??



I have a feeling its going to have nice sinister look to it once it all comes together!
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s