The new Thunderbird.

[Pirate]

Well, I guess I can call this my 'reluctant project', as this is the car I got from my mom. At this point, it's either sell it, leave it alone, or have some fun with the damn thing...so what the hell, I am going to have some fun with it.
1992 T-bird Sport, 5.0 HO, AOD, 3.08 rear gears (first thing to go, as soon as my Ebay trac-lok rebuild gets here, 3.73's going in), Koenig 16x7 wheels on michelin skins (going the way of the Do-Do bird, more than likely, 18x9 wheels are going on it, with redrilled rear hubs, and Cobra 13" front discs going up front), 3" single exhaust, Cobra intake, or, I may just build a long-rod 351W for it and toss it in there. At any rate, this is how I got the car (yes, one of the exhaust tips are broken off).

[P72Ford]

Nice. My friend had a '91 Sport (maybe you recall I contemplated buying it). It was metallic red with tan cloth interior. He had 3.73 gears in it, headers, a custom cat back, etc. It was fairly quick, but something was never quite right with it; I believe the timinmg was a little messed up. The TC was done as well, as the man who bought it from him later informed him.

Should be a fun project... keep us posted with pictures/ progress...

[Mercury93]

Looks good! Have always liked nice Thunderbirds!

[torquelover]

Nice color.

[interceptor1985]

Beautiful car, Sorry about the circumstances with getting it

[Laura]

That's a nice car. Never seen seatbelts like that though.

[murphmobile2]

Wow, that thing looks badass. I'm not big on those cars in teal, but that looks great.

And that interior is GORGEOUS. Doesn't look like it's in a T-Bird.

[Pirate]

That's a nice car. Never seen seatbelts like that though.

Yes, those are the dreaded 'automatic track' seatbelts, that move up and down a track when you open or close the door.
Open: they move towards the front of the car...
Close: they pull along the door frame, and tuck in behind your shoulder.

small problem: you still have to click on the lower lap belt.

Another small problem: a lot of people didn't put the lower belt on....resulting in at least one verified head decapitation accident, where a lady in a Ford Escort suddenly became unable to be the head of a major corporation, after she ran into someone head-on, and wasn't wearing the lower belt.

Concerning the car....that rear deck spoiler? I added that, it was a NOS unit I snagged from a local Ford dealership, and had it painted to match. I then wrapped it up, and gave it to my mom as a Christmas present.....along with the installation afterward.

I will say one other thing: I hate the seats. Absolutely zero support in corners, and they ride way high in the car, with my head scraping the headliner while I drive it. The 94-up regular seats were an improvement, and the SC seats being a lot better than the garbage that is in there right now. I don't know what I am going to put in there, but I may experiment with the extra set of Eddie Bauer explorer seats that I have, which have a hell of a lot more support than these do, and are more comfortable. The only problem is, however....the Eddie Bauer seats are.....blue.

Leather dye to the rescue!

[1987cp]

Another small problem: a lot of people didn't put the lower belt on....resulting in at least one verified head decapitation accident, where a lady in a Ford Escort suddenly became unable to be the head of a major corporation, after she ran into someone head-on, and wasn't wearing the lower belt.

Out of curiosity, what major corporation was said individual head of? And where did her head land after the accident?

[Pesty351]

I had a 94 cougar that same color. I love how the mn-12 handles it would out turn an mustang Ive ever owned.

[Pirate]

Update: I have done some work on the car a couple of weeks ago:

Rear differential:
New U.S. Gear 3.73 gears
Modified stock limited slip (8 frictions vs. 6)
purple 21-tooth speedo gear
All bearings and seals replaced with Ford stuff
The speedometer is now off, however...

70MM MAF from a 96 T-bird (stock is 55mm)

Car is definitely more lively now....but I want something a lot more snappy....and here is the plan for this car, should I decide to go with it:

Paint freshened up...
New windshield
A couple of stereo mods

body strengthening mods

Plans for engine: One of my 11:1-compression Long-rod 351's. It's going to happen, but it obviously won't be overnight. It's time to put my money where my mouth is, and build another one (this time with pictures, video, and sound!)

Rest of specs:
AFR 165 heads, with the COMP exhaust ports
Mustang 5.0 roller cam (preferably the 1987-1988 unit),
1.6 roller rockers
Weiand stealth intake
Dambest 2V carb (not your standard 2v carb, btw)
Either Fox 5.8 BBK shorty swap headers, or long tubes...
Lincoln Mk8 driveshaft
built AOD, or 4R70W with baumann computer package and MK8 convertor...although a rebuilt 5-speed SC tranny is also an option.

Wheels and brakes:
18x9 Saleen Speedlines (painted or chrome, I haven't decided yet), along with BF Goodrich tires, 245/45ZR 18 front, and 275/45R 18 rears.
Brakes will be upgraded to Cobra-spec 13" units up front, on 93-up T-bird spindles.

Interior: Modified seat bases with Supercoupe seats.

No, it won't be the fastest thing on the road. However, if this plan is chosen, I am going forward with a set plan, with little room for deviation, as I know exactly what I want to get out of the car, which essentially a Ford version of the modern GTO, and maybe a little extra horsepower. Having driven a couple of the automatic 6.0 liter cars...they are quick enough to give almost anything out there a run for their money, and are a blast to drive...however, I want a Ford.

This is kind of what I am settling onto, as I really don't want to have another car to first buy, then set up the way I want it (like any Lightning I would want to buy, that is my first choice right now). I would also like to be able to screw around on a road course with something, although it won't be the fastest thing out there, at least it's capable of being driven out there.

More later.

[1987cp]

Excitingness! How long do you guess the buildup might take?

[86VickyLX]

Nice Thunderbird Pirate!! Looks real nice, I can't wait to see the long rod 351 you'll be building.

[Tiggie]

Nice, I'd go with the painted Speedlines, I think it'd match the car better. Chrome speedlines are just too much "bling" for me.

[murphmobile2]

For the wheels... go chrome.