Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Dogcharmer on August 28, 2008, 05:14:11 PM

Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: Dogcharmer on August 28, 2008, 05:14:11 PM
... is about to commence. I've been contemplating what I am going to do with this car for about 2 years now. It's been sitting in my garage under a cover but now it's time to get it back on the road. My house is going into foreclosure and I need to do this while I have a huge flat concrete driveway :)

The plan is to do a stock HO rebuild from start to finish for around $1200-$1400. The reason I'm not making it a drag car or doing something cool with it is because I agreed to sell it to my son for $2000 when he turns 16 in a couple years. (a pretty  good deal all things concidered).

It's already got a long list of upgrades but here are a few of the highlights...

AOD w/solid input shaft and wide ratio gear set
2000 RPM non lock-up convertor
3.55 8.8 TC rear w/ disk brakes
11" TC front brakes
HO Headers and H-Pipe
Magnaflow custom catback exhaust
MM CC plates
Chuck's Motor Mounts
3 row copper/brass radiator
Nice Pioneer deck that you can plug an I-pod into.
and a bunch of other little things...

I think 2 grand will be more than fair concidering all the work that's gone into it. I asked him what he would rather do... Pay me for the Bird or get something else with his 2K and he wants the bird... Smart kid :)

Most of you have seen this car before but here's a couple pics I snapped today....

(http://i37.tinypic.com/2dhigjl.jpg)

(http://i37.tinypic.com/5yus8i.jpg)
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 28, 2008, 06:41:11 PM
Believe me,I KNOW how to build a budget car.I've got zero dollars into my car.Not a cent has come from our paychecks.Selling on Ebay,here,and the Corral...trading,getting parts for free,etc.It's been a long journey,but I'm finally getting to the end (well,it's never REALLY over,but you know what I mean).Good luck with your build.
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 28, 2008, 08:28:17 PM
Quote from: Dogcharmer;234008
My house is going into foreclosure


Screw the car, you need to get your financial woes straightened out...
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: 1WLD BRD on August 28, 2008, 08:31:12 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;234035
Screw the car, you need to get your financial woes straightened out...


X2 man...  the car can wait, wory about keeping a roof over your head first....
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 28, 2008, 08:46:21 PM
Not if you don't care?
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 28, 2008, 09:42:40 PM
Quote from: kitzdnm;234041
Not if you don't care?


True.....very true.
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: DVP on August 28, 2008, 10:43:42 PM
Our cars arent comfortable enough to live in
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: Dogcharmer on August 29, 2008, 07:49:29 AM
I fall into the "dont care" catagorie. I guess I should elaborate a little...

I got divorced back in April and got stuck with the house (got to keep both birds though:D ). It's been on the market since Feb and I cant afford it. I'm moving in with my girlfriend this weekend so I'm basically ditching the big house... But not until I've done the engine rebuild. I figure I've got another 5 to 8 weeks minimum before the mortgage company takes it. I've only missed 2 payments and they dont send the Sheriff to evict you till you've missed about 6.

The reason I want to do the work at this house is because of the nice driveway. My girlfriend's house only has a single car slab so I might as well make use of what I've got while I still have the chance.

My credit is FUBAR'd from the divorce but I do have a roof over my head :)
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 29, 2008, 07:56:20 AM
Sorry to hear about the divorce, know it must be rough... Been there...
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 29, 2008, 10:08:22 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;234091
Sorry to hear about the divorce, know it must be rough... Been there...


Me,too.I'm sticking with my Gayle.She has taken good care of me and been the best wife I could ever ask for.
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 29, 2008, 01:37:07 PM
Uh back to the build;)  I would suggest a 2400-2600 rpm converter. 2000 is too low for even a stock HO. Hell I need a 2400-2600 in mine plus your built wide ratio AOD, so I don't have to rebuild mine. Wanna put in a T5 and send me the AOD? ;)
Title: Project Budget Bird...
Post by: Dogcharmer on August 29, 2008, 02:57:34 PM
I wish I could do a 5 speed conversion but that's way outside my budget...

I'm concidering a higher stall converter and may do that if I can get by without having to buy pistons. If I can get away with just honing the cylinders a looser converter would be my first choice. Now would definitely be the time.