Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Loaded87IROC on August 18, 2010, 09:54:47 AM

Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on August 18, 2010, 09:54:47 AM
I got a little bit of money from replacing an AC compressor on my wife's coworker's Acura RSX Type S and instead of using that money to buy parts for my 11 year Cougar project, I bought another car. 

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't do Craigslist and Ebay searches for Cougar and Thunderbird stuff and of course that always leads to trouble.  This time I found an 87 TC with 254k showing on the odometer listed as a parts car.  It was even only a few miles from my house.  My initial thought was "Hey, I can use these parts to finish up the Cougar!" because the parts car I used for the Cougar was stolen before I got to swap over the rear end, exhaust and wheels.  So, I go to look at it and the guy explains to me that he was using it as his daily driver up until a few weeks ago when the brakes failed and only listed it as a parts car because of that.  I took it for a short test drive, came back and made the deal.  The guy even gave me another ABS/power brake assembly that he had just purchased but just didnt have the time to install, a nice set of tail lights, and extra ABS and ride control computers. On the way home I realized I wasn't going to be able to part this car out because I liked it too much.

It does have a few problems:
No power brakes at the moment
AC not functioning
Bad IRCM (I assume because fans are wired to ignition)
No radio
Cheap paint job missing most of the clear coat
Fog lights and cruise control don't work

So here it is, my first TurboCoupe!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/756cf72f.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/013.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/020.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/022.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/014.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/023.jpg)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: vinnietbird on August 18, 2010, 10:04:06 AM
Nice !!! Great foundation for a cool car. Are those wheels polished? Brought back memories of my blue LX that I installed a set of snow flakes on that I had polished. Great score.I am going to look at an '87/'88 Cougar later.We'll see what happens.I don't even know if it's for sale or not. I'm glad for you. Hopefully the problems will, for the most part,be an easy fix.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: hypostang on August 18, 2010, 11:11:35 AM
Looks like a cool score to me  :D
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Scott D on August 18, 2010, 01:26:09 PM
Awesome steal, sir!

My wife would kill me if another 'bird landed in the driveway :rollin:
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Beau on August 18, 2010, 01:28:52 PM
You need to edit your topic lol...

You'd have been a fool for NOT getting it. :D

Looks like a nice, rust-free (far as can be seen) TC needing a little TLC...the stuff needing fixed isn't major.  good score.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: RunninWild on August 18, 2010, 01:49:47 PM
Looks nice! The interior looks to be in pretty good shape for the mileage.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: mercury-man on August 18, 2010, 03:23:08 PM
Nice ride Ed !!! :D




Dan & Paula ;)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: t3skidoo on August 18, 2010, 05:37:35 PM
Quote from: Loaded87IROC;332427


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/023.jpg)



There's one in every car, you'll see.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 18, 2010, 05:39:37 PM
It's intact, A little labor can be nice.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Watchdevil on August 19, 2010, 12:42:25 AM
Dude u are not a fool... This is a definite great find!
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: mcb82gt on August 19, 2010, 08:28:14 AM
Looks like a good score to me.  Congrats!
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on October 07, 2010, 01:01:21 PM
I stole the cone filter from the Cougar and replaced the airbox on the TC with it.  Wow, what a difference.  You couldn't even tell it was a turbo car before, now you can't miss it.  I also bypassed the BCS and its making a pretty consistent 15psi.  The car is alot more fun to drive now.  Even my wife likes driving it.  I also refinished one of the tripminders and installed it last night.  The extra wires were already there so i just had to pin the harness I made accordingly.  I didn't have to tap into anything.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/2010-10-07094517-1.jpg)

Tripminder before:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/2010-10-05124128.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/2010-10-05125054.jpg)

Tripminder after:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/2010-10-05163740.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/87%20Turbo%20Coupe/2010-10-07094419.jpg)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Charlie_chaos on October 07, 2010, 02:15:08 PM
Looks like an amazing little side project.  Have fun.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: BEARMAX on October 13, 2010, 12:45:29 AM
Quote from: t3skidoo;332488
There's one in every car, you'll see.
heck yea the almigty pine tree air freashiner:mullet::shakeass:
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: BEARMAX on October 13, 2010, 12:48:54 AM
whats a bcm and how do u bypass it..........o wait boost control module?
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 05, 2011, 02:20:53 PM
Well, easy come easy go.  Car started running funny a few weeks ago so I parked it.  I just got done with a compression test and got 75, 95, 145, 150 so the HG is probably wasted.  I think I may go with my original plan and take its parts for the Cougar.  The TC is well worn at 255k miles and has lived a long and good life and will live in through the Cougar.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Bruce M on January 05, 2011, 02:30:43 PM
Head gaskets on 2.3s are soooo EZ. I've changed one on my ranger in under two hours (non-turbo).
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 05, 2011, 03:49:46 PM
I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem with the HG but I just can't justify spending money on this car when I could be spending it on the Cougar.  I plan on using the hood, intercooler, LA2, big VAM, tranny and related parts, 8.8, wheels, and other assorted parts.  I don't think that I could get all that stuff for the $450 I paid for the car and the wife becomes happier because we will have one less vehicle and one less vehicle to tag and insure.  I just have to look at it as I bought the car as a parts car and that's what it will be.  I just had to have some fun with it first.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Beau on January 05, 2011, 03:53:36 PM
If there's no rust, and I was closer, I'd be interested in the shell...when are you coming to Kansas again? lol
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Bruce M on January 05, 2011, 05:59:35 PM
I understand and atleast you're keeping a cougar alive with it.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: jrad235 on January 05, 2011, 11:13:47 PM
Yeah, trust me guys, the cougar needs the parts! Sorry to hear it's done, but I was pretty amazed that it was still running in the first place, so...

I'm still planning on heading down there around March if everything works out. I need to get the car in the shop for the transmission swap.

You know, if you do get those parts swapped over, you have to retag the Cougar for the street.  :)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 06, 2011, 12:09:09 AM
Yeah, it was pretty well beat, that's why I picked it up so cheap.  The Cougar does need the parts pretty bad.  The Cougar actually does have current tags and insurance but I rarely drive it.  I didn't bother giving you a ride in it because its a real turd with the 2.73s.  Hopefully I get the TC stuff swapped before the semester starts. 

Did you get a chance to see anything cool while you were here?
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 06, 2011, 12:19:05 AM
I keep thinking that I would love another toy/fun/project car besides my 88 T-bird. The problem is when I think about it I would be dividing my time between two cars, which means that they would both sit more than being driven. I'd rather have one toy car and treat it right then half ass two cars. I can see where you're coming from with using the car as a parts car. Plus if you're in school you don't need another money drain. I'm going back to get my masters in two weeks. School isn't cheap :punchballs:.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 08, 2011, 10:18:45 PM
Last pics of the TC before parting started.  Today I took out the seats, radiator, fans, intercooler, and swapped the rear ends with the Cougar's.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154356.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154412.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154421.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154434.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154451.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154500.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-07154522.jpg)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: The Shredder on January 08, 2011, 10:40:37 PM
I'm interested in the door panels and the rear sail panels if they are in good shape.  I notice they screwed the armrests up!
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: kingcars on January 09, 2011, 10:57:50 AM
If the passenger side seat belt buckle and plastic housing are in good shape, I would definitely be interested.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 09, 2011, 05:58:25 PM
The door panels are in great shape with the exception of the armrests.  I can't believe some clown screwed them on like that.  Sail panels also good. 

The seats are gone.  I gave them to a buddy to put in his Mustang.  The seat belt buckles and plastic housings were in perfect shape.  If they don't work out for his car I will get them back.

I will make a post in the For Sale section when I get the stuff I need out of it but feel free to PM me with any requests and I'll see what I can do.
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 10, 2011, 05:24:27 PM
A little more progress made on taking everything apart today.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/001-14.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/002-11.jpg)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 15, 2011, 10:58:27 PM
Engine and tranny is out.  Swapping front brakes and springs next weekend. 

Parting out thread if interested in parts  ----->  http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?30476-Parting-out-87-TC

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/Parts%20for%20sale/001-15-1.jpg)
Title: I'm a fool (87 TC thread)
Post by: Loaded87IROC on January 19, 2011, 07:26:16 PM
Today I got the steering column, dash, brake unit, and pedals pulled.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-19130853-1.jpg)