Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: ITHURTZ on May 10, 2005, 03:09:02 AM

Title: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 10, 2005, 03:09:02 AM
I was wondering if this item
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=partdetail.asp&part=SUM%2D329600&SearchType=Make&N=4294908331+4294907842+4294925005+4294840126+4294925232+4294839035&Nao=10&autoview=sku

Will fit on the 1988 ford thunderbird 5.0, and could I still retain the stock belt?

Also will 93 tbird 5.0 )2 sensors Fit the 88? I never installed them on my 93 and was wondering if they would fit this one.

ALso about Roller Rockers. Could I put 1.7 Roller rockers on? Or would there be clearance problems because the pistons arent valve reliefed.

ANy other 100$ Items I could put on this engine to give it just a little more boost in horsepower?

I also Understand that The 5.0 HO heads are a DIRECT bolt on for the 88 tbird? I wouldnt need longer pushrods, diff rocker arms etc? And could I use the 88tbird rocker arms for the 5.0 HO heads. And im pretty sure Ill need a gasket for the manifolds.
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: V8Demon on May 10, 2005, 07:25:09 AM
Quote
Will fit on the 1988 ford thunderbird 5.0, and could I still retain the stock belt?

They will fit.  Keep in mind your water pump and alternator will spin slower so you may experience charging and/or cooling problems.  Some good thing to do while you do this would be an alternator upgrade ( 90 AMP or 130 AMP ) and a swap to a 180 degree thermostat.  As far as the belt that depends on the kit itself.  Some underdrive kits work with the stock belt depending on who makes them.  Others do not.  Call Summit.  They should know.
Quote
Also will 93 tbird 5.0 )2 sensors Fit the 88? I never installed them on my 93 and was wondering if they would fit this one.

They should fit.
Quote
ALso about Roller Rockers. Could I put 1.7 Roller rockers on? Or would there be clearance problems because the pistons arent valve reliefed.

These will fit, but you will need different valve covers.  The stamped steel valve covers that come with the Cougar/Tbird are not tall enough.  You can use the 5.0 HO aluminum covers, but will need to do some minor modification to the driver side one.  The oil baffle will have to be removed and you MIGHT have to grind down the area where that bolts up to.
Quote
And could I use the 88tbird rocker arms for the 5.0 HO heads. And im pretty sure Ill need a gasket for the manifolds.

Yes  and  Yes
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 10, 2005, 05:18:54 PM
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=partdetail.asp&part=PRO%2D66913&SearchType=Make&N=4294908331+4294907842+4294925005+4294840126+4294839887+4294877961&autoview=sku

those rockers will fit? And they wont even hit the piston, even though they are not valve cut?

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=partdetail.asp&Ntt=valve+covers&N=4294919746+4294839018+4294908395+4294903401&Nao=20&part=MOR%2D68201&autoview=sku&Ntk=KeywordSearch
and those valve covers will fit the 1.7 rollers, and still clear thinks like intake and other things?
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 10, 2005, 06:39:23 PM
dude the best way to make some more power is the BBK aluminum underdrive pulleykit, 180 degree thermostat, freeflowing exhaust, a HO upper intake, cold air kit, FPR, MSD ignition, oh yeah if i were you dude id get the Trickflow roller rockers
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 10, 2005, 07:31:01 PM
Whats the difference between BBK and all the other pullies.

exhaust is  just a cat and a dump.

A HO upper intake would be nice. Ports all match?
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 10, 2005, 09:27:27 PM
BBK pullies are cheaper and lighter ;)

go with stock mustang shorty headers a h-pipe and lers of your choice

i believe all ports match its just that the HO upper is ALOT less restrictive  your car will be able to gain a min of maybe 30 extra dont quote me on that
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 10, 2005, 09:38:16 PM
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack
your car will be able to gain a min of maybe 30 extra dont quote me on that


More like 10% of that figure.... Its the SO throttle body and EGR spacer that are the real restrictions.
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Bird351 on May 10, 2005, 09:39:46 PM
So how much of an improvement, conservatively speaking, is the HO upper/EGR/TB swap?
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 10, 2005, 10:20:32 PM
Quote from: Bird351
So how much of an improvement, conservatively speaking, is the HO upper/EGR/TB swap?


On a otherwise stock SO, maybe 5 hp. Included wth a good dual exaust system probably 10-15.

But if they were installed on a HO, they would probably choke out 30-35 hp.
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: jcassity on May 10, 2005, 10:54:50 PM
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack
dude the best way to make some more power is the BBK aluminum underdrive pulleykit, 180 degree thermostat, freeflowing exhaust, a HO upper intake, cold air kit, FPR, MSD ignition, oh yeah if i were you dude id get the Trickflow roller rockers



is it just me or did you turn a 180 and suddenly wake up one day as a guru of all that is good in high performance? :bowdown:
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 10, 2005, 11:43:52 PM
Quote from: jcassity
is it just me or did you turn a 180 and suddenly wake up one day as a guru of all that is good in high performance? :bowdown:


[sarcasim] [/sarcasim]?

nah, ive just been listening  :deal:  ;) but i still cant guess horsepower gains  :D and when talking about making more power....my entire family is/was in the racing scene i know my way around an engine but i still ask some of the dumbest questions ;)
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 11, 2005, 12:34:17 AM
SO i would need the HO UPPER,manifold, throttle body, and you say EGR.

The EGR valve was screwed onto my manifold on my 93bird. So the mouting place was already there. SO I am a bit confused on that. Ebay doesnt help right now cause they are SLOW.

Other than that the vacuum lines all hook up? TV cable, throttle cable etc all hook up easy as cake?
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: V8Demon on May 11, 2005, 08:46:22 AM
Quote
those rockers will fit? And they wont even hit the piston, even though they are not valve cut?

Yes.  As far as the valve covers you have listed I'm not sure.  Most that are listed as "tall" are too tall for the upper intake manifold.  That's why I suggested finding a set of the cast aluminum type from a 5.0 HO
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 11, 2005, 12:56:38 PM
Just a Regular 5.0HO? Or would I need the 5.0 cobra?
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: jcassity on May 11, 2005, 01:04:23 PM
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack
[sarcasim] [/sarcasim]?



no,, just bragging on you a little :D
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 11, 2005, 04:33:20 PM
Quote from: jcassity
no,, just bragging on you a little :D


heh, thanks dude

I gots muh brain-thingy biggah!  :hick:
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: zpyro on May 11, 2005, 04:56:23 PM
about the 1.7 rockers...I tried installing the 93 cobra ones on my engine, and the stock pushrods seem to be a bit too short. I was told that the cup on the rollers are deeper so you need longer pushrods. just fyi
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 12, 2005, 01:00:11 AM
ordered the underdrive pulleys. ebay doesnt seem to have any upper manifolds.... are the mustang and thunderbirds the same? If i remember the Thunderbird has the 45 degree bend after the tbody and the mustang didnt
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 12, 2005, 01:04:42 AM
I found a nice cobra upper and lower though, man thats sweet looking
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 12, 2005, 06:42:18 PM
93-up mustangs had the 45* bend i believe explorers had them too im not sure on that....

mustangs and t-birds are the same in the drivetrain
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: nirvanagod on May 12, 2005, 07:54:23 PM
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack
93-up mustangs had the 45* bend i believe explorers had them too im not sure on that....

mustangs and t-birds are the same in the drivetrain


Close, the 94/95 models had the elbow, 93 was the last year they got the upper intake we've all come to know and love.
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: Clayton on May 12, 2005, 10:00:14 PM
eh, i was only 1 year off ;)
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 12, 2005, 10:19:09 PM
So look for a 1993 ford mustang manifold. ok
Title: Re: 88 bird "more power" questions
Post by: ITHURTZ on May 16, 2005, 03:06:19 PM
OK I got the pullies today. I ordered Summit Alum pullies, but got MR. Gasket, and what feels like steel pullies.GR any it says

1979-86 Mustang/Capri  #4759  2" shorter belt
1979-93 Fork Truck        #4759  2" shorter belt
1987-93 Mustang/ Capri  #4759  Stock Belt
1994-95 Mustang          #4761    Stock belt

I cant find out what part # I have because, well the stories above.
I was thinking I would be the 3rd one?  And when I put it on, will I really know if the stock belt is to big and I will need the 2" Shorter one?

The Link below is the EXACT set i got. Is the Crank pulley really that big? My 93 was just the 1" pulley without that big thing in the back.
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=Sum-+329600&x=0&y=0&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp