General => User Rides => Topic started by: FirstBird on March 24, 2011, 08:40:25 PM
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 24, 2011, 08:40:25 PM
This is my first car a 1987 3.8l v6 Thunderbird, I got her in 2006 (has been sitting in the garage for about 5 years) and now that I am close to getting my liscence, have now started working on her. Going to repaint in the near future to the original bottom Mettalic Bronze color. She has 28k miles on her and runs like a champ. A old couple used to drive this car and she was in some "Crashes" the whole front end was missing when I got her, the passanger rear end was smashed in, hood smashed, doors smashed. Took my whole summer to even out. The moment i saw this beauty (sorta) i fell in love with her LOL :bowdown: my dad offered me a Mercedes 300 DT but i turned it down. Was searching around for parts and came along this site, so i descided to make a account.
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on March 24, 2011, 09:00:00 PM
Welcome........
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on March 24, 2011, 09:08:13 PM
Welcome to the forum. First, we need some pics....unwritten rule around here.....second, glad you've chosen the "right" car. Get involved around here and have fun.
Title: My First Car
Post by: hypostang on March 24, 2011, 09:09:10 PM
Welcome, enjoy your stay :)
Title: My First Car
Post by: Loaded87IROC on March 24, 2011, 10:08:29 PM
Welcome home.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 25, 2011, 12:26:19 AM
Thanks, I'm trying to get the pictures on here.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 25, 2011, 12:28:06 AM
Title: My First Car
Post by: Bruce M on March 25, 2011, 08:06:07 PM
Wow clean car and only 28K. Nice score. Welcome!
Title: My First Car
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on March 25, 2011, 08:11:46 PM
Good to see more people finding these cars and joining. Welcome. I have that very same Sony head unit in one of my cars lol
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 25, 2011, 08:27:17 PM
Haha yeah i picked up the headunit for like $40 on amazon so its good for the moment, wish it was a bit more cleaner on the outside though :/ but it is a a 24 yr. old car :)
Title: My First Car
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on March 25, 2011, 08:47:26 PM
Quote from: FirstBird;356351
Haha yeah i picked up the headunit for like $40 on amazon so its good for the moment, wish it was a bit more cleaner on the outside though :/ but it is a a 24 yr. old car :)
Well judging by the work that has already been done I'm sure it won't be long 'till you get it looking right again - it takes a very twisted person to want to restore a fox cat or bird :evilgrin:
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 25, 2011, 09:00:51 PM
I wish i had pictures of how it looked when i got it. Call me twisted but id rather drive my bird than some honda civic :)
Title: My First Car
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on March 25, 2011, 09:28:53 PM
Quote from: FirstBird;356360
I wish i had pictures of how it looked when i got it. Call me twisted but id rather drive my bird than some honda civic :)
That's the right state of mind to have around here lol
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on March 25, 2011, 09:29:22 PM
Quote from: FirstBird;356360
Call me twisted but id rather drive my bird than some honda civic :)
who wouldn't.........
Title: My First Car
Post by: hypostang on March 25, 2011, 09:39:05 PM
If that makes you twisted then there are a lot of twisted folks here
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on March 25, 2011, 10:09:22 PM
Haha plus it's a project so i get to spend some quality time with my dad so it's a win win.
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 10, 2011, 08:50:08 PM
Dual exhaust with smaller tips would be great. Nice turbo lers and it'll be a nice sounding car. On a 3.8 you have to be careful about exhaust tone. It's easy to go overboard and have a funky V-6 sound that isn't so cool. Nice work so far. Are you swapping wheels? What exterior mods are on the "to-do" list?
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 10, 2011, 09:01:30 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;357664
Dual exhaust with smaller tips would be great. Nice turbo lers and it'll be a nice sounding car. On a 3.8 you have to be careful about exhaust tone. It's easy to go overboard and have a funky V-6 sound that isn't so cool. Nice work so far. Are you swapping wheels? What exterior mods are on the "to-do" list?
It got sent to get painted this Saturday so I'll post more pictures of the finished product. I'll be either picking up some turbines or 8 holes (wish our cars were 5lug would make life so much easier). I got a spoiler off a 85' trans am and I will tint the windows that's pretty much it for exterior mods. I was thinking of Flowmaster 40 series for the lers because they seem to sound good on v6 mustangs but im not sure, going to have to do a bit more research.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 10, 2011, 09:05:57 PM
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 10, 2011, 09:13:47 PM
Between the 8 holes and turbine wheels, always choose the turbine wheels. They look great. 8 holes are smaller and a lot more....lame.
What color are you going with? New door handles are very affordable on Ebay in chrome, or black, and they are metal. I have the black on my car since it's a Sport, and came with the Turbo Coupe black handles, locks and window trim. Take time to really think about any mod your doing. Patience can really pay off in the end. In the long run, you have to build it for yourself. We're here to help in any way we can. Ask questions and opinions, and listen to what everyone has to say, take what info you like and leave the rest. Sometimes a good honest opinion from a forum member can really help out. Sometimes we don't see the big picture, and it takes a friend to point out a different way to look at something. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted on the Bird.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 10, 2011, 09:16:12 PM
(http://[IMG]http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/FirstBird777/IMG_3325.jpg)[/IMG] (http://[IMG]http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/FirstBird777/IMG_3327.jpg)[/IMG] Garage is so empty now.
Title: My First Car
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on April 10, 2011, 10:24:33 PM
Welcome to the site! It looks like you're going to fit right in with us. It's great to see you're enjoying your time with your Dad, not many kids these days appreciate that.
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 10, 2011, 11:05:05 PM
nice work... if you having problems chasing the highs and lows on those bigger panels... try these... the best sanding blocks ever... I use the 17" blocks on flatting all my large panels, hoods, trunklids, etc http://dura-block.com/durablockline.html (http://"http://dura-block.com/durablockline.html")
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 10, 2011, 11:14:44 PM
Car went off to paint this Saturday will be back in my hands on Friday so I will show you how it looks then.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 11, 2011, 12:17:16 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;357669
Between the 8 holes and turbine wheels, always choose the turbine wheels. They look great. 8 holes are smaller and a lot more....lame.
What color are you going with? New door handles are very affordable on Ebay in chrome, or black, and they are metal. I have the black on my car since it's a Sport, and came with the Turbo Coupe black handles, locks and window trim. Take time to really think about any mod your doing. Patience can really pay off in the end. In the long run, you have to build it for yourself. We're here to help in any way we can. Ask questions and opinions, and listen to what everyone has to say, take what info you like and leave the rest. Sometimes a good honest opinion from a forum member can really help out. Sometimes we don't see the big picture, and it takes a friend to point out a different way to look at something. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted on the Bird.
Yeah I think i will go with the turbines. Well Vinnie it's getting painted the original medium taupe mettalic (that brown looking color LOL) and will be accented with black moldings and a black spoiler, maybe a black hood scoop. I have the chrome door handles and illuminated locks they are in pretty good shape so ill stick with them unless they dont flow but that will have to wait till everything is put back together.
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 11, 2011, 08:09:14 AM
The Taupe color is nice. I think a black hood scoop would mess up the overall look of the car. Body color for the scoop....maybe. Same for the spoiler. I have to say, though....I have never been a fan of bolting on scoops and such that have no function. Looks wrong to me. Granted, that's only my opinion, and should be taken as just that, only an opinion. I have a TC hood on my Sport, and can't wait to be rid of it. There's a yard not far from me that has an '86 with Taupe interior...mint condition. I installed the dash in my car, grabbed the minty front floor mats and arm rest. The seats and carpet, still in the car were near perfect. I should grab the steering wheel as well. It was perfect. As I stated about our cars, in the end, you have to do it your way, for yourself. That's how I built the Sport......just for me.
Title: My First Car
Post by: bike70ride on April 11, 2011, 06:10:52 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;357664
Dual exhaust with smaller tips would be great. Nice turbo lers and it'll be a nice sounding car. On a 3.8 you have to be careful about exhaust tone. It's easy to go overboard and have a funky V-6 sound that isn't so cool. Nice work so far. Are you swapping wheels? What exterior mods are on the "to-do" list?
Definitely agree with Vinnie here. I experimented briefly with no ler at all and just cats, and unlike a V8 it sounded horrible! I have been running just a basic turbo ler ever since and it sounds pretty nice...quiet, but just enough of a note that you can hear it. Sounds a lot better than the vast majority of small CID V6s out there now...though by V6 standards, 3.8L is pretty good size now!
Mine has 240,000 miles on it...take care of it and it'll last you along time.
I run 10 holes and I think they look pretty good. Turbines are nice as well...both 15" rims...however the rubber is getting very hard to find now...few major manufacturers make that size anymore. I had BFGs for a long time and liked them a lot, but they changed the tread and I went with Falkens...which I didn't like AT ALL for snow. Now I'm running Mastercrafts and they seem to be decent in snow and not too bad for noise...they are a little soft in the sidewall, though...my BFGs were the best of the 3 for that, IIRC.
Enjoy!
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 11, 2011, 06:35:22 PM
Neither am I a fan of the unecessary bolt ons. I dont want one of those cheapy Ebay scoops for $30 that all the young kids put on their civic's. If I find something that flows with my "design philosophy" LOL I'll throw it on there. I bet people will flame on me because i bought those 3.8 High Performance emblems haha. Ive been to 2 yard near my house and there was only 1 Elan Bird & 2 Cougars. Yeah my tires will need to be changed I believe I have the original Cooper tires and their cracking from sitting in the garage for about 5years What's the biggest wheel you can put on a bird? 17's?
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 11, 2011, 10:16:10 PM
I didn't have any problems getting 15s for my car
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 11, 2011, 10:27:57 PM
I have 17x9 wheels up front with 255-40-17's and 17x10 out back with 275-40-17's. If you like the 3.8 HP emblems, then do it. I'm not big on fender emblems, but some like them. I also didn't want any "High Performance" emblems on my car unless the car can back them up. I bought Cobra badges when I was building the last engine in my other Bird, and once I finally got the car performing well, I decided I didn't want to use them.I added two badges to my car. They are on the trunk. One on the driver side which states "HURST Equipped"....because the Sport is equipped with a Hurst shifter, and on the passenger side, a 2004 (or so) Thunderbird script. Looks factory. I like people to wonder. When ever anyone asks what engine I have, I ALWAYS respond "3.8......and loud lers". LOL. Most actually believe me........most don't even recognize it as a Thunderbird. oh well. LOL.
BUT, as I've said before, you have to build it your way. If you like the emblems, I say put them on. Same with a scoop and spoiler. Build it to make yourself happy. I and whoever else may or may not agree with all you do, but, it represents you, and that's cool. I support that 100%. No flaming from me.We all have our own vision of our cars. Mine is posted in the pics somewhere around here. Just how I wanted it....my vision, my ideas. If someone doesn't like it, or what I've done, I like to hear about it, get outside opinions, but in the end. It stays as it is. Keep working. Look forward to seeing it out of the paint shop.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 11, 2011, 11:02:30 PM
Yeah well i couldnt find the Non- Hp emblems :( Wish the Birds&Cats came with a turbo'd 3.8 like the Buick GNX's :) I think that would make us 3.8 guys happy LOL. I think I'll stick with some turbines as soon as i can find some in good shape for the time being. Yeah I'm counting down till the paints finished. My mom asked me, "so what are you going to be doing while the cars being painted?" and i just replied "polishing polishing and polishing all the emblems, locks, and lights." She looked at me like I was crazy I think I caught the sickness LOL.
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 12, 2011, 12:22:29 AM
Yep, that's the way to do it. Polish one piece at a time. Once the car gets back, install everything carefully, be patient, and do not get in a hurry. Bad things happen and good cars start to suck when that happens. Turbines will look right at home on the car. Keep up the good work. Look around here a lot, read a lot, ask questions, and learn all you can. We're here to help if you need any, and there are plenty of ideas floating around.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 12, 2011, 12:30:27 AM
Will do
Title: My First Car
Post by: sarjxxx on April 12, 2011, 06:36:44 PM
Not many people here from CA. Are you going to have to pass emissions over there? That will limit your exhaust options a little... Anyway, good to see you're taking car of it and not going to rice it out, which, yes, you CAN DO to American cars...:p
...Good to see there's another V6 fan on here too;) Do you plan on keeping the 3.8 or are you going to drop in the V8 and make some power?
//offtopic// You guys mentioned not wanting to drive a py old civic, which I agree with entirely. However, my wife drives an 08 civic, which for what it is, is a pretty nice car. FAR beyond the old ones from the 90's.
....Anyway, she can't understand why everybody hates civics. She's not really a car person, and to her, if it looks nice, it is nice. Anyway, we were driving one day out on the open highway and some ugly little matchbox civic pulls up next to us with a fart can ler and I blow by it. Asked her what she thought about THAT civic, well, long story short, now she gets it:giggle:
There's your unrelated post of the day.
Title: My First Car
Post by: Scott D on April 12, 2011, 07:07:15 PM
That interior is almost a dead ringer for Red Fender's interior.
Good luck with the project, junior!
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 12, 2011, 07:15:52 PM
About the Civic thing I agree Civic's are and can be good looking cars if they are not modified with those huge wings, fart cans, etc. Unfortunatley the bird does have to go throught emmisions testing :( 1975 or older to not have to test. The v6 will be staying for now, later on I might work on dropping in a 5.0, parts for these cars are really hard to come by in CA. Fox Stangs on the other hand are all over the place theres about 3-4 on my block. Ive been living in CA for 10 years and have only seen maybe 5 Fox Birds/Cougars. 3 more days till I get it back CANT WAIT LOL:)
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 14, 2011, 01:45:45 AM
People from paint called said they finished it! :))))) Still going to pick it up on Friday though which is lame :/ LOL
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 14, 2011, 06:51:31 AM
Awesome. We'll need pics from every angle. are they painting the black on the bumpers or are you doing that?
Title: My First Car
Post by: tbirdsps on April 14, 2011, 12:05:03 PM
It's amazing the similarities with your 87 to my 86. Same color, virtually identical interior, same drive train. Awesome! Good luck with the build. Mine is partially disassembled but I haven't actually started the work yet. I will get off my butt soon. I need to make the trip to the JY and get the window track seals and rebuilt the beltline window seals. Mine has 107,000 miles and the transmission has been rebuilt. I can't wait to see yours in new paint.
Title: My First Car
Post by: sarjxxx on April 14, 2011, 04:07:28 PM
oh, btw....
Quote from: FirstBird;357793
Wish the Birds&Cats came with a turbo'd 3.8 like the Buick GNX's :) I think that would make us 3.8 guys happy LOL.
...mine will.:evilgrin:
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 14, 2011, 06:31:32 PM
Ill get the pictures as soon as I can. They've painted the moldings I'm just going to paint the chin spoiler and mirrors.Yeah I might be doing something with the interior later. I really like the design of that stering wheel I WANT IT! lol. sarjxxx are you dropping in a Supercoupe engine? or is it custom?
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 14, 2011, 08:08:26 PM
There's a mint steering wheel like that at the local yard. I may grab it. For the mirrors, if you are going to keep them black, I wet sanded mine with 400 up to 2000 grit, then polished them. Very glossy, natural plastic, so no paint chips. I just wax them when I wax the car.
Title: My First Car
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on April 14, 2011, 08:17:07 PM
I hate the A-frame wheels. If mine was worth a on my Lincoln I would give it to you if I had a replacement......although it's blue lol.
........Patiently awaiting pics of newly painted car!
Title: My First Car
Post by: sarjxxx on April 15, 2011, 05:55:46 PM
Quote from: FirstBird;358043
Ill get the pictures as soon as I can. They've painted the moldings I'm just going to paint the chin spoiler and mirrors.Yeah I might be doing something with the interior later. I really like the design of that stering wheel I WANT IT! lol. sarjxxx are you dropping in a Supercoupe engine? or is it custom?
Kinda sorta yeah but not really. Go [thread=30050]here[/thread] and go to page 2. Somewhere near the bottom is a post that explains my whole plan. Also if you click my project thread in my signature there is a lot of info also.
Title: My First Car
Post by: bhazard on April 15, 2011, 07:24:34 PM
I must say I would rather DAILY drive a civic than a bird/coug. Stock for stock that is. Something about spending half as much on gas...
Now a riced civic? No thx.
Ill take my soon-to-be-12-second festiva over the civic though :P
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 15, 2011, 07:55:47 PM
Just got home picture will be up soon.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 15, 2011, 08:25:31 PM
Title: My First Car
Post by: hypostang on April 15, 2011, 08:33:16 PM
Looks nice . Is the grille black too?
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 15, 2011, 09:01:21 PM
It is :) trying to reasemble it.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 15, 2011, 09:04:06 PM
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/FirstBird777/IMG_3353.jpg) Just some things to spice the Bird up (http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/FirstBird777/IMG_3352.jpg) Me Looking Huge compared to the T-bird I quess? lol
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 15, 2011, 11:05:24 PM
you are not wearing sandals with socks are you?.........
Title: My First Car
Post by: thewestie on April 15, 2011, 11:09:21 PM
Yea but there's cats on them
Title: My First Car
Post by: fluke on April 15, 2011, 11:11:00 PM
Cool, :) My Thunderbird was my first car as well. I still have the same one (sorta lol).
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 15, 2011, 11:14:31 PM
The paint looks great. Nice looking car. They did a nice job. I like the color as well. I do have to say that the black grille doesn't "fit". It looks like you took a black grille from another car. Body color would be the way to go. These cars are very hard to change. You have to be careful. What one can get away with on many cars, these cars are a lot more picky. Now, that's my opinion. No offense intended. We tend to be blatantly honest here.
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 15, 2011, 11:17:04 PM
I wasn't a fan of the grille either. it works great on my car, but doesn't blend well with your cars color
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 15, 2011, 11:19:22 PM
maybe if it was a flat or satin black... mines satin
Title: My First Car
Post by: daminc on April 15, 2011, 11:22:07 PM
like this (http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b463/daminc-pics2/putting%20it%20back%20together/IMG_0661.jpg)
Title: My First Car
Post by: hypostang on April 16, 2011, 12:03:25 AM
I'm withholding opinion on the black grille until I see the rest of the front put together , I dont think it will look bad though
Title: My First Car
Post by: cougarman on April 16, 2011, 12:09:41 AM
Paint came out great, congrats.
Title: My First Car
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on April 16, 2011, 12:31:53 AM
I'd like to see it, (the grill), with headlight covers. It might make a difference. The paint looks good.
Title: My First Car
Post by: Scott D on April 16, 2011, 11:41:10 AM
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;358168
I'd like to see it, (the grill), with headlight covers. It might make a difference. The paint looks good.
I'm digging the grill. But, I bet you're right, smoked headlight covers would really make the front end look even better.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 16, 2011, 01:06:12 PM
Thanks imo I think that the black grille looks good makes the front end POP. The lights in the front will be either clear or smoked a litle.
Title: My First Car
Post by: sarjxxx on April 16, 2011, 06:21:59 PM
Quote from: daminc;358164
maybe if it was a flat or satin black... mines satin
.......hmmmm, yes, but your CAR is black also;)
Paint looks good. Those 3.8 emblems look HUGE. Is it just the pic or are they really that big?
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on April 30, 2011, 04:47:14 AM
Havent been on here for a while been really busy and i finally got the chance to put the rest of the car together fully. (http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/FirstBird777/IMG_3499.jpg) Looks good IMO
Title: My First Car
Post by: vinnietbird on April 30, 2011, 06:56:17 AM
Looking good. Now for some wheels on that thing. That'll really set it off. Keep us posted, and remember, when you start doing any big work, snap pics.
Title: My First Car
Post by: FirstBird on June 13, 2011, 11:36:07 PM
Car got resent to paint because paint started chipping, turns out there was no primer :/ ill have it back wednesday. Somethings up witht the transmission probably the Tv Cable and have to figure out the dash cluster because it wont show the speed.