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General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 01, 2013, 09:40:16 AM

Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 01, 2013, 09:40:16 AM
Well, after racing my 83 T-Bird for 2 years with the 2500 grit satin finish look on my wheels I thought I would spend a couple of hours polishing them to see how they would turn out.
 
I really like the polished look better.  :ford:
I still find it hard to believe that come September, I will have had  the ol' Gray Bird for 20 years.
 
 
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/croppedMarch2013polishedTRXonGrayBird010_zps72423a83.jpg)
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/croppedMarch2013polishedTRXonGrayBird013_zps37807a1f.jpg)
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/croppedMarch2013polishedTRXonGrayBird016_zps9b2b9231.jpg)
 
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/March2013polishedTRXonGrayBird005_zps570011bc.jpg)
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/March2013polishedTRXonGrayBird001_zps892d507b.jpg)
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 86cougar on April 01, 2013, 10:43:54 AM
Bird-Guy,
              Shiny black, mean looking rear tires, and a full engine compartment.... That's a sweet ride! Do you have a special tint on your windows?
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 01, 2013, 11:50:23 AM
Quote from: 86cougar;412309
Bird-Guy,
              Shiny black, mean looking rear tires, and a full engine compartment.... That's a sweet ride! Do you have a special tint on your windows?

Thanks 86cougar !
The tint is called mirrored.
My ex wife  wanted that put on back in 2004.
I prefer smoked tint myself.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: Beau on April 01, 2013, 11:50:36 AM
That car is seck-see.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: jcassity on April 01, 2013, 12:02:10 PM
I love the TRX wheels, always have...
what tires did you stretch on or did you do metric?
nice bird,, i like the hood doesnt close, that alone should be intemidating to anyone pulling up beside you,,, its like ~ "oh.. dudes hood doesnt shut, wonder why"
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: STANG8U on April 01, 2013, 01:12:22 PM
Wow never liked those ....... But now I do lol


Looks  good
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: Kafer79 on April 01, 2013, 02:14:13 PM
Did you machine polish or elbow effort?  What polish?
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 1BadBird on April 01, 2013, 02:23:27 PM
Love that shine!!  :bowdown:
I just thought back to when I bought mine.......Dang, next year I will have had mine for 20 yrs.  :drink:
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: rodsterh on April 01, 2013, 07:27:33 PM
I like the look!

Quote from: jcassity;412321
I love the TRX wheels, always have...
what tires did you stretch on or did you do metric?

 
Neither I think.... believe it was a bit of clever rework.:sawzall:
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 01, 2013, 07:44:20 PM
Looks great :).

I wish someone would make these in a non-metric size. I'd love a set.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: Big B on April 01, 2013, 10:12:31 PM
I'm diggin' the TRX's. :burnout:

I'd fix that horrible PS Hood Gap at the rear though, detracts from the rest of the car, imo.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 86cougar on April 02, 2013, 09:43:12 AM
Bird-guy,
            I have to be honest with you.... What is even more impressive than your beautiful car, is the fact that you are divorced and still have all those cars listed in your signature. You should write a book.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 1BadBird on April 02, 2013, 01:32:25 PM
Quote from: 86cougar;412404
Bird-guy,
            I have to be honest with you.... What is even more impressive than your beautiful car, is the fact that you are divorced and still have all those cars listed in your signature. You should write a book.


:iagree:
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: STANG8U on April 02, 2013, 03:15:36 PM
Lol
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 03, 2013, 08:16:55 AM
Thanks for all the kind words guys.
 
To answer your questions in the order they were asked:
 
 
Quote from: jcassity;412321
I love the TRX wheels, always have...
what tires did you stretch on or did you do metric?
nice bird,, i like the hood doesnt close, that alone should be intemidating to anyone pulling up beside you,,, its like ~ "oh.. dudes hood doesnt shut, wonder why"

Those are actually just TRX centers machined to fit inside 15 x 7 front wheels and 16 x 8 rear wheels. The  car has 3 inch long wheel studs and the centers are attached with a second set of lug nuts.
So, in other words they are glorified hubcaps.  LOL
 
 
Quote from: Kafer79;412338
Did you machine polish or elbow effort?  What polish?

100 % elbow effort.
Wet/dry sandpaper and a lot of water and time. lol
I wish I had all the power sanding/buffing equipment.
 
 
Quote from: Big B;412386
I'm diggin' the TRX's. :burnout:
 
I'd fix that horrible PS Hood Gap at the rear though, detracts from the rest of the car, imo.

 
That hood is raised in the rear for a reason....heat extraction.
I run that car in round-robin bracket races and the 460 generates a lot of heat.
 
I agree, it should be fixed and someday when I retire the car from racing, I will fix it.
 
 
Quote from: 86cougar;412404
Bird-guy,
            I have to be honest with you.... What is even more impressive than your beautiful car, is the fact that you are divorced and still have all those cars listed in your signature. You should write a book.

LOL
 
Yeah, I have told several people that I am the second luckiest guy in the world when it comes to divorces.
 
The first luckiest guy is the one whose wife died the day before the divorce papers were filed...LOL
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: cougrrr302 on April 16, 2013, 09:33:28 PM
I remember when you first posted about the wheels, and they look beautiful polished. I would love to do this to a set, but know nothing of how to make the center and ring work, let alone where to find the outer wheel for it. Any suggestions?
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 19, 2013, 07:53:04 AM
Quote from: cougrrr302;413386
I remember when you first posted about the wheels, and they look beautiful polished. I would love to do this to a set, but know nothing of how to make the center and ring work, let alone where to find the outer wheel for it. Any suggestions?

The wheels are Center Line billet wheels.
The T-Bird/Cougar TRX's will not work inside 15 inch wheels. ( can only use 16's and 17's )
 
 
You would  have to install 3 inch long wheel studs all around as the centers are attached with a second set of lug nuts.
There is a black  Mr. Gasket 4 lug dust shield for 15 inch wheels behind the TRX center to hide the C/L wheel.
 
You would also need to find a machine shop that could put the rough cut TRX centers in a lathe (apprx. 14.5 inches in diameter)
I just took the Center Line wheel with me to the machine shop so they could check the center for a close fit.
 
The hardest part was cutting the front and back off the wheel to get the rough centers:
 
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/TRXcutup.jpg) (http://"http://s148.photobucket.com/user/83-88T-BirdGuy/media/TRXcutup.jpg.html")
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 19, 2013, 07:56:59 AM
Here's a pic of the maroon TC with the 16 inch Center Line before and after the TRX center is attached:
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/MVC-002S-1.jpg) (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/83-88T-BirdGuy/media/MVC-002S-1.jpg.html)
 
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/Frontwheelpolished.jpg) (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/83-88T-BirdGuy/media/Frontwheelpolished.jpg.html)
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: Dan B. on April 19, 2013, 08:41:46 AM
That stance is awesome!!! What size tires are on the front of the 460 car?
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 19, 2013, 10:09:49 PM
Quote from: Dan B.;413529
That stance is awesome!!! What size tires are on the front of the 460 car?

 
 
Thanks.
 
The Gray Bird has 215-60-15 front tires on 15 x 7 wheels.
The rear tires are 295-50-16 M/T Drag Radials on 16 x 8 wheels.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: STANG8U on April 19, 2013, 10:11:57 PM
That's pretty trick
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on April 20, 2013, 03:51:22 PM
Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;412306
Well, after racing my 83 T-Bird for 2 years with the 2500 grit satin finish look on my wheels I thought I would spend a couple of hours polishing them to see how they would turn out.
 
I really like the polished look better.  :ford:
I still find it hard to believe that come September, I will have had  the ol' Gray Bird for 20 years.

 
I always liked TRX Wheels, and polished up they look really super. I'm still waiting to hear what tires you have on them!
Ron
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 22, 2013, 09:57:53 PM
Quote from: BLKBRD88;413603
I always liked TRX Wheels, and polished up they look really super. I'm still waiting to hear what tires you have on them!
Ron

Thanks.
On the gray Bird, the rear tires are 295-50-16 M/T drag radials.
The fronts are standard 215-60-15 street tires.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on April 23, 2013, 02:36:55 AM
Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;413749
Thanks.
On the gray Bird, the rear tires are 295-50-16 M/T drag radials.
The fronts are standard 215-60-15 street tires.

So are you going to let us in on your secret of how you got those 15"/16" tires mounted on metric wheels?
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 83TB on April 23, 2013, 09:13:32 AM
Quote from: STANG8U;412331
Wow never liked those ....... But now I do lol


Looks  good

 
I felt the same way, he made them look good!!!
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: 1BadBird on April 23, 2013, 12:37:04 PM
Quote from: BLKBRD88;413767
So are you going to let us in on your secret of how you got those 15"/16" tires mounted on metric wheels?
Not being a smart@$$ but read the whole thread or at least scroll thru the posts for the pics. He explains it well and shows what he did.  See page 2, #s 13 & 14, metric centers, longer studs, some machine work waa-laa, shiny wheels.
Title: Polished up the Mustang TRX's on my Gray Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on April 23, 2013, 02:45:01 PM
Quote from: 1BadBird;413779
Not being a smart@$$ but read the whole thread or at least scroll thru the posts for the pics. He explains it well and shows what he did.  See page 2, #s 13 & 14, metric centers, longer studs, some machine work waa-laa, shiny wheels.

There you go, I must have had a senior moment & skipped page #2  DUH
Ron
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