General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: midnight cat on July 25, 2017, 01:45:25 AM
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: midnight cat on July 25, 2017, 01:45:25 AM
Please understand I love my 86 Cougar. But in 89 when the next gen T-Birds/Cougars came out I remember how much nicer they were to drive (longer wheel base, better ride, more horsepower, etc.) than the Fox body cars. Or do you like the 10th gen T-Birds/Cougars (89-97) just as much as the Fox body cars?
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Moonmount on July 25, 2017, 08:02:06 AM
Foxbody is best body but besides that they look wayyyy better and actually has an aftermarket
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: CoogarXR on July 25, 2017, 10:39:30 AM
A fox body cougar was my first car (the one on the left in my signature). Something about them always feels like "home" to me. I know they aren't the fastest or the best looking cars out there, but they just feel right to me.
I have only owned one 89 Cougar, and one 93 Lincoln Mark VIII (similar), and I don't know, they just didn't "do it" for me.
As was mentioned, I like the plentiful fox-chassis parts too. Body parts are getting -hard to find around here though. To be fair, the MN-12 bodies are just as extinct in junk yards here too.
I've had umpteen fox bodies in my life. I like them all, really. But I'll probably always have a fox-cougar in my life, lol. My dad bought an 84 Turbo in 1987 (which would eventually be handed-down to me as my first car), and there has only been about 6 months total time since then that I haven't had a fox body cougar in the driveway, lol.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: QUICKSHIFT on July 25, 2017, 11:08:14 AM
I always liked to be the odd guy. When I started racing,everyone would build a Chevy. Parts for them were dime a dozen. You could always find used manifolds,cams and heads where Ford stuff was scarse. When I turned good numbers from a limited selection of parts, I got more respect than the other guys. As far as my Cougar goes, how many stangs do you see? Now, how many Cougars /T Birds do you see? When I go to a cruise night,I get a great sense of satisfaction with the interest people show as compared to all the other Fox Stangs. Don't get me wrong, I respect the Stangs as well as all other Fords........I just like to be different.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: CougarGal on July 25, 2017, 11:11:50 AM
Just love the style, handling, comfort and stance of my '86 XR-7 and I think more people are starting to appreciate and admire them all the time. It's a rare day now that I don't have people coming over and wanting to look her over when I'm out and about. Funny thing is, I drive her every day so she's just my 'baby,' not a 31 year old car that may be turning into something of a classic!! I still think of her as being around 10 or 12 :O
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Haystack on July 25, 2017, 01:42:35 PM
My first car was a $110 impound my dad bought for parts. After it sat for a while i fixed it up and got it street legal. 14 or so years ago when i first started driving, these cars were everywhere out here. Now they are drying up. Lots can be had "not running, dont know whats wrong with it". 10 minutes of work usually gets em back on the road.
I have had 15 total 83-88 tbirds and cougars now, currently own 4.
My 86 cougar is basically a parts car, all worn out with 350k miles on it and a badly rusted body with old body work that wasn't done right. For $500, i drove it for 3 or 4 years, put about 60k miles on it. Still runs good, but has a hole in the oil pan from the sway bar and front suspension is trashed.
My 88xr7, guy that had it before me ghetto rigged everything and ruined it. Ive fixed most things, it runs and drives but the tranny was shot and only has a slipping 1st gear and reverse. It might get my 86's tranny or i might throw a t-5 in it. Havent decided yet. Manual pedals are over $100 in bad condition now a days.
My 86 tbird, guy was asking $700, bought it for $520. Had 134k miles, has about 148k now. Good car, was reasonably taken care of, but has a big quarter panel dent behind the passenger door.
My 83 v-6 cougar. I watched this in the classifieds locally for almost a year. Ended up only needing a battery. Ifs parked at my buddies house, he uses it as a second car to get to and from work. Has about 130k miles on it, just needs a head liner and power windows fixed. Runs and drives really good, as well as being my first ever carbed car. Body is pretty good with faded paint. Toying with the idea of a carbed 302 swap. Was a steal at $300.
I like these cars alot. Being 6'5, just a bit more head room then most cars. I like beaters basically, i dont want a show car to polish and only take to car shows. I want something cheap and easy to fix, but reliable enough id trust it to go anywhere.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: deathbypsi on July 25, 2017, 01:44:18 PM
I have always been a Foxbody guy,grew up with them. I also love the not so common vehicles that always seem to strike up a conversation. I daily drove a XR4Ti, 2.3t 87 Ranger beat up farm truck, 1970 Torino wagon and a lifted Bronco2 bigger than some full size trucks. I have tried two other times in the past to find a clean Tbird but its been hard up here in Michigan. When I found my 83 I had to jump on it since it was a clean Florida car with low mileage. And since Im over 6ft tall and 300lbs these cars just fit me better than the Mustangs I grew up on. Funny thing is Im surprised how many people I run into that dont even know what my car is. I have had guys ask me what year my Mustang is, been asked if it was a Fairmont and just asked WTF is it!
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Aerocoupe on July 25, 2017, 03:53:23 PM
After the first overhaul of my '83 (1998) I was out on the local cruise and a guy ask me what year my car was and then he offered up '94 or '95. When I told him is was an '83 he just stood there and then told me I was BS'n him. One of my buddies came over and walked him around to the front of the car and when he saw the four head lights it hit him. Most of the Mustang crowd won't pay the car any attention until I start it and then rattle rattle here come the cattle.
Story behind my '83 is my dad bought it new and its never left the family nor will it ever unless some jackass offers me too much money to pass up but I don't think that will ever happen.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on July 25, 2017, 05:23:24 PM
My first two cars were birds of an entirely different feather. #1 was a 1978 Trans Am powered by a '70 LT1, fantastic power but in very poor condition. #2 was a 1980 Formula Firebird, powered by a 301, mint body but really, really slow. There was also a 66 Galaxie 500 in between those two but it was never a daily driver (It was mint and powered by a 390, but too hard on gas for my high school finances). One day, when I was starting to get bored with the Formula, I saw a white 1984 T-Bird in a used car lot (this was circa 1991). I was smitten. I took it out for a drive and fell in love with it. The used car lot tried to stiff me on the trade in value of the Formula (they offered $800) so I drove away in my Firebird. I was now determined to own a Thunderbird. At the time I paid little attention to "newer" cars, so I didn't know much about them. The internet did not exist so research was not easy, but eventually I found out that 83-86 looked the same and that the Cougars were similar. Didn't know the nuances between the model years yet, but I knew enough to know I wanted one. I sold the Firebird privately for $2500 and immediately started looking. That white one was long gone, so I picked up the local "Bargain Hunter" and started calling. I was only sure of one thing: Unlike the two Firebirds and the Galaxie I was not going to buy the first car I looked at. First came a light sage green/charcoal interior 1985 V6 model in excellent shape but bare bones (no options). It showed 170,000km, and was priced kinda high. Next was a light blue '84 Cougar that I passed on because the car had to be started with a screwdriver on the solenoid. Moving on, was a dark blue 85 or 86 with the 5.0, but the "service" light was on and that spooked me (remember, no internet back then). Finally I looked at a silver/grey two tone Bird but didn't even get out of the car to look because the entire passenger side was rusted away. After all this I ended up going back to that light sage green 85. I called the guy and went to look at it again. I really loved the charcoal interior and the light sage green paint actually looked good. It was an original owner car that was clearly well kept. He came down in price and I bought it, and the rest, as they say, is history. Over the years I learned several things about that car (and the others that I looked at), including the fact that the odometer can only show a maximum of 199,999. Those 170k on the odometer were actually 270k. Also I learned that the "service" light was not actually a problem, that the starting problem on that Cougar could likely have been fixed easy and cheap, and that after two years my 85 rusted away as badly as that two tone grey Bird had. But I was hooked. The green Bird was only the first of several (others included an 87 5.0 Sport, 88 5.0 Cougar LS, 88 5.0 Base, 87 Turbo Coupe (parts car), and a '91 V6 that was the first car I borrowed money to buy and to this day remains the biggest POS I ever owned.
I also, later on, found out that the 85 was a very rare car, probably a one of one. Rare, but not desirable. It was one of very few light sage green Birds made, one of even fewer with the charcoal interior, and even fewer still with its lack of factory options. When I said it was base, I meant BASE. No power windows, seats, mirrors or locks (in fact it only had one door mirror, and the center console switch plate was totally blank). No A/C. No cruise control. No power trunk or fuel door. AM/FM radio with no cassette. Cheapo wheel covers. The only factory options it had were the metallic paint and a front plate bracket still in the packaging in the trunk. It also had a full size spare (original and never used!).
But it was beautiful, it rode really smooth compared to the Firebirds before it, and the V6 was even just about as quick as that 301 Pontiac. When I someday again own a four-eyed Bird it will be painted light sage green metallic, and it will have a charcoal interior. But it won't be a V6, it won't be base, and it certainly won't have base wheel covers...
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: midnight cat on July 25, 2017, 07:03:15 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;461952
My first two cars were birds of an entirely different feather. #1 was a 1978 Trans Am powered by a '70 LT1, fantastic power but in very poor condition. #2 was a 1980 Formula Firebird, powered by a 301, mint body but really, really slow. There was also a 66 Galaxie 500 in between those two but it was never a daily driver (It was mint and powered by a 390, but too hard on gas for my high school finances). One day, when I was starting to get bored with the Formula, I saw a white 1984 T-Bird in a used car lot (this was circa 1991). I was smitten. I took it out for a drive and fell in love with it. The used car lot tried to stiff me on the trade in value of the Formula (they offered $800) so I drove away in my Firebird. I was now determined to own a Thunderbird. At the time I paid little attention to "newer" cars, so I didn't know much about them. The internet did not exist so research was not easy, but eventually I found out that 83-86 looked the same and that the Cougars were similar. Didn't know the nuances between the model years yet, but I knew enough to know I wanted one. I sold the Firebird privately for $2500 and immediately started looking. That white one was long gone, so I picked up the local "Bargain Hunter" and started calling. I was only sure of one thing: Unlike the two Firebirds and the Galaxie I was not going to buy the first car I looked at. First came a light sage green/charcoal interior 1985 V6 model in excellent shape but bare bones (no options). It showed 170,000km, and was priced kinda high. Next was a light blue '84 Cougar that I passed on because the car had to be started with a screwdriver on the solenoid. Moving on, was a dark blue 85 or 86 with the 5.0, but the "service" light was on and that spooked me (remember, no internet back then). Finally I looked at a silver/grey two tone Bird but didn't even get out of the car to look because the entire passenger side was rusted away. After all this I ended up going back to that light sage green 85. I called the guy and went to look at it again. I really loved the charcoal interior and the light sage green paint actually looked good. It was an original owner car that was clearly well kept. He came down in price and I bought it, and the rest, as they say, is history. Over the years I learned several things about that car (and the others that I looked at), including the fact that the odometer can only show a maximum of 199,999. Those 170k on the odometer were actually 270k. Also I learned that the "service" light was not actually a problem, that the starting problem on that Cougar could likely have been fixed easy and cheap, and that after two years my 85 rusted away as badly as that two tone grey Bird had. But I was hooked. The green Bird was only the first of several (others included an 87 5.0 Sport, 88 5.0 Cougar LS, 88 5.0 Base, 87 Turbo Coupe (parts car), and a '91 V6 that was the first car I borrowed money to buy and to this day remains the biggest POS I ever owned.
I also, later on, found out that the 85 was a very rare car, probably a one of one. Rare, but not desirable. It was one of very few light sage green Birds made, one of even fewer with the charcoal interior, and even fewer still with its lack of factory options. When I said it was base, I meant BASE. No power windows, seats, mirrors or locks (in fact it only had one door mirror, and the center console switch plate was totally blank). No A/C. No cruise control. No power trunk or fuel door. AM/FM radio with no cassette. Cheapo wheel covers. The only factory options it had were the metallic paint and a front plate bracket still in the packaging in the trunk. It also had a full size spare (original and never used!).
But it was beautiful, it rode really smooth compared to the Firebirds before it, and the V6 was even just about as quick as that 301 Pontiac. When I someday again own a four-eyed Bird it will be painted light sage green metallic, and it will have a charcoal interior. But it won't be a V6, it won't be base, and it certainly won't have base wheel covers...
Why was the 91 a POS? After all, it was a next gen car with the longer wheelbase, better ride, better suspension, better looking (according to FOMOCO), etc. etc.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: 88Boostedbird on July 25, 2017, 08:14:35 PM
Fox chassis. Even with all of its engineering shortcomings, it is one of the easiest chassis ANYWHERE to upgrade/update. FoMoCo tried something different with the styling, to bring the 'Box' into the aerodynamic age. Styling might be questionable, but to me it is what I remember growing up.
I own an FN10, and while I love its' looks and ride, there is just something so basic and primal about the FOX that it appeals to a whole different side of me.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: rotorr22 on July 25, 2017, 09:41:33 PM
Three reasons, Ricky Smith, Bob Glidden and Bill Elliot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14XCgzCcfsk
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Haystack on July 26, 2017, 04:45:19 AM
The mn-12 cars had a ton of issues. They rusted thru when they were just a few years old, had a super complicated and relatively fragile suspension for a 4000lb car (a base model v-6 with low options weighed over 3800lbs) and had a ton of odd small problems and recalls.
My friends mom was a real estate agent. One house she sold belonged to an old couple that owned a 94 xr7 (4.6 v-8) with 35k on it, and this was in about 2005. They bought it and gave it to my buddys little sister. abs light was on (still original brakes), the transmission had been replaced(why? Really low milegae) the speedometer didnt work, but the odometer did, and even though it was garage kept (paint and interior were flawless) it had holes every where.
When we took it in for emissions, they put the car up on the lift, and the jacking points went through the car. They showed us where the outside paint looked perfect, but all the metal underneath had rusted away. It was a fun car to drive, especially with the independent rear. Went to a junkyard at around 65k miles a few years after.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on July 26, 2017, 09:03:28 AM
Quote from: rotorr22;461955
Three reasons, Ricky Smith, Bob Glidden and Bill Elliot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14XCgzCcfsk
Nuff said...
Around 10 years ago I owned a '95 with Eibach springs & 17" wheels, handled like it was on rails and rode decent, but it wasn't my '88... At 72K front suspension was already on way out, sold it in less than a year... Also it had the wimpy ass 4.6 that I despise as a performance engine(not a engine, it's a appliance, only engine I loathe more is the Ford 3.8), if it'd had a 5.0 I may have kept it...
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: midnight cat on July 26, 2017, 12:16:49 PM
Quote from: Haystack;461957
The mn-12 cars had a ton of issues. They rusted thru when they were just a few years old, had a super complicated and relatively fragile suspension for a 4000lb car (a base model v-6 with low options weighed over 3800lbs) and had a ton of odd small problems and recalls.
My friends mom was a real estate agent. One house she sold belonged to an old couple that owned a 94 xr7 (4.6 v-8) with 35k on it, and this was in about 2005. They bought it and gave it to my buddys little sister. abs light was on (still original brakes), the transmission had been replaced(why? Really low milegae) the speedometer didnt work, but the odometer did, and even though it was garage kept (paint and interior were flawless) it had holes every where.
When we took it in for emissions, they put the car up on the lift, and the jacking points went through the car. They showed us where the outside paint looked perfect, but all the metal underneath had rusted away. It was a fun car to drive, especially with the independent rear. Went to a junkyard at around 65k miles a few years after.
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize the 89-97 Cougars were that heavy! My 86 Cougar's factory color is Midnight Wine. It looks pretty bad at this point but no rust holes since it's a Texas car. Do you know if Ford ever did a recall on the factory paint jobs on the Foxbody cars?
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 26, 2017, 02:00:48 PM
Quote from: Haystack;461957
The mn-12 cars had a ton of issues. They rusted thru when they were just a few years old, had a super complicated and relatively fragile suspension for a 4000lb car (a base model v-6 with low options weighed over 3800lbs) and had a ton of odd small problems and recalls.
My friends mom was a real estate agent. One house she sold belonged to an old couple that owned a 94 xr7 (4.6 v-8) with 35k on it, and this was in about 2005. They bought it and gave it to my buddys little sister. abs light was on (still original brakes), the transmission had been replaced(why? Really low milegae) the speedometer didnt work, but the odometer did, and even though it was garage kept (paint and interior were flawless) it had holes every where.
When we took it in for emissions, they put the car up on the lift, and the jacking points went through the car. They showed us where the outside paint looked perfect, but all the metal underneath had rusted away. It was a fun car to drive, especially with the independent rear. Went to a junkyard at around 65k miles a few years after.
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;461959
Nuff said...
Around 10 years ago I owned a '95 with Eibach springs & 17" wheels, handled like it was on rails and rode decent, but it wasn't my '88... At 72K front suspension was already on way out, sold it in less than a year... Also it had the wimpy ass 4.6 that I despise as a performance engine(not a engine, it's a appliance, only engine I loathe more is the Ford 3.8), if it'd had a 5.0 I may have kept it...
I agree with both of these posts. I had a 95 3.8 V6 Thunderbird for 4 years and 25K miles. The weight was nuts. I think my 88 Thunderbird is heavy (~3565 with no driver) but that 95 was about a 100lbs heavier with just the V6 and base options. I bought the 95 with 69K miles on it. By 75K the front suspension was shot. All the control arms, shocks, and end links had to be changed. Compare that with my 88 Thunderbird where the front suspension was still tight with over 100K miles. I changed parts because they were old, more so than they were worn out. The MN-12 had a nice ride and handled pretty good, they were let down by a fragile suspension.
As far as mod motors go the only ones worth a are the 4.6 4V or the 5.0 Coyote. I'll take a 5.0 Windsor over a 4.6 2V or 3V any day of the week. I know the 4.6 2V and 3V can make good power with a blower but I'm more of a N/A guy.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on July 26, 2017, 04:42:51 PM
Quote from: midnight cat;461953
Why was the 91 a POS? After all, it was a next gen car with the longer wheelbase, better ride, better suspension, better looking (according to FOMOCO), etc. etc.
I paid $11k for it in 1994 with 50k miles on it. Not six months later I had to replace the front control arms and stabilizer links. About six months later all the brakes needed replacing (I know, maintenance, but still). Six months after that, while on my way home from vacation in up state New York, the car caught fire (ignition switch - this very car was largely responsible for the infamous Ford ignition switch recall). 700 miles from home. When it caught fire I made one of the biggest mistakes in my life: I pulled the battery cable and put the fire out. Six months later, I took it to the work christmas party and blew a head gasket on the way in. Replaced the head gaskets, drove it for another 8 months before it started knocking really bad. Spun #4 rod bearing (probably bent the rod when the head gasket went, the engine did hydrolock). Rebuilt the engine and drove it for another year before the body had become so rusted that I had to sell it as a parts car. The rocker panels and door bottoms had rusted completely away. It was just over 5 years old - just outside the corrosion warranty - and had approx. 90k on it.
This was just the major stuff. I am not mentioning the myriad of small problems that plagued the car from day one. I made the decision then that I would never own another MN12.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: midnight cat on July 26, 2017, 06:01:31 PM
Wow! I had no idea the 89-97 Cougars & T-Birds had so many issues. When they came out in 89 I'd rent them on business trips. They were great road cars when they were NEW! I've never seen a rusty one in Texas but obviously up North it's a different story. I still see them on the road once in a while down here but I never see Foxbody cars on the road or in junkyards here anymore.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Beau on July 26, 2017, 07:32:22 PM
No love for the post '88 years. I drove one for awhile (ex wife's '89 Bird), the engine and trans held up, it was the rest of the piece of shiznit that was junk. Doors wouldn't shut, then they wouldn't open. Glass came off tracks. Seats didn't work. Rust? Don't get me started on the rust. Pretty sure the paint was all that was left holding the quarters and rockers on (well, what ever was left of 'em).
God help me if I ever get another '88 car, I'll never get rid of it. IDGAF if it's even a V6. Junky shiznit can be swapped as long as the body and subframe and strut towers aren't cancerous.
I found a Sport locally about 6 months ago, but the old lady wouldn't come off of 1500...needed a trans and had engine issues, for me, would have gotten replaced with my 5.0 in the sig and a T5, and bye bye Mustang, but the fates said no, so...
Co worker has an '87 TC but wants 1500 for it. Needs an engine. (as in, needs 5.0 swapped)
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: mcb82gt on July 26, 2017, 07:46:27 PM
Foxbodies.
My first 2 cars were cougar foxbodies. They just feel comfortable and smooth riding. I owned several early 80's Mustangs, I really liked them, but I wanted a Cougar back. Got a 88 with a 5.0 and just like it so much more.
Most of the Mustang upgrades work on our cars, and you see Cougars/Birds about as much as bigfoot monster, around here.
I just miss the fact there are no cars left for parts, and NOS stuff is pretty dried up or so overpriced.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: 88Boostedbird on July 26, 2017, 07:48:48 PM
My FN10 (the Lincoln version of the MN12) is at 86,000 miles. Front strut rods need new bushings (good luck finding good replacements), the 'Door Ajar' light was constantly on (Had to clean out and lube the driver door lock system inside the door), and it needed front wheel bearing something fierce (I bought it at 68,000 miles). The rear wheel bearings died a short time later, along with the pre-'98 4R70W transmission failure. The MN/FN chassis was NOT one of Fords 'Better Ideas' at all.
With respects to the 4.6L DOHC engine: (personal opinion alert here) It IS a performance engine, with a huge aftermarket and heads (right from the factory) that need no work to support 800hp. The Teksid block is STRONG and LIGHT, with 6-bolt mains. I am a pushrod guy, but this Modular is impressive.
Why love the LIMA 2.3L? It started out as a junk motor that would cone the cylinder walls in 20,000 miles. Oiling issues and sheared distributor drive gears were common. Once the problems were addressed, the engine became a good little unit. SAME with the 4.6L.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: rotorr22 on July 26, 2017, 07:48:55 PM
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;461971
No love for the post '88 years. I drove one for awhile (ex wife's '89 Bird), the engine and trans held up, it was the rest of the piece of shiznit that was junk. Doors wouldn't shut, then they wouldn't open. Glass came off tracks. Seats didn't work. Rust? Don't get me started on the rust. Pretty sure the paint was all that was left holding the quarters and rockers on (well, what ever was left of 'em).
God help me if I ever get another '88 car, I'll never get rid of it. IDGAF if it's even a V6. Junky shiznit can be swapped as long as the body and subframe and strut towers aren't cancerous.
I found a Sport locally about 6 months ago, but the old lady wouldn't come off of 1500...needed a trans and had engine issues, for me, would have gotten replaced with my 5.0 in the sig and a T5, and bye bye Mustang, but the fates said no, so...
Co worker has an '87 TC but wants 1500 for it. Needs an engine. (as in, needs 5.0 swapped)
I Found my 86 Bird on a Craigslist ad in Portland, Oregon. Bought it sight unseen for $1,700 and had it shipped across the country to NE Ohio. I've never seen such a rust free 30 year old car. No rust anywhere, not even underneath. For some reason, there were a lot of fox Birds and Cats in Oregon. Don't ask me why, but a good place to start a search.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: midnight cat on July 26, 2017, 07:50:37 PM
Good to know. I like my old 86 Cougar more all the time. Just the other day on Ebay someone was selling a 88 TC with about 500 miles on it - all original and asking for over $30,000. Black car & looked mint.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: rotorr22 on July 26, 2017, 07:58:59 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;461962
As far as mod motors go the only ones worth a are the 4.6 4V or the 5.0 Coyote. I'll take a 5.0 Windsor over a 4.6 2V or 3V any day of the week. I know the 4.6 2V and 3V can make good power with a blower but I'm more of a N/A guy.
The 4.6 3V in my 2006 Mustang GT was a good runner, but I generally agree. The modular is enormous (Boss 429 like girth) and the $$/HP to modify them much higher than the Windsor platform. Ten years down the road, more and more hot rods will be LS powered as the Windsor blocks get harder to find.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Beau on July 27, 2017, 12:44:13 AM
The DOHC 4.6 is an ok engine....it's the 2v that is suck, stock.
As for the LS, the availability and cheapness of the engine itself is it's biggest point. By the time you source a transmission, do the mounts, fuel, and engine management, you're not going to be much in the difference in the long run. To go fast requires $ and a pile of it, matters not the logo on the valve covers.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Chuck W on July 28, 2017, 08:16:03 AM
Because they are Fox-chassied cars that aren't Mustangs...
The MN-12 platform is kind of a pig. Never been a fan.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Dragernear on July 28, 2017, 02:20:00 PM
I have previously owned 84,86 and currently own an 83 T-bird. The curves of the body style have always just done it for me but I truly love the way I feel when i drive one! The ride and handling are smooth and the way the interior wraps around me like a pen 15pit.......makes me smile everytime i drive.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: bootleggers deluxe on July 29, 2017, 12:02:30 AM
my first thunderbird is actually a quite large one, a 1978. still have it, poor old car deserves a proper restoration. I fell in love with Thunderbirds in general, it's always bee na bot of an exclusive club, there just isn't as many Tbirds out there as there are other cars. Ive had over 20 birds in my day, most of which landed in the 77-79 body, but as i went through college, i had a streak of 3 different 89-97 Tbirds. While the ride was nice, and they made great overall drivers, they are quite pricey to repair when you buy them already run down. the cost of the rear suspension components alone nearly shook me.
Ive always kind of admired the fox birds, but never had one before i picked up my 87 last fall. It has the thunderbird feel to it, but as many others have stated, there is a huge Fox body aftermarket support. And most of all, i am one who believes "simplicity is bliss" and so a solid axle and other very simple aspects to the build of the car has drawn me in.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Bird of Prey on August 01, 2017, 01:35:04 PM
I like the 83 - 88 cars for their smooth, graceful and simple lines. The designers knew when to put the pencil down when they created these cars. They still look good today.
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: Moonmount on August 02, 2017, 07:49:52 AM
Quote from: QUICKSHIFT;461942
I always liked to be the odd guy. When I started racing,everyone would build a Chevy. Parts for them were dime a dozen. You could always find used manifolds,cams and heads where Ford stuff was scarse. When I turned good numbers from a limited selection of parts, I got more respect than the other guys. As far as my Cougar goes, how many stangs do you see? Now, how many Cougars /T Birds do you see? When I go to a cruise night,I get a great sense of satisfaction with the interest people show as compared to all the other Fox Stangs. Don't get me wrong, I respect the Stangs as well as all other Fords........I just like to be different.
I do have to say when i go to car shows my car gets alot of attention even though its very rough
Title: Why do you guys love 83-88 T-Birds & Cougars so much?
Post by: rotorr22 on August 02, 2017, 10:54:09 AM
Quote from: Moonmount;462032
I do have to say when i go to car shows my car gets alot of attention even though its very rough
I'm not surprised.
I've attended car shows where Mustangs, Camaros and such dominate the displays. There are some absolute beauties as well, yet people will walk right pass them with indifference to look at an unusual car, even if it is not a show piece. Chances are they owned one once and are excited to see one again. That is why I love my Bird and Maverick. I guarantee you that if I go cruising with either car, I will not pass myself. That is the joy of driving a car that everyone else doesn't drive.