'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

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'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

March 28, 2007, 12:55:10 AM

I just wanted to check something. The 1980 to 1982 Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar is based off the Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr. These two cars are the original Fox chassis cars starting in 1978.

Therefore, would the interchanges be the same for the TBird/Cougar of this vintage with the later models Tbirds(83-88) along with the Mustangs and Capri's? I just picked up a granny fresh '81 TBird with carbureted 302, 80K original miles on it. I'm really thinking about making this a 331 or 351 powered street sleeper, so I need to know that other Fox car parts (like headers, axles, suspension parts) will interchange.

I know that these t birds are less desirable than their late aero cousins, which adds that much more to the sleeper persona of this car. I'd like to see it's blue landau roof deep into the 12's.

What say you?

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #1 – March 28, 2007, 01:46:29 AM

I say its a good idea. One thing to keep in mind that is if you're planning on using the block that's in the car now to make sure it's not the dreaded 255. I know a lot of times people will go on outward apperance and call a 255 a 302, but you may have documentation proving it a 302.

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #2 – March 28, 2007, 07:25:29 AM

You should have no problem with that. Mine uses 88 T-Bird headers, 88 XR-7 rear & swaybars, 89 Mustang motor, 88 Mustang AOD etc.

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #3 – March 28, 2007, 07:38:08 AM

Yup, it's a Fox chassis.

Basically, in general terms, the front is Fox Mustang or 83-86 Tbird stuff, and the rear is 83-88 Tbird stuff

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #4 – March 29, 2007, 03:54:39 AM

Sweet,

The VIN number deciphers as a 302, so unless someone got a bit bizarre, the motor should be the 302. Again, that's according to the VIN number.

That is excellent news on the interchange. Bird Brain, you sound like a man after my own heart. We'll call mine the granny sleeper, I mean, this thing is so old lady like, it's scary. I'm thinking of even making a remote cut out system, normal would be through one exhaust tip, preformance would dump them right out onto the ground!

All that aside, knowing that the headers and stuff will work is a great benefit. I still haven't decied between a built 302 (306), a 331, or a 351W that has been bored and stroked too. I'm pretty sure this car has the AOD, but could be wrong. Didn' they introduce the AOD win 1980??

Bird Brain, have any more pictures of your Cat...

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #5 – March 29, 2007, 01:02:13 PM

If you have a 302 it should be an AOD. Easy way to tell is to take it for a drive and see if when you get up to ~45 mph if your rpms drop off. Then its an AOD.

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #6 – March 29, 2007, 02:07:33 PM

The AOD was known as the FIOD in the early cars....pretty much the same difference.

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #7 – March 29, 2007, 06:11:22 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;137074

The AOD was known as the FIOD in the early cars....pretty much the same difference.

What Chuck said, plus the early trannys had some durability problems... May just want to think about building a later issue... I believe starting '88 they had improved lubercation to the planetary gears... Ford racing used to sell a up grade kit, but I suspect it's long been discontinued...

For the 302 the VIN tells the story, so you don't have to worry... I'd can it in any event and find a later roller block...

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #8 – March 29, 2007, 10:13:22 PM

Quote from: misteramx;137018

Bird Brain, have any more pictures of your Cat...

Bird Actually ,:D No, nothing new. I'm just waiting for better weather. Stereo install is first. , they had py radios in the old days.

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #9 – March 29, 2007, 10:14:32 PM

A roller cam motor would be good, with the forged pistons, I could run nitrous for fun. A good 351W would be a good cheap build too, just saw a guy selling an '85 351W and autotrans, rebuilder, for cheap. When did they change the AOD to the EAOD, that is what I want to avoid, the electronics package for trans control. I thought the AOD could be built pretty stout?

Does anyone know any websites for these cars??

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #10 – March 29, 2007, 10:17:43 PM

Hey Bird, have you ever run your car at the track? I see articles all over about 12 second Fox body Mustangs, on very little more than modded 5.0's. Oh, this is going to be such a sneaky car, muhahahah!

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #11 – March 30, 2007, 01:52:05 AM

I already have dibbs on being the 351W powered box bird owner on the site, looks like your going to have to install a big block :D

Heres a cool site with some useful information:

http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/Tbird.html

Scott

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #12 – March 30, 2007, 03:49:48 AM

Sweet. I'll see about putting in a different engine. Yeah, a 460 and an auto on the column on the strip,maybe into the 11's. They'd hate me....perfect!

Already have for wheels some 15x7 Enkei mesh style. Gold with the aluminum lip, that would look good with the dark blue/light blue color. Oh, figured out I think how to put a picture of the car on here....granny fresh!!

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #13 – March 30, 2007, 09:12:53 PM

Hey Chuck,

Which 8.8 did you use for the rear?? Was it a bolt in??

'81 T Bird...Fox chassis??

Reply #14 – March 30, 2007, 10:26:57 PM

Quote from: misteramx;137416

Hey Chuck,

Which 8.8 did you use for the rear?? Was it a bolt in??

Mine doesn't have an 8.8 in it at the moment. It has a 7.5 from an 84 SVO.

ANY Fox rear end will bolt in.
Stock was the narrow track Fox Mustang unit, so any of the later TBird (83-88) units or SN-95 Mustang will be wider, which is fine. The SVO unit in mine is 2.5" wider overall and the 275's still fit w/o issue.