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Topic: Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11) (Read 206687 times) previous topic - next topic

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #720 –
Good to see you can at least enjoy driving the car for the rest of the summer.  I really like your car...so keep us updated!!
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #721 –
Quote from: kingcars;284225
And I would imagine that an efan helps take care of that small issue (you're still running the stock fan, right?).

Yes I am still running the stock fan, going to try and get an efan on when i do my head/cam swap.
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #722 –
Just got off the phone with the machine shop - after a problem with the crank (the company sent them the wrong one...idiots) everything is going fine again and they'll be assembling the short block next week.  So finally, it looks like I'll have the engine back in the garage very soon for final assembly and install.  I can't wait!!!

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #723 –
Man, after all the problems you have had with your car, I'm glad to see your getting your affairs in order. That thing must be a blast...I would love to drive a RWD V8 with a 5 speed, unfortunatly, I've only driven a 91 camry with the 4 banger and my Ram with the 3.9 v6 (which is a beast of it's own, but still not a V8 lol)
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #724 –
Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;288083
Man, after all the problems you have had with your car, I'm glad to see your getting your affairs in order. That thing must be a blast...I would love to drive a RWD V8 with a 5 speed, unfortunatly, I've only driven a 91 camry with the 4 banger and my Ram with the 3.9 v6 (which is a beast of it's own, but still not a V8 lol)


Thanks, I'm also glad that progress is once again being made in a forward direction.  RWD/V8/manual is the best way to have it!  What keeps me motivated is how fun the car is to drive when it's actually running properly haha.

Anyways, my friend finally uploaded the pics she took of my car at the track a few weeks ago:


^one of my fav pics already




Me about to get pwnd by a stout GTO that was running low 8s (1/8th mile)

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #725 –
You would have won if there was only one person in your car. ;)
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #726 –
Sorry for the long hiatus...it's been a rough while for the Tbird.  The highway vibration has returned despite the driveshaft being fixed...we're suspecting the tailshaft bearing this time.  But it's been causing my once perfectly sound interior to slowly become a rattle trap :( .  Then right before Christmas, the heater core took a , so my friend and I spent a couple of days on that and ended up adding a couple of dash cracks and a broken seatbelt sleeve to the already deteriorating interior.  The next weekend, the heater core had to be replaced in my sisters car, and as I was about to move my car so we could go on a test drive in it, the starter went bad.  It's also been the coldest winter we've had in a long time, the poor Tbird is filthy and has salt all over it (about to go take a hose to it in a few minutes) and the trunk is leaking pretty bad.  As for the 306, it's still slated for "next week" as it has been for the past few months haha.  So things are just at an all-time low right now and it's been hard to stay motivated.  I guess the car was gonna have to show its age at some point.  I'm still trying though...I'm hoping that getting the 306 back provides the spark that I need.  However, I'm excited to be finally getting something "fun" for the Tbird here soon...maybe someone who's been in the classifieds recently will know ;) .

Sorry for the rant, but I figured you guys would like an update.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #727 –
Quote from: kingcars;305974
Sorry for the long hiatus...it's been a rough while for the Tbird.  The highway vibration has returned despite the driveshaft being fixed...we're suspecting the tailshaft bearing this time.  But it's been causing my once perfectly sound interior to slowly become a rattle trap :( .  Then right before Christmas, the heater core took a , so my friend and I spent a couple of days on that and ended up adding a couple of dash cracks and a broken seatbelt sleeve to the already deteriorating interior.  The next weekend, the heater core had to be replaced in my sisters car, and as I was about to move my car so we could go on a test drive in it, the starter went bad.  It's also been the coldest winter we've had in a long time, the poor Tbird is filthy and has salt all over it (about to go take a hose to it in a few minutes) and the trunk is leaking pretty bad.  As for the 306, it's still slated for "next week" as it has been for the past few months haha.  So things are just at an all-time low right now and it's been hard to stay motivated.  I guess the car was gonna have to show its age at some point.  I'm still trying though...I'm hoping that getting the 306 back provides the spark that I need.  However, I'm excited to be finally getting something "fun" for the Tbird here soon...maybe someone who's been in the classifieds recently will know ;) .

Sorry for the rant, but I figured you guys would like an update.


I wondered where you had been.  Trust me I know how you feel about everything happening at once.  My trunk leaked, my windshield leaked, I let the car roll into the garage and put a dent in it, I have a vibration still (hope to get the driveshaft balanced and take care of it), my dash is cracked to hell from changing heater cores.  It took me some time but about all of those things are fixed save for the vibration and cracked dash (got a new dash cover for x-mas though).  Hang in there bud, your car is rad.  Spring is just around the corner!!!
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #728 –
I almost forgot to mention...we finally put the Tbird on some scales.  She weighed in at 3370lbs with a half tank of gas an no driver (3480 with me in it).  Not bad...should be about 40lbs lighter with the aluminum headed 306 :) .

As for the vibration, we fixed the driveshaft before putting the old engine back in.  For a couple of months she was perfect, but now it's back again.  We've checked the driveshaft and it's fine.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #729 –
I had a bent passenger side axle. Replaced it and my vibration problem is gone ;)
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #730 –
Welcome back.It'll all come together,you know that.I always run into a slump in the winter,then,SPRING FEVER !!! I get this crazy boost of energy,and get a LOT done.I'm ready to swap my engine as well.I also still have a vibration.I'm think axle.There's nothing left to swap.I'm about to replace the differential and axles.Hopefully that,and the new motor mounts,will fix the problem.When money allows,I'm getting a cop car Crown Vic driveshaft,and having it shortened and balanced.That'll help as well.Keep  your spirits up and get busy if you have a warm garage.I don't have a warm garage,so,I'm stuck.Post a little more often so we'll know you're alive.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #731 –
Quote from: kingcars;305974
Sorry for the long hiatus...it's been a rough while for the Tbird.  The highway vibration has returned despite the driveshaft being fixed...we're suspecting the tailshaft bearing this time.  But it's been causing my once perfectly sound interior to slowly become a rattle trap :( .  Then right before Christmas, the heater core took a , so my friend and I spent a couple of days on that and ended up adding a couple of dash cracks and a broken seatbelt sleeve to the already deteriorating interior.  The next weekend, the heater core had to be replaced in my sisters car, and as I was about to move my car so we could go on a test drive in it, the starter went bad.  It's also been the coldest winter we've had in a long time, the poor Tbird is filthy and has salt all over it (about to go take a hose to it in a few minutes) and the trunk is leaking pretty bad.  As for the 306, it's still slated for "next week" as it has been for the past few months haha.  So things are just at an all-time low right now and it's been hard to stay motivated.  I guess the car was gonna have to show its age at some point.  I'm still trying though...I'm hoping that getting the 306 back provides the spark that I need.  However, I'm excited to be finally getting something "fun" for the Tbird here soon...maybe someone who's been in the classifieds recently will know ;) .

Sorry for the rant, but I figured you guys would like an update.


I know the feeling also, done my H/C change and man she run great for about 2 weeks then problems that i just couldn't seem to figure out. Had to take a %20 pay cut at work back in June and money is TIGHT, then problems with the house start appearing etc. etc,,,, and it is just to  cold out to work on any car without a heated garage, but hang in there and things will come around before we know it......................:D
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #732 –
Hey, been a while. How are your u-joints? I dropped my driveshaft with a broken u-joint this last week. I had a vibration that came and went. It ended up eating my yoke aswell. Just something to think about when you swap your motor. u-joints are about $10 and no speciallty tools.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #733 –
We are still waiting for the motor. The u joints are fine except the yoke is bad again the Transmission shop we asked to check the tailshaft bearing says it is fine, well it's not. I think he is too lazy to do it, imagine that? someone turning down a paying customer? Time to find a good transmission shop!

Good thing we installed the old standby engine!!

Mr. Bill

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #734 –
I am ready to see the new engine......again.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..