1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Topic: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds (Read 4363 times) previous topic - next topic

1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

May 08, 2005, 03:39:41 PM

For reasons I won't get into, I wish my '83 Heritage T'Bird to look like a '84 Elan. If I change the AOD on the trunk for ELAN, the steering wheel, (4 spoke to 2 spoke), take the Heritage off the dash (electronic dash) and change the turn signals lenses to yellow, will that do it? If I've missed any thing, please tell me. Thanks, Fred

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #1 – May 09, 2005, 06:47:53 AM

Quote

For reasons I won't get into

Oh, all right. I'll be the one to say it.

Is it the same reason some guys take some cheap old Mustang, change a few parts, add "Boss 302" stripes, and try to sell it for 4 times the price?

Let the flaming begin! :flame:

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #2 – May 09, 2005, 06:21:17 PM

No, I just want to change classes for drag racing. I doubt if a tech guy would know the difference but! The 84 correct casting numbers have been found, but the 83 castings are impossible to locate. They allow Camaro's to run as 67 thru 69 so they can change engines. They made 70000 V6 T'Birds, and I could not find one correct intake, nor get Ford to admit a typo on the spec sheets. Back to the question, did I cover all the changes? If not what did I miss. Thanks, Fred

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #3 – May 09, 2005, 10:26:12 PM

Didn't the Elan have the ID in the lower belt line trim???

What was the number of the intake you were looking for?? I'll keep a eye open when I'm junk yarding...

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #4 – May 10, 2005, 03:15:15 PM

1983 3.8L V6 intake = E3SE 9425 DA. It's a carb'd 2BBL. As it stands now I'll run as a 1984 Canadian 3.8L V6. NHRA will buy the carb'd V6 in 84, while all the (USA) ones I've seen are CFI. I finally found the correct 84 heads, (at $275 a head, OUCH!) but at least I'll be up and running. I've found the NHRA specs wrong, but seeing as I'll benefit, who am I to set them straight. Thanks for any help, Fred

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #5 – May 16, 2005, 09:36:42 AM

The Elan does have the name plaque on the fender behind the wheel. kinda formed into the trim peice.

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #6 – May 16, 2005, 10:33:00 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Time for me to hit the salvage yards. Fred

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #7 – May 17, 2005, 12:57:08 AM

My '84 Elan didn't have any trim on the exterior saying Elan, except for the script on the trunk lid. It was a CFI 5.0 though.

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #8 – May 29, 2005, 03:57:58 PM

My 84 Elan has no name in the trim also, only on the trunk lid and on the dash. It has a 5.0L with CFI. Leather interior, power everything, except the sun roof, it also has a digital dash.

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #9 – May 31, 2005, 02:22:51 PM

Replace the Heritage quarter windows for plain ones.

My question is, does a tech inspector really know that 1983 was the only year for a Heritage? I wouldn't touch a thing, the Heritage is rare enough that few people would ever know (or care) its a 1983 only package.

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #10 – May 31, 2005, 11:10:54 PM

Thanks again for the information. I now have an ELAN badge for the trunk, decals on the quarter windows and I have no idea what happened to that badge on the dash! I think you hit it on the head, no one but me will know the difference. P.S Lets hear it for us V6 guys. I'm now 3/10's from the Class index, and still haven't been through the motor!! Fred

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #11 – May 31, 2005, 11:17:52 PM

Quote from: Fred

I'm now 3/10's from the Class index, and still haven't been through the motor!! Fred

Just what is the index for your class???

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #12 – June 02, 2005, 06:25:14 PM

NHRA V/SA is the class. The index is 15.80 seconds. It's doable, but because of my budget, I'll never be the record holder, it's 14.3 seconds. Still I like racing something different.

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #13 – June 02, 2005, 06:36:25 PM

What model car actually holds the record??? 14.3 is movin' for a 6cyl automatic, I'd have serious doubts about a NA 3.8 Ford ever running that quick...

Re: 1983 vrs 1984 T'Birds

Reply #14 – June 02, 2005, 06:54:27 PM

I know if was EFI not CFI or carbed but my 88 3.8 cougar moved pretty good. No saying it was a rocket but it wasn't a trud