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Topic: MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next... (Read 3227 times) previous topic - next topic

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Well, last night I pulled the 730 lb. 460 engine out of my 87 TC. It was originally built for my 84 Crew Cab, but I was using the TC to break in the engine. It's broke in now. Plus, I broke the C-6 trans behind that 460 at the dragstrip in October. (driveshaft locks up when the trans goes into 2nd)

So here I am with a rolling chassis, but I have to make a decision on which engine will go in the car. No more big blocks...that phase has run it's course.

I am really excited about the new 5.0 Coyote engines in the 2011 Mustang GTs. Everything I have read about that engine is impressive. I would love to own a 2011 GT or the new 2011 F-150 shortbed 2wd with the 5.0C, but the cost is more than I am comfortable with.

I would probably run a C-4 trans, and since my TC has manual steering and brakes, that should help the install. I really do not want to go to an aftermarket k-member. I got the 460 to fit with the original k-member, so I think I would like to see if the Coyote engine will clear the TC k-member as well. Rear gears would be 4.56 and the torque convertor would probably have a 3000 stall rating. I hear those Coyote engines can run up to 7,500 rpm.

The other option is to finish the dream started in 1999 when I bought the car and that was to run the TC in NHRA Stock Eliminator with the 2.3T and a C-4 trans.

For now, I'll put it away for the winter and debate my choices....



Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #1
out of curiosity what engine mounts did you use to make that work with the stock K member?

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #2
Quote from: 88turbo;347837
out of curiosity what engine mounts did you use to make that work with the stock K member?[/QUOTE

The mounts were custom solids designed to fit onto the stock TC pedestals.
I had to put spacers in them when I went to the tubular shorties after the D5 cast iron manifolds were taken off. it was easier with spacers than re-fab another set.

In retrospect, I could have sandwiched rubber in there instead on those large nuts.....LOL





Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #3
nice mounts! LOL at the rubber statement

 

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #4
Sweet. One of these days I want to put the 5.0 Coyote in my car. Maybe in a few years after we see some of the new Mustangs in the junkyards ;)
2002 Honda Civic EX

1984 Ford Thunderbird Elan
5.0 CFI, T5, Dual Exhaust

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #5
How hard is your car to steer. My pump is making weird noises, so I'm going to put in a manual rack.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #6
If you can do it a new 5.0 would be pretty cool.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #7
This is my dream engine...600 hp on pump gas

Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #8
Quote from: Bruce M;347943
How hard is your car to steer. My pump is making weird noises, so I'm going to put in a manual rack.


I don't have a problem steering with either of our manual steering 460 Birds. The gray one is easier than the TC, but the 225 radials on the front are not as bad as some would believe.
I don't understand why people make manual steering sound so bad.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10


MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #10

 

That's pretty cool, but for that price, you may as well go ahead and get a Coyote...the Coyotes were on sale a little while ago for like 5xxx I think?
-'88 Tbird 3.8
-2012 Altima 2.5 BASE. 
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Future: Budget 5.0 300 HP.

MY 87 TC...no more 460 BB....now I can't decide which engine should come next...

Reply #11
I dont eather, I'd rather have manual steering.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.