Engine replaced.
Transmission replaced.
Rear axle replaced.
Let me first say that this car was not exactly a "young man's" car to begin with.
Even though it shared its basic framework ("Fox" platform) with the popular Ford Mustang of the same model year.
When I first aquired it this Thunderbird was equipped with one of the worst engines Ford had ever produced.
The 4.2liter (255 cubic inch) V8.
With all of 110 horsepower on tap, and 2.2 ration rear gears (yea, you read it right brother. 2.2) it was perhaps the slowest car I had ever driven.
The reason for the purchase was to replace my Mustang with a more "family oriented" vehicle.
When the 255 finally died I almost threw a party to celebrate.
Thus began the transformation from "grandpa's coupe" to "MonteCarlo SS killer"!
The list of "modifications":
5.0 h.o. V8 from a '84 Mustang GT
3.45 rear gears from a Mustang Cobra
H.D. C4 transmission from Cougar.
Carburetor from a 1966 Shelby-Mustang.
(715 cfm Holley)
K&N air filter element.
True dual exhausts with turbo mufflers.
Mettalic pads and shoes for the brakes all around.
15"x7" 1985 Mustang GT "10 hole" aluminum wheels with P235-60-15 BF-Goodrich raidial T/A tires.
New paint- Kenworth "Phantom grey metallic" Imron with clearcoat. (non-functional)
New silver vinyl roof. (non-functional).
Blood red pinstriping, and Mustang "5.0" fender badges. (kewl, but still non-functional).
When all was said and done this car had been totally transformed.
What a difference!
Why Ford never did this i'll never know.
From a 110 horsepower slug to a 240 horse power very capable personal coupe.
The car even sounded so good that I never bothered to turn on the radio for 2 weeks!
It sounded THAT good.
This was a car that while adaquate, never reached it's full potential from Ford.
I should have never sold it.
My 90 year old mother in law bought her 1980 T-Bird new and loves it. At 73,000 miles it drives like a dream...kid's father across the street wants to buy it for teens first car. I don't think the kid likes it, more an older driver's car but you could re-install all the parts as before and have your super car back! our409@att.net.
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