What the hell am I doing?

[87TTOPGT420]

Kind of a side project...started as 1987 Tbird with a 289 and AOD...plans are

306, gt40 heads, explorer intake, b cam, a9l harness and PCM, 5 speed swap and 99-04 cobra IRS axle assembly and 5 lug swap...keep in mind this is a total budget build everything I'm doing is as cheap as possible

So here's a few pics as it started

Before and after of engine compartment

Engine

Keeping in mind budget and wheels are a expensive part decided to hub swap to the 5x4.25 bolt pattern and use mark viii brakes in front

And here was another little side project this summer the gf's 1995 cougar

 

[NoLimit95]

Well, the Cougar sure did turn out nice looking. That's for sure. No interest in the Mark setting out there?

 

[87TTOPGT420]

It's a donor

 

[NoLimit95]

Looks like the GF is set now so, finish parting the Gen 2 setting out there and then get yours finished like you want it. Not sure what's left on the Mark so, it's hard to say what you're doing.

 

[slowmkviii]

Nice fox i miss mine all the time

 

[87TTOPGT420]

I'm parting the mark, car is rotted but has a factory rebuilt engine with only 60,000kms since installed have paper work..alot of good parts for my car

 

[Htrlman1]

That sure is a pretty engine, nice project man

 

[87TTOPGT420]

Thanks thought I'd post it up...I know a few guys here like the fox tbirds...and everyone likes pictures

 

[thaywood]

289??? In an '87 T-Bird? Stock? Or was it a swap from a previous owner? If it were me, I'd use the 289 block with the GT40 heads and EFI. Now with the 289's 2.87" stroke that would be one rev happy small block! But I'm sure that was a typo and you really meant to say 5.0 instead. Because everybody knows the '87 T-Bird had the 150hp version of the EFI 302.

 

[87TTOPGT420]

Ya it was a 289...e7 heads and some lumpy cam...and I know what the car was suppose to have...this 289 would have needed a rebuild...my 306 is already to go...sold 289 to budget for my read axle ended up picking up a mostly complete 99-04 cobra IRS less axles, hubs, shocks and sway bar for $350..then found axles and 3 sets bilstiens and sway bar...sold 1 set of bilstiens, installed a set in my '98 and kept last set for the fox

 

[SwedishMark]

Yes yes yes! Hey Fox T-bird buddy!
1987-1988 Thunderbird, the best looking bird out there (except for the 1st generation)!
Looking great mate! Are you gonna strip it's interior and all too? Make it a fun weekend car

 

[87TTOPGT420]

No this one will be a driver...plan to dye most of the red stuff black and some black leather seats Out of a '94-04 mustang

 

[UltimateSVT]

I want to see that entire project. We've exchanged pictures or our T-Birds in previous threads. This is one project that is close to my heart. I'm looking forward to seeing this happen.

 

[marked8]

Sounds like a good budget build and should have great manners with that mild combo.

 

[87TTOPGT420]

I will update as progress happens

 

[thaywood]

This makes me miss my old '88 Turbo Coupe. I'll never find another one like it

 

[thaywood]

Ya it was a 289...e7 heads and some lumpy cam...and I know what the car was suppose to have...this 289 would have needed a rebuild...my 306 is already to go...sold 289 to budget for my read axle ended up picking up a mostly complete 99-04 cobra IRS less axles, hubs, shocks and sway bar for $350..then found axles and 3 sets bilstiens and sway bar...sold 1 set of bilstiens, installed a set in my '98 and kept last set for the fox

Well I'll be damned. That's about a '66 block casting. I would have kept that engine and built the hell out of it. I love the 289! It's a far superior engine to the 302. It's interesting that a previous owner swapped in a 289 in place of the factory 302...

 

[87TTOPGT420]

Car has a history...I would have kept the 289 but it was out of my budget to rebuild...and 306 is ready to go

 

[87TTOPGT420]

i originally almost bought a wrecked turbo coupe....but deal fell through at last minute i would have had everything but rear bumper and trunk lid as it was pushed in pretty far...little bummed out when that happen but the 2.3L turbo world can get expensive when you start to get the bug

 

[NetKeym]

My boss has a '66 Mustang 289 engine sitting at the shop. It was the only thing we saved from the car (long story, but crib notes are owner went to prison, wouldn't sign title and basically won't ever get out, so the ppl storing the car had it crushed, but we managed to snag the engine first). Sad day, the car was in nice shape - '66 Mustang convertible canary yellow in color - fast.

He won't sell it, so don't even ask...

Here is what the car looked like (this isn't it, but it looked just like it):