Well here is our 1988 Thunder Turd Turbo Coupe, actually that really not nice to say, poor thing seems to had a bit of a rough life, but belive it or not it's not in that bad of shape, in fact it's not even molested with a bunch of hilljack mods or anything, still has the stock AM/FM/Cass w/7 band EQ premium sound system in it, and EVERYTHING works, pwr locks/windows, keyless entry, ALL OF IT!

There's 131k miles on the clock, the fiberglass nose was broken, and the lower part of the bumper cover was ripped, so I opted to go out and find a 4 eye'd frontend, since the 1987-88 stuff was also not available any more, plus I'm kinda partial to the 4 eye stuff.

Anyways, the main thing is the turbo was hosed, yeah you could knock out a whole fleet of Texas sized mosquito's just by starting this bad boy up so today I chose to take the replacement turbo I had originally bought for the Turbocharged Navajo LX project and stuff it into Patches so I can look at driving this car daily, with some paint of course, more on that later.

So here we go lets dive into this pressurized four banging slush box shifted land barge....................

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210847.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210839.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210840.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210841.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210842.JPG


Note the oil coming out of the tailpipe in the picture above!!!


So after removing the intercooler (air to air heat exchanger) this is what we're left with:
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210814.JPG

Note all the oil on the outbound side of the compressor housing, not to mention I hosed this thing down with PB Blaster to make removal easier, THANK GAWD I DID TOO:
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210816.JPG

After going bananna's getting this thing out, with corroded/heat soaked nuts and bolts it came out, note all the oil that went down the exhaust pipe:
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210817.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210820.JPG


Now that we have the old one out, it's time to switch everything over (are you watching Dannyboy??) which means removing the fitting for the water cooling, oil feed, and the down spout off the back of the turbo, note that there is so much end play on the shaft that not only did it damage the compressor wheel fins, but look at the oil that was getting by the cartridge seals:


http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210821.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210825.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210826.JPG

Note also that the stub on one corner came out too, along with another one, but this one is jammed so it can't be freed from the housing, YET!!! (Still watching Danny?)
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210822.JPG


And here is our so-called new unit, slightly used $100 fixer
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210812.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210813.JPG


Ok so everything here your getting ready to see took about 5min to do, there is NO WAY! these would have come out without snapping if you don't use heat, I used a hand torch and a yellow bottle of MAP gas, which will reach temps up to 2800deg F

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210827.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210828.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210829.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210830.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210831.JPG


Now about that stud that came out and trapped itself along with the turbo support bracket, I carefully used a pair of vise grips and grabbed the stud as not to damage the threads, and then heated the hell out of it and.............WHOLA!!

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210832.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210833.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210834.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210835.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210837.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210838.JPG


Ok well tomorrow I'll put this little turbo back together and re-install it back in Patches and see how it does.
This is the smallest turbo that Ford put in any of the 2.3 turbo cars, it spools up really really quick to get this huge 3400lbs bird to take flight, along with factory 3.73 gears, although this turbo doesn't last very long when pushed to 20lbs of boost it does a pretty good job for what it is.

Till tomorrow, I think I hear a beer calling my name :wavey:

Jeff - :navajo:

want to watch this one to! its too bad that you had to give the 82 up tho......

want to watch this one to! its too bad that you had to give the 82 up tho......


Yeah that's ok, it's only 4 miles down the road, and I could get it back for little to nothing, and as you notice I still have the 85' LX so it's not all that bad, but we have Junior's 79' Giha coupe also.




Jeff - :navajo:

speechless. what are you saying? I didn't point the flaming torch in the right direction?

speechless. what are you saying? I didn't point the flaming torch in the right direction?


OH GAWD I HOPE YOU DIDN'T DO THAT!!!

But, I would NEVER assume that you being the professional, that you are, would ever do a thing like that.


Jamest on the other hand................................................





:p:





BTW, you know how much of a PITA it is to use a torch and try and photograph at the same time?

hmmm Talented. :D

BTW, you know how much of a PITA it is to use a torch and try and photograph at the same time?

not as hard as texting, and being on the lap top at the same time! :p:

Well starting to make some forward motion here, tapped all the holes, installed the cooling and oil fittings.

Getting the down spout put back on.

Now the hair drier is ready to go back in "Patches", if I feel good enough tomorrow, maybe I'll get it put in there.

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3540/PB070906.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3540/PB070907.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3540/PB070908.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3540/PB070909.JPG

You should body color the front bumper like the 86 Tcoupe.
I had both an 86 and later an 87 .
The T3/T4 makes the later ones come alive, the small IHI just didnt cut it for me.
I also scrapped the puny intercooler and put a large one up front.
They also love the gear, I went with 4.10s in one and then 4.30 in the other.
Really woke them up and still pulled 25mpg on the highway if you stayed out of the boost.
Great cars and they share a lot with the MK7 LSC inclduing the electric braking system
so I could cross use a lot of my spare LSC parts.
(of course with your experience this is probably all old news to you :) )
Good luck with Patches!

HAHAHA! yeah Frank I thought about making another 300+hp monster but I think I'll keep it pretty much stock, one because it will be my new daily driver, to get out of my BELOVED Flareside that eats waaaay too much fuel.

I will however do a few things to it, such as the conical filter, 3" exhaust, all the free mods, and the auto T-Bird's already come with 3.73's, I do have some cornering goodies for it also such as an MM Pan Hard bar, springs and dampeners.

As for the paint, if your referring to the two tone, yes, to account for the body moulding not matching/lining up, I was going to paint the lower half black, and return the upper half back to the Maroon/red color, and still retain the 10 hole wheels since I seem to have a few set of them floating around here.

omg, Jeff is gonna attempt to paint after 20 years!


Update:

Sorry about the lack of pictures, but I'll get some more, BUT I did succeed in getting the turbo back in the car, and get it up and running, luckly I back it outside the shop to let it run and burn off all the oil that was on it/in it, and promptly found a weak heater hose, so I'll get that replaced today.

Some other thing that need attention are the dampeners, the adjustment of the ignition switch push rod on the column, wiring up the headlamps, turn signals, and parking lamps to the new bumper cover with the four eye front end as opposed to the aero front end, install a battery tray, take the alternator out of the Turbo Navajo and use it to fix the charging issue, and change the oil plus coolant.

Once all that is done run it down to get it registered/inspected and then see about adding some colors to her, and window tint.

I have several pieces of a Shaker1000 system laying around, so I'll see about adding the sub and amp to it to give it a little kick.



So that's about where we stand on this............. :cool:




Jeff - :navajo:

I will however do a few things to it, such as the conical filter, 3" exhaust, all the free mods, and the auto T-Bird's already come with 3.73's, I do have some cornering goodies for it also such as an MM Pan Hard bar, springs and dampeners.



OMG! :eek: your molesting a very rare car with all those "mods" and with the different front bumper, that didn't come on that year! and stereo, and tinted windows, and faded paint! thats not the way it came from fac........ oh, sorry, i thought this was a different site. continue on! looks great jeff :D

I may have a good LSC alternator floating around, should be same as 87 Tbird,
let me know if you want me to look for it.
I also have some Tcoupe/LSC seats (grey vinyl,used to be leather,decent shape only one tear) and
beige cloth but those are missing headrests. ,couple of the Tcoupe hood scoops and who knows what else left over from long ago times.

oh, sorry, i thought this was a different site. continue on! looks great jeff :D

Lol! ;)

I may have a good LSC alternator floating around, should be same as 87 Tbird,
let me know if you want me to look for it.
I also have some Tcoupe/LSC seats (grey vinyl,used to be leather,decent shape only one tear) and
beige cloth but those are missing headrests. ,couple of the Tcoupe hood scoops and who knows what else left over from long ago times.



The alternator has the "D" shaped plug for the regulator in it, NOT the long rectangular plug, if yours looks like that, I could use it.

Really don't need the seats these are in really good shape, just everything needs a good cleaning, and it's all maroon inside also, as for the scoops sure, I can use those on the Turbo Navajo, then I just have to run over to the salvage yard there on HWY71 and get the duct work for the intercooler.




And for Tim.................http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3296/6909Smilie_Flipoff2.gif








Jeff - :navajo:

You can't tell me with a strait face you didn't laugh at that when you saw that! :D

You can't tell me with a strait face you didn't laugh at that when you saw that! :D


Your right! I did laugh ;)

And here's the paint scheme for Patches:

here's the two tone with the wrong red........

http://www.mustangevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/85mustang.jpg

And here is the correct red color............

http://www.schooledinthetrade.com/images_toplevel/tbird1.jpg



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3896910384_91d0253622.jpg

Personally, I'm not a big fan of red (except for a Ferrari maybe?). Probably has something to do with that color car getting pulled over more often (They've done studies. It's true.)
I think that Black/Grey 2-tone on the bottom pic is nice, and it would work well with a Maroon interior. However, if you are going to do the red, I think the "wrong" color paint scheme in that Mustang is a much nicer red than the "correct" one on the T-bird.
It just "pops" more. That T-bird red just seems kinda dull. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Also, just curious: What should one expect to pay for a good used T-Bird turbo? Are some years better? What about a rebuilt? The reason I ask is that eventually I'm thinking about putting a pair on the 350ci small block in my pickup. A couple of guys I know from the parts store are into turbo imports,etc... and seem to know all those calculations (A/R ratio,etc...) One of them did some quick "napkin" numbers, and concluded that a pair of T-Bird turbos would be spooled just above idle, and run out of air just above 5k. Both of these stats would be perfect for my truck/motor Do you agree with these calculations?

Sorry, don't mean to hijack; you just seem to know a lot about the T-Birds, and turbos, so I was hoping to pick your brain real quick.

Well, as for the being pulled over, I wold probably be the worlds slowest driver, so red being the equation for being pulled over the most, is kind of mute.

Like earlier stated the back at the bottom, is to make up for the early four eyed bumper cover not matching the molding on the later style, and the reason for going back the maroon/red color is so I don't have to paint the engine, trunk and door jambs which would be a lot of work for a daily driver/just transportation.

It will never be a show car, and that's not the intention here.


Now, your set-up:

There are a lot of variables, cam, heads, over bore or not, stroked or not, intercooled or not, automatic trans (stall or no stall) or manual, rear gears, carbed or injected, power levels.

The IHI turbo shown, is a very tiny turbo and spools very quickly, but will not move large amounts of air very effectively, a T3 is better suited for moving more air, but will have a certain amount of lag to it, a good turbo shop with the proper engine build and the known amount of HP gain wanted will be able to build you a properly trimmed turbo for your application, if you want to home build a set-up you could start with the IHI's and later switch to T3's for an idea, but don't forget there are other turbos that came on other vehicles that are out there too, Mitzu, Nissan, Toyota, and so forth, if you wanting to do it the right way, consult your turbo shop.

As for price, well that can get outta control really quick, I had a T34E for my 85.5' SVO that was $1200 and effortlessly made 32lbs of boost which netted me 306hp at the rear wheels, but didn't spool till 4200rpms, but I spun the motor to 8k, so you really had to be "IN" the rev's to get it going, other wise it was a 4 cylinder turd for any normal driving.

Hope this give you a little insight.



Jeff - :navajo:

BTW, I just spent some time on the phone with JTSmith about a bunch of different things, but he suggested that I leave the paint like it is :)

If you go to all the trouble to paint it, then, no less than 2 weeks of work will be required to find a new name. I say drive it to walmart and park real close to other cars, just for kicks.

You could start a picture series of people's expressions when you pull in next to them. Sweet!!

:D

If you go to all the trouble to paint it, then, no less than 2 weeks of work will be required to find a new name. I say drive it to walmart and park real close to other cars, just for kicks.

You could start a picture series of people's expressions when you pull in next to them. Sweet!!

:D


The Shop/Work is in the highest end of the Austin area, exotic, and other high dollar vehicles are what you see all day, funny I drive the 25 year old Flareside and people just look at me like I'm the lawn care guy, LMFAO!!!

Patches would probably get me thrown out of Rick's neighborhood!!


Can you imagine parking that thing inbetween a super nice latemodel Mercedes and a high end Lexus???????

i cant make up my mind on the paint, but i like the elan rims better! :D

Which one says " I am loved" ?

this

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/PA210839.JPG

or this


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3896910384_91d0253622.jpg

Think before the answer , because it is a trick question.

..........Now, your set-up:

There are a lot of variables, cam, heads, over bore or not, stroked or not, intercooled or not, automatic trans (stall or no stall) or manual, rear gears, carbed or injected, power levels............
Hope this give you a little insight.



Jeff - :navajo:

Thanks for the response.
I used to work in a junkyard, so I've looked at a bunch of other cars, but alot of them seem to have their own weird flange or one piece turbo/manifold stuff. I kinda focused on the T-Bird stuff because: A.) it looks like it would be fairly eas to make a flange to mount to and B.) I figured they might be more available and cheaper, used, than say a 3000GT, 300ZX, or some other turbo.
I no longer have access to the Hollander interchange. If I was going to use a T3, what year T-Birds did they come on? Any difference in a turbo out of an automatic or manual?
I'm not going for ultimate HP. I also don't like the idea of lag. I want instant boost, but I don't want a blower. I was just trying to find a cool, junkyard way of making some power. At $1200 each, there are much cheaper ways to make power with a small block Chevy. I was figuring a couple hundred bucks for a couple of used ones, and spend the big money on heads/cam/EFI/tuning.
Just kinda dreaming anyway. It's one of those, " If I had money" kinda things.
Thanks

By the way, nice to see a cool older car being saved. Some really nice lookin' Fox bodies in the background too. (Do you know a good place to get complete floors for an '84 GT convertible?)
You wouldn't believe the stuff I saw them destroy at the junkyard. Within a week of each other, I watched (2) CLEAN late 70s T-birds get crushed for scrap. They had titles,they were complete, and they were not rotted out, very saveable. They didn't even strip any parts off, just crushed the day they came in.
Same thing with a '60s Chevy tow truck and a '40s Dodge. Granted, they weren't as nice, but definitely saveable. Remember the Olds Vista Cruiser wagon, with that huge skylight? (From "That '70s Show) We HAD one, until it too got sent to China to become lead-painted razor blades.

Yummy, and the gears are really churning now!!


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF3641.jpg










Jeff - :navajo:

Is that your car, or just an "idea" you saw somewhere? I like it! I have a '79 2dr Impala that is a similar color, inside and out.

Not my car, just gave me "ideas".........


The Good:

the 9's and 10's Anniversary Cobra wheels, 245 frnt, 275 rear

The removal of the body side moulding in between the wheels

that it's "painted"



The Bad:

that horrid color

the cut-outs for the exhaust tips

quad exhaust tips



The toss-up:

Billet fuel door

I'm thinkin' 40th anniversary red would look pretty nice on that car...

http://dealerrevs.com/pictures/13046203.jpg

I'm thinkin' 40th anniversary red would look pretty nice on that car...


Looks like we're on the same page.

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010012.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010011.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010010.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010009.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P10100081.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010007.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010006.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010005.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010004.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P10100031.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3549/P1010001.JPG

geez jeff, you sure like to torcher yourself.

How long did that job take you?

Wonder if he has anything planned for that Dash?

It took about 4 hours to do, there were a few nuts and bolts more than a Fox Body Mustang, and it was 25deg in the shop, I took a few breaks to get warm.

The console was a major PITA, compared to a Mustang, and the auto shifter really gets in the way, where on a manual tranny car you can just remove the stick.

Plans for the dash??

The top of the dash is trashed, it does have one of those cloth dash covers, not my favorite thing, but this isn't a restoration, it does need a serious cleaning and a few things re-died.

Also I had a problem with the ignition switch (not the key lock assy) and when I took the steering column apart the switch basically fell apart, I snatched on out of our 1985 Mustang GT we have here and installed it.

This is why when I went to go pick the car up the windows wouldn't roll up, so the first half of it's journey was down a muddy country road with pouring rain all the way to the house and then had to sit out all night on the trailer in the driveway with the windows down getting drenched :(

Also fixed the transmission line that was leaking, installed a battery tray, replaced the dome light lenze, and did install some more speakers in the dash assy cause the others had rotted away.

Getting closer, if the weather was so cold I probably would be almost finished by now, except for paint.



Remember this isn't to be a show car, it's gonna be my fuel miser, I spend almost $500 a month in fuel, just myself, if I can cut that in half I'll be a happy camper.





Jeff - :navajo:

nice working i got an 88 LX i just restored i like the nice blue they came in, heres two pics of mines
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/1BAD5L/IMG_2864.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/1BAD5L/IMG_2867.jpg

That's one sweet Bird right there!!! :):thumbsup:

You put a lot of work in that car, along with the Mustangs also.


I just finished up the repairs, and got mine running pretty right, get the title work done, and state inspection, and she'll be my new daily, paint will have too wait a bit for now, as both my painter and I have some other work to get out of the way first.

Still need to replace one inner tie rod,and have it alined but that too will come in a week or two.





Jeff - :navajo:

man, i sure do miss my birds. i've had six turbocoupes over the years, and i've loved every one of them. i just sold my last one about a year and a half ago... so it's almost about that time for me to start looking for another one. :D

Found a black and grey 1985/86 last friday for $500, may have to go investigate, and I think I have a picture too.






Jeff - :navajo:

The lost sheep looking for a good home, I may have to adopt..........Again

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3555/tcoupe.jpg







Jeff - :navajo:

I've been thinking off and on about my next project vehicle. I decided I wanted a mid-sized 2 door coupe with low drag coefficient and a V8. I wanted something with EEC V for diagnostics. I first considered the MK VIII, Cougar and Thunderbird with the modular engine but finally decided each was just too long, too wide and too heavy for me to be satisfied. I've pretty much decided to look for a 2000 Mustang GT. I believe that was the last year for the black faced instruments.

I cropped the picture, gives you a better idea................


Lost Sheep

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3555/lost_sheep.jpg







Jeff - :navajo:

go for it! offer them $300 and see if they take it. or is it at the old yard you used to work at?

It is on the way to Anderson's, but no it's not at Anderson's or I would have gotten a call like I did with the current T-Turbo, all Turbo Fords that come in net a phone call to me first before ANYTHING happens to them.

I have been eye balling this car for a few months now, and finally they had a price on it, but the gates were locked, and they were close this time I went by.

Even at $500 that's not to terribly bad, but yes $300 would even be nicer of course.





Jeff - :navajo:

Ideas, ideas, ideas!!!

6hHwCtoqIIQ






And I thought poor "Patches" looked like ass...........

F_Mn_wXZehE





Funny follow the leader commercial:

uD1CgIqDw44

Well Patches the Turbo Coupe is all ready to go, still needs some paint, but the weather here has been so crappy that we can't do anything paint wise, and really the only thing keep her from being a daily drive is me affording the title transfer, so hopefully here in a few short weeks we'll get that done and maybe we'll also be able to get her painted and some window tint too, so she doesn't look like some hybrid mongoloid.

Till then she sits:

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100672.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100652.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100643.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100582.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100602.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3536/P10100632.JPG

i'm almost wondering if you will have to strip it down to bare metal with the primer that's on there. it almost looks like someone used that crappy stuff that you get from a rattle can. if that's the case, you don't want to lay paint on top of that stuff.

Drove Patches home last night, no problems, and it was nice to cruise a turbo four again, just gotta love boost, and it was just sipping fuel compared to my guzzling truck I drive everyday, now to get the title work done and inspected.

Still needs an outside make over though.






Jeff

Jeff, we talked about Turbo Coupe parts of a friend of mine a while ago. Which parts might you be able to use, he said he thinks he has most of it? Recall I said we parted out his old son's car, in about 1998 or so. Regards,