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1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbocoupe (Project: Turd Bird)
Last updated Mar 18, 2007
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About
Putting the sh_t back in sh_t-n-get.
My wife named this the Turd Bird when I brought it home due to it's condition at the time and I found it fitting. Especially since I tried to put some compound to it to see if the paint would clean up and it just absorbed it. That gave a whole new meaning to the saying, "You can't polish a turd".
Staying true to that nature, I decided to keep it this way and make it somewhat of a sleeper. My intentions are to leave the body as is (dents, dings, and all) but sand it down and paint it flat black so that it looks primed - like it just rolled off blocks in the front yard.
I think I can get it into the low 13's and still maintain fuel efficiency in the high 20's, which will be perfect.
The previous owner purchased this car at a Police auction in Orangeburg, SC -- it was apparently confiscated from a dealer (and I don't mean a car dealer). When I was cleaning the interior I found a few .38 rounds jammed in the driver's seat tract.
Specs
Engine:
2.3L (2295cc, 140 cu in) 4 cylinder engine
2 valves per cylinder, overhead cam
190 HP with 5 speed trans, 150 HP with automatic trans
Torque 240 @ 3400
8:0:1 compression ratio
Bore and stroke: 3.780" x 3.126" (96.0mm X 79.2mm)
MPEFI injection
Cooling fan turns on at 221 degrees F
Turbocharger:
IHIRHB-52 turbo with integral waste gate
air to air intercooler, dual active air scoopes on hood
intercooler cools air by ~60% on its way to the cylinder head
Transmission:
Manual: Borg Warner T-5 short throw 5 speed manual trans
Top speeds per gear: 1st - 33mph, 2nd - 56 mph, 3rd - 89 mph,
4th - 131 mph, 5th - 143 mph
Automatic:
Ford A4LD - 4 speed automatic with overdrive
Gearing:
3:55 final drive ratio with T5 transmission,
Gear ratios: 1st - 3:97, 2nd - 2:34, 3rd - 1:46, 4th - 1:0, 5th -0:0.8
3:73 with the A4LD auto transmission
8.8" rear end
Miscellaneous Specs:
wheelbase = 104.2"
length = 202.1"
height = 53.4"
width = 71.1"
front tread = 58.1"
rear tread = 58.5"
trunk volume = 14.6 cu.ft.
fuel capacity = 22.1 gal.
weight = 3415 lbs (3419 lbs with AOD trans)
5 passenger capacity
0.36 Cd drag coefficient
steering:
2.4 turns lock to lock, curb to curb circle = 39.4 ft,
15:0:1 on center rack and pinion
firm suspension settings kick in (in ~40ms) with 0.3g or more cornering or braking, when throttle is floored, when boost exceeds 10 psi,
or when speed exceeds 80 mph
Miscellaneous numbers, times, and levels:
1/4 mile - 16.3 seconds @ 84.5 mph
60 mph to 0 mph stopping distance - 138 ft.
0.82 lateral g
700 ft slalom speed average = 61.2 mph
0-30 mph in 2.5 sec, 0-50 mph in 5.9 sec, 0-60 mph in 8.5 sec, 0-70 mph in 11.7 sec, 0-80 mph in 14.5 sec
0-100 ft in 3.2 sec, 0-500 ft in 8.8 sec, 0-1320 ft in 16.3 sec
interior noise: at idle - 54 dBA, 1st gear max - 84 dBA, 70 mph steady - 71 dBA
Factory Options
Options on this TurboCoupe include the T5 transmission, 4 wheel discs, driver & passenger power seats, cruise control, power windows, premium sound with graphic EQ, digital climate control, auto-dimming headlamps, sport suspension control switch, premium fuel switch for timing advancement; it appears to have every option, except for leather seating and power sunroof.
Mods
Optimum Red Top
Gillis adjustable boost valve
6" K&N cone
Pulled A/C lines, condensor, & compressor
Browse Related Cars: ford, thunderbird, turbocoupe, turbo, sc
Permanent Link to this Car
Car Blog for “Project: Turd Bird” 3 of 3
/sigh
Mar 18, 2007
The Turd Bird is gone. I sold it today to a Ford guy that's probably going to race it (he showed up in a nice modified Cobra). I hated to get rid of it but we needed money to finish our kitchen remodel. I've got a few other project cars, anyway, so this...
It lives...!
Feb 10, 2007
The Turd has been sitting dormant in the garage for more than a year now due to an excess in heat/humidity and priorities. I had been working on the hood recently and finished...
Fond of Bondo?
Jan 26, 2007
I took on the hood this last week and it turned out to be quite a chore. I tried sanding it down but it was providing little result (I went through 4 pads @ 60 grit), so I...
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