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  1. #1

    Default 83 GT Tbird fantasy build

    Thought I would share my rebuild and hopefully gather some insight and help along the way. Don't blink because this is goin down fast. Car is a 83 TurboCoupe that I got as a roller and I plan to put this thing back to full daily driver status ASAP. Im building a serious turbo 88 Ranger with a tall deck 2.7 four banger shooting for 9 second True Street passes. While this build takes time to make happen I decided I needed something fun to drive so I don't rush my Ranger build so here I present my newest idea......GTbird



    Its a super clean Florida car with 75k on the clock. Came with that nasty hood which I promptly traded for a stock 88 TC hood and a set of 93 Cobra wheels.


    Sooo here is the plan. I picked up a 96 Explorer 5.0,mass air harness and ecm out of a Mustang,a 88 TC 8.8,UPR k-member,Flaming River manual rack,v8 t5,aluminum rad and electric fan,Stinger TC 3" SS single exhaust cat-back w/SS Magnaflow,SS Flowmaster Y-pipe.

    Im goin to rebuild motor and the heads ,swap in a TFS stg1 cam and run with it. I want to upgrade to mustang 11" front brakes and put fresh suspension under it. Im goin to freshen up the interior which is in great shape still and add my own Autometer and Speedhut gauges then add some killer tunes.

    I just received the new tires for it today from Tirerack. Sumitomo 245/45-17 for the front and 245/50-17 for the rear.



    Once its up and driving my buddy is going to do a quick respray on the exterior to make it look nice again.


    Had the new tires mounted up and boy am I glad I went with my gut feeling on these. Love the look and will only look better once I get the ride down where it should be.

    I also blacked out the center caps for the wheels which made a big difference to me.

    245/45-17 on front and 245/50-17 on rear. The rears are 1" taller and 1/2" wider.





    I also settled on 2017 Mustang Race Red as the final color for it and got my 88 TC hood yesterday.
    Last edited by deathbypsi; 11-14-2016 at 11:11 AM.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  2. #2

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    Picked up my motor along with some new 24lb injectors and a Cobra 80mm MAF.
    Well I dont think I can fill the car with anymore boxes of parts! Interior and trunk full of all the new stuff for it and now its spilling over into the garage.

    BBK long tubes, 95 Cobra coils that were taken out when it was brand new,87 GT spindles,3 month old KYB struts and shocks out of buddies 92LX

    My Stinger stainless 3" exhaust.


    I tore down the 5.0 and found it in great shape. Only down fall was somebody robbed the oil filter adapter off it and layed motor on its side in the dirt so the two oil passages got packed with dirt. So it wasnt in my plan but now its a full rebuild.


    I stripped block lastnite and taped the front oil galley plugs then dropped it off for the hot tank.
    I ordered all new bearings,rings,freeze plugs,timing set,MellingHV oil pump,valve spring kit from Alex's Springs and had the heads cleaned and valve job done.

    Should be able to start putting motor together next weekend.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  3. #3

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    Picked up my heads and block from machine shop. The heads were surfaced,5 angle valve job,one helicoil installed,all new Alex's Springs valvetrain kit. Only $339 invested into the heads.

    The block was honed,hot tanked, new cam bearings,new freeze plugs, oil galley plugs tapped for screw in plugs and the crank was chamfered and polished. Im thinkin motor will be together before the weekend is over.


    And I scored a 86 grill I plan to strip and mod.


    Wow what a weekend....

    Im done buying from Jegs. This last order from them was a complete mess and has cost me a week of downtime. I used a 94 Mustang 5.0 as "my vehicle" to look up all the parts I needed,which was all bearings and rings. The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was there was a single rod bearing and not 8. Going back to their site I see the bearing I ordered was listed as rod BEARINGS and was 15.99 so I called them and they said it needs to say "bearing set" to contain all 8 so I find another SET for 27.99 and reorder those and return the single. Next I drop the cam bearings off to machine shop for install and he calls me to tell me they are 2.3 cam bearings! Soo those get sent back and I find a set local. Now today the new rod bearing set shows up and again its a single bearing! I check the site and it clearly says its a bearing set and call Jegs and they have no explanation. Back to Jegs they go and I find a set locally.

    But here the best one. I bought a new DynaGear steel timing set off some speedshop on Ebay for $75 a few weeks ago and finally got around to installing it yesterday. Check this out..
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHwAFSxVCCk

    The hole for the pin was to big so the gear rocked on the cam.The key way slots were to big also and I swear the chain had an extra link in it.Total junk. Ran down to Orielys and grabbed a cheap off the shelf set and its good to go now.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg4965uDv_8

    So was able to install the TFS cam and put the front of the motor together. I mocked up my brackets and figured out my alt mounting.


    I also grabbed a nice factory fan shroud then mounted my overflow bottle to it and will make some brackets to mount my Spal fan inside of it.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  4. #4

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    Subscribed. This looks like it's going to be a fun one to watch and so far you weren't kidding about it going down fast.
    Larry

    1984 Mustang GT Turbo

  5. #5

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    I just copied the last 2 weeks worth of post I have made over on another site to bring here today. But yes it will be going fast. I want to be driving it to work by time my July 4th vacation week is over.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  6. #6

    Default

    Nice 'Bird
    Mike
    1986 Mustang convertible ---> BUILD THREAD
    Past Fox-chassis "four eyes":
    1983 Mercury Cougar LS
    1986 Ford Thunderbird ELAN
    1980 Capri RS Turbo

    Work in progress website ---> http://carb-rebuilds-plus.boards.net/

  7. #7
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    St. Louis, MO.
    Posts
    5,208

    Default

    That's gonna be one sweet Bird!

    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
    68 Coupe Inline-6 3-Speed-Man. Primer
    78 II Hatch 302 3-Speed-Auto Sunroof Black
    81 4-Eye Coupe 4-Banger 4-Speed-Man. White

  8. #8
    FEP Senior Member roadkill's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Berea Ohio
    Posts
    724

    Default

    Subscribed! Looks like a sweet build!
    1985 Mercury Marquis LTS... "The Unicorn"
    1978 Fairmont... 306 and a C4.

  9. #9

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    Love it! Keep it up
    08 GT procharged wastegated and for sale.....
    Former cars--85 Capri GS 4cyl --86 LX 5.0 option delete coupe,1995 Mustang GT-331 twin turbo,91 GT auto

  10. #10

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    Been taking care of house work last few days but I have time to get intakes all ready.

    I got the air temp sensor installed into the lower to work with my Mustang wire harness.


    I also removed all the extra vacuum hard lines on the bottom of the upper intake and drilled and tapped them for 1/8th pipe plugs.

    I also picked up a cable/quadrant kit
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  11. #11

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    Wow! This'll be cool!
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  12. #12

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    Intakes all ready to bolt on


    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  13. #13
    FEP Senior Member danco86's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    British Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    731

    Default

    I'm digging this build, man. You're right on top of it, and you update your threads like I do.. A whole bunch at once. Hahaha!
    Dan

    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...ng-GT-restomod


    1986 Mustang GT Cobra
    Lotsa stuff, lotsa work. Check my thread above.

    Daily drivers
    2002 F-350 7.3 Powerstroke crew 4X4
    2012 F-150 Ecoboost Screw FX4

  14. #14

    Default

    Well get ready because this weekend the car goes in the air so I can drop out the K-member to install all the new suspension and brake parts and Im cutting off the damaged lower core support to make a new tubular piece.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  15. #15

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    Motor all done and primed. I converted the Ex 65mm TB to foxbody spec. Car is up in air and I started stripping the front of car of suspension and the bumper cover. Im going to cut off the lower core support today and make the new one.

    Last edited by deathbypsi; 06-07-2016 at 11:07 PM.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  16. #16

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    Took advantage of the rain yesterday and suited up to go out and scrub the engine bay. Some degreaser and a brush got it looking better than I hoped for. Going to touch up some of the paint but not going for the full blown show car finish under the hood.


    Just need to finish pulling the rest of the 2.3 harness now.

    I also cleaned up and repainted the light bezels. They turned out great I think.


    Goin to try and get bumper cover off today if the rain lets up and then cut off the damaged core support so I can get new one made. Anyone have any tips for removing the front bumper cover?

    I also discovered that my plan to use the 80mm Cobra meter wouldnt work like I thought with out a tuner or chip burned.So I shelved that meter and ordered a Pro-M 75mm meter instead.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  17. #17

    Default

    Looking good!
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  18. #18

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    To late! It was actually super easy to get it off. 3 nuts on each side to the fender,2 under each light bezel and one in the middle support behind the grill. I removed the fogs and brackets so I can restore them also.



    Then my trusty Dewalt made quick work of the core.




    Thankfully the bumper cover was undamaged and didnt have a single rip in it. Im going to bend up a 1.5" tube to replace the wrecked core and make new mounts for the rad and lower bumper cover.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  19. #19

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    Had the Marshal frames and mounting brackets powder coated. I got the wiper panel off the base of the windshield also and had it coated as well.

    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  20. #20

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    The Pro-M came today


    And I bent up the replacement lower core support today. I hope to have this burned in by Saturday so I can get paint on it asap.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  21. #21

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    Real happy how these turned out today!



    No more rust and red overspray now.

    Getting excited to see this thing together!
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  22. #22

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    Got the lower core all finished and most of the engine bay painted the new color. Turned out great so far. All the 2.3 engine wiring gone now and I just need to pull the booster and all the brake lines to finish the paint and re-route the brake lines better for new setup.



    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  23. #23

    Default

    Engine bay is looking nice!
    '88 Mustang GT convertible, T5, 3.08:1 gears. 5.0 Explobra Jet: A9L Mass Air conversion, Fenderwell Mac cold air intake, 70mm MAF meter = 4.6 T-Bird/Cougar housing + '95 Mustang F2VF-12B579-A1A sensor, aftermarket 70mm throttle body and spacer, Explorer intakes, GT40P heads with Alex's Parts springs and drilled for thermactor, Crane F3ZE-6529-AB 1.7 "Cobra" roller rockers, Ford Racing P50 headers, Mac H-pipe, Magnaflow catback, Walbro 190 LPH fuel pump, UPR firewall adjuster and quadrant with Ford OEM cable, 3G conversion ('95 Mustang V6), Taurus fan, rolled on Rustoleum gloss white paint...
    Past Four Eyes: Red well optioned '82 GT 5.0, Black T-top '81 Capri Black Magic 3.3L 4 speed, Black T-top '84 Capri RS 5.0 5 speed.Over 200,000 miles driven in Four Eyes, and over 350,000 in Fox Body cars.

  24. #24

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    Thanks, not bad for a daily.
    Brian R. of Michigan
    83 TBird 5.0
    88 Ranger 2.3t
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...83-Tbird-build

  25. #25
    FEP Power Member Fearnot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Concord NC
    Posts
    1,491

    Default

    I'm digging this car! Love the early TCs and this one's going to be sweet.
    88 Turbo Coupe auto
    88 Turbo Coupe 5spd
    79 Fairmont Futura 4.6
    79 Capri RS - 2.3/5spd restomod
    80 Capri 5.0/5spd project
    79 Zephyr Z7 factory 5.0 sunroof
    79 Pace Car 5.0/5spd project
    85 LTD LX factory 5spd?(not documented)
    86 GT conv 5.0/5spd
    79 Pace Car 2.3/4spd - needs new home

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