This was my first car. It went through hell and back, then hell again. It will surely be missed.. but not forgotten.
Last Update: 7/31/06 (New tires and wheels. $50. 16x7 3rd Gen SHO wheels w/ 225/60 tires.)
I now own TWO MN12 Thunderbirds...MY 'Second Love' 1993 Thunderbird Super Coupe 5-speed
My Thunderbird on the front page of TCCoA.com
Introduction
The Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar have the conventional front engine, rear wheel drive layout.
Base models are equipped with a fuel injected V6 Engine. Optional engines are a supercharged V6 and a high-output V8.
Power from the engine is transferred through either a five-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission to the frame-mounted differential by a tubular drive shaft incorporating universal joints. Half-shafts, incorporating constant velocity (CV) joints carry power from the differential to the rear wheels.
Suspension is independent, both front and rear, with upper and lower control arms used to locate the knuckle assembly at each wheel. The front suspension features coil springs and conventional shock absorbers. Some models are equipped with the Automatic Ride Control (ARC)
The rack and pinion steering unit is mounted in front of the suspension control arms. Power assist is standard.
The brakes are discs at the front and drum at the rear (some models are equipped with 4 wheel disc brakes) Vacuum assisted brakes are standard.
Some Background Information..
Heres the story on my car. I origionally planed to purches a Lincoln LSC with the 5.0L EFI motor, or a 89+ Thunderbird Super Coupe. The Lincolns I found all had problems with the air bag suspension, and all the Super Coupes I found had a blown head gasket, and both were too expensive. After a few cars I checked out, among them were an 1984 Camaro Z28, 1998 Taurus SHO, 1992 Taurus SHO, 1986 Lincoln Mark VII (Non H.O. EFI!) I set out to purchase a 1986 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, with a TPI 305, T-Tops, and GTA wheels. Unfortunatly, I waited to long, and the Trans Am was gone before I could pick it up. Thats about when I found this 1994 Thunderbird, in need of some help..
This is my 1994 Ford Thunderbird, purchased on 2/21/04. All work and modifications were done by myself in my garage, with the exception of the final paint job. It certainly helps to have some knowledge and know-how about cars. I totaled up all of my recipts for mods, and repairs, and, as of 1/9/05, it totaled $1415.75. I couldnt find my Maaco recipt though.
Heres my car, from start to finish... kinda
Here is a list of my modifications and repairs that I have made..
Motor Mods:
-Rebuilt 4R70W
-March 1150 Underdrive Pulleys
-APC "Intimidator" Conical Air Filter
-2.25" Stainless Steel Straight Pipes
-Gutted 3rd Cat
-Reprogrammed Chip
-8mm Plug Wires
-180* T-Stat
-Removed Air Silencer
-Ported Violin Case
Motor Repairs:
-Replaced Radiator
-New Water Pump
-New Vacuum Hoses
Suspension and Wheel Mods:
-Intrax 2" Sport Lowering Springs
-Custom Built Strut Tower Brace
-TRW Upper Control Arms
-TRW Sway Bar End Links
-16x7 Early Super Coupe Wheels
Suspension and Wheel Repairs:
-Replaced all worn out Bushings
Exterior Mods:
-New Paint (More Metallic and Darker)
-Red Ford Oval
-Matching Teal Air Intake Vents & Lower Air Dam
-"4.6" Fender Emblems
-Dual Chrome 3" Exhaust Tips
-Shaved "THUNDERBIRD LX" From Tail light
-Pinstripe Delete
-Removed Dealer Sticker
-OEM Fog-lites (Because it didn't come with any stock)
-Aftermarket Fiberglass Spoiler
-Red Brake Calipers
Exterior Repairs:
-Replaced Damaged Fender
-Got rid of yellow haze on headlights
Interior Mods:
-1997 Thunderbird Center Console Upgrade
-White Face Gauges (gone)
-White Face A/C Panel
Interior Repairs
-Replaced Moon Roof Switch, and map light housing
-Replaced entire Dash board
-New Temperature Sensor
-New Ignition Cylinder
-New Center Console Vynal Arm Rest
-"Afro-engineering" to prevent anymore of those white tabs from breaking off the door panels
-Fixed Cheap Ash Tray Cover
Audio/Video:
-Clarion DXZ955MC 212Watt Head Unit
-4x Pioneer 6x8 TS-A6870R 3-way 220Watt speakers
-2x 10" Pyramid PWF10X 400Watt Subwoofers
-1 Pyramid PB310SX 600watt Amplifier
-12"x16"x29" Bandpass Sub box with 4 Tune Ports & Plexiglass front window (BPASS10X)
-Wired with Monster Cables
Factory Options:
-4.6 Liter 281 CID V8
-4R70W 4 Speed Transmission
-3:08 Rear End Ratio
-Power Sunroof
Future Modifications:
-Fix everything else thats broken..
-Retouch paint
Page One: Introduction
Page Two: What I Started With..
Page Three: And This Is It Now..
Page Four: The Drive-Train
Page Five: The Inside/Stereo
