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Tom
01-21-2010, 07:56 PM
Congratulations to 1Badbird for being the Ride of the Month.

http://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/1.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/2.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/3.jpg

http://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/4.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/5.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/6.jpg

http://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/7.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/8.jpghttp://www.unitedgearheads.com/rom/9.jpg


My car is a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Base 5.0. I bought it back in 1990 with 27,800miles. I was actually looking for a Mustang Lx 5.0 but I couldn't find what I was looking for. My Dad and I found what is now my Bird at what used to be Matway Ford in Brownsville, my Dad had to talk me into test driving it because it looked like an old man's car, (I was 22 at the time), but I'm glad I did! Then just like everyone else that loves their car I couldn't leave it alone, so started the long list of mods./additions.
I decided it ran really good so I wanted to make it a good looking DD, something different than what everyone else had, and something that would turn some heads. And eventually it ended up looking how I envisioned it would. I entered a couple car shows with it in 92 and a couple more in 93, then I started showing it every weekend in 94 and have been ever since. I've won well over 200 awards with it over the years including a couple best of shows, and a few first place awards, including 4 first places at the Carlisle All Ford Nats.
Then I decided as things went bad I'd upgrade/modify it for more power. And so far with over 130,000 miles it's still running good. I had it dynoed at Tim's last year just to see if I'm going the right way with it, it came factory with 155hp, when dynoed it now has 178hp and 272 tq. at the wheels. Not really big numbers but for all I've done it's not bad.
Here's a partial list of things I've done, as you'll see most are for looks:
Headlight covers
Universal wing
Progressive wheels
Rear window louvers
Chrome wheelwell trim
Alot of engine dress up items
Turbo Coupe raven leather seats and consol
Rebuilt trans. w/ Trans go shift kit
3" cowl induction hood
Removed air intake silencer added K&N filter
H.O. upper intake with spacer
Bullet fuel door
FMS lowering kit
Turbo Coupe 8.8 with 3.55 gears
Taillight sequencers
Ceramic headers
Off road x-pipe
2 1/2" pipes
2 chamber Flowmasters
Smog pump delete
I'm sure there's more I've left out, and there will be more to come. They're never done!!!

scott5
01-21-2010, 09:10 PM
congrats man

1Badbird
01-22-2010, 12:42 PM
This is really a great idea and I'm glad it got carried over! I really apprieciated it being picked on the last site and it's really awsome that you've kept it for this month plus I get an extra month! How cool is that?!!!! Thanks alot guys! This really is great!!!!

2001GTTT
01-22-2010, 02:31 PM
congrats jay, very unique ride for sure

MBH
01-22-2010, 02:54 PM
congrats jay, very unique ride for sure

and he has really taken care of it too. Hat's off to ya Jay!

1Badbird
01-22-2010, 03:18 PM
Thanks guys I appreciate it!!

Balaska347
01-22-2010, 04:07 PM
Congrats Jay. Car looks great. I would like to see one day in person.

crazylou
01-22-2010, 08:06 PM
Congrats J. lookin sharp.

1Badbird
01-22-2010, 11:59 PM
Congrats Jay. Car looks great. I would like to see one day in person.

Thanks! Once spring/summer get here, let me know when your going to be at Tim's and I'll bring it out for ya. I only live about 6 miles from his shop.

1Badbird
01-23-2010, 12:00 AM
Congrats J. lookin sharp.

Thanks Corey! I was just telling Sharrie I can't believe I've had it for 20 years now! I've never had anything that long!!

ruger77
01-23-2010, 12:41 AM
Nice Bird man!

1Badbird
01-23-2010, 12:50 AM
Thanks!!!

crazylou
01-23-2010, 02:02 AM
Thanks Corey! I was just telling Sharrie I can't believe I've had it for 20 years now! I've never had anything that long!!

yeah man crazy how time flys...

AdamantiumSilvr
01-24-2010, 04:14 AM
Congratulations!!

1Badbird
01-25-2010, 12:41 AM
Thank you sir!!

somethingclever
01-25-2010, 12:47 AM
Very nice Jay and congrats! Looking forward to heading down your way for a show this summer....maybe get to see some of those burnouts in person. :)

I've read before that you would like to increase the HP of your car in the future....here is a impressive build I read about in MMFF....

400hp SBF for $1064

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just reading through an old (Oct 09) MMFF mag and found this excellent article.

Recipe:

Boneyard 5.0L out of a t-bird - $100 (half price day)
ProComp 210 as cast heads - $540
Parker single plane intake - $125
Core charge for engine - $20
Full ProComp gasket set - $25 (LOL)
TFS Track Max Cam - $159
Procomp Roller Tip Rockers - $55
Hardened pushrods - $35
Total: $1064

Horsetrading: factory EFI stuff for 750dp carb and head milling to increase CR (now 9.5:1)

Results:

399fwhp @ 6000rpm
363fwtq @ 5200rpm

1Badbird
01-25-2010, 10:26 AM
Thanks John! That'll be cool it you can make down this way for a show or two, there's plenty. I have to remember to get a flier from my Mom for our show to post. Once I do I'll get it scanned and put up.

400hp would be nice but I don't know if I really need that much for the Bird. Of course you never know once I get to where I can have something built for it, it might snowball like alot of projects do. I just know it's mainly going to stay a show car but it would be nice to have a little something there if I ever decide to take it down the track.