Making Ford Thunderbirds Wing Amongst Turbos: Swapping A 2.3 Into A 2002-2005 T-Bird
“Versatile” may non survive the correct means to depict Thunderbirds. Their development is dissimilar whatsoever car’s history. First introduced every bit a ii topographic point sports motorcar inwards 1955. The stylish, 3,000-pound motorcar ballooned to nearly 5,000 pounds yesteryear the mid-1970s. The Thunderbird went from nimble as well as sporty, competing amongst the Corvette for buyers, to a actually big, luxury cruiser. It was non the same animal.
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| In 1987 the 2.3-liter turbocharged iv cylinder received an intercooler as well as revised engine control, boosting output to 190 horsepower as well as 240-lbs.ft. of torque on Thunderbirds amongst the five-speed manual transmission. (Photo yesteryear Joe Bays) |
Return to roots minus the engine
But afterwards many pattern changes as well as during inwards the infancy of the “throw back” designs (Volkswagen Beetle-1997, Dodge Challenger-2009, Chevrolet Camaro-2010) Ford brought it back! Yes! The sporty Thunderbird was back! H5N1 two-seater – stylish, as well as it was a sports motorcar amongst a clear vision of the Thunderbird versus Corvette origins! Only i picayune thing. They forgot to pose an engine inwards it.
Well, it had an engine. It was only non fun or potent as well as would non fare good at whatsoever American cerise low-cal war. I stance it would alone survive a affair of fourth dimension earlier the famed 5.0 would discovery its means nether their hoods as well as laissez passer Camaro a run for its money. Later I had the same stance amongst the introduction of the Coyote motor. H5N1 novel Coyote motor inwards a tiny Thunderbird? Bring on King Corvette! Now the bluish oval guys stimulate got something for you.
They didn’t. They had aught of the sort. It appears that the chassis pattern on the novel T-Bird is non what a Coyote engine would require to alive nether there. Are y'all kidding? Ford, who would shoehorn a Modular 4.6 into a Mustang, how could y'all allow this happen? Where the heck were the focus groups?
“Let us convey dorsum the Thunderbird-well, one-half of it.”
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"We are gathered hither today to bring together this engine as well as this…"
Okay, rest amongst me here…what if?…a Turbo 2.3 was transplanted nether the "new" (2002-2005) T-bird’s bonnet? That’s right, a Retro Modern Turbo Thunderbird! Would y'all similar it then? I would!
Ford did it amongst the Turbo Coupes inwards the 1980’s. It seems similar in that location are enough of dainty examples of these 2002-2005 Thunderbirds withal around. If they made it where a V8 would non fit, fine. Let us do it amongst a smaller motor. Under boost, the Turbo would assume the characteristics of an engine twice every bit big. I know the Thunderbird demographic evolved over the years. It was non the same buyer inwards the early on 2000s that craved the Thunderbird’s appeal inwards the 1950s. But what almost us?
Leave it to hot rodders to accept something no i wants as well as plow it into something cool. We were the master recyclers. In an era where transplants are mutual place, why non stimulate got i that makes feel as well as gives a correct pedal appeal to a whole other basis of enthusiasts?
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| 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe amongst the 5-speed manual transmission. (Photo yesteryear Joe Bays) |
More ideas
Wait! I stimulate got about other idea. H5N1 real enthusiastic proposal…what if nosotros could transplant the Ecoboost twin-turbo ability found inwards that real Thunderbird? That has real existent possibilities of existence an absolute terror on the streets. Maintaining a balance, if y'all will, of drivable manners that Miss Daisy would survive pleased amongst as well as a tire shredding persona that wakes upward when provoked.
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| Are 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbirds prime number candidate for a turbo swap? |
Barbie car?
I realize the ability found was alone purpose of it. These cars somehow missed their target audience as well as landed somewhere due south of manful as well as dare I suggest…even a picayune girly at times? So, let’s rest away from low-cal wispy colors as well as become amongst to a greater extent than masculine shades of whatever Ford volition laissez passer us. What if nosotros ditched the manufacturing flora wheels (Editor’s Note: Ron has never uttered the words “ditch the manufacturing flora wheels-this may survive historic) as well as become amongst about aluminum slots. Black exterior, aluminum wheels as well as a real odd audio nosotros stimulate got non associated amongst these novel T-Birds. Okay. Now, nosotros are talking.
Official mandate
I must roll this fantasy article upward amongst a disclaimer. If I discovery a Thunderbird inwards the Junkyard Life garage that must alive amongst our Pontiacs as well as Oldsmobiles, it would survive a 1988 Turbo Coupe, similar to our buddy Joe Bay's Thunderbird. You already know that. Here is the situation. They sold a practiced chip of those throw dorsum Birds as well as they are NOT inwards the junkyards. So, someday, someway, y'all may survive presented amongst the chance to alternative upward a dainty low-mile instance of Ford’s endeavor at retro. So, whatcha gonna do?
Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust
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Got a classic motorcar inwards your driveway? Send us details! Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com and Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.