New project - 1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

DRTYAPE_SRT

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Nice score on the radiator. The rotting padding in the seats needed to be addressed. How is the rest of the foam overall? Other than the discoloring.

The rest of the foam is pretty decent for what I’m using it for, every seat holds its shape nicely now that I’ve fixed the bad bolster.

They are the high back sport seat from the fox body mustangs so full replacement re-pop foam is available. I considered going that route but at that point I’d go with new velour covers and really don’t want to spend extra money if I can get the seats looking good on my own.

I had the foam I had the glue and I’ve built motorcycle seats in the past so I have a decent knowledge of how to get it done.
I’ve got about $32 in the fabric dye and a few hours in the garage having fun figuring things out. For the cost I’m very pleased with the outcome.
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DRTYAPE_SRT

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Got a decent amount of work done today due to a friend offering to help out for a few hours.

Got the cobra booster fully installed, the master and prop are on as well all the hard lines.

Need to swap out the braided lines to the calipers for some longer ones at work tomorrow, then I’ll bleed them sometime this week.
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DRTYAPE_SRT

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Updates! Lol. I’ve been busy, got the radiator in and decided to delete the ac to de-clutter the engine bay a bit.

Found a rare ATR turbo header that has a modified with a 38mm v-band waste gate provision. Going to blast and carakote.

Decided to go with new front rotors (slot only) then decided to pull the C4 Vette brakes and custom bare brackets off the rear and went with a Baer SS4 + rear system with park brake banksia. Had to remove axels to install banksia plate.

Still working on finishing up the cooling system, tested fans and they work, might hook up a manual fan relay for now.

Heater hose delete soon as well as factory oil cooler delete.

New rear shocks with lower shock mount brackets so I can run any fox/sn rear shock now.

Still need to get some diff fluid/ gasket. And hook up the park brake cable as well as Bleed the brakes.

So much to do so little time!

I’ll do better about the updates!!



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CobraBob

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You're in 4th gear now. LOL. Thanks for the updates. Great header find. And great brakes. Summer.....is calling!
 

98 svt

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Wow how are those calipers fitting in a 17" wheel?
I really like this car, but I'm bias. I had one that looked like yours, but with the 5 liter. The black on mine looked good for about a month after a polishing. After that, it was back to matte black :ROFLMAO:

Also, both the driver and passenger windows continuously kept releasing from their mounts on the window track. It was also hard to get used to the power windows and lock switches being on the center console, not in the doors.
 

DRTYAPE_SRT

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Wow how are those calipers fitting in a 17" wheel?
They’ve been machined down to fit, .005” clearance between wheel and top of calipers, about .010” without the powder .. rotors are 14” turned down to 13.750” but an off the shelf 13.5 would do just fine but what’s the fun in that.
 

CSCOBRA03

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Awesome! Makes me miss mine, I picked up a mint 88 from the original owner a few years back and flipped it. Never should have sold it that thing was 100% stock and damn near perfect condition. It would be worth a lot more now than I sold it for I'm sure.

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I had a white Turbo Coupe just like yours. Another car I wish I would have kept.
 

DRTYAPE_SRT

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Silica blasted the ATR header and decided to spray it with cerakote “piston coat”. Going to try and get that done this weekend.

Also scored a cool old school ATR pit bull muffler to go with the custom exhaust system down the road. Muffler came off a GMC Typhoon, 3” in/out.
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slowgreycobra

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My buddy had a late 80s 6 cylinder. It was a fun car to drive around in, but slow. This should be on another level. I miss seeing these cars on the road.
 

CobraBob

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CobraBob

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I had a feeling it was used. It's either in spectacular condition or you did a spectacular clean-up!
 

gimmie11s

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This is a great "soft" restore/project. Great car, great power plant. Awesome!

Looking forward to some videos of her running!
 

smitty2919

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They’ve been machined down to fit, .005” clearance between wheel and top of calipers, about .010” without the powder .. rotors are 14” turned down to 13.750” but an off the shelf 13.5 would do just fine but what’s the fun in that.
EESH.....005" clearance? I'd keep an eye on that...That's a piece of paper thickness and while it may clear now also think of heat expansion of parts and things flexing.
 

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