07-04-2021, 08:49 AM (This post was last modified: 07-04-2021, 08:53 AM by anasazi4st.)
(07-03-2021, 04:31 PM)valleybird Wrote: I owned a black '87 5 speed, bought new and had it for two years. Now I'm the proud owner of a bright red '88 5 speed with only 3,555 original miles. It's one of only 499 special-order bright red coupes that year. After doing the research, I found it was owned by almost all collectors over the years, except for the original owner. And that's what accounts for the low miles. Unfortunately, the mufflers have rusted out due to the low use and short trips in its history. Now I'm in search of replacements which are proving impossible to find. Any suggestions would be welcome.
What I’m going to suggest is IMHO by far the easiest choice—but your car won’t be all bone stock any more. Sooner or later you’re going to have to either a) spend a LOT of $$ to keep it that way, if it’s even possible; or b) just accept that and move on. More on that in a minute.
Go to a muffler/exhaust shop like Midas or Mieneke and have them replace the mufflers, and any other exhaust parts. In particular, I’ve found the bottom of the down pipe section of the tailpipe—where it comes over the rear axle—tends to collect moisture, and therefore, rust.
I wanted to keep everything as stock as possible. Well, that was a lot easier in 1992 when I could just walk into a Ford dealership Parts Department and, $275+ later, walk out with a right and left tailpipe with mufflers attached, made for the car. Simply bolt them on, they fit perfectly. Nowadays, you’re not finding those anywhere, certainly not for those prices.
Midas and Mieneke do exhaust all day long, so they’re good at it. I don’t know that I would let them touch any other parts of the car (but that’s true for just about anywhere), but exhaust is exhaust. Plus, years ago when I last had this work done the manager suggested some “more aggressive” sounding mufflers. While he was probably just trying to sell me, I was impressed overall with the finished product. New Catalytic Converter, Mufflers and Tailpipes—$300 out the door. That was in 2011.
I gave up on my car being stock when I decided to upgrade my now-crappy-sounding OEM JBL stereo from Ford to a more modern double-DIN one with a touchscreen. *Sigh*. Great sound…but. Still, I have ZERO regrets.
Another proud dues-paying member.
1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
Thanks for the valuable input, anasazi4st. Very much appreciated. You've also made some very good points to think about, especially keeping all original. I've already replaced the battery, so there's that. And now I'll be giving it what is probably its first oil change ever. There's no sign it's ever been changed. Going over to synthetic, by the way. The Ford dealer was able to order a Ford filter, so I'm waiting for that.
As far as the exhaust, everything looks new except for the half dozen or so holes in the bottom of both mufflers. My son-in-law knows a gearhead Midas employee who works on this stuff all the time, so he's going to ask him about getting the mufflers re-skinned. If not, I had seriously thought about Stinger's 3" downpipe going into 2.5" pipes and a pair of Magnaflow straight through mufflers. But then there's that "not original anymore" thing. And I do love the looks of the T-bird's tail pipes. Just right, not too much.
By more aggressive, do you mean your new mufflers were more mellow or kind of loud? Would be nice if you could hear the comparison before you buy. Guess I'll wait to hear from the Midas guy. Thanks again.
(11-29-2021, 11:51 AM)Kuch Wrote: Nice, Cleven, that has a great stance to her. Tell me about your suspension setup.
Nothing special. Ordered some springs off amazon for a 1998 Mustang V6. And the rest just Monroe and moog stuff. Rides decent not at all stiff or bouncy. A lot of guys complained about bottoming out with SN95 springs BUT I decided to try for my self but with all new stuff.
Thanks for the info, I ask because I ran 2004 GT springs in mine for a bit, but the back was too soft and bottomed out for me. they do sit good with them in there though, looks great
1988 Turbo Coupe, Black/Black, 5 Speed, Moonroof, T3/T4, ported E6, 255LPH, Kirban, Stinger Exhaust, MGW shifter, K&N, Gillis valve, BP1.5, PIMPx, Koni's
1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL, 390 6V, Big Solid cam, Headers,3.89's, 4 Speed, Vast and fast
1960 Ford Starliner, 292 Y Block, 312 4bbl intake, headers, 3 Speed, slow and low
I must say I LOVE the fact I have the only fox thunderbird in my area (that iv seen). I can go out to the parking lot of walmart and not confuse my car for others lol
Original owner of a 1985 TC. It’s No longer a TC. Has a 351W w/ AR heads built by Lars at Scorpion Race Engines in W. Babylon, NY. Tremec TKX 5 speed, 9” Rear (5 lug) 94/95 mustang spindels (5 lug), 13” cobra brakes. Frame connectors & strut tower brace by IRS Racing in W. babylon and countless hours putting it back together after being garaged for the past 20 years. SSR GTX03 wheels should be on it next week.
