by Matt Stone
photography by the author
More rear gear sparks up the T-Bird; here's how to change them
It's not exactly news that a lower rear gear ratio (numerically
higher) increases performance in just about any car, especially around
town or at the 1320 ' A 3.55 or 3.73 ring and pinion might as well be standard
equipment in 5.0 Mustangs, and it's typically the first performance enhancement
recommended. But what about the T-Bird? The current MN12 'Bird is the
performance choice of many, and it also shows substantial improvement with
stiffer gears out back.
Though the Thunderbird sports an independent rear suspension,
the center section is internally identical to the 8.8 live axle found in
Mustangs, so any of the gears available in the SVO performance parts
catalog will work. Once inside the differential; changing the gears is
familiar ground to a 5.0 mechanic, but getting to the differential has
a few twists of its own, which we'll examine here.
From a strategic standpoint, the plan is to remove the differential
from the car via the passenger's side. Start by removing the brake caliper
and hanging it out of the way. Then mark the bushings on all at the suspension members as shown.
This ensures they can be reinstalled to match their previous alignment settings.
If you do not remount the A-arms in the same spot, wheel alignment and ride height will be affected.
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Most aftermarket exhaust systems, such as this Borla unit, will prevent dropping of the
rear center section and will require removal.
The stock system routes the pipes toward the fenders sooner and shouldn't get in the way.
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There are two ways to approach this swap: do the entire job
yourself, or just remove and reinstall the third member yourself, and take
it to your mechanic for the actual ring-and-pinion change. Removing the
center section, and saving most of the labor costs, is straightforward
work for two people. Doing the entire ring and pinion change on your own
bench requires a few special items such as a press and an inch-pounds torque
wench, but it's do-able. To help you decide, our photos demonstrate the
highlights of the suspension and differential removal Actually changing
the ring and pinion is identical to setting up a Mustang 8.8 differential;
familiar work to many enthusiasts and most shops, and the subject of previous
articles.
Remove the through-bolt on the top portion of the upright, then swing the
upper control arm out of the way, and wire it up. This allows the upright to
swing down on the lower control arm.
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Dropping the upright, arrows the half-shaft to be removed from the center section.
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Remove the through-bolt holding the lower control arm, half shaft, upright and
brake rotor in place.
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Now there's room for the rear center section to be moved toward the passenger's side of
the car and be removed. Also, mark the driveshaft so it can be reinstalled in the
same bolt holes, loosen the driveshaft and remove it. Reinstalling it a different
way could affect driveshaft balance.
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If your car has ABS, remove the sensor units from the center section.
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There are four long bolts holding the center section in place. Remove them, remembering
to support the third member with a stand so it doesn't fall. There is no need to disconnect
the suspension on the drivers side. It will probably take two people to work the center
section loose, then drop it down and toward the passenger's side. The driver's side half-shaft
will remain attached to it's upright, and stays up in the car. The center section should now
be free, and ready for the bench.
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Our subject, a 1993 Thunderbird LX equipped with the 5.0 V8 and four-speed automatic transmission, rolled out of Dearborn
with 3.08 gears. It cruised comfortably on the freeway, but out-of-the-hole
performance was sluggish. At 60 mph the digital tach registered only 1600
rpm, 70 mph just 1800. Blown SC V6s have 3.08s or 3.27s, and the 1994 and
later mod-motor V8 cars also carry 3.27s. As these 'Birds obviously have
long legs and tall overdrive gears, we judged 3.55s to be the right balance
between increased punch and freeway comfort. They are also the favorites of the street 5.0 crowd.
We ordered our parts from Brothers Performance Warehouse
in Corona, California, and local 5.0 guru Darin Hawkes performed the install.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. Though it's difficult to gauge exact readings
from the digital tach, it appears the new ratio increased revs about 250
rpm at cruise speeds: 60 mph now shows 1800 rpm, and 70 mph has the tach
flickering between 2000 and 2100 rpm. The big difference, however, is off-the-
line acceleration: the 'Bird feels like it lost 500 lbs, and is much zippier
through first and second gear, while freeway cruising is not compromised
a bit. This car is equipped with a K&N air filter and Borla exhaust,
but is otherwise stock. Gas mileage, according to the car's computer, remains unchanged.
One of Brothers' owners has a 1996 TBird Sport V8 on order, and is contemplating whether to swap to the 3.55s, or try 3.73s. As the
mod-motor is smoother than the 5.0, the 3.73s may be a good choice, but for a street driven '93-and-earlier car, 3.55 seems to be right number.
Two final notes on the installation. If your differential is a limited slip, remember to mix a bottle of Friction Modifier (Motorsport
PN MI 9546-A) in with the new rearend oil. Also, you'll need to switch the speedo gear to compensate for the new ratio. For a 3.55 gear set, use
the tan 19-tooth gear (Ford PN C7VY17271A).
Source:
BBK/Brothers Performance Warehouse
1605 Railroad Street
Corona, CA 91720
909.735.8880
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