New TBird coming, need parts

[JerseyCoupe]

Hi guys. New to the forum. I may be picking up a 95 Thunderbird LX this week from my buddy's lot. It was a repo and it's a little rough with 150,000 but it's a 4.6 auto and it's black. It needs work but I'm getting it for 800 and it does run good. I'm not so worried about the cosmetics but he said the trans. may be shifting funky. I am an ASE certified tech but I don't do any trans. work. Are these automatics prone to failure? I have to drive it before I make a final decision. Other things I'm going to need are a hood (it's dented), an exhaust (muffs are missing), wheels (they're stock), tires (bald) and suspension (stock again). I've already scoped out a Flowmaster resonator back system for $250, a cowl hood for $500 and an Eibach/Tokico setup with 1.6" drop. If anyone has anything used feel free to chime in here. I'd also like to get an SC body kit.

[Duffy Floyd]

Well...I would get the TRW 10771 and 10772 Lower Front Control Arms to install. They were made for the SC and have a stiffer (higher dynamic rate) inner pivot bushing. I would reconsider dropping the car if you are on a limited budget. Expect if you do that you will wear in the inner edges of your front tires off. Many running wide tires who are dropped experience this. Align the car with MIN Toe may help with the wear issue. As far as other suspension changes I guess it depends on what you are willing to give up concerning NVH and what you plan to do with the car.

Not an auto tranny guy but it does seem folks have problems keeping them together.

[tinman_72]

The 94/95 4R70W's are considered the most inferior of all 4R70W's. It is common for them to go at 80K miles. 96/97's are a little better. The best thing you can do if you need a transmission is to get a 99 or newer 4R70W out of a Mustang, Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. I think the Town Cars and police cars have a different length of tranny.
Head over to TCCoA (http://www.tccoa.com/) and check out the technical articles. Read the articles that are labelled "Jerry's mod". (aka j-mod)
You will find tons and tons of information specific to 4.6's, 5.0's and n/a 3.8's in the TCCoA forums (http://forums.tccoa.com/).

[THE BIRDMAN]

I've got the stock springs off my 91 SC w/85k on it if you need them.I also have the full exhaust that's still in good shape and the stock wheels if you need any of it let me know.


Jay

[JerseyCoupe]

It's not so much about budget than the fact that the car has 150,000 on it and I'm not gonna put a ton of new parts into it when used will do just fine. I know what I want the car to look like and it's going to be a daily driver. My rag racing days are over. I like the Flowmaster exhaust. It looks like a good clean kit and it's affordable. I want at least a 1.5 drop. Some sport struts would be nice but the stock ones will do for now if I can't find used. Being that my hood is damaged now is the time to get the nice cowl that I want but 500 is a bit steep. There's one used on EBAY right now. The GFX aren't a priority but I want the SC look but with no rear spoiler. I know what wheels I want but I would settle for some used Cobra R type wheels or something like that. I'm thinking 18x9 on the back. Not sure what you guys run on the front. I'm a tech at an STS tire store so I get a discount on sneaks.

[JerseyCoupe]

The 94/95 4R70W's are considered the most inferior of all 4R70W's. It is common for them to go at 80K miles. 96/97's are a little better. The best thing you can do if you need a transmission is to get a 99 or newer 4R70W out of a Mustang, Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. I think the Town Cars and police cars have a different length of tranny.
Head over to TCCoA (http://www.tccoa.com/) and check out the technical articles. Read the articles that are labelled "Jerry's mod". (aka j-mod)
You will find tons and tons of information specific to 4.6's, 5.0's and n/a 3.8's in the TCCoA forums (http://forums.tccoa.com/).

So how much can i expect to pay for a used tranny.

[It's Taken]

What part of Jersey are you from?

[JerseyCoupe]

Tome River

[tydlwavs]

no message

[DamonSlowpokeBaumann]

I would go for a later model mustang transmission..As has been said 94/95 are junk. Swap converter as well..1999 and up look for

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPRINGTECH-Lowering-Springs-THUNDERBIRD-COUGAR-89-97_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33582QQihZ012QQitemZ 220167534889QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Can get springs and shocks through them..Good prices made in USA

[JerseyCoupe]

I would go for a later model mustang transmission..As has been said 94/95 are junk. Swap converter as well..1999 and up look for

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPRINGTECH-Lowering-Springs-THUNDERBIRD-COUGAR-89-97_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33582QQihZ012QQitemZ 220167534889QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Can get springs and shocks through them..Good prices made in USA

Yeah I saw those springs on EBay. I lean toward brands like Eibach and H&R. Have you tried the Springtechs?
I still haven't had time to go and actually pick up the car. It's just sitting there waiting for me. For all I know the trans. is still good. I work alot of hours and it's hard to coordinate a day where the sun is still up, it's not raining and my buddy is actually at the lot for me to go slap on a dealer plate and drive it. Maybe I can grab the keys from him on Sunday but the lot is closed and well this is just turning into a project.

[JerseyCoupe]

The 94/95 4R70W's are considered the most inferior of all 4R70W's. It is common for them to go at 80K miles. 96/97's are a little better. The best thing you can do if you need a transmission is to get a 99 or newer 4R70W out of a Mustang, Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. I think the Town Cars and police cars have a different length of tranny.
Head over to TCCoA (http://www.tccoa.com/) and check out the technical articles. Read the articles that are labelled "Jerry's mod". (aka j-mod)
You will find tons and tons of information specific to 4.6's, 5.0's and n/a 3.8's in the TCCoA forums (http://forums.tccoa.com/).

Ok I know it's been awhile but I finally decided to have the TBird towed over to my shop. The trans. is shot. No third gear at all. He has another trans. out of a 98 Crown Vic police car. I read some of Jerry's Mods. This trans should fit as long as it was a 4.6 I just may need to change the pins around in the connector. Am I right on this? While the exhaust is down I was planning on getting the Flowmaster system. Any opinions on this? I've always liked the sound and quality of FlowMaster mufflers. They sounded great on my LSC with headers.

[MadMikeyL]

The cop car trans won't work. It has a longer output shaft, and your driveshaft won't fit.

If you still need stuff for that car, I have a set of 16" SC wheels, SC springs, and a set of sport front shocks, as well as a ton of other stuff. I'm about 30 mins north of you, so if you need anything, you can come on up here and pick them up and save yourself on shipping.

[JerseyCoupe]

Well obviously I need a trans. first. I have a line on a 94 SC trans. I know they're junk but this one is supposed work ok and it's 50 bucks. Is that all Crown Vic's or just police cars? What's the benefit of SC springs? Once I get this thing on the road I'll hit you up for parts.

[MadMikeyL]

The SC trans has a different bell housing bolt pattern. Your best bet is to find one out of a 99+ mustang.

The SC springs are stiffer than the LX springs, so the car handles a little better with them. I used to have 4 cougars, and I scaled it down to 2, so I have a ton of stuff sitting in my garage that I have no use for, but I don't want to just chuck them.

Also, I have access to a shop on weekends if you want a hand swapping the trans out when you eventually get one.