Finally got my 1990 Thunderbird SC and have lots of questions

B

Brett Schneider

Registered User
All I am proud owner of a 1990 SC. I am very inexperienced in automotive repairs and upgrades but want to learn. I was wondering what is the best route to get more horse power with out losing reliability? If possible I would like to get around 300-350 horse. Is the drivetrain capable of handling that amount of power?
 
In stock form, the aod trans wont handle much more then stock h.p., but can be upgraded easily. I believe the drivshaft, diff & drive axles will handle those levels though.
 
Your number 1 priority should be making sure your brakes work. Teves MKII ABS systems need attention, especially as they age. Might need a new accumulator ball.
 
I need to replace my fuel pump. In the long run I would like to put a bigger throttle body and injectors. What would be a good upgrade on a fuel pump be?
 
Rick_Leuce said:
Your number 1 priority should be making sure your brakes work. Teves MKII ABS systems need attention, especially as they age. Might need a new accumulator ball.
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My 91SC needs a new ball, which I have, but can’t find any brake specialist that will do it.
I was going to try, but it doesn’t appear to be able to remove the old ball without removing the top tank to make room. Is there a trick? The shop manual just says depressurize the system (20 pumps), remove the old screw on the new. Nothing about removing/moving anything else. But there’s not enough room. Hints?
 
Not sure how we went from a question on Fuel pumps to wiper cowl's, but Walboro 255LPH (255 litres per hour) is a good choice for up to 500 h.p. I believe the # is GS342 for the higher then OEM p.s.i. in tank version.
 
It's going to require a lot. For starters, you're looking at heads, cam, tune, injectors, better blower than a 1st gen m90, exhaust. It's attainable, but if you're mechanically inexperienced it'll won't be cheap.
 
Trans upgrade should include(but not limited to) a Lentech street terminator valve body-can lock out O/D
a 9" converter with 2800-3000 stall
a 2" carbon O/D band
a 12 vane pump-I think original is 8
a larger external/auxillery cooler & reroute lines to eliminate restriction near trans
synthetic fluid
 
As 99GSXR750 noted, all the motor & trans upgrades are attainable as long
as you've got deep pockets or are on good terms with you bank manager.

When you get to that H.P. level the cooling system & brakes should be upgraded also & to do that you'll likely
need to change your tire/rim set up, so it kinda just keep's going on & on lol. But its all possible.
 
Brett Schneider said:
All I am proud owner of a 1990 SC. I am very inexperienced in automotive repairs and upgrades but want to learn. I was wondering what is the best route to get more horse power with out losing reliability? If possible I would like to get around 300-350 horse. Is the drivetrain capable of handling that amount of po
Click to expand...
Brett Schneider said:
All I am proud owner of a 1990 SC. I am very inexperienced in automotive repairs and upgrades but want to learn. I was wondering what is the best route to get more horse power with out losing reliability? If possible I would like to get around 300-350 horse. Is the drivetrain capable of handling that amount of power?
Click to expand...
Yes your car is capable of reaching that HP,
You can do minor modifications to get it there, but some mods require more heavy builds to reach higher HP. Minor stuff is cool air intake, port your MAF , remove the air silencer , I used a Raised blower top and double Inner Cooler as well as what I said above. But be carful because when increasing the hp because some mods might require you to go to a more opened exhaust to release the compression safely without blowing your head gaskets…. Yea learn that the hard way when I was 18… I still laugh at it to this day!
 
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