Finally got my 1990 Thunderbird SC and have lots of questions

[Brett Schneider]

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?

 

[DOUG H]

Auto or stick, how many miles on it? Or how many since rebuild?

 

[Brett Schneider]

Auto or stick, how many miles on it? Or how many since rebuild?

Auto with 83,000 miles and it has not been rebuilt.

 

[DOUG H]

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.

 

[Brett Schneider]

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.

What would you recommend for a trans upgrade?

 

[Rick_Leuce]

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.

 

[Brett Schneider]

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.

Thanks

 

[Brett Schneider]

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?

 

[rbaczek]

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.

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?

 

[KMT]

... not enough room. Hints?

Having the wiper cowl out of the way will help quite a bit.

See this thread for details on accumulator swap:

http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109556&highlight=accumulator

 

[rbaczek]

Thanks. I just checked and that might work. Try it this weekend end.

 

[DOUG H]

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.

 

[99GSXR750]

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.

 

[DOUG H]

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

 

[KMT]

What would you recommend for a trans upgrade?

Blast from the past: https://www.corral.net/threads/lets-talk-about-the-aod-and-mods-to-it.764157/

 

[DOUG H]

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.

 

[David Neibert]

Start with a ported heads and cam package from SCU inc.

 

[Fox_Fierce]

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

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?

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!