Disappointment at the track....need help..

[Vinnietbird]

I took the T-Bird to the track for the first time.I ran a 15.7,then two 15.5's.The highest speed was 92 mph.I expected more from the car to tell you the truth.I know it's not a 13 second car,but 15.5 is crazy isn't it.My mods are in my signature.The tires are Good Year Eagle II's on 16 inch Turbo-Coupe wheels.The car weighs between 3200 and 3300 pounds.Any ideas on what to do with it?I use it as a daily driver.Nitrous isn't an option right now.I just want a little more out of it without spending a fortune.Thanks for any help I can get.

 

[DMAN302]

Tbirds are a little more hefty than 3200...your times look pretty bang on to me.

 

[ryan218]

t-birds are more like 3800 when i had mine.

 

[795.0pacecar]

I think a 15 flat or high 14 is possible. Those weigh around 3800, unless you weighed yours at the track, then I'll take your word for it. My moms bone stock 96 with a 4.6 weighed 3800 without driver, it also ran a 15.6 at 80 somethin mph. Your car is the same MN12 chasis and body style and you probably have 20-30 more hp.

 

[Vinnietbird]

My car is an '88.It's a Fox body,not the MN12..It's without A/C (all a/c equipment is gone),smog equipment is gone,all of it,heavy a$$ H-pipe is gone,no spare,jack or tire iron.I will have it re-weighed this week.I really want to figure out why it's so slow.Granted,my reaction time may not be "John Force" fast,but 15.5 seems too slow for the drivetrain I have.I know I don't have a Pro-Charger,or turbo,but there just should be more in there.How do I get it to the tires?I opened up the cut-outs on the Warlock mufflers,and that made 2 tenths of a second difference.I hate those mufflers.

 

[795.0pacecar]

Oh for some reason I thought your sig said 89 not 88. Your car probably still weighs more than a fox with comparable weight reduction since the fox t-bird is longer.
Does it have an auto? A good tourqe converter would go a long way, or a 5 speed conversion. Does it spin off the line? Can you post up your time slip?

 

[Aliate X]

My car is an '88.It's a Fox body,not the MN12..It's without A/C (all a/c equipment is gone),smog equipment is gone,all of it,heavy a$$ H-pipe is gone,no spare,jack or tire iron.I will have it re-weighed this week.I really want to figure out why it's so slow.Granted,my reaction time may not be "John Force" fast,but 15.5 seems too slow for the drivetrain I have.I know I don't have a Pro-Charger,or turbo,but there just should be more in there.How do I get it to the tires?I opened up the cut-outs on the Warlock mufflers,and that made 2 tenths of a second difference.I hate those mufflers.

reaction time does not affect your ET

 

[Vinnietbird]

I guess the reaction time comment is true.It doesn't spin much off the line.yes,it has an AOD.A 5 speed conversion isn't what I'd like for this car.It would be cool,but the AOD will stay.A torque converter may be in the not so distant future.Good idea.The engine seems like it should be doing more.What would be considered a good time for a car like this?15.5 seems pretty slow.Granted,after reading about 12 second Mustangs all the time,my car seems like a slug to me.

 

[795.0pacecar]

I think it should run a 14.8-15.0.

 

[RsStanG1987]

I think your right where you need to be.. 3800 is dry weight no gas or fluids or any of that hulabaloo. With driver your looking at a 2 ton car.. Plust an intake and ported E-7s arent crazy mods. What version of the E-7 heads are they there are different versions arent there? I think your car is spot on for what it is. It wasnt meant to be fast t-birds are more luxury than ummph..

 

[795.0pacecar]

An 88 T-bird weighs just alittle more than a fox mustang hatchback, so about 3500-3600. Maybe less.

 

[25thmustang]

My guess, is the motor makes power, the tranny and weight hurt the car. The gears are too low for an AOD car, the trannys soaking up a lot of the power on tap, and weight is just hurting it.

Times arent bad but without adressing the tranny, the cars not getting any faster!

 

[spiff]

Get some 4.10's maybe

 

[Vinnietbird]

I need a good torque converter.No doubt about that.I'd bet my 'Bird would be close to what a Fox Mustang GT weighs.As I said,it lost a few pounds when I ditched the a/c and smog equipment,heavy h-pipe,and those chunky cast iron manifolds that the car's weight was based upon.When I installed the Mustang engine,I probably lost a good amount with the manifolds alone (using the Mustang headers,now BBK's).I'll weigh this week and let you know for sure.I appreciate the comments,and will take all the help I can get.

 

[bgjohnson]

Shift kit+ 3k stall and 4.10's= high 13's maybe lower. Start there man, the engine makes the power but it needs to get up and going in the 60ft. Seriously, do those first and will be a COMPLETELY different car.

 

[Vinnietbird]

I'll start with the converter and shift kit.I just happen to have a spare valve body in the garage.It'll be great to install the shift kit without any down time for the car.I'll start getting money saved up.4.10 gears?How would that effect my highway driving,and my gas mileage?

 

[RUNINAGT]

Speaking of the Bird, what ya think a stock 90 SC 5-spd will do. I had one for a couple years but then sold it to one of our tire techs. Well needless to say he is talkn trash that it will beat the stang. I know the car is fast and has hung with stangs on the street. He has no insurance on it so he can't drive it to the track. Anyone one ran one down the track before.