Yep, I couldn't be without one evidently.
So I took a trip to Iowa yesterday to retrieve this one.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_2.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_2int.jpg)
It's not a Recaro car like the old one, but that's an easy remedy. The body is in better shape than the old car and with a little tune-up work, this one can be used as a driver until I get into the mods. It's a 255/C3(?) car I guess.
Not bad at all.I suppose you have a wish list made for it already?
cool, cant wait for more photos!
Chuck doesn't have wish lists. He has To-Do lists.
I have a long "to-do" list as well.....I just WISH I could get to the "to-do" list.LOL.
Nice, I'm eager to see the Cougar Fox boxes progress!
Congrats, looks like a great project. It's probably a C4 or C5. Make sure to keep us posted on the progress.
i lol'd
reminded me of a bunch of norris-isms :rollin:
I'll have the car @ my place in a couple days. It's at a buddy's for the moment. I had a couple things to take care of at the house before I bring it here. More pics and details when I get it here.
On oddity. It has power seats and power door lock...and manual windows. *facepalm* The only thing I'd want power I don't have.
You can fix that pesky window issue.
So Chuck, what are your plans for this one? I would imagine the idea of a powerplant with less than 8 cylinders and a nice lil turbo has crossed your mind. That's how you roll methinks :rollin:
If it turns out half as nice as your TC did, it will be awesome.
The planned drivetrain for this car is an SHO V6 and a T5. That is pretty much the first thing I'm going to plan on working on aside from small stuff.
I want to finish up the last of the details on my adapter and get the thing dropped in place. Once the swap it done then I will get onto the rest of the build.
Pretty cool! SHO V6 & a 5-speed, sounds sweet!
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
A box bird with SHO power will be sleeper-rific!!
For real.
I'd wondered if you still were working on the SHO swap...
Awesome!
What no 460 big block? ;)j/k
Nice find. Did all the XR-7s have vinyl tops?
Agreed!
(http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10062/SpockWin.jpg)
It won't be easy, but if you pull it off it'll be awesome.
Chuck can build a car out of a horseshoe, a screwdriver, and a bent nail, lol.
Have faith in the man! ;)
Thinking about the braking system.
What kind of boosters do the SN-95 cars use? Is it hydro or electric?
I'm contemplating using something like the 87-88TC MC assembly. No ABS, but the electric pump/accumlulator set up. My Scorpio has a similar Teves unit, and I really like the pedal feel and lack of that stupid vac booster. The brakes on it are upgraded (12" Vette on all 4 corners), and the feel is pretty much what I'd want for this car.
SN-95 is a vacuum booster.
As an owner of a Teves unit I can only say that I will never own another car with one.
I would recommend a hydroboost from an '84 Mark VII, Teves pedal feel without a myriad of electrical problems. :hick:
My Teves is FLAWLESS on the Scorpio. It's also a common "upgrade" swap for the euro Sierra (XR4) guys.
Just using the booster is much less complicated than the whole ABS lot, which I don't plan on using.
if you need, or can use a tc teves, ive got one here i took out of the tbird.
sn95 could have either vacuum, or hydroboost depending on the engine.
I may take you up on that.
I've got one as well. Master, accumulator etc...it's all there, as to whether it works or not...dunno. Car didn't run when I bought it (gas tank had been cut out by the assholes at the j-y), and I parted it not long thereafter.
OK, well I got the car back to the house and had a chance to mess with it a bit and look things over. It has a build date of 1/80, and I think that makes it older than my other one was. It's it's 30th B-day this month :p
I found about 6 vac lines that were either broken or just disconnected, one of which was at the base of the carb. I reconnected that one, and gee...the car ran better. I'll need to dig around on the others.
Half the clamps on the coolant hoses weren't tightened down, so it's good I didn't have to drive it far to get it back to the house.
The brake shoes/pads need replaced and perhaps the front rotors. I'm not too sure how much I really want to put into the 4-lug brakes, so I may just replace pads/shoes and bleed it for the time being.
No real body rot aside from a couple questionable spots on the driver's rear wheel well. The paint is shot on the top, but really this thing is in much better shape than my old car. So far it looks like no body panels will need to be replaced due to rot.
Headliner is shot, and the backer is questionable due to mice. I imagine I'm going to find all kinds of fun when I pull that out. I'll probably just make a new backer out of ABS plastic.
I'll probably put up a list in the classifieds for some of the minor stuff I noticed.
Anyway, a couple pics...
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_01.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_02.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_03.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_04.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_05.jpg)
Holy it's got AC! Bet that weighs an easy 30Lbs.
Doesn't matter much as the whole lot will be coming out anyway. (As in the engine/trans)
Just imagine that sweet sounding 3.0/3.2 SHO V6 in there. Mmmmmm, what a wonderful engine!
Need some progress here Chuck... I need a fix for something twisted like a Box SHO beast.
Still trying to get my hands on a 3.0 engine plate so I can double-check my dimensions on my adapter plate.
I'm trying to avoid buying new, but some of these Ranger guys who claim to have one are less than diligent about following up.
Cool project Chuck !
Don't see too many of those anymore.
Off Road SHO on SHOForum might be able to help with measurements, might even have a plate for sale.
According to my manual, SHOs did not have a plate.
I don't want someone else's measurements. I just want to lock in my own. My adapter is close, but not quite. I have a 5.0 plate, but only had SHO blocks for measurements, which is tedious that way w/o elaborate measuring eq.
Like I said, I can get a new one, and may just have to if these guys don't follow up.
He makes adapter plates. He might have what you need laying around. Just another option if it comes down to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoF8FsIcI7o (http://"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoF8FsIcI7o")
OK, going to trek out this weekend to get some interim wheels/tire (until I go 5-lug).
I have located 3.0 block plate so I can fix my adapter plate.
Going to fix the battery/block grounds this weekend and bleed the brakes so the car is more mobile and can be driven a little. Probably going to yank the headliner backer and deal with it bare so I can clean the interior of any mousy remnants.
After connecting the misc vac hoses, the 255 runs OK. I can hop right in it and it'll fire right up, and after a few seconds it will idle along OK on it's own.
I could actually put an engine and trans together sans clutch and flywheel and begin to mess with the fitting of the unit into the car, but I kind of want to wait until the weather takes a slightly nicer turn. What I may do is pull the 255/C4 and mock up the SHO/T5, and get things sorted for what I'll need to get together (motor mounts, exhaust mods) to get it into the car, then stuff the 255 back in until I'm ready to commence with the full-on swap and not be stuck with an immovable car. Kind of an extra step, but having a car I can tool around in while I fab and fiddle is much better than one sitting dead blocking my driveway...
Sounds really cool Chuck, its more than I could think about handling though.
New and old wiring integration is not a strong suit of mine. It will be really cool to pop the hood on the old style cougar and see that beautiful SHO intake sitting there.
props to you, sir.
Mike
Well, there won't be much integration between old and new wiring. The engine management will be via MegaSquirt, and the fuel system wiring will be all new since there is no electric pump on the car.
If I get REALLY froggy, I might look into one of the ISIS power systems for it eventually.
The initial swap is just going to get the engine/trans into the car and I'll go back afterwards to clean up/improve certain things. The logistics of getting it stuffed in there is the primary hurtle, and I don't want to get bogged down in too many nit-picky details and stall out the primary goal of just getting it in place. It won't be "hacked", but I'm not going to waste much time initially.
MS, that should make it a little easier. You gonna use the original gauge cluster?
Not familiar what the ISIS system is??
sound like alot of work just to install V-6?
:rollin: Yeah just a V-6...
It's a modular, microprocessor-controlled power distribution system
http://www.isispower.com/
Kinda cool.
The original cluster is eventually going to have to go bye-bye.
Some men you just can't reach.
Yeah, right...I probably should have just bought a Mustang too.
you right! i don't under stand. why all the work for just SHO V-6, when you could use the SHO V-8! now that would be worth all the time and money your plan on spending.
Numbers:
3.0 V6
HP 220 @6200 RPM
TQ 200 @4800 RPM
3.4 V8
HP 235 @6100 RPM
TQ 230 @4800 RPM
Yeah, it's 15 more ponies, and 30 more pound-feet, but also the cam sprockets of the 3.4 are more pr0ne to breakage...and the engine is less common.
And, Chuck isn't one of those guys who gets a hard-on when someone says "V8"...;)
Parting shot: Knowing only a little about Chuck's other cars...I doubt it will be long before it has some form of power adder lol
Who said a SHO V8 wouldn't be a good plan either?
Seeing as I already have 2 V6's sitting here, and the work to bolt the trans up 80% done, seems like of logical to me. I'm also not as big of a fan of the later V8 engine as I am the V6.
Oh, and I NEVER spend a lot of money on my projects. ;)
I've had both the SHO V6 and V8 and I will attest to the mod-ability of the V6 over the V8 anyday of the week. The V8 had a great sound but the V6 was bar none the most badass V6 I have driven up to this day. Well I take that back I have driven the EcoBoost 3.5 so I feel like an idiot here but the 3.2/3.0 SHO V6 is a much better performer than the 3.4 Duratec/Yamaha abortion that was the V8.
don't get me wrong . i love the idea of walking to different drum.
you say the V-6 are just laying around. I'm sure they didn't just walk in on there own CV axle's and say i pick this spot to lay. so I'm thinking, you do have some money tied up there and your talking about using modular, microprocessor-controlled power distribution system
http://www.isispower.com/
I'm thinking there not cheap too.
then, as I know one thing Is! time IS money. right? so all the time your spending looking are making one off stuff to work, has to account for something. it not like your doing it for therapy, like I do.
I'm not knocking your idea! I'm JUST trying to under stand, why all this effort / time and money for a V6.
Don't try and understand.
I'm not going to toss 351 (or worse a 5.0) in there, and as I said, the V8 SHO is not as good a motor as the V6. I've had the engines for a while now and didn't spend much for them.
The ISIS stuff is just an idea. It's neat, and the wiring in these cars is old.
For me this is therapy, I build what I want how I want, and ed to everyone else's opinion on the matter. It's my outlet for the oddball things in my head. This is for me and for me only. If other people like it, all the better I suppose, but it's not my goal to please other people.
Um this is a bit off topic but what's up with the '83 TC?;)
In the garage, looking pretty, waiting for me to install the big intercooler, bigger injectors and get around to installing the new rear suspension. I'll update it when I get to work on it ;)
Dude
drop it. Its not for you to "understand". :flame:Think about how you feel about V6's...that's how Chuck feels about V8's. Most car guys would say "why the hell would you build an '80 Cougar", but no one around here has even mentioned that yet. I think that says alot about all of us and our involvement with these cars...obviously we like to do thinks different or else we would all be driving Mustangs with 5.0's. Talk about snoreville...I don't know about you but its refreshing to see something different every once in awhile.
Chuck I think what you are doing is rad. What are your plans for the exterior treatment and suspension? Are you keeping it stock looking or do you have something sneaky planned? Fu*& the naysayers, keep the updates coming man!
Kudos to you for doing what you feel you want to do! There is no wrong or right. There is no protocol that has to be followed.
I put a late model Mustang dash in my Tbird and swapped on a Cougar nose... I wanted to be different... I want my Tbird to be personally mine...
If you want to find people with experiance on the ISIS system, head over to Lateral-g.net there have been several installs of the system by members there.
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Oh, and I LOVE the project!
I've been dreaming lately of de-bodying an MN-12 'bird and re-bodying it with a '52-'54 Ford 2 door sedan. My biggest problem is that I would like a modern inline 6 cylinder as power, and the only ones I know of are either import or GM.
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
That wasn't a snap. Just didn't feel I needed to try and justify myself. I don't ask you to explain why you do what you do.
Cool, I'll look into that.
The ISIS stuff is just an idea, but it's pretty intriguing to me.
dude, you sound like my ex-fiance.
you cannot apply logic to a car hobby. everytime someone tries to do so, it kills the joy for someone. in her case, as well as yours currently, you are gonna be left confused. there is no understanding someone elses tastes in mods, or agreeing with every choice they make for a car build. thankfully, even though my wife doesnt always agree with me, she realizes she doesnt need to understand my reasoning; only understand that this is what i enjoy.
IMO, you would be better off taking a cue from my wife rather than attempt to justify someone elses decisions in this hobby:shakeass:
OK, well to get past the scrutinization, I'll post up a *little* progress.
I picked up some wheels and tire today that are going to hold me over until I 5-lug the thing. I grabbed a set of snowflakes with tires that have 90% tread, but are just kinda old. They'll do for the time being. Still trying to decide on what 5-lug wheels I want. The car will be sitting low on fat tires like the old car was eventually.
I also pulled down the nasty headliner backer. ICK. I figured I better pull that down before I vacuumed the car, since I was going to need to do it again after I did this anyway. Mouse turds all over. Fun.
Still need to buy a couple parts to get it roadworthy enough to get to the BMV and to have mobile to tool around in until I get to the engine swap.
Pics for the interested (It was getting dark, so the camera was compensating, thus the pics are a little fuzzy.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_06.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/XR7_1_10_07.jpg)
Nice!
I might just have to look around for one myself.
Those do look different (in a good way) on 'Flakes. I know you said you weren't keeping them though. :D
Well, they for certain look better than what's on there. They won't be staying though, long-term.
Those snowflakes actually do look pretty decent on there.
Well, I got a couple goodies in the mail today.
I got my clutch pedal assy that I'm going to need, and I got my 3.0 block plate so I can work on finalizing my adapter.
cool
Nice...
You're not dealing with a "juvenile" here though.
Not everyone has to have a V8...deal with it.
Pretty much the sole determinant of MY preference of a V8 over a 6 or anything really is the sound. That's for what I drive though. I LOVE seeing people hot rod them, because no one (read:people like me) does that. As far as I'm concerned that Yamaha V8 is a boat anchor. :rollin: The numbers are higher yes, but the second gen SHO had terrible performance numbers. Im guessing the car was a lot heavier. Still, probably a lot harder to find parts for/mod.
Nothing like seeing what you can get out of something "lesser than". Good to see you found another box cougar Chuck. :D
Second gen was just fine.
89-91 Gen I 3.0 V6 MTX
92-92 Gen II 3.0 V6 MTX
93-95 Gen II 3.0 V6 MTX / 3.2 V6 ATX
96-99 Gen III 3.4 V8 ATX
Parts are more expensive. Still easy enough to find. I would line up with any stock car at any speed from the same era and my 180000 Taurus would hold its own. These motors are something you have to experience to appreciate them for what they are. Different isnt cheap all the time.
It is.
But...I want to know something...
WTF does this mean: V6 = juvenile delinquency!
You think your shiznit-hot because you have a V8 or something?
Get over it already. Ass.:flame:
To be honest the SHO V6 sounds amazing with a good exhaust.
OK, I need to start thinking towards a fuel delivery system.
I *may* eventually put a fuel cell in this thing, but for now I guess I need to come up with an option for an in-line, self-priming fuel pump. I think there are some Bosch (VW) units that could work. I don't think I'll see the high side of 300hp with this set-up, so I don't need to pump enough fuel to power a top-fueler.
Looking at some pics, I'm wondering if I can make use of an 85-88 tank and just use a 255hp intank pump. I need to get under the cars and see how things look.
If you need a tank, and an '88 will work, I've got one that's pretty much in my way...though you could find one closer probably for what mine would cost to ship or whatnot. But if you do need it...your's for the shipping or however.
ill toss my hat in this ring again.....ive got a brandy spankin new tank here if you need it. bought it cause i thought i was gonna hafta modify the tank for the IRS. ended up not needing it, sent it to antonio, and got it back when he was cleaning house.
its in the same shed as the teves unit....
I was wondering if you still had that tank. ;)
I may wind up taking both of those off your hands. Would be much cleaner if I can just use that instead of trying to cobble together something with the '80 tank.
So it's sitting till spring like my 88 then:D
Do you need any body parts for this XR7? A guy in the T-bird club might have some extra 80-82 T-bird parts floating around. I can ask if you want.
I think the only thing the SHO V8 did well was sound good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvvCV-xQh5s
I've got a "want list" in the classified section. If he has any of the stuff listed there, that would be great.
I was thinking "1st" and "2nd" gen as in first, more blocky looking taurus and then taurus that looks like a jellybean. :hick:
Yeah the Gen III did look pretty odd, especially the SHO's with that odd spoiler...
Well I had a little bit of time this weekend to work on the car. Nothing picture-worthy, but definitely something vent-worthy.
I HATE it when people half-ass stuff. Messing with the car this weekend, I was poking around the carb area. I knew the PO had swapped some Holley 2bbl in place of the stock one, but what I didn't know was that they'd swapped one with no provision for the auto trans kickdown rod to attach. Being a C4, the car will still move and shift, but will have no downshift ability for accel or passing. Idiots.
So, if I want to be able to tool around in this thing before/during the engine swap, I'll need to rebuild the original carb and reinstall it.
I took care if the battery cable issues and swapped pads and bled the front brakes. Pedal feels better, so I just need time to get to the rears.
There are times when you can "temporarily fix" things but I cant understand people that do that for major driveablility issues. Soooo stupid. And then you get to deal with it. :mad:
Im sure you "just wanna drive it" and see what it's like!
(http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/sFun_bangdesk.gif)(http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/sFun_bangdesk.gif)(http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/sFun_bangdesk.gif)(http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/sFun_bangdesk.gif)(http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/sFun_bangdesk.gif)
Go Chuck go. A long time in the making, bet its nice to have a solid foundation now.
Seems as if the thread shiznitting is just as bad around here as always. *sigh*
Wow! Hey Claude!
OK, well I've been kinda busy with welding motor mounts the past couple weeks, so I haven't had too much time to mess with the XR-7.
I did however get around to cleaning and rebuilding the stock carb and just reinstalled it this morning. Fires right up and runs like a champ.
Need a couple new belts and time to install the rear brake shoes.
Time to get it to the BMV and get the plates taken care of so once the roads finally clear around here, it will be seeing road duty for a bit before I get ready to start the swap process.
Now back to welding motor mounts...
OK, I got a chance to get the rear brake shoes installed yesterday and the backs bled. The brakes feel pretty good. (About as good as the stock system feels anyway).
Today I took it out for a couple mile drive around the neighborhood to see how things are. It's at least good enough for some light driving duties while I get a couple other things out of the way before I begin the engine mock up. The exhaust is leaking pretty badly in a couple spots, so it's kind of one of those "how much do I mess with it?" deals.
I'm eyeing a set of 96 Cobra wheels, but I'm not really ready to buy them right now. I'm also still debating though on those or a set of Bullitt-style wheels with black centers.
Chuck, you need to update your sig pics now
Yeah, once I get a chance, I'll snap a new pic or two and update the sig.
more 96 cobras? ;)
youre gonna stereotype yourself :deal:
How about 95 cobras instead?
eh, theyre all the same to me; painted windows, non-painted, chuck has had both! :mullet:
Actually the ones I've used have been the 94-95 Cobras with the non-painted windows. The 96-97 Cobras have the painted ones. I was thinking the painted ones for this car, as opposed to the non-painted ones on the white car.
d'oh, for some reason i was remembering the white 80 with painted ones...
i dont know if you have considered it or not but in the past couple years i have been really inerested in these year cougs. I was wondering if you ever considered or thought it would be neat to fab a cover over the headlamps which would be vac opperated like the earlier models.
Also,, i see your talking about mega squirt,, about three or so years ago i was calling them often checking to see if they actually had a proven ford TFI operational unit available and finally gave up.
have you found something compatable,,,i havent looked back into it since the 306 swap in my white coug.
my plan was to delete the eec and run standalone mega squirt. If i understand things back then well enough, that system heavily depended on O2 sensors as the main data gathering point.
good to see you back with a box,, the interior is really good, carpets can be cleaned,, pretty much a good looking car.
On the wheels,, im not sure if they wouldnt look better with something of a more solid look. there are so many lines on the car that catches your eye and i wonder is something like 10holes would look more compatable with the car.
I like the painted 96-97 wheels better. you could match them to the car color. That's my plan
Actually, the current set-up in my '83 2.3T car is running a TFI with the MegaSquirt. The version in my car is an earlier unit, but the TFI stuff is still doable with the current versions. You could easily do a distributorless set-up though, and get better control over the spark. With the SHO, I may stay with the DIS set-up initially (which has the same signals as the TFI), but I also may look into just using a crank-trigger as direct coil control.
The MS is a speed density system and really the only thing the O2 sensor winds up being used for is tuning. You can set the O2 input command authority to allow for some adjustment, but the MAP sensor is the primary determiner on the spark and fuel maps.
On a N/A car, you can almost get it to autotune with the way things are set-up these days. You can at least get it very close and then fine tune a few things as needed. It's the cold-start/warm-up and cruise/efficiency tuning that are the tricks.
Well, aside from the carpet and headliner, the interior is in good shape. The carpet is bad and needs replaced. Cleaning it will probably just cause it to deteriorate more.
On the wheels, they will have to be 5 lug and at least 17" to accommodate the brake and handling/suspension plans for the car.
Ideally I'd like some black mesh wheels with a polished lip, but they are non-existent these days. The factory SN-95 wheels, while well precedented, are easy to come by for not a lot of cash outlay.
did you get the mega squirt with the bench testing /programing adaptor.
i gotta do some diggin but iirc, everything i wanted for the tfi v8 would come to about 600. its been so long but i waited and waited for them to clearly state the units they were making were tested against a ford tfi system instead of the gm.
i guess i need to relook into it. i didnt know you were using it or happy with it..knew nothing.
Yes, I bought the Stim board as well. Not sure where $600 was coming into it, but I bought the ECU kit, the Stim board, the relay board, the flyback board kit (needed for the low imp turbo injectors), a wiring harness kit, and other misc bits, and I wasn't into it for $600. The new kits are a little more expensive, but still, I don't think $600 would be needed. I could be wrong though.
You should look into it more, there may be other ways to do the ignition with more of a direct coil control, and not even need to bother with the TFI.
This is going to be a nice build, very well thought out. I look forward to following it.
The plan is to drive it to the office tomorrow. We'll see how that goes :hick:
I have a few questions regarding the MSII.
My plan, if all goes well, is to get the current 2.3 Turbo engine running well, then to install a Wilson Racing MSII (http://www.wilsonracingms.com/) with boost control, direct spark control with LS2 coils, and a knock sensor.
Later, after I am comfortable with tuning that, I would like to install a Duratec 2.3 in place of the Lima engine.
So my questions are:
How do you like the system overall?
How easy (or difficult) is the MSII when it comes to diagnostics (ie a failed sensor)?
Do you wish I would stop asking questions?
How would you rank the MSII when it comes to drivability? Fuel economy?
Are there any systems currently in our cars that the current EEC-IV is tied into and thus will not be usable once you switch to MSII?
I hope you don't mind my asking so many questions! Thanks for any information you can give!
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Bill-
I have an MS1 V2.2 in the '83. I have an MS1 V3.0 kit sitting here to be built for something. I built my unit before someone was offering pre-assembled kits to work in the Fords.
I don't have any experience with the MS2 set-up, The MS2 however is just a "daughter card" that replaces the primary chip on the MS1. There are some differences in capabilities between the two, but I know the Wilson kits are well thought out and prepared.
Driveability and economy will all come down to your tune. My tune in the '83 still isn't 100%, but I haven't had the time to really lock it down. I need bigger injectors, so I've just been dealing with it.
There is nothing with the EEC4 you're going to miss when you covert. The diagnostics and real-time data are much better than service codes. You will also get a better idea and understanding about what is actually happening with your engine and the management when you get into it. Even if you don't fully get all the code and programming, the concepts will become readily apparent, and you will be more informed.
Guys are running these things on everything, and I plan on building at least 2-3 more kits for the various projects.
Thanks for your thoughts! Pretty much what I figured, but I wanted to get an idea from someone who has used one of these things on a real street car and not some crazy drag car that happens to be driven on the street once in a while.
After we move I will be setting aside a small fund for a few parts and I think the MSII just went on the list. I am sure I could build one (built a Heathkit RC unit as a kid) but I have no idea when I might have the time! Besides, I like the Wilson Racing unit and the fact that he has a lot of the ancillaries worked out. Plus, I like that I can pretty much plug it into my factory harness, giving everything a stock Ford look.
Thanks again!
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Well, it made the drive to work with no issues.
It was hacking and coughing for the first 1/2 mile or so, but it eventually cleared itself up. I don't know if it's possible, but it's even slower than the old car :p
The springs on the pass side of the car are thunking and sproinging around, so I need to see if one is broken, or it's just the fact that the isolators are non-existent anymore. I didn't notice a broken spring when I had the wheels off bleeding the brakes.
I'll give it a bath over lunch (still has the layer of road crud on it from the trip home from Iowa), and snap a couple pics (and update my sig Jerry ;) ) in the next couple days.
Well, I didn't get a chance to wash it, but I did snap a couple pics I'll get posted up over the weekend.
I definitely need to get that carpet out of there and REALLY clean the interior and let it air out. It smells like mouse butt in there, esp now that it's warming up a bit.
I guess I better look at carpet soon. Thinking I may go darker, but I may stay the same light grey.
Now, if I pull the carpet up, I might as well work on the through-the-floor SFCs...
the "while im in here"s get me
every time!youre still hiding that material back from when i did mine, im sure.
Well, this is one of those things that makes sense to avoid having to pull it all out twice.
Yup, the material is still in the garage. It *almost* went to Joe (the guy with my old car)...but he's not getting it now. ;) I could really use that NOS pass side mirror I included with the sale though :(
Well, I was able to sneak in a little more time on this on Sat between welding motor mounts and yard work. I was also able to roll the windows down to help air it out a bit. Not quite as bad as it was a couple days ago.
I still need to try and find the front bumper lights, as mine are shattered, but I spent some time trying to sort out why the right side turn signal will not "blink". Left side works just fine, and the right side blinks with the hazards. Perhaps the multi-switch is bad. Both circuits use the same blinker module, so I'm not quite sure yet.
Also I evidently have a short in the horn circuit. Blows the fuse as soon as it's put in.
The car has an odd lean to it, most likely in the springs. So....I broke down today and bought a set of C-Kit fronts for it, and I have a set of rear springs in the garage I can use. The front was WAY too hight anyway, and the odd lean was causing the car to track funny while driving. I can kind of sort it out, and make sure it's aligned right now. Not planning on doing much more with the susp at this point right now.
Any updates or new ideas?
There is going to be a SHO powered 4 eye Mustang very soon out in CO. Boosted too.
Funny, I was just going to update a bit.
Been busy as hell with everything else, but took some time to mess with the odd-ride height issues.
I FINALLY was able to get my hands on a set of Motorsport C Kit springs for the front.
Here's how they compare to the stockers.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/spring%20comparo.jpg)
This pic is after I swapped the fronts (did the rears later), so there's a bit of rake still in it, but not so much now.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/Take%202/100_0987.jpg)
I also installed an old set of KYB shocks in the back I had in the garage as what was on there was completely shot.
Do you have a link or anything to the Mustang getting the SHO?
That''s much better, now you can swap a better pic in your sig. In fact...... this one is almost the same as your old one. except there's a bush or tree missing next to the house next door. lol
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=107674
Cool guy. I picked up his boosted '90 SHO last Wednesday. It will be a quality car when its finished.
Wow, what a difference! Between the wheels and the lowering job, it really gets rid of the too-big-a-car-on-too-small-a-chassis syndrome these car suffer from.
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Yeah, it does help. What will really help will be when I can get the SVO rear brakes/axles on it to widen the rear track out a bit like on the old car and get some real wheels/tires under it.
The C-Kits are really nice to install. Once you get the old springs popped out (I don't use a compressor to remove them), the C-Kits just slide in place with the arm swung down, then just jack up and attach spindle, done.
Also, as a side note for folks dealing with cleaning out the spring pockets after removing springs that have been corroding in place for a couple decades, an air chisel works wonders. Only takes a few minutes to knock all the out of the way.
Hmmm! Project SHOe Box on a shoe string budget. I like it! :)
The 'e' is for enhanced. :D
Keep it up, Chuck.
I had a Cougar almost jump off the jackstands one time when the spring compressor i was using broke. It was pretty impressive how high that car jumped.
And what's wrong with snowflakes? I think they look good when done with a monotone themed car.
I have removed dozens of sets of stock front springs w/o a spring compressor. Makes more noise than anything, but obviously don't stick your face (or anything else for that matter) in the way of the spring.
What's wrong with the snowflakes? 3 things.
1. Only 16"
2. Only 4-lug
3. They're snowflakes.
What 5-luggers are you gonna run?
Haven't fully settled on it yet. I was wanting some mesh-type, which would fit the vintage, but can't find any 17" outside of having them custom made, which is not an option, or finding them too narrow.
Fallbacks include 96-97 Cobras (with the painted inserts), or perhaps black Bullitts. 94-95 Cobras are a possibility too as they looked good on the old car.
*sigh*
Well, I was moving the cars around last night (drove the Tbird the past couple days and needed to get it back in the garage), and was pulling the XR-7 back up into the drive and felt a *pop* when I went to stop. Rear brake hose went. Peed all over the drive. Nice.
Just going to toss a stock replacement piece on there for right now. Not going to fuss with a braided line until I sort out what I'm ultimately doing with the rear susp.
Just marking her territory, like any big cat................. dont worry about it.:rollin:
Well, not too much of an update, but I've spent some time on it recently.
I replaced the busted rear brake hose, so the car has brakes again.
I also figured out why the horn didn't work and why it kept blowing the fuse every time one was put in. It shares a fuse with the cig lighter, and the genius PO had spliced in a wire to that to power the stereo I assume. Well that wasn't connected to anything and just grounding out on the chassis...thus popping the fuse.
I grabbed up a set of SVO rear brakes/axles like what I had on the old car. That will help with filling out the rear like before.
The springs have settled and the stance seems pretty good. I'll rock it as-is for a bit.
The engine swap stuff is about 3rd in line on projects, mainly because I have to deal with the driveway, and I like to have 2 (accessible) cars running at all times, just in case. Such is the life when driving 22+ yr old cars every day.
I know that feeling, never know when something random will let go.
Yeah, the Volvo needs an intank pump upgrade, and then after that, the T5 is going into the Scorpio. I'll need the Cougar as it sits as a backup until the two "dailys" are up and running. Once the Scorpio is set, the initial engine stuff will commence on the XR-7.
Busy, busy, busy with everything BUT this.
I did get the fuel gauge working again this weekend though. Did a couple of the diagnostics (was getting the pulse to the sender, and there was proper resistance at the sender), and the issue turned out to be a corroded connector at the tank. I cleaned it up and plugged it all back in and the gauge began working.
Hurry up and get to the SHO swap... I want to see how you are going to go about it!!!!
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Not too much progress other than fixing the turn signals and the busted front bumper lights (which were a PITA to find).
I also have a console waiting for it, just need to get my hands on it.
Gotta get this done first...
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/ScorpioV2/Trans%20Swap/out_1.jpg)
then onto messing with the SHO swap.
-so fine, 2.9.....:hick:
OK, so I had a random objective in my head this past weekend, so I took care of a small project.
This was the old headliner backer...
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/Old%20backer.jpg)
The mice had kinda made a mess of it.
I was planning on getting a sheet of 1/16" ABS plastic to make a new one, but I remember someone on another forum mentioning using generic shower wall material. It's water and mildew resistant, etc. So I was at the HW store over the weekend and decided to look for it.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/board.jpg)
4'x8' sheet, about $30. About 3/32" thick, so a little thicker than the ABS I had planned.
(Yes, the grass is dead...We've had maybe 1/2" of rain in the past couple months here).
After about an hour I had this.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/new%20backer.jpg)
Not easily cutable with a utility knife, so I used some tin snips. A heavy set of scissors might do the trick as well.
It's a little heavy, and not as rigid as the ABS, but will be held up in place just fine when it's all said and done.
Now to figure out what color material to use. Stock interior is a "Dove Grey" I was thinking of using some contrasting darker grey/charcoal for the carpets and Recaro inserts, so I might go with the darker headliner. Then again, I may just make it all match.
I'm rather interested in how your headliner turns out...I bent/creased mine getting it out. I really do not care at all for a moonroof..
Anyway, do you think ordinary headliner adhesive will work on that, or will it take something different?
Can't wait to see the final product :D
I don't see why normal HD headliner adhesive wouldn't work. It get's held in place by adhesive normally, so...
This is more "bendy" than the stock backer, but a bit more stiff than 1/16" ABS. Mostly due to the 50% increase in thickness I imagine.
Still deciding on the color at the moment.
I was wondering how thick it was in comparison to the stock backing material. Made me think that there might be a gab between the new stuff, and the trim pieces in some spots...
Since I can't find a nice moonroof headliner for my car, I'll very likely be doing this too. Plus, just one more thing I can say I did myself lol
The stock stuff is about the same thickness as this, and the fabric has a 3/16" foam backing. Doubt you'll have any gaps.
The material is $8-9 yard, and all you need is 2 yards.
http://www.yourautotrim.com/ is where I've gotten stuff recently.
OK, well at long last, I have found a center console.
One of the members over @ FEP happened upon one in an LTD, which is the same thing as used in the 80-82 cars.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/console_1.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/console_2.jpg)
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/console_3.jpg)
It's not overly pretty, but it was only $10.
It needs a little repair, and a bit of reconditioning, but I think I can get it cleaned up enough to work. (At least until I happen upon a nicer one).
I'm probably just going to dye it (It's vinyl covered) to get the color right. I thought about trying to recover it with new vinyl myself, but that would probably end in tears. The wood-grain insert will end up black, most likely.
I'll need to fix the front mount, as it looks like someone removed it with an axe, but I have skills, so I think I'll be able to manage ;).
I'm also going to test out the SEM dye on the tan Recaros I have. They had been recovered some time in their past, so worst case, if it doesn't work I'll redo them, or buy some others. They're perfect vintage though...with netted headrests. :hick:
Nice score. I cant wait to see the console and seats installed.
Nice score !! I agree,it's not pretty,but with a little love,it'll be fine.Reminds me of the condition the Sport's console and entire interior was.Bad stuff.It's come a long way. Could you have a shop re-vinyl it for you?
Some people are barbarians when it comes to removing parts. Looks salvagable however.
OK, time for an update and a couple more pics.
Been driving the car a bit now that the snow has finally cleared. I'm getting more aggravated at the stupid carb. The accelerator pump circuit just will not cooperate. Had the same issue with the one on the old car, but that was easier to deal with since it was a manual (this one is still an auto). You have to be very gingerly when leaving from a stop, or it will bog and/or stall.
I broke down the other day and put new spark plugs in it, but still have yet to do much to the engine aside from "rebuilding" the carb. Trying to avoid dumping too much money into the 255. The C4 is beginning to act up a bit too, so we'll see how long that lasts. Still trying to get another project done and on the ground before I tear this one apart.
Here's a couple pics from Friday. It's a mess, and certainly not pretty.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/Take%202/3_26_11_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/Take%202/3_26_11_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/Take%202/3_26_11_3.jpg)
I also got the headliner back into it.
(http://www.turbochuck.com/images/80%20XR-7/Take%202/headliner.jpg)
The old backer was mouse-eaten, so I had to replace it. I used the shower surround material that I'd seen recommended on another site instead of the 1/16" ABS plastic I originally wanted to. Next time I'll use the ABS. The surround material is kind of tedious to work with. It has kind of a fibrous property to it, so it's not super easy to cut. It's kind of thick, so it's heavier and doesn't form well. The stock backer has small folds/creases in it that allow the sides/edges to "lay down" and conform to the roof better. You can't do that to this stuff, so it just bows. With the ABS, I could've better mimic the stock backer. You can see in the pic the gap towards the rear. That's caused by the above. If I have to redo it, I'll get some ABS plastic.
It still looks pretty good, Chuck. I'd call it a success.
It was worth a shot trying the shower material. Thanks for the heads up on that.
Sure is a classy rig!
Makes me think about this 80 XR-7 that is across town at a car lot. It has been there for probably 5 years or more. It's nice and low miles, but he wants 2900 for it. He just lets it sit there. I wish he'd sell it to me for like 900 :)
I dig the snowflakes! Stance and attitude are plenty with that car!
I hate 'em. Tires are too tall and too skinny. As soon as I can get the 5-lug stuff on it, these will be LONG gone.
I think the Cougar XR7 is much better looking than the 80-82 T-birds. I hate the front end on those.
How tall are the tires on the Snowflakes? I think I have lower profile tires on mine.
I think they're 225/60's. About 1-1/2" to 2" taller than they should be.

I was never a fan of the 80-82's when they were new, just never looked right to me but they have certainly grown on me in the past 30 years. This dont look all that different from Chucks XR7 except when the lights are on.
And by that you mean, when the lights are on, you can see how ugly/ratty my car is. :hick:
It was an article in C&D on an '80 25th Anny TBird with the Recaros that sold me on these cars.
Not at all, my Bird has giant single beams hidden behind the h/l doors. I wouldnt mind the recaros either, this one has what looks like living room recliners in it
So, I did it again...I sold the car.
Same guy that bought the white one, bought this one.
For right now, gonna keep the Fox focus on the '83.
Well, at least its still close.
I like the new(old) sig pic.
I figured it was time to change the sig.
Actually, it's kind of nice to have one less project vying for my attention. That's 20% more energy that can be directed at the others. :hick:
Chuck , Any chance of seeing your nice looking ride down in Owensboro,Ky this summer ?
D & P ;)