97 Ford Thunderbird w/ Complete PI Swap

Here is my car running after installing an all aluminum pi 4.6L v8 into it. It has the 2004 allum block w/ 6-bolt main crank design w/ pi heads and intake.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ford
• thunderbird
• 4.6
• v8
• mustang
• engine

[SDiablo123]

@skeilak ahhh ok. ill turn it off next time i drive. thanks man!

[skeilak]

@SDiablo123

O/D (Over Drive) is your highest gear ratio, allowing lower engine RPM's at sustained high speeds. (Like 5th gear on a manual trans.)

The best way to find out what the O/D lock-out does, is switch it off, and drive around for a while. Note the difference on your tachometer at the same speeds.

But basically, it prevents your transmission from using third gear, restricting the car to the lower gear ratios, thus increasing torque to the rear wheels.

[SDiablo123]

@SDiablo123 I know where the button is, i just wasnt too sure what it does :p

[SDiablo123]

@skeilak Its kinda hard for me to park facing outward, that would mean i have to reverse to park, which i suck at being a New driver. Im not used to so much horsepower, my moms truck is gutless. v6 explorer engine in a bigger truck type thing, haha. and also, where i live were supposed to be getting "record breaking amounts of snow" in this area alone. So im pretty sure ill be keeping the bird parked most of the time, once it does start snowing. Also, what does O/D do?

[skeilak]

@SDiablo123

I see you know what I meant. I have the Trac-Loc rear, so I get both wheels spinning, and the car slides to the left. Still, I love the car. It just takes a bit more skill to drive, than a 4cyl. Camry.

Before it snows, I suggest you park facing outwards. Birds do better going forward through snow, than reversing. Also, switch off the O/D, in rain or snow, to get a little transmission braking. Just remember how much horsepower you're controlling, and mind that gas petal.

[SDiablo123]

@SDiablo123 Just went sideways sandbags dont help at all either.Might as well just fill the whole trunk, which is surprisingly big for a sports car. haha

Would cost soo much money tho :/

[SDiablo123]

@skeilak 1/2 My tires arent very wide. its a v8 4.6l, which means even if i barely press on the gas the wheels just spin like no tomorrow. its pretty annoying sometimes. Good thing my mom has a ford explorer sprt trac, same as an explorer just converted into a truck. a got stuck in my tbird reversing out of my driveway to go to school -.-

My dad was the previous owner of this car, and he said yeaa he went go pass some guy when it was raining and he hammed on the gas, and the car

[skeilak]

(Continued...)

My only real suggestion, if practical, is get a pair of stock wheels, and mount vicious snow-tires on them, and drive very carefully.

Or do as I did; acquire an early 00's, gas-sucking 4x4 SUV, that sell dirt cheap, for winter driving. (Jeep Cherokees and Ford Explorers, in great shape, can be had for under $3000.)

If it makes you feel any better, Ferraris and Lamborghinis suck in the snow too, so at least you're in good company.

[skeilak]

@SDiablo123

Here in the US, lots of 90's T-Birds and Cougars were sent to the scrap yards by that "Cash for Clunkers" program. It's much harder to find parts now.

Sorry, but your Bird, like mine, is a death-trap in snow. Its even weight distribution, powerful engine, high-torque rear end, and (probably) wide tires, all combine for fish-tailing nightmares. (Mine even hates wet roads!) I found 200lbs. of sandbags in the trunk, didn't help much.

(Continued...)

[SDiablo123]

@skeilak Yea i agree :/ I RARELY see Tbirds on the roads :/

If u can reply back with any suggestions on wieght solutions. mine weighs about 1600kg's, which is VERY light for driving on icy roads, and snow which is all there is here. Canada eh? haha.