My 1986 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-25-2009

travisp11 · 05-25-2009

The body looks like it is in pretty good shape. I had a friend in high school that had one of these before he switched to a 1988 Mustang GT but the "Thunderchicken" as he called it, was fun to cruise around it. I would say that between eBay and this website, you should be able to locate many of the parts that you might need. I wonder if if the Merkur XR4Ti shared any drivetrain parts with the T-Bird Turbo. A Merkur parts specialist might be able to help you locate hard to find engine parts, albeit for a price.

93foxbody2.3 · 05-25-2009

Nice find.

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-25-2009

well two problems one reverse is weird and two the clutch slips horribly like they put a $10 clutch in when the turbo kicks in im not moving

but its good for a turbo swap

93foxbody2.3 · 05-25-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93stangfutr5.0

well two problems one reverse is weird and two the clutch slips horribly like they put a $10 clutch in when the turbo kicks in im not moving

but its good for a turbo swap

Exactly!!!

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-25-2009

i need help truthfully because ive read up on the 87-88 but know nothing on the previous models.

93slowpony · 05-25-2009

Well It should be a bit more simplistic. There is not as much to it, when you get down to the nitty gritty of the swap. But I would say if you had the confidence to do the swap with and 87 or 88 you should have no prob with the 86.

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-25-2009

my big problem is the repining it kind of confuses me i get the basic concept but just so many wires is rediciolus.

evintho · 05-26-2009

Congratulations young grasshopper! Picking up a donor car is the way too go! I can answer some of your questions. I have an '86 TC.

Pic #6:
Yep, heater core.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/P5250008.jpg

Pic #7:
An unused vac line from the vac tree. Mine's capped also.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/P5250006.jpg

Pic #9:
Hard to tell. Blurry photo, but there should be 2 vac ports off that fitting. One line goes from that fitting to another fitting on the tube from the turbo outlet to the throttle body (white arrows). On the 2nd vac port, a hose goes from there to the lower port on the factory boost controller.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/P5250006.jpg

Here's Stingers wiring conversion write-up. Just take your time and it'll come out alright. The wiring conversion is probably the easiest part of the swap! Good luck!
91-93 Mustang Turbo Swap Wiring Info

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-26-2009

i had looked at the wiring thing for the 91-93 stangs but thats with a 87-88 TC wouldnt a 86 be different?

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-26-2009

hey what is the most agressive computer from the 87-88 TC
im looking at this can you tell me what it is? E8DF-12B577-DB

evintho · 05-26-2009

The LA3 is the aggressive computer and it's in the '87-'88 TC's. You'll need the large VAM to go along with that. You can't tell from the part # which ECU it is. All ECU's have a 3 digit code stamped on them. Note LA3 in the pic.
LA3 computer

I believe the wiring conversion will be the same. You still have to wire in the VAM, the only difference is the '86 has a small VAM instead of a large one. Go to Stinger's website www.stinger-performance.com He has a message board on there. Ask him that question and I'm sure he'll give you an answer.

I see you posted in my sticky thread too. The fuel pump should be the same in your TC and Mustang.

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-26-2009

here look at this i have no idea how to do the wiring myself if someone was willing to help then i may be ok but if you read the tread it should explain my problem im 93stangnow2.3t

.

Stinger Performance Forum - 93 mustang 2.3 to a 86 2.3t

93stangfutr5.0 · 05-26-2009

here is a video the raddeling is the muffler hitting th body.

evintho · 05-26-2009

Dude, just get in there and do it! At least give it a try! I think Stinger stopped answering your questions 'cause he got frustrated with you (he's easily frustrated)! Pull the kickpanel and pull your computer out of there and take a look at it. You'll figure it out. It ain't rocket science! He's right though. Try and pick up an LA3 and large VAM, then you can go right off of his write-up.

Here's a write-up of a guy installing an LA3 into his XR4ti. It's got some good pics and descriptions for repinning the harness.
How to install LA3 into a Merkur XR4Ti