Readers’ Rides:
1994 Ford Thunderbird SC
Added on Sept. 5 by Will
Suspension work: Custom Koni front coilovers w/Hyperco 600-lb springs. Koni rear shocks with Suspension techniques springs shortened by 3/4 coil. 1-1/4 front sway bar, 1-1/8 rear sway bar. Aluminum lower rear control arms w/custom delrin bushings. Delrin rear knuckle bushings. Focus RS Brembo front calipers & 13-inch Cobra rotors; Cobra rotors w/stock calipers in the back. 5x4.5 bolt circle conversion. 17x9 10th anniversary Cobra wheels w/255/45ZR17 Goodyears.
Engine: 4.3 liter Essex V6 stroker with Ford steel 4.2-liter crank, blueprinted/.040 over Wiseco forged pistons w/moly graphite skirt coating, chromoly pins & Total Seal stainless rings. Custom length 4340 forged H-beam rods. MPx blower case & 25% overdrive pulleys. Ported & polished heads w/3-angle valve job, oversize stainless valves, Comp springs & .580/.580 hydraulic roller cam. 85mm throttle body. 60-pound injectors, ARP fasteners, custom 7-qt baffled oil pan. Kooks mid-length headers & custom stainless exhaust with Magnaflow cats, resonator & mufflers.
Drivetrain: B&M ripper shifter, aluminum driveshaft, 3.27 gears, Truetrac differential in an aluminum center section, Control Freak rear girdle.
Exterior: VFN fiberglass 96-97 style hood, 96-97 headights, clear corners, foglights deleted.
Interior: OEM 2000 Cobra R Recaro seats. Auto Meter boost/oil pressure gauges in A-pillar, OE voltmeter in place of OE boost gauge, stereo delete.
Weight: 3,430 pounds. Best 1/4 mile ET: 12.46@110.41 mph. Best lap of Road Atlanta autoX course: 26.80 (ancient setup) Dyno: 377 hp, 459 lb-ft at the wheels at 15 PSI. Needs more power.
Updates
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Boom! Feb. 02
Not sure if it was oiling or boost, but the engine is dead. Coming soon …
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Kaboom diagnosis Sept. 05
The engine blew due to oil pump cavitation and oil starvation during autocrossing. Likely as …
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Parts used in new build Oct. 08
Standard 3.8-liter block bored .030 over Ford steel 4.2-liter crank, blueprinted Wiseco forged pistons w/moly …


Sep 6, 2009 7:32 p.m.
Nov 4, 2009 5:05 p.m.