Fastest production Bird?

[cewhite3]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

The 11th gens weren't Turbo Coupes, they were Super Coupes and had a blown V6.

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercoupe/spex.html

Sorry about that - got in a rush at the end.....

Ed

[Bond579]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

I believe that the low-end torque of the '02 makes it faster to a point.

2002 torque, 267 ft/lbs
2003-2005 torque, 286 ft/lbs

[SugarDaddy]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

I’ve been looking for a supercharger and/or turbocharger for the 2002-2005 T-Bird since 2002. None of the major manufacturers wanted anything to do with the project. I spoke to Magnuson, Paxton, Alpine, etc. No takers.
LA PHIL

Phil,

I just found out last week there is a local company making superchargers here in Fresno, called Whipple Superchargers. I don't know anything about them, but they might have something usable.
Check out their website: http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/

[Rondor]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Seems like I remember one or two guys talking here in the past about being clocked in the 14's for 1/4 mile. 15-16 seconds doesn't seem like much now but I spent many days at the drag strip in the 60's and most cars running under 15 sec's had some serious tweaking done to them. First thing usually was the rear end. You put a lower gear in one of these and you would be shocked. Most say these will top end around 140+ mph. Most muscle cars I remember were around 110-120.. Which reminds me I don't even know the rear end ratio on a retro. Maybe Dot or somebody knows. I am sure it's on my paper work some where if I could find it.

[jerrym3]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

rear end ratio

3:58 seems to ring a bell.

[Rondor]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

rear end ratio
3:58 seems to ring a bell.

Sounds about right for car that runs over 130.
Where my knowledge fades is in the new auto trans. We didn't have 4, 5, and 6 speed auto that shifted faster than a stick until Mopar's torgue flite. Also I had to always fight traction problems and todays cars seem to bite really well' I don't know that I have ever broke loose on dry pavement with the T bird

[Bond579]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Every retro-bird certification sticker I've seen shows a "53" axle code which indicates a 3.58 ratio conventional (non limited-slip) differential.

[rstaples]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Zero to 60 & 1/4 Miles Times

for Thunderbirds
Data From: Thunderbird Super Coupe Club of Iowa
Year ------------------(0-60) --(1/4 Mile)
1955 292ci ------------11.5 --18.0
1973 460ci --------------9.0 --17.4
1980 302ci ------------11.1 --18.0
1983 Turbo Coupe ---9.7 --17.1
1987 Turbo Coupe ---8.5 --16.3
1989 SC (5 Speed) --6.9 --14.9
1990 SC (Auto) -------7.4 --15.8
1991 LX ------------------9.0 --16.7
1993 SC -----------------7.2 --15.7
1994 LX V6 -------------8.8 --16.4
1994 LX V8 -------------8.1 --16.3
1995 SC -----------------7.0 --15.2
1996 LX V8 -------------7.9 --15.8
2002 -----------------------7.0 --15.2

Good information. However, I believe the fastest production Thunderbird sold though was the 1957 "F" Bird with the supercharger. If I recall correctly, Ford claimed @ 300 HP for insurance purposes but the racing version for NASCAR etc. was rated closer to 340 HP. This engine proved to be a winner in NASCAR in 1957 were Ford won more races with this engine than Chevy with their 283 HP fuel injected 283.
I am still searching for the OLD drag race stats for circa 1964 when the 57 tbird won the old ESA (E stock automatic class) but no luck. A google search did find the information below and it sounds about right, but my memory is not what it once was. Pretty good for that time in history!
Fastest 1/4 Mile - - -
Magazine articles / reports aside - - for more years than I can remember it was the 1957 Ford T-Bird that ruled the NHRA's 1/4 Mile time/speed - in a Stock Class. The "F" Bird with the supercharger. 13.10 seconds at 117 mph.
As you can see, a 1957 F Bird would beat one of our beauties and have enough time to pour a toast to share at the finish! Well, maybe two seconds is not THAT much time but it would surely be embarrassing to be beat that badly by a 55 year old car! BTW, our cars could keep up to about 60 mph but the 57 supercharged would beat us badly. Our new cars are also faster on the top end.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Richard thank-you.... It's always nice to see a long time member with very few posts respond to my question...

[gary townley]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Just wondering, are the retros faster with the top off, convertible down or with top on??? Or, does it make a difference. This might be a question for myth busters!

[EllisonCal]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Zero to 60 & 1/4 Miles Times

for Thunderbirds
Data From: Thunderbird Super Coupe Club of Iowa

Year ------------------(0-60) --(1/4 Mile)

1955 292ci ------------11.5 --18.0
1973 460ci --------------9.0 --17.4
1980 302ci ------------11.1 --18.0
1983 Turbo Coupe ---9.7 --17.1
1987 Turbo Coupe ---8.5 --16.3
1989 SC (5 Speed) --6.9 --14.9
1990 SC (Auto) -------7.4 --15.8
1991 LX ------------------9.0 --16.7
1993 SC -----------------7.2 --15.7
1994 LX V6 -------------8.8 --16.4
1994 LX V8 -------------8.1 --16.3
1995 SC -----------------7.0 --15.2
1996 LX V8 -------------7.9 --15.8

2002 -----------------------7.0 --15.2

Looks like my "Annie" needs a supercharger. I think I'll wait until the Ford Premium extended warranty ends. LOL

[jerrym3]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Just wondering, are the retros faster with the top off, convertible down or with top on??? Or, does it make a difference. This might be a question for myth busters!

Top speed, depends on aerodynamics, but I don't think that, based on the retro's top speed, it would matter that much, top up or top down.

Soft top up, windows open could result in some drag.

Acceleration, 0-60, I doubt if there would be any difference.

Again, these guesses are based on a "hard top off" scenario.

(Also, your car might be a bit quicker on 1/4 tank of gas as opposed to a full tank.)

[AZTB]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Hard top off removes excess weight. Should result in a small improvement in acceleration performance.
(Also, your car might be a bit quicker on 1/4 tank of gas as opposed to a full tank.)
Top speed, depends on air flow, but I don't think that, based on the retro's top speed, it would matter that much, top up or top down.

Gasoline weight:
6.073 pounds per US Gallon.
7.29 pounds per Imperial Gallon

Using this, a full tank adds approximately 101 pounds (US gallon) to the car's weight. The hardtop adds about 82 pounds. My body adds...well, that's another thread.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

1973 Tbird 460CI and times of 9.0 sec to 60 mph & 17.4 sec for the 1/4 mile. Those were some bad days - bad fuel economy, slow & heavy.

[jerrym3]

Re: Fastest production Bird?

Cars back then weren't that quick, unless you went for the "musclecars".

I had a street quick 57 BelAir. Best 1/4 mile track time, 15.8. (Truth be told, this poor car was "gasping for life" based on all the racing I did. But, on the street, I still did well.)

Yet, on the strip, I still beat a 348 61 Impala convert, 4 sp, but lost a trophy run to a late 60's Impala, 327/275 by .01!!!!!!!


I also ran a 68 Cyclone GT (302, not a 390); best time, 15.6, 3:50 rear.