Finally autocrossed my MN12 T-Bird 9-22

Hi there everyone! I thought you'd like to see some videos of my runs in a 1994 Ford Thunderbird. I had a lot of fun, and haven't raced in about 6 or 7 years. So no laughing! Actually, I take that back, laugh as much as you possibly can...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB9ovgy4QlA&feature=c4-overview&list=UUb3AaHiPUt47ys-NRHChBPg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jm02PyKOo4&feature=c4-overview&list=UUb3AaHiPUt47ys-NRHChBPg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-Stc_rc_U&feature=c4-overview&list=UUb3AaHiPUt47ys-NRHChBPg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKBmu0L_Skk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUb3AaHiPUt47ys-NRHChBPg

The last video is one of my friends running the bird on a fun run. He was used to his Miata with a manual rack, so my "Personal Luxury Car" steering wasn't communicative enough...

Here are some pics:

http://s31.photobucket.com/user/borf42/slideshow/Autocross%2009-22-13

I am glad I finally raced this car. All I can say is I need a lot more tire. Grip was terrible. I ran the whole course locked in 2nd gear, including off the line, and all I did was spin the wheels!

Enjoy,

Nate

Looks like you had a good time!

Also, your driver side wheels are backwards.

The sport wheels are directional (which I have a set of and look almost the same), but the 1st gen SC wheels are all the same. Unless I have 6 driver side ones!

Oh, and I did have a good time! That was the most complicated course I've ever run. Took 2 Off Courses to get it right.

Nate

That is correct--89-92 SC wheels (with flat spokes) are non-directional; the 93-95 SC wheels (with more rounded faces) are directional.

Glad to see someone else having fun with these big cars. They have a lot of problems on an AX course (weight, lack of tire, lack of power), but I think the biggest problem is that the steering rack is just so slow. It requires a ton of steering input, and there's not much you can do about it.

But don't give up. Keep having fun with the car. Here's a video of me autocrossing my Supercoupe a few years back.

I have a set of "Cobra R" wheels to fit these critters if anyone is interested.

End of shameless commerce.

Will, that video is pretty sweet! Your SC sounds way better than the one I used to have. Mine was bone stock though. I had a '95 Auto. This one is a '94 LX, with a 4.6l PI swap from an Explorer (6-bolt main, aluminum block). Runs though a 2003 Mustang GT 4R70W, out to a freshly built 3.73 TL pumpkin out back. I have Bilstien shocks, Tokiko springs, JL subframe connectors/chassis bracing, Mustang PBR brakes up front, my 95 SC brakes out back. It sure packs a punch the tires just can't handle. I have Potenza RE960s on there. Decent grip, but not nearly enough for what I was doing. They had me in XP, and the modified Fieros and Vettes ate my lunch. I really only go for fun though. I built the car I wanted, not to a class spec.

DavidinDurango: You have my interest... If you want to send me some details, ie price, size, location, I am in the market!

Thanks,

Nate

That's awesome, at least you made it out there!

Love the Tick BTW.

In reply to DavidinDurango:

FWIW the SHO/taurus community goes gaga over those for some reason.

Borf, you need some wider wheels with dual purpose autox/summer tires.

Sounds as if you have a pretty decent setup. You didn't mention sway bars, so if you don't have them, I'd recommend maybe Adco 1-1/4" up front and the same or 1-1/8" in back. The factory 89 SC front bar was 1.20", so that's a good budget choice if you can find one.

In addition to my SC, I have a 95LX with some of the same mods you mention. I drove that car for years before deciding I wanted a 5-speed MN12, and then got the SC.

I did forget to mention what I did sway bar wise... I left the stock LX one in there (pain to install anyhow) and put the SC one on the back. That gave me less understeer, and is pretty balanced. I can under or over steer with my throttle input. Made the autocross much more lively, as you can see in the videos.

I used to autocross a '91 5.0L. It was slow compared to the Camaros and Mustangs in my class, but pretty fun. I did win E-SP one year though. I used SN95 Cobra pieces on the engine and SC pieces on the suspension. Then when the AOD died, I installed a T5. Should have used the M5R2 because the T5 didn't like the abuse either. I sold it when gas got to $2 a gallon and the T5 started to whine. Since you're starting with a SC, you have most of the good pieces already. I had an LX.

I had Goodyear Eagle GSCS and some Hoosiers with a TW of 00 that kept it planted pretty well, but they are heavy cars. I get tempted every now and then to buy a '93 5.0 Sport.

I started with my SC, but when I trashed the body I took all the good bits and applied them to this LX. I am very happy with the 4.6 in my LX, especially after ditching the non-PI stuff. The HP I'm pushing right now is perfect for what I want. I am currently working on a plan to do a 5sp swap. Seems the 05+ Mustang GT transmission bolts right in, and the shifter pops up in the right spot. The most expensive part of the swap is a custom drive shaft, as the TR-3650 found in those case doesn't have a slip yoke. You have to have one in the shaft itself. I like the design though, less chance of leaking fluid there. I have the pedals already, now onto the more expensive parts!

Nate

I autocross my 89 a couple of times a year, usually when it's too hot to drive the Abomination or raining. She dances pretty good for a fat girl. Even though it's box stock, I can usually place in FS. Most of the other drivers are over zealous young kids melting the tires, or old guys that don't like to push hard.