SVE T-Bird

[NOBLNG]

This ones been cooking in my brain ever since I bought the built Mustang and the T-Bird at a local club meeting. I intend to put the Mustang engine in the T-Bird Along with a few other mods.? Thanks for looking and all thoughts or comments welcome as always.

 

After disassembling the ‘Stang, I taped the blower back on so I could set the engine height and build some mounts.

The T-Birds front suspension encroaches slightly on engine space. I toyed with the idea of swapping in a complete suspension system, but I settled on what I think is an easier solution. I made a new rear suspension crossmember, then modified and moved the upper A- frames outboard a bit.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I have two T-Bird kits, so I will eventually build a stock one. This one I have mocked up using the slightly larger wheels and tires from the Polar Lights ‘64 GTO.

Edited December 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I filled the big gap between the firewall and floor boards. Then, since this engine is a little more powerful than stock, it needed a whole new 2-1/2” (.100”) exhaust system. I used the cats from the Mustang and scratch built the collectors, mufflers and all the rest. I managed to get the tail pipes to meet up nicely with the freshly opened exhaust outlets in the bumper.

Edited December 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

The support studs for the stock rear axle (which don’t belong there anyway) were in the way of my new exhaust, so I decided to swap in the Mustang rear also. I had to modify the spring mounts a bit, fab some new upper links and a new driveshaft. It’s not the perfect installation, but good enough for me. I still need to make some rear shocks, and finalize the front wheel mounts, but the ride height is right about where I want it I think.

Edited December 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[espo]

Great looking fabrication on the engine and chassis. 

[cobraman]

Interesting project !

[Slotto]

Good stuff going on here!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice start. Great concept.

[Misha]

Those are great solutions for the suspension and chassis Greg, updates the original ‘Bird nicely! The exhaust system fits in like a stock unit with your scratchbuilding, looking forward to seeing the modern Ford engine fitting in. The first Thunderbird has always been my fav of all the years.
 

I’ll be following hour progress, cheers Misha

[Jantrix]

Looking good! I'll be following along.

[MeatMan]

Awesome work! I love the way you ensured the engine would fit under the hood!

[slusher]

l always like the SVT Mustang engine!

[dino246gt]

Amazing fab work man, I love it!

I also modified one of those 'Birds, I'll be bringing it to our annual show this month!

I LOVE the kind of work you do, thank you for taking the time to share photos with easy to understand explanations

Very nice!

[NOBLNG]

On 12/7/2022 at 11:31 AM, espo said:

Great looking fabrication on the engine and chassis. 

 

On 12/7/2022 at 12:27 PM, cobraman said:

Interesting project !

 

17 hours ago, Slotto said:

Good stuff going on here!

 

16 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Nice start. Great concept.

 

15 hours ago, Misha said:

Those are great solutions for the suspension and chassis Greg, updates the original ‘Bird nicely! The exhaust system fits in like a stock unit with your scratchbuilding, looking forward to seeing the modern Ford engine fitting in. The first Thunderbird has always been my fav of all the years.
 

I’ll be following hour progress, cheers Misha

 

11 hours ago, Jantrix said:

Looking good! I'll be following along.

 

7 hours ago, MeatMan said:

Awesome work! I love the way you ensured the engine would fit under the hood!

 

5 hours ago, slusher said:

l always like the SVT Mustang engine!

 

5 hours ago, dino246gt said:

Amazing fab work man, I love it!

I also modified one of those 'Birds, I'll be bringing it to our annual show this month!

I LOVE the kind of work you do, thank you for taking the time to share photos with easy to understand explanations

Very nice!

Thank You Everyone! I am sorta making this up as I go along. The body is going to be pretty much stock ‘cause I like the look, but I haven’t seriously looked at any custom T-Birds yet. I have decided to update the interior on this one, and here’s a few teaser pics.

[NOBLNG]

Since I am switching to buckets, I made a bulkhead to close off the trunk area. Also ditched the headrests from the Mustang seats.

[SpikeSchumacher]

Coming along nicely Greg!

[espo]

The seats look much better with the lower backs. They still look a little high in the pictures, may be different in person. Like the extensive changes to the interior. The bulkhead gives the interior a more realistic look. 

[NOBLNG]

3 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Coming along nicely Greg!

Thanks!?

3 hours ago, espo said:

The seats look much better with the lower backs. They still look a little high in the pictures, may be different in person. Like the extensive changes to the interior. The bulkhead gives the interior a more realistic look. 

Thanks. At first I thought I might put a small roll bar in and tie the shoulder belt onto it. Then I decided nah…they would look better shorter, but I think I will move them both back a tad.

[Bullybeef]

Hey Greg I’m really digging the concept of the modernization of the tbird, what kit was the mustang? 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Bullybeef
Sprelinq

[espo]

41 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Thanks!?

Thanks. At first I thought I might put a small roll bar in and tie the shoulder belt onto it. Then I decided nah…they would look better shorter, but I think I will move them both back a tad.

The side view picture gives a much better idea of the seat height and look like what one would imagine the seat height would be. 

[NOBLNG]

43 minutes ago, Bullybeef said:

Hey Greg I’m really digging the concept of the modernization of the tbird, what kit was the mustang? 

Thanks Bil. It had no box and was completely built and painted. I assume it was this one?

[NOBLNG]

On 12/9/2022 at 2:56 PM, espo said:

The side view picture gives a much better idea of the seat height and look like what one would imagine the seat height would be. 

Yeah, I don’t think they look too tall. I did move them back abit and adjusted the drivers side tilt….since I accidentally snapped it in half while fiddling with it.?

Edited December 23, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I got the interior masked and mainly painted. Still need to do the detailing. It actually turned out nicer looking  than I expected.

I also got the chassis and exhaust painted and some preliminary coats on the floorpan. I was debating cutting out that lump of a starter but figured I’d wind up with a big hole in the side of the oil pan that would have to be filled, so I decided to live with it.

I’m currently working on getting the engine accessories mounted. I’ve had to re-work the fresh air intake ducts and decided to run them out to the front grill area.

I had to rework the heater box some to gain clearance for the ducts and still have to mount the Mustang radiator and maybe fab up some scoops or filter boxes for the intake ducts. That’s all for now, thanks for lookin’.?

Edit: I see mounting my battery and MC may give me headaches yet.?

Edited December 23, 2022 by NOBLNG

[SpikeSchumacher]

Looking really good Greg!

Cheers

[Tcoat]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

Edit: I see mounting my battery and MC may give me headaches yet.?

 

Just do like most restomods do and relocate the battery to the trunk. That way all you need to do is run some wires up to the firewall. The MC can just get dropped a bit to clear the intake tubes.