1996 Thunderbird 4.6L, are part interchangeable?

Sac68 · 07-17-2001, 11:50 PM

My good friend just picked up a 96 Tbird LX with the 4.6L.

It's bone stock (except for a tranny cooler) and he wants to warm it up abit. I suggested a 77mm MAM, a 70mm Throttle body, Flowmasters, pulleys, amd gears (3.73s probably).

My question is, will larger MAF meters, throttle bodies, and pulleys designed for SOHC 4.6L Mustang GTs work in his Tbird? I (and my buddy) appreciate your feedback.

Thank you.

------------------
98 Mustang coupe 3.8L V6
87 Mustang GT hatchback 5.0L V8
87 Bronco XLT 4bbl 351W

My mom drives a 99 Mustang GT convertable.

91LX2Bfast · 07-18-2001, 09:24 AM

I think I can help you/him out.
Yes, just about all the Mustang parts are interchangable. The best advice to give him is this web address, www.tccoa.com .
My advice would be to start out like any other car, open up the intake and exhaust. The stock exhaust on the 96-97 Tbird is the most restrictive thing you've ever seen. A single 2 1/4" pipe that is pinched down to half of its diameter. There are a number of different options he has for exhausts, so tell him to email me or check out the website.
Next he should get a 80mm or 90mm MAF from a SVT Lightning and get an Inject Tech chip burned w/ the MAF tranfer function. This is the best chip there is.
3:73's are a great choice, all though they will be a little more expensive to install then on a normal mustang because the Tbird has IRS, but no biggie.
Skip the bigger TB, because the gain will be so very small, and that money can better be spent somewhere else.
And the pulleys, of course they are always a nice help.
My email is jackthemack@snip.net and I can go into more detail for you. But you have to go to www.tccoa.com and post this question on the Tech BBS and you will get all the help you will ever need. I'll look for your post over there.
Ohh, BTW, just w/ the chip, MAF, and catback I went 15.2 @ 91, so w/ the rest of the exhaust done, pulleys, and 3:73's, he can go deep into the 14's.

------------------
1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Dynomax exhaust, Lightning 80mm MAF with 7" powerstack cone filter, B&M 24,000GVW trans cooler, Inject-Tech chip, KVR Brake upgrade. 15.2 @ 91. Not bad for a 3800lb auto 4.6L

No Longer own: 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd

Sac68 · 07-18-2001, 02:04 PM

Thank you very for the response.

Wow, you ran 15.2 with just that!? That is really impressive for a car that size. I like his 'Bird, its pretty quick and its oh so comfortable.

Since he doesn't have internet access, I'll check out that link that you gave me.

Thanks again.

------------------
98 Mustang coupe 3.8L V6
87 Mustang GT hatchback 5.0L V8
87 Bronco XLT 4bbl 351W

My mom drives a 99 Mustang GT convertable.

07-17-2001, 11:50 PM	#1
Sac68 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Pgh, PA USA Posts: 281	1996 Thunderbird 4.6L, are part interchangeable? My good friend just picked up a 96 Tbird LX with the 4.6L. It's bone stock (except for a tranny cooler) and he wants to warm it up abit. I suggested a 77mm MAM, a 70mm Throttle body, Flowmasters, pulleys, amd gears (3.73s probably). My question is, will larger MAF meters, throttle bodies, and pulleys designed for SOHC 4.6L Mustang GTs work in his Tbird? I (and my buddy) appreciate your feedback. Thank you. ------------------ 98 Mustang coupe 3.8L V6 87 Mustang GT hatchback 5.0L V8 87 Bronco XLT 4bbl 351W My mom drives a 99 Mustang GT convertable.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
87-93 GT 3rd Brakelight: Bulb part #	ponyboy25	Windsor Power	5	04-13-2003 08:48 PM
1996 Mustang GT 4.6l	Al Bundy	Racer's Club House	2	04-11-2003 08:52 PM
Stupid Question?	SilverGT02	Modular Madness	4	07-06-2002 11:01 AM
97' Thunderbird 4.6L question	JM90GT	Windsor Power	8	12-12-2001 01:26 PM

07-18-2001, 09:24 AM	#2
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	I think I can help you/him out. Yes, just about all the Mustang parts are interchangable. The best advice to give him is this web address, www.tccoa.com . My advice would be to start out like any other car, open up the intake and exhaust. The stock exhaust on the 96-97 Tbird is the most restrictive thing you've ever seen. A single 2 1/4" pipe that is pinched down to half of its diameter. There are a number of different options he has for exhausts, so tell him to email me or check out the website. Next he should get a 80mm or 90mm MAF from a SVT Lightning and get an Inject Tech chip burned w/ the MAF tranfer function. This is the best chip there is. 3:73's are a great choice, all though they will be a little more expensive to install then on a normal mustang because the Tbird has IRS, but no biggie. Skip the bigger TB, because the gain will be so very small, and that money can better be spent somewhere else. And the pulleys, of course they are always a nice help. My email is jackthemack@snip.net and I can go into more detail for you. But you have to go to www.tccoa.com and post this question on the Tech BBS and you will get all the help you will ever need. I'll look for your post over there. Ohh, BTW, just w/ the chip, MAF, and catback I went 15.2 @ 91, so w/ the rest of the exhaust done, pulleys, and 3:73's, he can go deep into the 14's. ------------------ 1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Dynomax exhaust, Lightning 80mm MAF with 7" powerstack cone filter, B&M 24,000GVW trans cooler, Inject-Tech chip, KVR Brake upgrade. 15.2 @ 91. Not bad for a 3800lb auto 4.6L No Longer own: 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd

07-18-2001, 02:04 PM	#3
Sac68 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Pgh, PA USA Posts: 281	Thank you very for the response. Wow, you ran 15.2 with just that!? That is really impressive for a car that size. I like his 'Bird, its pretty quick and its oh so comfortable. Since he doesn't have internet access, I'll check out that link that you gave me. Thanks again. ------------------ 98 Mustang coupe 3.8L V6 87 Mustang GT hatchback 5.0L V8 87 Bronco XLT 4bbl 351W My mom drives a 99 Mustang GT convertable.