4.6 performance options

[thunderbird muscle]

What is the best way to go with the 4.6 in a 95 Thunderbird(same as 96 mustang)

I just want something to eat local ricers. So would I just want a chipj or do I need a lot of work done to the motor, you know cams, heads, etc.

Thanks for the help!!!!!!!!

[RocketStang911]

well,if your car is stock you don't really want a chip.To beat some ricers you probably only need some bolt on's if you don't already have any.

[ShiftedReality]

my friend has a 96 Tbird with an 4.6. from what i've heard the cars weigh a lot for the amount of hp they produce. bolt ons are a def. well depending on what you want to do with it.

good luck

[thunderbird muscle]

Thanks

The Tbirds are heavy, but they still pack a little punch and will still knock you into the back of your seat when you get on it.

I have an Air Intake, Ram air hood, (waiting on my shift kit to arrive),and a nice set of tires to hold to the ground what do I need next?

Thanks I really do appreciate the help.

[RocketStang911]

Some gears and a torque converter
and maybe exhaust.

You said your car will knock you in the back of your seat when you get on it.After thease mods,It'll pull you through the seat.

[thunderbird muscle]

already done exhaust (straight pipes baby). Will a low stall speed torque converter take away from the top speed. And what kind of gears.

Its an automatic and is to hard(expensive) to convert to a manual so what gears do you suggest I use.

[StangNut86]

Originally Posted by thunderbird muscle

already done exhaust (straight pipes baby). Will a low stall speed torque converter take away from the top speed. And what kind of gears.

Its an automatic and is to hard(expensive) to convert to a manual so what gears do you suggest I use.

it's a hell of a lot easier to convert from auto to manual than the other way around. cost of the tranny, time under the car to modify the x-member location, cost of the clutch/flywheel assy., cost of the clutch pedal assembly and cable/cylinders+lines. plus install time for that. to convert to auto you often have to add a computer for it, or replace the main engine computer. gotta replace the radiator. among other things. and there are always difficulties you don't see that will completely screw you over if you're not ready for them.

a low-stall converter makes no sense... mod motors don't produce torque till slightly higher RPMs than an average 5.0, so they need to rev higher to launch. you should probably get about a 3500-4000 stall deal. and it won't affect your top end at all.

i'm not too sure you know exactly what a torque converter does... i'll be happy to explain if need be.

[RocketStang911]

Get 3:73 gears if you do alot of hwy driving.If you drive mostly in the city go with 4:10's!Trust me you'll be happy with them.

[ShiftedReality]

Originally Posted by thunderbird muscle

Thanks

The Tbirds are heavy, but they still pack a little punch and will still knock you into the back of your seat when you get on it.

I have an Air Intake, Ram air hood, (waiting on my shift kit to arrive),and a nice set of tires to hold to the ground what do I need next?

Thanks I really do appreciate the help.

~not to sound condesending but i know what the Tbirds can do. my friend owns a 96 Tbird with hella mods. he doesnt run strip but does road course. here are a few of the mods.

forged crank, rods, pistons (believe JE)
aluminium 4.6 block
port and polished cobra heads
aluminium intake ( looks like the Bullit intake but an older version?)
vortec supercharger running 13 lbs of boost
msd ignition
converted from AOD to 5 spd
cobra disk brakes
eibach coilover suspension
flowmaster exhaust
subframe connectors ( kenny brown custom )
super street cage ( kenny brown - chassis stiffener)
no rear seat ( weight reduction )
recaro race seats w/ 5 pt. harness
moda rims w/ kuhmo tires

unsure if the 90's model tbird comes with IRS?

producing somewhere about 400rwhp. not sure about torque.

~in any case those are the mods that i can remember. beautiful cars when worked corretly. unfortunately i dont have near as much money as he does to drop into a car just yet. ( its not a daily driver lol )

[Bray Hill]

His car sounds nice and this is a bit off subject. I just wanted to warn everyone to stay away from the eibach pro-kit spring and any other progressive rate spring on the market, that is, if you're into road racing.

[ShiftedReality]

Originally Posted by Bray Hill

His car sounds nice and this is a bit off subject. I just wanted to warn everyone to stay away from the eibach pro-kit spring and any other progressive rate spring on the market, that is, if you're into road racing.

~the company has gone downhill from what i've heard. most progressive springs dont match up out of the box. they come out to different ratios. however, the set he has on it was put on years ago. he built it up in the mid-late 90's.

~what would you suggest for coilovers? lol , not to change the subject from the 4.6 performance.

[CamaroSSBoy346]

hm.. I was gonna go with the eibach pro-kit spring set. Oh well...

[Bray Hill]

suspension tecniques,(spelling ?).

[SVTcobra306]

PI heads, and a Bullitt intake are very worth looking into.

For quick and cheap, gears and chuck some weight. You can always build your own cold air induction with a K&N filter on it. Make sure your exhaust is free-flowing, pretty standard stuff. I know a guy who's trying to sell a timing adjuster, I can ask how much he wants....