I have the opportunity to pick up a running '91 Tbird Super Coupe. Thinking of using the 3.8L supercharged engine, AOD, and the IRS and IFS in a future F1 or F100 project. You all must have some thoughts on the '91 Super Coupe and its parts.

 

IRS from the Thunderbird has been done, but it is a rather bulky install. The front end is McPherson-type strut and not easily adapted to truck use without extensive and unreasonable modifications. You'd need to build a full racing-style roll cage around the front end of the truck to mount the struts to, requiring above average knowledge of suspension dynamics, imho. I wouldn't try it, personally. There's a lot better options out there.

 

52 Merc, Thanks for the info. Any thoughts on the 3.8L supercharged motor w/AOD. I've seen the supercharger selling for more than they want for the whole car.

 

If you can work out the electronics The supercharged 3.8L is a pretty fun engine. The only real down side to the engine is they will blow the head gaskets if over heated at all. I have done a few of these head gasket jobs and once replaced I have never had it fail on me again. I think this engine would be a great swap for the F1/F100's. Personally I'd prefer the 5spd over the AOD though. But I hate automatics.

The Supercoupe will have the 8.8" rear diff in the IRS. There have been quite a few people that have swapped the IRS into the older trucks. It will take either the available swap kit or some fabrication to do it though. I believe the T-birds have a smaller bolt pattern. That will require either running adapters or swapping over the the Mustang Cobra IRS hubs.

Like 52 Merc mentioned the front suspension is way more trouble then it's worth. You are better off with a Mustang II, Jag or 2003+ Crown Vic front suspension.

 

i installed the T bird rear end from the same car your looking at and I thought the install was really quite easy. I modified the front subframe mounts and fabricated my own rear mounts but overall the whole thing only took just over a weekend of work. Planning it out and having the measurements and the mounting plate ready to install were the largest challenges. You can even buy a kit to mount it if you want. It all depends on your metal skills. Access to a plasma cutter is a definate plus for cutting the rear mounting plate but a cutting torch will do the same thing. I prefer a stick welder over the mig because the welds are not so brittle. Check out the irs album I created when I did mine. It might help you out. Also I think the kit is made by 321.com or something like that. Theres a good write up on that site. Now is it as easy as sticking in an 8.8 or 9 inch strait rear end? Not by a long shot but I wanted to try something outside the box and this has alot of good info available. For your front end look into the jag series 3 front end. Very easy install with only a little fabrication. David at everydayxj.com is a jag wrecker/recycler that has excellent prices. Do some research before you decide but this is my first build and with help from the folks on this site I found it quite an easy installation. I also made a mount and will be using the AOD. My motor was shot but I think it will spin the wheels quite nicely.

 

Just reviewed your IRS install. Very good write up and pictures!!!

 

Hey Brent,
That AOD in the super charged Tbird is the one you want if you
are going the automatic route. They come with the larger 2 inch "A" Overdrive Servo plus upgraded components.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

I also installed the t bird irs and it was done in a weekend. Team 321 does make a mount kit to / take all the guess work out of it, but I didn't like the front mounts and the way they hung down outside and below the frame. I cut the arm and fabricated new mounts. The rear mounts I just used 1/4 " plate and fabbed them myself. I kinda like the thought of doing it myself and saving 3-4 hundred bucks!! I agree with the aod but stay away from the front end. Pics are in album.