I hope I am welcome around here......

[dirtybird91]

I own a 1991 Ford Thunderbird SC which is basicly a 3.8 with a supercharger. Even though I like the car it's performance in a straight line has really let me down over the years. In stock form my best quarter mile time is 15.4
I recently got with Tom Berry from HP Performance in Roswell New Mexico, and he will be stripping the 3.8 of the weak supercharged system and totally fabricating a wicked turbo system to my 3.8 V6.
http://www.turbochargedpower.com/

The transformation will consist of things like alcohol injection, and things that I am not too familiar with. The goal is to fabricate a "kit" that will be available to other T-Bird owners with a 3.8
My car will be used to make this happen and I will get a free installation and dyno. I will also be a vendor for the kit. We are thinking about a new "chip", or the possibility of a new stand-alone computer system too. I have expressed a goal of 500HP, but Tom assured me that he likes to surprise his customers with greater performance results than they expect. I am very excited about this project, as are many of my colleagues on the SCCOA website.
We also have a few idiots who still believe the the supercharger upgrades that we have available in our aftermarket make us competitive to a turbo system. The fastest Supercoupe currently runs in the mid 11's.
The biggest myth is how turbos have so much lag. Ignorance has no boundaries sometimes. We have not decided whether or not to go with a single or dual turbo setup. They are going to decide which to go with, but I am not sure what the deciding factor will be.
I have always been a fan of the Buick Grand National and I think the car is the only modern legend. With that being said, I hope you guys will be willing to offer advise to me once I take delivery of my car in April.

Frank

 

[Gary Wells]

Welcome to the board.

 

[dirtybird91]

THANKS WELLS!

 

[gn85]

First, welcome to the board.

I can't promise you won't find people here who 'dislike' Ford products, but I'm sure you will also find many fans of both Ford and Buick as well as many knowledgable, helpful sources here in the Buick community.

I am not terribly familiar with the 3.8 supercharged setup myself. I've never heard of many impressive performance numbers from that engine, so perhaps that's why I've never paid much attention.

This sounds like you're making a "balls to the wall" setup. I'm wondering if there will be any room to go from mild to wild in this 'kit'. Also, what would be an honest assessment of failure rate for your engines? As I'm sure you're very aware, making this kind of power puts an engine on the cusp of being efficient and being pieces on the ground. (DOTC members please chime in )

Also, I'm not sure, but I thought the SCs had both automatic and manual trannies. If this is true, doesn't that open a wide gap in performance characteristics?? I imagine a supercharged engine could be a lot more consistant with those different gearboxes, whereas a turbo motor might enjoy different setups for different gearboxes.

Anyways, I don't want to write a book here. Good luck on your endeavors.

 

[dirtybird91]

Thanks for the greeting. I thought about the fact that I may not be recieved too well by some that dislike Ford, but at least i'm better that a Ricer.

I turned to you guys because you all likely know more about this situation than anyone else I could chat with. The stock Supercharged 3.8 has very strong internals, so we will be aiming for every bit of performance we can get without spitting the pistons out. We will also be aiming to highten the boost levels for non-stock blocks that have been fitted with bigger heads, cam, rods, pistons, ect. There will be about three diffenent stages.
We have had totally stock short blocks to handle 400hp, so the Ford 3.8's are fairly stout for the supercharged version at least.

Also you are right about the Thunderbird SC having the benifit of two different gearboxes, but I think the application will thrive behind the use of a good AOD. I have had an Art Carr Extreme AOD installed.

Over on my site people are already debating whether or not my car should be accepted on the Thunderbird SC "fastest list" since it will no longer be supercharged.
The hell with it! I will start a class of my own.

Frank

 

[WE4]

I am the admin/owner

And I welcome you whole heartedly.
If ANYONE should treat you in a negative light , I would like you to advise Nick, Jesse, or I and it will be addressed.
Everybody is welcome, Period.
There is alot to be learned from all walks of life.
Thanks and be sure to enjoy yourself.

Bruce
WE4
Owner and Tb.com admin

 

[dirtybird91]

Thank Bruce!

I know that I am an unusual visitor, but I am honored to be a welcomed guest around here. I will be sharing information about my project, and hopefully you guys will be offering information because many of you have "Been there and done this"

Now if a dude in a turbocharged rice-rocket comes aboard I will be happy to help you guys kick his ...


Thanks again!

Frank

 

[Randy Greenoe]

Re: Thank Bruce!

Originally posted by dirtybird91


Now if a dude in a turbocharged rice-rocket comes aboard I will be happy to help you guys kick his ...


Thanks again!

Frank

Watch the "rice rocket" crap ! A few guys on here have some pretty fast "Imports" also!

 

[Nick Micale]

I am sure you have noticed we have a "Supercharged 3800" forum here with some very knowledgeable and experienced members there. This will be a place for you to "lurk" and ask questions for the best response.

Thanks for being here, as all enthusiasts are welcome. It is seldom that a "ricer" visits, but we do have a few import members with very nice [and quick!] rides which contibute to our forums.

 

[OmahaKnight]

Here's a T-Bird SC for ya...

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=467188

 

[Pronto]

Lots of guys here run "Ford" blue tops so if you got some to sell you might make friends fast. Hey what the heck, lots to learn about all cars. Welcome.

Went to that site to see the SC. There's a few links to some movies. Wow what a noise that makes. Strange.

 

[dirtybird91]

HE HE!!!!

Sorry if I offended any ricers!

You guys are all car guys in my book!

Frank

 

[1badTTA]

Been a Mustang or two in the Alky section too, so you won't be the only Ferd guy. Nevermind the guys with the Lightnings as we all know they are just for hauling trash

 

[dirtybird91]

I like your tag!

I lived in Tucson AZ for three years between 1995 and 1998. Damn, I miss Tucson!

Frank

 

[Randy Greenoe]

Re: HE HE!!!!

Originally posted by dirtybird91
Sorry if I offended any ricers!

You guys are all car guys in my book!

Frank

That's ok! Most of the stupidcoupe guys are ok also!

 

[dirtybird91]

Easy now....

At least stupidcoupe guys are cool enough to eat rice instead of drive it!

Frank

 

[gn85]

Re: Easy now....

Originally posted by dirtybird91
At least stupidcoupe guys are cool enough to eat rice instead of drive it!

Frank

Wow, only 7 posts and you're already stirring up rice... I mean trouble!

 

[Randy Greenoe]

Re: Easy now....

Originally posted by dirtybird91
At least stupidcoupe guys are cool enough to eat rice instead of drive it!

Frank

They ain't eatin the "rice" sitting in my garage!

 

[dirtybird91]

Re: Re: HE HE!!!!

Originally posted by Randy Greenoe
That's ok! Most of the stupidcoupe guys are ok also!

Sorry for the confusion! I think the STUPID COUPE statement was the first sign of trouble, but I like you guys and I hope you guys don't take me wrong.

Frank

 

[SyHopeful]

Re: I am the admin/owner

Originally posted by WE4
And I welcome you whole heartedly.
If ANYONE should treat you in a negative light , I would like you to advise Nick, Jesse, or I and it will be addressed.
Everybody is welcome, Period.
There is alot to be learned from all walks of life.
Thanks and be sure to enjoy yourself.

Bruce
WE4
Owner and Tb.com admin

****, where were you for the SHO thread??