Hey all,
I just wanted some unbiased opinions. I have quite a few 1983-1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupes (own a speed shop for them actually) but I'm tired of beating my head against a wall to go fast (12's or better). So I have a 1987 TC that I am turning into a street/strip car (3.73 posi 8.8 rear, T5 manual, manual seats, a/c delete, etc) and I decided to drop an AMC 360 in it. Yes, I said an AMC 360. I come from a very large family of AMC nuts (my grandfather is Ray Pinto, founder of American Performance for you AMC guys) and I have alot of knowledge and love for them. A AMC T5 bolted to a 360 with dog-leg heads, 10:1 comp, mild cam, and a air-gap with a 750 on it would fit nicely and go really fast (about 3200 Lbs w/o driver). All of the Thunderbird guys are calling me and trash talking me saying I'm giving up on them and all the AMC guys are calling me stupid for not building a Gremlin. I have a 13 second TC already (Precision SC50 turbo, built motor, blah blah blah) but I have this other car and a 360 already so I say why not? Just build it and have some fun right? What do you guys think?  

well, that's why they call it car craft, build it. I myself am going to stuff a buick stage 1 455 into my 79 TA.  

I say go for it!  And keep us updated.  

Well, I'm going for it. The car I'm starting with is a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Silver-blue with a charcoal cloth interior. It has a 8.8" rear with a 3.73 posi, 4-wheel discs, front&rear swaybars, and a dual-electric fan setup. I already removed the engine and trans (auto) and collected all the parts for the T5 manual swap. I have a battery relocation kit, drivshaft loop, B&M Line-Loc, and a triple gauge for it. I also have a non-ABS master cylinder and some manual seat tracks. I plan on removing the a/c, radio, and backseat as well as putting in lighter carpet. Should I ditch the swaybars?

if you ditch the sway bars, youre gonna have a cadillac ride, but very poor handling, as well as some sway on the freeway.

NOPE.  You aren't nuts.  That is a damn good engine you are planning there and it's mega durable.  When you get it done, maybe post some time slips.  It should be interesting.

Bowser

You did say street-strip right? lol, keep the sway bars  

I cant believe anyone would get their shorts in a twist over someone throwing an engine from a different brand into their car. Hot rodders and car crafters have been doing this for eighty years. They started with Flathead V8's, then caddy V8 and Olds rockets, then the early Hemis. Finally, the love/hate relationship with the small block chevy started.

Rodders have been looking to go faster and they all went with the best, or just the easiest, engine to fill the need for speed. From the posts I've read here; most guys will show respect, or just put up with you, if you use any engine but a small block chevy. I guess they don't like the lack of immagination.

Don't need paint. It only has 101K miles on it and the paint is near perfect. Besides, it will help the "sleeper" look! lol

http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/sitebuilder/images/IM002442-306x222.jpg
http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/sitebuilder/images/Model_Collection_005-409x302.jpg

Michael Pinto

1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 2.3/5-Speed, built forged roller motor, Precision SC50 turbo, etc
1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 360 AMC/5-Speed street/strip car project

Sounds cool.  Buld it, give some updates.