Project? TBird SC vs. Monte SS

[kursed56]

I dont have a lot of body /rust repair experience and not to mention money either. But Im looking into an 80s car that I could find for a reasonable price, doesnt need much body/rust work and easily modified. I dont have all the skills some of you guys have. Has to be a manual shift car.

87-93 Thunderbird or 80's Monte SS, I like both.

What are your thoughts?

I think a t-bird would be cool, I havent seen many lowered and built and I know the Monte can easily be built up. Both can be had with strong rears, 5-speeds (at least the Bird? did the Monte ever have a manual?

Any thoughts? I also like the 3rd Gen Camaros, T/As.

[Boyd]

All are decent choices, but I would go with a 3rd gen Camaro.

[jy211]

I'd go with a monte or 3rd gen if it was me...LOL

[No one]

Whichever you can get your hands on first/cheapest. I'm fortunate enough to have both the SC and a GM G-body. The SC is a great fun car but can get on the expensive side in a hurry just for maintenance costs. Even though there were quite a few of them made not a lot of people seem to know about them, henceforth parts can be a little hard to comeby sometimes. I had to order the water pump for mine. Thanks to intercooler tubes it's a PITA to change the plugs on them; under the car unless you're skinny enough to snake your arms between the fenderwell and the motor. The 5spd (Mazda M5OD R2) isn't the best in the world (a little truckish) but will handle the power and any you may add. 2nd gear synchros are notorious for going out. Check the rear diff for worn differential bushings, another common problem. The intercoolers are sufficient for stock but any more than a couple extra pounds of boost and you'll need either: 1) doube IC, 2) IC fan or 3) FMIC. The rears for the SC's actually are pretty strong even being IRS (8.8" center section) with some guys with the better built cars (400+ HP) still using stock halfshafts. There's a LOT more about the cars to find out and play with but I can't think of it all. Check this site out for more info: www.SCCOA.com : SuperCoupe Club of America.

I love my Thunderbird for an everyday beat around fun car but I can't wait till I get started on my '87 442....then it's bye bye Thunderbird.

[BA.]

I'd probably do the Monte because I like it's looks.

The TBird would accept a Mustang motor which would make good power and be easy to upgrade.

[No one]

That would defeat the purpose of the SC though (supercharged 3.8 V6). If you want a V8 model look for a Sport (same HO302) but the only factory models with a 5spd were the SC's. Not too much of a problem to convert though.

[Brandon Miller]

Pass on the TBird. There are parts for the V6 but not a lot compared to other motors. The TBird just doesn't have the following or the parts to get it where you would want it. I'd go with the Chevy. And this is coming from a Ford guy.

[BADNBLK]

Third gen!! Classic looks, great handling, and LSx drivetrain can be easily adapted..... but then again I may be biased

Only thing is going to the barber and asking for that haircut that has be so synonymous with the 3rd gen cars... "Camaro cut please"

[bmjwright]

I'd get the 80's Monte...if you want a manual trans, you'll have to put it in, the didn't come with one.

[kursed56]

Dang, contrary to my posting header, Ive been looking thru Craigslist and it seems the best way to go is with a 3rd gen Camaro. One can be had in decent shape, complete with a 5-spd manual for about a grand.

My wife has already warned me about the haircut so I told her I would grow a big mustache instead.

[No one]

The Thunderbirds are a great car but you really do have to fall in love with them to spend the kind of money required just to match a mildly built third gen or Fox body 'Stang.

[406 Q-ship]

Third gen!! Classic looks, great handling, and LSx drivetrain can be easily adapted..... but then again I may be biased

Only thing is going to the barber and asking for that haircut that has be so synonymous with the 3rd gen cars... "Camaro cut please"

It is a whole lot easier to put the LS series engine in a G-body than a 3rd Gen F-body. The G-body is a great handling chassis too, every bit as good as the F-body. The one major flaw with the G-body (and most of the 3rd Gen F-bodies) is the crappy front brakes. It would be cool to see a T-bird SC too, a bit of dare to be different.

[The Stickman]

I would go for the T-bird. If the Supercharged V-6 is hard to get parts for stick an older 2.3L turbo engine. I think it's the better choice as I haven't seen one done Pro-Touring style.

[No one]

Inspiration?:



The 2.3T swap has been discussed before on the SC forum...general concensus is that it's not enough to move the heft of a MN12 chassis 'bird, especially a Supercoupe...even base Supercoupes were very well optioned. Tipping the scales at 4K pounds +/- the 2.3T may not be up to the challenge. Modded, who knows?

[icebird84]

It is a whole lot easier to put the LS series engine in a G-body than a 3rd Gen F-body. The G-body is a great handling chassis too, every bit as good as the F-body. The one major flaw with the G-body (and most of the 3rd Gen F-bodies) is the crappy front brakes. It would be cool to see a T-bird SC too, a bit of dare to be different.

3 gen is not hard if you are in us

1 . get this K-Members

Motor Mounts: ) LS1 Motor Mounts
Rack Mounts: 4th Gen Rack Mounts
Spring Perches: OEM Spring Perches
Price: $649.00

and Bushing A-Arms


Spring Perches: OEM Spring Perches
Price: $399.00

2. get one like this


$9,750.00 or more damage less money

[srh3trinity]

I think a T-bird would be cool and that is coming from a Chevy guy. I grew up in Hueytown, AL and I can remember Davey Allison's black T-bird with black wheels and tinted windows. I guess you would have to decide if you wanted to invest the money. I am hoping to do a third gen Camaro in the not too distant future. I think there is a lot of potential there.

[jackfrost]

of course, I'm biased, but I think the g-bodies are a great platform. they're cheap as hell, plentiful in the junkyards, full-frame, regular a-arm front suspension. and, I think they look good.

as noted, the brakes suck, but there are several options to get around that.

78-80 cars came with manuals, but they're weak and rare. there are starting to be options for retrofitting manuals.

if you want a turbo 6, find a Turbo Regal. if you want a LS swap, get a Monte. if you want something special, get a Cutlass.

[fishtail8]

Along the same lines, how about Cougar? The parents had an '87 20th anniversary one. Fully loaded, with a 5.0L that would have taken all the Mustang mods. I don't imagine a 5spd swap would be that hard. Throw a Vortec on it and cruise in luxury. I would have kept that old girl.....

[JMarsa]

I like the T-Bird but with a 5.0 and stick with the SC's bodywork. With IRS how can you go wrong?

--JMarsa

[85_SS]

I'm biased, but I'd go with a g-body. As mentioned, the 83-88 SS never came with a standard trans, but the swap isn't very difficult and is becoming more and more common. You may even come across one already swapped if you're lucky.

That being said, a friend of mine used to have a Tbird SuperCoupe and it was a beautiful car.