Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades 2002 2003 2004 2005 Thunderbird | Page 3 | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades 2002 2003 2004 2005 Thunderbird

I was looking for some kind of tune to lower my Fan temp, I went to the SCT web page and there is no support for the t-bird anymore, Walmart happened to have the SCT X4 7015 on special last week and I decided to take a chance not been sure if it came with any pre-loaded tunes, it does come with just one the 93 octane tune
 
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sprint said:
Has anyone here installed this non-branded cold air intake - cost is $70 as compared to the K&N at $350.

There are several positive reviews (Amazon) for this kit, but any feedback from forum members would be helpful.

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I've seen in depth studies on CAI for Mustangs. It's effectively a novelty item and the performance increase is negligible. Some people claim it sounds better, but I think that is often psychological. I do have one on my Mustang.

With that said, my opinion is the chrome one clashes with the engine bay and looks out of place. I prefer keeping the original look the K&N has. https://amzn.to/3PL921K
Ford-Thunderbird-CAI.jpg
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Georgia Cat said:
I have a 2003 Tbird and I have a Borla exhaust system. It has a nice throaty sound, not overly loud and it gives the Bird a few more horsepower.
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I have a 2004 and I have a Borla exhaust installed on mine. Took the shop less than 40 minutes to remove the stock exhaust (I kept it) and install the Borla exhaust. Sounds great and love the power, also installed the K&N CAI, it all really helped the performance.
 
mattym said:
I've had issues in the past with non-name brand intakes that either do nothing or actually lose some HP.
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The reality is, without a computer tune+ CAI on a car like a Mustang, most CAI are just something people do as a hobby.

I suspect the drop in K&N filter is just as effective. Most people state the CAI Ads some sound.
 
tbird said:
All you need to unleash the power of your Thunderbird are three things!

1- Cold Air Intake 2003-2005 also for 2002
2- Exhaust 2003-2004-2005 ( says 2003 but will fit 2004 & 2005 per this post. 2002 only fits 02 model.
Also recommend replacing ignition coils since these are often bad! They are cheap now, so at the least have a set on hand!
You can do the first two and then the exhaust at a later time if you don't want to do them all at once. The tuner alone will also yield results.

A must have for any Ford Thunderbird owner! Click here to view the SCT Ford Thunderbird Tuner that works on 1996-2014 FORD Cars & Trucks.

Notes: X4 Power Flash Programmer; Pre-Loaded;Not Legal For Use/Sale In CA On Pollution Controlled Vehicle;, 93 Octane HP Increase +14 hp; Torque Increase +17 lbs./ft.~ Backs Up Stock Tune/Supports Custom Tuning~ Axle Ratio/Tire Size~ Holds Up To 10 Custom Tunes; Automatic On/Off/Sleep Mode~ Read And Clears DTC Codes; Built-In Performance Calculator~ High Speed Date Logging And Monitoring; User Adjustable Tuner Options~ Built-In Wifi For Easy Updates; User Adjustable Warning/Alerts~ Spark Modification By RPM/Wide Open Throttle Fuel~ Wide Open Throttle Shift Points/Shift Firmness Control/Cooling Fan~ Speed Limiter/RPM Limiter/Idle Adjustment/Traction Control


K&N 69-3520TP Typhoon Air Intake Kit is also a easy way to improve performance and gas mileage on the 2003-2005 Ford Thunderbird! Pays for itself over time! Click here to view on eBay or here on Amazon.
View attachment 25992

View attachment 16640

Ford Thunderbird BORLA Split-Rear Exit Cat-Back System With Single Round Rolled Angle-Cut Tip
Upgrade your Ford Thunderbird’s factor exhaust system to something truly amazing!
HP & Torque: 14 HP/ 18 ft lbs Torque.

Click here for 2003 2004 2005 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Borla Exhaust

Click here for 2002 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Borla Exhaust
View attachment 621
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All of the above have been installed in my 2003, love the sound
 
Just finished putting this together for my 02. Sourced parts from Amazon. Made cardboard templates to xfer to 1/6" Al sheet stock. Rivet together.
Rubber seal makes a good seal from engine heat and fresh air from behind the headlight/grill area has a direct shot to the filter. Looks and functions as good as the KN unit for $75 & hrs of thinking and fabricating.

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Paul Kethman said:
Just finished putting this together for my 02. Sourced parts from Amazon. Made cardboard templates to xfer to 1/6" Al sheet stock. Rivet together.
Rubber seal makes a good seal from engine heat and fresh air from behind the headlight/grill area has a direct shot to the filter. Looks and functions as good as the KN unit for $75 & hrs of thinking and fabricating.

View attachment 30678View attachment 30679View attachment 30680View attachment 30681
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That is a great mod. I come from the diesel pickup world where getting more and cooler air (more dense oxygen content) is important. Outside air, not underhood air.

Has anyone compared particulate micron and efficiency rating specs for the K&N, stock filter, and anything else? Usually a filter that passes more air is not filtering as well, if the square inches of filter media is the same. If the filter is physically larger than stock or the pleats are deeper, meaning there are more square inches of media, that is good.

Fluid and air filter manufacturers don't all provide micron and efficiency ratings. Both have to be looked at. For example, a 10 micron filter is designed to catch particles sized 10 microns and larger. But the efficiency is rarely or never 100%. If it is 95%, then five out of 100 particles larger than 10 microns will get by the filter. If 80%, 20 out of 100. The filter media is important. Some are dry and have to be replaced. Some like K&N are to be oiled and are reusable. There is no way to know what is happening unless a test lab tests the filter. Without doing any research, beware of a loud filter. It might not be filtering well.
 
Hi Guys Im new to this thread, and was wondering where I could find some information on high performance parts, builds or tuning for the
3.9
 
I’m thinking about installing the K&N intake. Can someone post a picture with that system installed? Not sure I want to lose the original look.
Cooge
 
tbird said:
All you need to unleash the power of your Thunderbird are three things!

1- Cold Air Intake 2003-2005 also for 2002
2- Exhaust 2003-2004-2005 ( says 2003 but will fit 2004 & 2005 per this post. 2002 only fits 02 model.
Also recommend replacing ignition coils since these are often bad! They are cheap now, so at the least have a set on hand!
You can do the first two and then the exhaust at a later time if you don't want to do them all at once. The tuner alone will also yield results.

K&N 69-3520TP Typhoon Air Intake Kit is also a easy way to improve performance and gas mileage on the 2003-2005 Ford Thunderbird! Pays for itself over time! Click here to view on eBay or here on Amazon.
View attachment 25992

View attachment 16640

Ford Thunderbird BORLA Split-Rear Exit Cat-Back System With Single Round Rolled Angle-Cut Tip
Upgrade your Ford Thunderbird’s factor exhaust system to something truly amazing!
HP & Torque: 14 HP/ 18 ft lbs Torque.

Ebay Click here for 2003 2004 2005 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Borla Exhaust
Amazon Click here for 2003 2004 2005 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Boral Exhaust

Ebay click here for 2002 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Borla Exhaust
Amazon click here for 2002 Ford Thunderbird Cat-Back Borla Exhaust
View attachment 621
Click to expand...
I installed the K&N intake and got another 25 horsepower, then the Borla exhaust adding 15 more Hp. Also installing a performance chip added another twenty ponies. I added some four jet injectors but saw little difference however my fuel mileage has increased by 3 mpg on the highway and 2 in town with the AC on.

Letting the engine breath better, ie more cool air in and freely letting exhaust air out is the key..With these three simple mods I’m now seeing 350 horsepower on the most recent dyno… I think shoving air it in it with turbine or supercharger is unnecessary in that you have to assess if the engine needs to be modified, (that would likely require a double shotpeen, port and polish, piston/ rod balancing, crank shaft balance…and do the work necessary so the drive train can handle the increased loads let alone can you keep it on the road.

With these three basic mods you have a hot little roadster with perhaps an extra $2000 bucks spent.
 
Did you change out the Cat Converters, too? I've heard the OE Cats are quite restrictive, too.
Could you copy and upload the Dyno sheets here? I'd love to see how the changes affect Hp and Torque over the RPMs.
Thanks for posting your results,
Tom
 
No, I did not change out the cats.The Borla as well as the Dyna Flo systems are “cat back”. I’m sure that there are less restrictive catalytic converters available however, I didn’t see the need for a small advantage in that given the cost. As to the dyno data, I don’t have that readily available. HP and torque were definitely increased, now the car with the add on mods ie the intake, exhaust and the performance chip have it at 350 hp. With the chip the fuel mpg has increased and the shifting spectrum/ rpm’s increased as well.

I could get radical and do an engine build like port and polish the heads, piston/ rod balancing, dial the crankshaft and blueprint but the car is driving perfectly and I’m getting lazy.
 
Earthrider said:
No, I did not change out the cats.The Borla as well as the Dyna Flo systems are “cat back”. I’m sure that there are less restrictive catalytic converters available however, I didn’t see the need for a small advantage in that given the cost. As to the dyno data, I don’t have that readily available. HP and torque were definitely increased, now the car with the add on mods ie the intake, exhaust and the performance chip have it at 350 hp. With the chip the fuel mpg has increased and the shifting spectrum/ rpm’s increased as well.

I could get radical and do an engine build like port and polish the heads, piston/ rod balancing, dial the crankshaft and blueprint but the car is driving perfectly and I’m getting lazy.
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Hi ER, If you could, I'd like to learn more about the "performance chip" you installed. I have a dyno shop I trust to do work on the car but would like to know more about it myself.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
 
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