Took My 2003 T-Bird On It’s Maiden Road Trip

Tuckers Baby

Tuckers Baby

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Jan 25, 2020
Thunderbird Year
1957
I’ve sparsely used my paid time off with the hospital this past year and since my anniversary is in early September, I popped my road trip cherry by making the 10 hour drive from Texas to Alabama with nothing but me, my luggage, and my red roadster. Not including the two travel days I spent the 8th through the 12th reconnecting with friends and family I hadn’t seen in 5-6 years, but the other big allure was toting my Thunderbird around Auburn and testing how she’d hold up on a real long distance drive.

I’d just installed the last of my bolt on upgrades a few days prior and I have to say she did phenomenal on the trip! I averaged around 80-90mph for the majority of the trip, dropping to 75 or 80 in cruise controloccasionally to give my legs a slight break. Almost did 20 over past a cop in MS too, but slowed down in time and avoided any out of state ticket nightmares. Gas mileage was a solid 23.5mpg but I’m still wrestling with a bipolar oxygen sensor code Issue so that’s close enough for highway driving.

All in all the only other issue was removing the hundred or so ants that decided to explore my engine bay and gaskets after parking too close to a mound one night, that was interesting to say the least, but I still had a ton of fun being out on the open road all by myself for once. Now I just need to find an interstate that isn’t as much of an eyesore as I-20 is; beautiful scenery equates to a beautiful drive.

Bonus are some attached pics of Christine while stopped in Seale and on the road coming home:EA12A62E-45B5-4A0C-8353-E14D36DD7118.jpeg653A3B49-A77B-42D7-859D-218745CB0A33.jpegE19D21EA-4600-461F-B8FF-286DDDEC38F3.jpeg9DDD238E-9A17-4389-910D-2F8BCDD64BC6.jpegAE29BA76-7A59-447E-800F-9C93EE04205B.jpeg0A8C790A-1787-4B43-8127-6C7EDD41BB12.jpeg
 

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I was wondering if the cold air intake would interfere with the cars ability to regulate temperature. But, if you are driving 90MPH through Texas this week I will conclude that it is not a problem...
 
JohnS said:
I was wondering if the cold air intake would interfere with the cars ability to regulate temperature. But, if you are driving 90MPH through Texas this week I will conclude that it is not a problem...
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Oh yeah, I’ve had zero temperature issues in the almost 6 months I’ve owned her. If anything, a CAI is more secceptable to dirt and such since it a less restrictive and therefore more exposed to the elements versus not delivering enough air to the engine.
 
Sounds like a nice trip in the Bird! Good gas mileage! Glad your Red Bird ran well! i am sure you had some head turners! Too hot to go topless! ;Lol....
 
Sounds like a great trip! Congrats.
 
FANZ said:
Glad your Red Bird ran well! i am sure you had some head turners!
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You bet. Some crazy old coot and his wife In a 2010 Mercedes even followed me back to where I was staying for the night to ask me about the car.
 
Tuckers Baby said:
I’ve sparsely used my paid time off with the hospital this past year and since my anniversary is in early September, I popped my road trip cherry by making the 10 hour drive from Texas to Alabama with nothing but me, my luggage, and my red roadster. Not including the two travel days I spent the 8th through the 12th reconnecting with friends and family I hadn’t seen in 5-6 years, but the other big allure was toting my Thunderbird around Auburn and testing how she’d hold up on a real long distance drive.

I’d just installed the last of my bolt on upgrades a few days prior and I have to say she did phenomenal on the trip! I averaged around 80-90mph for the majority of the trip, dropping to 75 or 80 in cruise controloccasionally to give my legs a slight break. Almost did 20 over past a cop in MS too, but slowed down in time and avoided any out of state ticket nightmares. Gas mileage was a solid 23.5mpg but I’m still wrestling with a bipolar oxygen sensor code Issue so that’s close enough for highway driving.

All in all the only other issue was removing the hundred or so ants that decided to explore my engine bay and gaskets after parking too close to a mound one night, that was interesting to say the least, but I still had a ton of fun being out on the open road all by myself for once. Now I just need to find an interstate that isn’t as much of an eyesore as I-20 is; beautiful scenery equates to a beautiful drive.

Bonus are some attached pics of Christine while stopped in Seale and on the road coming home:View attachment 12792View attachment 12793View attachment 12794View attachment 12795View attachment 12796View attachment 12797
Click to expand...
Thats great! Tey it with the softop next time the open air freeway driving is fantastic no air rushes at speed
 
Beautiful car, beautiful trip. Now pull that top off and find some East Texas hills.
 
Nothing better then going TOPLESS in your TBird! I keep mine down even in the very hot dry Desert Arizona air!
 
Other than the CAI, what other "bolt on mods" did you install?
 
Tuckers Baby said:
I’ve sparsely used my paid time off with the hospital this past year and since my anniversary is in early September, I popped my road trip cherry by making the 10 hour drive from Texas to Alabama with nothing but me, my luggage, and my red roadster. Not including the two travel days I spent the 8th through the 12th reconnecting with friends and family I hadn’t seen in 5-6 years, but the other big allure was toting my Thunderbird around Auburn and testing how she’d hold up on a real long distance drive.

I’d just installed the last of my bolt on upgrades a few days prior and I have to say she did phenomenal on the trip! I averaged around 80-90mph for the majority of the trip, dropping to 75 or 80 in cruise controloccasionally to give my legs a slight break. Almost did 20 over past a cop in MS too, but slowed down in time and avoided any out of state ticket nightmares. Gas mileage was a solid 23.5mpg but I’m still wrestling with a bipolar oxygen sensor code Issue so that’s close enough for highway driving.

All in all the only other issue was removing the hundred or so ants that decided to explore my engine bay and gaskets after parking too close to a mound one night, that was interesting to say the least, but I still had a ton of fun being out on the open road all by myself for once. Now I just need to find an interstate that isn’t as much of an eyesore as I-20 is; beautiful scenery equates to a beautiful drive.

Bonus are some attached pics of Christine while stopped in Seale and on the road coming home:View attachment 12792View attachment 12793View attachment 12794View attachment 12795View attachment 12796View attachment 12797
Click to expand...
She's a beaut! Come to Tuscaloosa next time. Cheers from N Alabama
 
ricklove said:
What do you think of the Borla sound?
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From the bottom of my heart this is the best thing anyone can ever to to an 11th gen Thunderbird. It is phenomenal and makes the engine finally sound like a proper V8. It gives off a nice bassy rumble when idle and produces an a great “gargle” that reminds me of 5.0 mustangs when you give her the beans. Of course straight piping the thing will always be the loudest option here but considering there’s not much in the way of commercial performance mods here it’s best to not bite off more than you can chew. I long for the day I can figure out how to supercharge one but until then the NA notes given off by the catback Borla is some of the best $$$ I’ve ever spent.
 
Sounds like a great trip and the car is beautiful. Going I 20 you passed right by the house just east of Ruston La.
 
Took my newly purchased 2002 to Saint Annabelle Island last year, about a 2-4 hour drive at 75mph and up; these are great cruisers and very comfortable on extended trips. And your upgrades are tasteful - I've seen some "blinged-out birds" on several forums that cross the line of good taste IMO. These are subtly designed, under-stated cars and should be left as such... My hardtop is on right now in Orlando area - will prob be a yearly thing keeping it on July-August; its just too hot and humid otherwise - even at night.
 
Frankie the Fink said:
Took my newly purchased 2002 to Saint Annabelle Island last year, about a 2-4 hour drive at 75mph and up; these are great cruisers and very comfortable on extended trips. And your upgrades are tasteful - I've seen some "blinged-out birds" on several forums that cross the line of good taste IMO. These are subtly designed, under-stated cars and should be left as such... My hardtop is on right now in Orlando area - will prob be a yearly thing keeping it on July-August; its just too hot and humid otherwise - even at night.
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I enjoy my 04 year round in N Alabama, top down most of the time. AC or heat as needed! Roll On, Tee Birds! :)
 
JohnS said:
I was wondering if the cold air intake would interfere with the cars ability to regulate temperature. But, if you are driving 90MPH through Texas this week I will conclude that it is not a problem...
Click to expand...
That K&N boosts about 17 more HP and changes the sound of the engine at acceleration. A "must have" addition, i put one on mine right away and it gave the car a much more muscle car sound, but still classy.
 
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