Thunderbird Borla Club Members

[vinnie]

Are there any BorlaBirds near Hollywood MD that would allow me to take a listen before I buy? Should have my '03 any day now.

Vince
301 373 3454 anytime

[chesterwarren]

No 142 the name, chesterwarren is spelled wrong Should be Chester Warren <not Chester Warred>

[hippy_mailman]

does it count if you bought the bird with BORLA already on it?just acquired it in December and does have a good throaty sound and the tips do say BORLA on them. other than that I do not know how to tell.never had anything to compare it with
04 Merlot Keith

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

I would imagine it counts. They make a lot more sound that stock. Ours is broken in and sounding mellow

They put a bit of thunder in the thunderbird

[TBird1stLuv]

I am considering the Borla exhaust when I get my car in July. Auto stores online indicate 2002 and 2003 models only. Heard the 2003 model can be tweaked around the heat shield...anyone have more info on this? Also considering a K&N CAI as well since I heard that was a good investment. Did Borla change how they produced the exhaust system on the retrobird? I saw some 2004 and 2005 models on the TBN Borla list...so what happened?

[007Cruiser]

If I remember correctly, the 2003 also fits 04 and 05. I also believe that Borla ended production so they will be getting harder to find.

[007Cruiser]

Looks like I was right about production ending as Borla does not list a cat back system for 04 on their site. You could call them to be sure that the 03 will fit.

https://www.borla.com/search/?fields...nderbird%7E%29

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

Yes - 2003 fits 04 and 05

They just never bothered to add 04 and 05 to it - I think there is mention of a slightly different twist in one area of 05 but mechanic will just connect to fit without modification

My mechanic had the old one off and new one on in an hour or so for our 05 and stated "no problems, went on smoothly"

And I also hear that Borla "may" be ending production

We have had it on for close to 2 years now and it sounds great to our ears

[007Cruiser]

Lynne..... the Borlas take about 500 miles to reach their final sound. Hold off until then to decide on the CAI. The CAI will add a louder sound. Are they shipping your car one part at a time?

[TBird1stLuv]

007Cruiser

Sure feels that way! I spoke to the current owner in MS and they just checked on the status at their local DMV. Supposedly the title will be in their hands within the week. I am climbing the walls. I have all these TBird parts in my garage with no car! We have a flight scheduled to pick up the car on July 5th. I am counting the days!!!

The Borla 140081 Cat-Back System is the one I am looking at. From what I have researched there were only 2 systems for the retrobird created: 2002 and 2003. The 140081 model was for the 2003 and supposedly 2004 and 2005. Now, a lot of these part stores are saying only 2003.

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

I got the same thing from Borla retailer - they have to go by what the manufacturer lists (02 & 03) and have no way to know the 03 is good for 04 and 05

Same here for running a while - sound was good immediately but got better over the next 500 - 1000 miles

[007Cruiser]

If you look at the member list at the start of this topic, you’ll see many on the 04 and 05 year’s.

[TBird1stLuv]

I noticed the list of 2004 and 2005 cars as well. I thought maybe Borla changed something recently in the production of the exhaust system that now excludes the 2004 and 2005 TBird. That's why I asked...(still bought the system anyway.) soon to be another part on my garage floor waiting patiently.

[Cashmere Luv Brd]

Just got notice from Phil that he has only 4 in total (02 & 03) remaining. Cost is US $1,095

Looked up our purchase info at TDOT. We got ours there in Canada - Currently sale price = CAD$1,207.36 with free delivery (a very good deal price for Canadians)
(we paid 1,270 Can $ with free delivery October 2016)
They still mark it "no fit" (for reasons discussed above) meaning satisfaction guarantee not in effect but product warranty lifetime in effect

Borla shows stock - shipping extra but no indication if end is near or not

Have not checked some other sellers for availability

[steelblue5505]

It truly does not matter which year your Retro is or which Borla kit you have. It all fits with very little effort. The Borla system is made up of inter-fitting pipes, sliding into one another & then held tight together with clamps.
I put my own Borla system on myself, in my garage car up on ramps. If I could do it anyone can. It requires no specific or special tools. I recommen the use of liquid dish soap applied to the rubber sockets that the Ford system hangs from, do this to ease the hanger out of the rubber.