Turbo V8: 1981 Mercury Zephyr

From 1978 through 1983, the Zephyr was a Mercury’s Fox Body family hauler that shared most of its parts with the Ford Fairmont. Like the Fairmont, the Zephyr was available as a 2-door, 4-door, and wagon with Pinto Inline-4, Thiftmaster inline-6 or Windsor Vee-8 power. Todays example has a 302 V8 that has been given an injection of power from a turbocharger and it looks ready to shred some rubber. Find this 1981 Mercury Zephyr offered for $10,000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist.

From the seller:

1981 mercury zephyr
condition: good
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: other
odometer: 100000
paint color: brown
size: mid-size
title status: missing
transmission: manual
type: sedan
Up for sale is my 81 Mercury Zephyr, with a turbocharged small block Ford 302 and manual t5 transmission. My intent was to keep it and have a fun street car, but life happens and priorities change. I just finished the build and I’m sure little things will need to be ironed out, typical of any new build. I was not able to get a title when I purchased the car, so I opted to get Vermont registration (clean vin inspection is mandatory to do so). You can either do the same or go through the title process. Before asking any questions, please read the build notes below. The only trades I will consider would be for a nice Toyota 4Runner or a nice travel trailer.

SUSPENSION
Tubular k member
Flaming River manual rack
QA1 A arms
93 Mustang spindles, rotors, calipers, pads, and stainless brake hoses
2003 Cobra Bilstein front struts with 26k miles
Viking 12-175 coil over springs
UPR bump steer kit
UPR front coil over kit
Caster camber plates
8.8 Rear end with 2.73 gears, Strange 31 spline axles, Moser spool, c clip eliminators, and ARP studs
Strange 10 way rear shocks
Team Z rear drag springs
Global West 1202 7/8″ rear spring spacers
UPR upper and lower rear solid control arms
Wild Rides sub frame connectors

ENGINE
302 Roller XXX block with E7 heads
Stock bore Speed Pro hyper pistons, rings gapped for boost
King main and rod bearings
TFS-2500100 valve spring kit
TFS-21406300 chromoly pushrods
ARP main and head studs
Erson E212996 cam, 226/226 @ .050, .544/.544 lift, and 113 LSA
7 qt Moroso pan
Procomp “Vic JR” polished intake
93333PT1 head gaskets
Reusable steel core rubber gaskets (oil pan and valve covers)
PowerBond PB1084n harmonic balancer
Catch can with 10AN inlets
Fluidyne aluminum radiator
Volvo cooling fan with BMW switch
“Mini” starter
3G alternator
Solid motor mounts

DRIVETRAIN
T5 transmission with new steel bearing retainer, clutch fork, output shaft bushing, and seal
“King Cobra” clutch and pressure plate
B&M short shifter
UPR clutch cable, quadrant, and firewall adjuster kit
Aluminum transmission crossmember bushings
Driveshaft loop

IGNITION & FUEL
CSU 750 E85 Blow thru carb
380 LPH external fuel pump
8 AN feed and return lines
100 pre & 40 post fuel filters
13301 Fuel pressure regulator
Crane HI6 DSR 6000-6424 ignition box and PS92N coil
Autolite 23 spark plugs

TURBO
VS Racing 7875 turbo
4” ZZPerformance air filter
Stainless shorty headers
TIG welded 2.25″ v-banded hot side
3″ lower fender exit
38MM Wastegate
50mm BOV
Procharger AM009A-001 carb hat

MISCELLANEOUS
Auto Meter 2-5/8″ oil pressure, water temp, and fuel pressure gauge
Auto Meter 5″ tachometer
Boost gauge
Voltmeter
Battery relocation to the trunk in aluminum box
Seat belt harness bar
Racequip 5 point harnesses
LED headlights
Front valance
Front and rear bumper tuck
10 hole wheels with newer front tires (195/65r15) and new rear tires (255/60r15)
New door hinge pins
New door, trunk, and ignition locks
Includes new black carpet (not installed)

Keywords: foxbody mustang fairmont thunderbird drag strip fox body