It's holding up great. Still looks like when I applied it. A caveat: my car lives in a garage (sometimes also under a cover) when not in use, is washed with water twice a year (the rest of the time is quick detailer or waterless wash), and lives a pretty pampered life. If you car doesn't it might not last as long. If/when the 3M tape goes bad I'd get a vinyl graphics shop to cut me a 1/2" diameter roll of chrome automotive vinyl and use that.
Maybe I should just go with this instead? Think it would hold up better?
It's holding up great. Still looks like when I applied it. A caveat: my car lives in a garage (sometimes also under a cover) when not in use, is washed with water twice a year (the rest of the time is quick detailer or waterless wash), and lives a pretty pampered life. If you car doesn't it might not last as long. If/when the 3M tape goes bad I'd get a vinyl graphics shop to cut me a 1/2" diameter roll of chrome automotive vinyl and use that.
Studs on the lower intake are the heater tube, serpentine belt tensioner, and A/C compressor bracket. You may be able to contact ARP and see if they'll put together a set for you. The bolts that came out of mine were good so I wire wheeled and reused them.
Have mine with Grundy. Cost is $265 for $20K agreed value full coverage in Chicago. There are usage restrictions (no driving the car to work, pick up groceries, I.E. daily driver stuff) but no mileage restrictions. Also have a few $K in spare parts coverage included. $0 deductible for all damage (comp & collision) and glass replacement. Had to make a claim for a windshield issue (chip repair on a 32 year old Carlite windshield) and it was no hassle.
The hose kit for an 86-93 5.0 Mustang fits an 86-88 5.0 Thunderbird perfectly, as long as you have manual heat and A/C . The Electronic Climate Control has a slightly different heater hose as it has a sensor for the system in one of the hoses leading to the heater core. The rest of the hoses are identical.
For thermostats I've always run Motorcraft or Stant without issue. 180°-190° is fine.