1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines
Keep Your 1997 Ford Thunderbird in Top Shape with Quality Performance Engines
Whether you’re repairing or upgrading your Performance Engine, using high-quality parts is key to keeping your 1997 Ford Thunderbird looking sharp and performing at its best. At Advance Auto Parts we carry a wide selection of dependable options, including Performance Engine Camshafts, Performance Engine Valve Springs, and Performance Engine Valve Spring Retainer. Whether you’re replacing a damaged part or enhancing your truck’s style and protection, you’ll find exactly what you need to get the job done right.
Competitive Prices and Extensive Inventory
The average price for a 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engine at Advance Auto Parts is around $587.99, with a range that starts at $28.99 and goes up to $1,041.00. With 10 options in stock from one trusted brand, finding the right fit is easy. Popular picks like 16 Springs, 32 Springs, and 12 Springs start at just $199.99 and offer a great balance of form and function.
Explore Related Parts
While you’re upgrading or replacing your Performance Engine, don’t forget to check out other key components like Performance Oil Filters and Programmers. At Advance Auto Parts, we’re here to help you keep your 1997 Ford Thunderbird in peak condition, inside and out.
Find Your Specific 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines
Looking for the perfect Performance Engine for your 1997 Ford Thunderbird? You’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find links to various types of Performance Engines that fit your vehicle. At Advance Auto Parts, we offer only the highest quality OEM and aftermarket Performance Engines, ensuring durability and a precise fit for your Ford Thunderbird. Whether you’re driving a 1997 model or another popular model year like
1988,
1989,
1990,
1991,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995, and
1996, we’ve got you covered. Purchasing Performance Engines from Advance Auto Parts is a smart choice, giving you access to trusted brands and parts built to perform. Below, you’ll find links to various types of Performance Engines that fit your vehicle.
Essential 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines
Edelbrock – Performer Series Retainer (Qty 16) (Part No.9724)
from
$106.99
Product Features:
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- Use W/ Valve Springs Part #5822, 5882, 5896, 5872, 5867, 5812, 5857
- Set of 16
- 1.50 in. Outside Diameter
- Steel Material
- Black Oxide Finish
Edelbrock – Performer Series Retainer (Qty 16) (Part No.9733)
from
$141.99
Product Features:
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- Use W/ Valve Springs Part #5722, 5796
- Set of 16
- 1.50 in. Outside Diameter
- Steel Material
- Black Oxide Finish
Competition Cams – ROCKER ARMS, DIE CAST ALUM SMALL BLOCK FORD 1.6 1 ST (Part No.17043-16)
from
$249.99
The COMP Cams High Energy Die-Cast Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms are new rocker arms from the valve train leader that have been designed for street and moderate race use. They feature a die-cast body created from aluminum with a needle bearing fulcrum and roller tip. The die-cast, larger than stock body offers the strength properties and light weight of aluminum while the specially engineered fulcrum and roller tip decrease friction and lower oil temperatures, thus improving response and horsepower.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Cost effective aluminum construction provides superior strength to weight ratio
- Needle bearing fulcrum and roller tip reduce friction and lower oil temperatures for improved response and horsepower
- Durable design increases valve lift while withstanding the rigors of moderate race use
- Die-formed aluminum body is larger than stock, and may require modifications to stock valve covers for clearance.
Competition Cams – Xtreme Energy Computer Controlled 206/212 Hydraulic Roller Cam (Part No.35-512-8)
from
$549.99
Featuring a quicker valve opening, the Xtreme Energy camshaft profile provides increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve than older, slower grinds. Designed to increase performance without sacrificing driveability and creature comforts,
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Excellent performance in street carbureted applications.
- More vacuum allows an increase in duration for improved performance and assists power brakes.
- Quicker opening lobe profiles deliver increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve.
- Best performance with aftermarket intake manifolds, headers, lower gear ratios etc.
Competition Cams – Xtreme Energy 230/236 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.34-247-4)
from
$298.99
Featuring a quicker valve opening, the Xtreme Energy camshaft profile provides increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve than older, slower grinds. Designed to increase performance without sacrificing driveability and creature comforts,
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Excellent performance in street carbureted applications.
- More vacuum allows an increase in duration for improved performance and assists power brakes.
- Quicker opening lobe profiles deliver increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve.
- Best performance with aftermarket intake manifolds, headers, lower gear ratios etc.
Competition Cams – Magnum/Marine 253/253 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.34-337-4)
from
$298.99
An older member of the COMP Cams grind family, the Magnum series of camshafts offers excellent performance gains over stock without the added wear and tear associated with more aggressive camshafts.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Best with aftermarket torque converters and 9.5:1 compression.
- Great high RPM power.
- Easy on valve train parts.
- Can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs.
Competition Cams – High Energy 212/212 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.35-216-3)
from
$268.99
Ideal for use with mainly stock components like rocker arms, intake manifolds, cylinder heads, compression ratio, torque converters and rear gear ratios, the High Energy camshaft grind family is a great choice for street performance applications.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Good blend of efficiency and performance.
- Perfect choice for performance street rebuilds.
- Work well with mainly stock components such as rockers, manifolds, heads, compression, torque converters and gears.
Competition Cams – Xtreme Energy 218/224 Hydraulic Roller Cam (Part No.34-422-9)
from
$531.99
Featuring a quicker valve opening, the Xtreme Energy camshaft profile provides increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve than older, slower grinds. Designed to increase performance without sacrificing driveability and creature comforts,
Product Features:
See More
Product Features:
- Excellent performance in street carbureted applications.
- More vacuum allows an increase in duration for improved performance and assists power brakes.
- Quicker opening lobe profiles deliver increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve.
- Best performance with aftermarket intake manifolds, headers, lower gear ratios etc.
Competition Cams – Thumpr 227/241 Hydraulic Roller Cam (Part No.35-600-8)
from
$549.99
Designed to deliver an aggressive, hard-hitting exhaust note at idle, the Thumpr camshaft series from COMP Cams also delivers excellent horsepower gains and a broad torque curve. A perfect choice for muscle cars and street rods.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Early intake valve opening and long exhaust duration create optimum overlap for powerful, hard-hitting exhaust note.
- Best with aftermarket converters and more rear gear.
- Three unique cam designs for each application that deliver excellent horsepower gains and broad torque curve; perfect choice for muscle cars and street rods.
Competition Cams – Mutha’ Thumpr 235/249 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.35-601-4)
from
$350.99
HYDRAULIC – Mutha’ Thumpr Retro-Fit: High performance street/strip, needs 9:1 compression, 2500+ stall, intake, gears and headers, rough idle.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- HYDRAULIC – Mutha’ Thumpr Retro-Fit: High performance street/strip, needs 9:1 compression, 2500+ stall, intake, gears and headers, rough idle.
- 287/304 Advertised Duration, 235/249 Duration @ .050″, .501″/.486″ Lift, 107 Lobe Separation
- Valve spring upgrade required
Competition Cams – Magnum 224/224 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.35-414-3)
from
$268.99
An older member of the COMP Cams grind family, the Magnum series of camshafts offers excellent performance gains over stock without the added wear and tear associated with more aggressive camshafts.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Best with aftermarket torque converters and 9.5:1 compression.
- Great high RPM power.
- Easy on valve train parts.
- Can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs.
Competition Cams – Big Mutha’ Thumpr 242/257 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.32-602-5)
from
$395.99
Designed to deliver an aggressive, hard-hitting exhaust note at idle, the Thumpr camshaft series from COMP Cams also delivers excellent horsepower gains and a broad torque curve. A perfect choice for muscle cars and street rods.
Product Features:
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Product Features:
- Early intake valve opening and long exhaust duration create optimum overlap for powerful, hard-hitting exhaust note.
- Best with aftermarket converters and more rear gear.
- Three unique cam designs for each application that deliver excellent horsepower gains and broad torque curve; perfect choice for muscle cars and street rods.
Competition Cams – Magnum/Drag Race 253/253 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.32-235-4)
from
$287.99
An older member of the COMP Cams grind family, the Magnum series of camshafts offers excellent performance gains over stock without the added wear and tear associated with more aggressive camshafts.
Product Features:
See More
Product Features:
- Best with aftermarket torque converters and 9.5:1 compression.
- Great high RPM power.
- Easy on valve train parts.
- Can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs.
Competition Cams – Magnum 244/244 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.31-330-3)
from
$267.99
An older member of the COMP Cams grind family, the Magnum series of camshafts offers excellent performance gains over stock without the added wear and tear associated with more aggressive camshafts.
Product Features:
See More
Product Features:
- Best with aftermarket torque converters and 9.5:1 compression.
- Great high RPM power.
- Easy on valve train parts.
- Can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs.
Competition Cams – High Energy 212/212 Hydraulic Flat Cam (Part No.32-219-3)
from
$350.99
Ideal for use with mainly stock components like rocker arms, intake manifolds, cylinder heads, compression ratio, torque converters and rear gear ratios, the High Energy camshaft grind family is a great choice for street performance applications.
Product Features:
See More
Product Features:
- Good blend of efficiency and performance.
- Perfect choice for performance street rebuilds.
- Work well with mainly stock components such as rockers, manifolds, heads, compression, torque converters and gears.
Edelbrock – Sure Seat Valve Springs for Chrysler 383-400-413-440 V8 1969-79 (Part No.5792)
from
$149.99
Product Features:
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- Non-Rotator Type
- 1.550 in. Outer Diameter
- .190 Wire Size
- Single Coil Spring Type
- Set of 16
Popular 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines Categories
Most Popular Performance Engine Camshafts for 1997 Ford Thunderbirds
Enhance your 1997 Ford Thunderbird with one of the 3 Performance Engine Camshafts we have in stock, starting at just $1,004.00.
Competition Cams – XE 236/240 MOD2V (Part No.102300)
from
$1041.00
XE 236/240 MOD2V
Competition Cams – XE 224/232MOD2V (Part No.102100)
from
$1041.00
XE 224/232MOD2V
Competition Cams – TPX 212/222MOD2V (Part No.102525)
from
$1004.00
TPX 212/222MOD2V
Best-Selling 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engine Valve Springs
Upgrade your Thunderbird with one of our 4 best-selling Performance Engine Valve Springs.
Competition Cams – 32 Springs (Part No.26125-32)
from
$933.99
32 Springs
Competition Cams – 16 Springs (Part No.26113-16)
from
$409.99
16 Springs
Competition Cams – 12 Springs (Part No.26918-12)
from
$199.99
12 Springs
Competition Cams – 1 Spring (Part No.26125-1)
from
$28.99
1 Spring
Top-Quality Performance Engine Valve Spring Retainer for 1997 Ford Thunderbirds
Choose a high-quality OEM or aftermarket Performance Engine Valve Spring Retainer for Ford Thunderbirds and enjoy top-notch performance from $80.99.
Competition Cams – 7 Degree Titanium Retainer Set of 24 for Ford 4.6L 3 Valve with 26113 Springs (Part No.702-24)
from
$731.99
7 Degree Titanium Retainer Set of 24 for Ford 4.6L 3 Valve with 26113 Springs
Competition Cams – Steel Retainer for Set of 16 (Part No.786-16)
from
$80.99
Steel Retainer for Set of 16
Our Top Pick for a 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engine Rocker Arm
Invest in a
durable Performance Engine Rocker Arm for your 1997 Ford, knowing you’re getting trusted brands and expert craftsmanship.
Competition Cams – ENGINE ROCKER ARM (Part No.1619-12)
from
$407.99
ENGINE ROCKER ARM
FAQs for 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines
What are the best-selling Performance Engines for 1997 Ford Thunderbirds?
Out of 10 Performance Engines that fit 1997 Ford Thunderbirds, the following parts are the top sellers:
- 16 Springs (50288686) – $409.99
- 32 Springs (50287851) – $933.99
- 12 Springs (50288631) – $199.99
What’s the price range for 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines?
The prices of Performance Engines for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird range from $28.99 up to $1,041.00 for the most premium parts.
What is the average price of a Performance Engine for a 1997 Ford Thunderbird?
The average price for Performance Engines for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird is $587.99. Keep in mind the variety of part types within our Performance Engine category, where you are likely to find a wide range of prices across a variety of parts and components.
Does Advance Auto Parts sell Performance Engines for other Ford Thunderbird model years?
What are the cheapest Performance Engines for my 1997 Ford Thunderbird?
The cheapest 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines we carry are:
- 1 Spring (50287844) – $28.99
- Steel Retainer for Set of 16 (50289538) – $80.99
- 12 Springs (50288631) – $199.99
- ENGINE ROCKER ARM (50272527) – $407.99
- 16 Springs (50288686) – $409.99
Does Advance Auto Parts sell Performance Engines for any other 1997 Ford models?
Yes. We stock Performance Engines for 18 other popular 1997 Ford models. Some of the most popular are 1997 E-250 Econoline Performance Engines, 1997 E-350 Econoline Performance Engines, 1997 E-150 Econoline Performance Engines, 1997 Explorer Performance Engines, and 1997 Expedition Performance Engines.
What types of Performance Engines do you sell for my 1997 Ford Thunderbird?
As of 3/1/26, these are some of the most in-demand types of Performance Engines for a 1997 Ford Thunderbird:
Can I get help with 1997 Ford Thunderbird Performance Engine orders?
Contact our customer support team by chat or phone, through the help desk page, where you can find instant answers about Ford Performance Engines and more.
What is your return policy for Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines?
Advance Auto Parts keeps returns simple. For new Ford Thunderbird Performance Engines and accessories, your online orders can be returned, in their original condition, within 45 days. For requirements, see the returns page.