Found this on ebay. Seems pretty nice http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/88-Thunderbird-5-0-with-5-speed-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ180351731206QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item180351731206&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
suprised its not a members....... gt-40 intake....... looks well cared for...
Yeah, looks like a nice one. Great starting point for a project.
makes me want to convert to 5 speed...they should have made that a factory option on V8 cars!!!
Very nice.
start?
most of us end there:rollin:
That's item 1 bizillion that should have been an option. 5.0 HO, 8.8 with disk brakes, T/C Front Brakes.....Blah, Blah, Blah. The list is endless, but agree that a T-5 should have been a mandatory option with a 5.0 HO option and 8.8. Could have called it the Cobra Jet Drag Pack.
I'd bet they never offered the H.O or 5 speed as an option on these cars because they didn't want the Birds and Cats hanging with the Stang.I wouldn't think cost was a big deal,it was all bolt on stuff waiting in the Ford parts bin.
I think you're right since it would've been so easy for them to do. Basically, if it's on the fox chassis it can be a 5 speed pretty easy.
They did make some that not many people know about though, like '83 LTDs with a 2.3 4 speed and 81-82 Granadas with a 2.3 4 speed.
I have heard before that manual transmissions are harder to get EPA certified because of how they hold back in deceleration. So that might be a factor.
I knew the 2.3's,but not the V-8 engines.I'm not starting a Turbo 2.3 vs. H.O V-8 power,just that the Mustang,like Chevy's Corvette HAS to stay the fastest that they have,otherwise,they'll fade away if other like brand cars can spank them.
I agree, the reason they didn't do a 5spd was it would have stole sales from the Mustang. On a sidenote I was thinking how cool it would be if Ford brought back the T-bird on the s197 Mustang platform. Something targeted more towards being competitive with the 'vette. Then they could showcase their ecoboost engine in it. It would have to have independent suspension, optional 5 or 6 spd, and a tail light configuration that borrows styling cues from the 87-88 cars.
Ford needs a halo car other than the Mustang dammit. Somebody needs to do a photoshop of this and send it to Ford.
Of course this will never happen...but man would it be bitchin'.
I always referred to them as the flagship cars that set the bar for performance maximum. Only thing I can think of that came close to Mustang ability in my lifetime? SHO with a 5 speed.
5 speeds are going the way of the dodo. Alot of people older then me have never driven a stick and have no intentions of doing so either. I really don't understand why. It is a slightly bigger pain then normal in the city. I would like to be able to push start my car though.
Agreed although now isnt the time. GT40 is too close to super car status to be a reasonable "corvette killer". It would be a huge undertaking and would take one hell of a car to pull it off. Still wont ever tackle the legacy the vette has. ZR1=Holy grail