1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #15 – February 03, 2015, 11:43:37 AM

Quote from: Haystack;443767

But with a 2.3 you could add a turbo and t-5....

You can add a T-5 to the 3.8 easy.
You can add a turbo too. Maybe just set the wastegate at 0.5 psi though. :D

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #16 – February 03, 2015, 02:11:11 PM

T-5 would be a worthwhile "upgrade". Madoe a huge difference on my 5.0 lopo. Probably make a 3.8 not feel gutless too....

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #17 – February 03, 2015, 06:47:10 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;443732

The best way to make a 3.8 Fox Thunderbird/Cougar faster is to swap in another engine .

Unless u put a turbo on that beast, no power. I dont think hhas dealt with the computer system. Then the weak AODand also the 7.5" will come an issue at some point.

But your car is still a fox body so the mods are endless.

Travis

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #18 – February 03, 2015, 11:31:35 PM

An open 7.5 will last forever in my opinion. I have heard horror stories of them blowing up easily, but i haven't had an issue with any of mine.

My tbird with a 3.35 first gear and 275/60's out back was very fun. Dumping the clutch at 25mph did one of two things. Lit up one tire and sat there, or launched, HARD. Enough to blow three motor mounts in a year, and break the motor mount bracket and all but one bolt off inside the block.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #19 – February 04, 2015, 04:55:36 PM

I've seen and heard of 7.5's taking abuse for years, even on the strip with stickies and gear and juice.

I've seen and heard of 7.5's shiznitting the bed on the street with good radials....

It's hard to say if one out of 10,000 will fail...I'd definitely put my money on the AOD leaving you with your thumb in the air over the 7.5, however.

The benefits of the 8.8 are revealed by the bigger ring gear...it's a little stronger. At the cost required to actually need the stronger rear, odds are, a stock c-clipped 8.8 is also going to be at the lower end of the reliability scale. Better build that bitch up!

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #20 – February 04, 2015, 04:57:30 PM

Actually from what I've read the weak point in a 7.5" rear isn't the ring gear or pinion but instead the spider gears. Those tend to shatter under high horsepower.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #21 – February 04, 2015, 05:29:06 PM

Yup, its the spider gears. The v-6 in the newer mustangs still had the 7.5 with near 300hp and torque.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #22 – February 04, 2015, 05:31:22 PM

Quote from: Haystack;443912

Yup, its the spider gears. The v-6 in the newer mustangs still had the 7.5 with near 300hp and torque.

Actually all '11 and up Mustangs (both 3.7 V6 and 5.0 V8) have an 8.8" rear with a Traction-Lok. My '12 V6 Mustang does.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #23 – February 04, 2015, 05:33:10 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;443913

Actually all '11 and up Mustangs (both 3.7 V6 and 5.0 V8) have an 8.8" rear with a Traction-Lok. My '12 V6 Mustang does.

You are correct sir, sorta. The standard rear in a 12 stang was an 8.8 with 2.73 gears. The axle package for the 6 cylinder cars gave you a 3.31 trac loc.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #24 – February 04, 2015, 05:35:01 PM

Quote from: jandmmustangs;443914

You are correct sir, sorta. The standard rear in a 12 stang was an 8.8 with 2.73 gears. The axle package for the 6 cylinder cars gave you a 3.31 trac loc.

Nope it's a 2.73 Traction-Lok standard. I know because we custom ordered the car and looked at all the option sheets. A limited slip is standard on all '11 and up Mustangs.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #25 – February 04, 2015, 05:48:34 PM

Quote from: Haystack;443882

Dumping the clutch at 25mph did one of two things

What the hell is the point of dumping the clutch at 25 MPH??????

Are you saying rolling at 25, you floored the accelerator and popped the clutch??????

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #26 – February 04, 2015, 06:51:11 PM

Yes, rolling and dumping the clutch.

I didn't know the exact year of the switch over for the 8.8. 2010 is still a new car to me.

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #27 – February 04, 2015, 11:01:05 PM

You can also rub bacon grease on your ball bag and let the neighbor's cat lick it off, but I wouldn't advise doing that any more than I would rolling at 25mph, popping the clutch, and flooring it.

No wonder you went through all those motor mounts... LOL

1987 T-Bird 3.8 performance?

Reply #28 – February 05, 2015, 02:50:08 AM

I like to have fun. The 30lb truck flywheel made down shifting at 35mph in 1st almost as spectacular. Bet i would have ripped the rear end out of it if it had traction lock. I love barking tires while engine braking.

Part of the reason i push the cheap and available sn-95 t-5's so much, if it can live through me, it would last forever for anyone else

.

Also, did you know that 57mph is the max speed i can get with my 308k mile block in 1st gear with an aod?