Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Topic: Just out of Morbid curiosity.... (Read 1230 times) previous topic - next topic

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

February 14, 2006, 10:26:15 PM

Now that I have changed the plugs, the plug wires, cap and rotor, AND the Air Filter, PLUS changed the oil on top of all of that, I am assuming my Turbo Coupe is running at peak performance right now. Since it has been a long time now since the last time I drove my old V6 LX, I can't really do a good comparison between the two. However, I did manage to take a quick 100 mile trip up to Phoenix 1 week ago, and it was then when I realized I owned a 4cyl car. I may not remember much now about how the LX did on that trip, but I do remember that keeping the car at 75-80mph did not seem to stress the engine as much as it did in the Turbo. I swear, I felt like I was torturing the engine just to keep it at those speeds. I'm sure had chosen to purchase a more readily available Sport model, I wouldn't have had any issues doing those kinds of speeds. Hell, the engine would probably be doing only about 1500 RPM!

Anyway, that trip got me to re-think my decision to purchase the Turbo. Not that I'm disappointed, but I'm still curious as to what difference I would have gotten had I chosen the Sport v8 Model? Obviously more torque, but horsepower wise?

Mind you, I do own the AUTOMATIC Turbo, and when looking at the Tech book, supposedly my car has the exact same amount the V8 did of the same year. Can anyone confirm this to me? If I drove a Stock 87 Sport model right now, with the v8 S.O., would I notice a difference in power? (I.E., the power would already be there, while my Turbocoupe needs the Turbo Charger just to get it to that rating?)

Also, would I notice a handling difference?

I'm just trying to settle my mind on whether or not I should have just gotten the Sport model, rather than the Turbo. Both are Automatics, and the interior is basically the same, but I still wonder what major differences there would have been....

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #1 – February 14, 2006, 10:37:39 PM

I think owning the automatic is part of the problem.

#1, the A4LD sucks

#2, the auto cars were rated at I think 20-30 hp less than the stick versions.

I've never noticed my car working hard on the highway. In fact, the first year I drove it to St. Louis (99% stock), I was doing 80 mph most of the way there and it was cruising like it was nothing. I didn't even have any problems on the hills around here.

The thing about these turbo cars, using the cruise control is kinda weird because the engine goes in and out of boost to maintain speed on hills, so that can make it feel strange if you're not used to it.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #2 – February 14, 2006, 10:43:07 PM

I never had an issue with mine at hwy speeds. Granted I would like to have a slightly taller 5th gear for cruising, but It was still at under 2700-2800 rpm in 5th at 75-80 mph.
The 5.0 has to lope along at under 2000 rpm at those speeds to have any kind of economy.

Also the passing with the turbo cars is pretty rapid too. And the noises are cool too :p

I never did like the turbo autos though...

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #3 – February 14, 2006, 10:48:47 PM

I'm well aware of the differences between the T-5 Turbo Coupe and the Automatic. I chose the automatic because for the type of driving I do, I felt constantly shifting the car would be a distraction I didn't want or need. I am also aware of the Horsepower differences between the two Turbo's. What I am trying to determine is if I should have got a Sport Model with the V8, or my current Turbo Coupe. Because the book says that both cars are rated the same Horsepower wise, I decided to get the Turbo because I liked the looks better, and was told it handled better than the Sport also.

Mainly, I am debating myself (again) if I made the right choice. I am assuming that the 150hp rating for the Automatic Turbo is when the Turbocharger is actually engaged. While the Sport has the exact same rating, I would guess the power is constant. Plus I suspect there would be more torque. And therefore, I've come to the conclusion it would cruise easily on the highway at around 80.

If I were to sell my Turbo Coupe right now (fixed tranmission and all...) and went out and got the first Sport Model I could find, would I notice a difference?

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #4 – February 14, 2006, 11:05:07 PM

imo, i'd rather have a v8 sport or xr7 than a automatic turbo, but thats just my opinion. with me, shifting just comes naturaly, i dont even think about it, kinda like breathing lol, but all i drive is manual cars/trucks 3 to be exact. how against having to shift all the time are you? a 5speed turbo is way better than the v8 sport, but that auto is like a bottle neck. the v8 will have alot more low end torque, and the aod is a bit stronger than that a4ld. the v8 dosnt handle as well just because of the shocks/struts they used, theirs no ride control, i think it only has a option for RABS instead of 4wheel abs, and if your lucky it has the 10" heavy duity rear drums instead of bigger front and rear disk brakes.... just trying to point some things out, not trying to make up your mind for you.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #5 – February 14, 2006, 11:05:22 PM

the V8 has more torque. might have been a better decisionfor the type of driving you do. the sport and turbo coupe were rated to have the same gas mileage. they are nice on the highway in CC. a stick turbo coupe will out pull a stock sport and they are close with gears (turbos have 355 or 373 and sports have 273s for the most part). it realy depends on what direction you want too go in with mods, if any. the 5 speed turbo coupes are twice the cars the autos are. once your used too driving one, cause their isnt many cars out there like them they are nice DD. maybe you could convert it over too a stick and cable clutch?

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #6 – February 14, 2006, 11:28:00 PM

Is shifting your own gears really that bad?

I love having a stick, but that's just me...makes me feel more connected to the driving experience. Plus I hate factory autos and they way they shift all over the place and won't hold a gear when you want them to.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #7 – February 15, 2006, 01:40:42 AM

My girlfriend's TC was a dog too. It being automatic just made it worse. After I redid the turbo waste gate control lines, it woke it up a bit. It was nothing like my 84 auto. The 88 would cruise nicely too. The 2.3's are finiky and tough to get running right. Even still I wouldn't trade the TC for a V8 sport...or a V8 TC for that matter.

I've driven both in my car....2.3T auto and 5.0 SO AOD. I don't regret losing the V8 torque....But I DO regret swapping the 5.0 in the first place....to me it was a waste of time. Mind you my 5.0 SO was making more than the rated power of an 84 SO. My 2.3 would still run circles around it.

Suspension wise....if it weren't for my plans to lower my car, I would def take the 88 TC suspension over a Sport's. Firmer coils, bigger sway bars, adjustable ride control.....heaven compared to my 84....although I learned to handle my 84's slop and lean to the point I could out handle one of my friend's 2002 Integra GSR.

Brakes...I wouldn't trade those for anything in the world....except a full Cobra setup, including ABS (in the works). My 84 would just lock up and slide...I've done it and almost wiped the Orange beast from the face of the planet....the 88 would just stick and once we replaced the front rotors minus the ABS ring...it was as smooth as could be...and very very powerful.

I dunno, it's up to you to decide if its right...I started with a 2.3 and went to 5.0 and didn't like it. But I've owned an 87 XR-7 and loved that. To me though, it would be only a second car option, not a daily driver.

Funny though, I have yet to drive a 2.3T 5-speed. And if you guys are right, about it being twice the car....350WHP is gonna be a thrill. Even for a 4 cyl.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #8 – February 15, 2006, 10:08:25 PM

Ok guys, I need to know where the "Clutch Cycling Pressure Switch" is. I was attempting to recharge my air conditioning system today, however I couldn't get the Compressor to engage, and therefore the R-134 wasn't being sucked out of the cans. So, I need to bypass the pressure control so the compressor will constantly be running. I looked in the book, but I couldn't find out where this Pressure Switch is. I tried pulling the harness that was on the compressor itself out, but that didn't do the trick.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #9 – February 15, 2006, 10:30:55 PM

It is directly above the A/C dryer wich is the round thing on the passenger side of the firewall.

Just out of Morbid curiosity....

Reply #10 – February 15, 2006, 10:42:21 PM

Is it actually on top of the dryer?