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Topic: Rough 88 Turbo Coupe (Read 757 times) previous topic - next topic

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Kinda expensive for the condition it's in: http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/4693778216.html
Maybe a parts car. Doesn't appear to have any major rust issues though.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #1
This is the second time this one's been listed. First time was for $2k
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #2
it's an auto but that can be easily swapped to a manual.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #3
Quote from: White85GS;438731
it's an auto but that can be easily swapped to a manual.

I enjoy rowing the 5 speed transmissions in our TCs, but, still have not had the opportunity to drive an automatic aero Turbo Coupe.
I even owned an 87 auto. like this one last year, but it was a non-running parts car. 
That still leaves me curious about how the automatics feel at WOT and/or under normal driving conditions.
Ron
Speed is just a question of MONEY How fast can you go?    (M. M.)

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #4
Quote from: BLKBRD88;438740
I enjoy rowing the 5 speed transmissions in our TCs, but, still have not had the opportunity to drive an automatic aero Turbo Coupe.
I even owned an 87 auto. like this one last year, but it was a non-running parts car. 
That still leaves me curious about how the automatics feel at WOT and/or under normal driving conditions.
Ron

Last time at the track a stock 88 Turbo Coupe auto was running 19s. I'm pretty sure the engine had some issues for it to be that slow.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #5
Never driven an auto, but ive heard it is painfully slow/under-powered.
Mike

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #6
Quote from: mcb82gt;438775
Never driven an auto, but ive heard it is painfully slow/under-powered.

Yeah, its probably too bad Ford didn't put a C6 or something in the autos & let them have the same 190hp rating that the 5 speeds had. I am sure they would have been a lot more competitive.
Ron
Speed is just a question of MONEY How fast can you go?    (M. M.)

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #7
The only other automatic choice for Ford in that era with overdrive was the AODead. That would've involved retooling parts, something I'm sure Ford didn't want to bear the cost of. Not to mention the AOD would've sucked too much power out of the little 2.3.
88 TC 5speed, 168000+ miles, stock 2.3T long block, ported RFE6 exhaust, Evergreen T3 running 15#'s.
Up next: FMIC, fresh air intake, ported intakes, ported big valve head.

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #8
Quote from: mcb82gt;438775
Never driven an auto, but ive heard it is painfully slow/under-powered.

THey turned down the boost on the automatic equipped cars from the factory.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #9
My aunt (orig owner of my car) said that when my car was new she could out accelerate her boss from a stop in his Auto TC.  I always heard auto TC's were very doggy compared to the 5 speed ones.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

 

Rough 88 Turbo Coupe

Reply #10
Non-intercooled was 145hp/180 ft lbs-auto, 155hp/190 ft lbs-manual. Intercooled was 150hp/200ft lbs-auto, 190hp/240 ft lbs-manual. I don't see why they even bothered putting an intercooler on the 87-88 automatics.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.