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Topic: Question about my 88 Sport model hood? (Read 1857 times) previous topic - next topic

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

I have been looking at different cars around the web, and some on here. Some 88 Models dont have a grille but a hood that comes all the way to the bumper cover with the tbird emblem in the hood. But I noticed some have a grille like mine. Why are some different?
Is it possible that I could remove my grille and bolt on a hood like this or would I have to change the whole front clip? Because If I got to do that I like my grille better! :D

Just curious as to why some are different. Sorry if I sound like an idiot but you guys know Im still learning about my bird!
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #1
The cars without grilles are Turbo Coupes.
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #2
The ones without the grille are simply either TurboCoupes, or Sports with a TC header panel, as the TC's had the smooth piece with the bird emblem. I have the TC nose on mine ;) and have to say that for me, it seems to tidy up the front of the car. But a body-color grill looks sharp as hell too. decisions decisions....

Most people prefer the cleaner look, but alas, if you go this route, make sure you have the chin spoiler under the front bumper, as your car may overheat with no grille and no spoiler to help deflect air up and through the radiator.

One more thing, the two inner-most lights are NOT interchangeable between the TC, and the non-TC cars.
The headlights and the outer turn lights ARE the same though. :D

The TC hoods are easily identified by the twin intercooler scoops, but this was only for '87-'88. The hoods will work independently of either header panel.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #3
Ahh Ha! I see. Thanks for the input guys. I think I might just leave my grille on. Seems too hard to find a TC and I would have to just buy one for that reason.
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #4
No header panels, but I have a TC hood with inserts I'd sell for $40...

To answer all the questions, NO... I WILL NOT SHIP...

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #5
how far are you from zip 27243?
I see your in VA and I wouldnt mind picking it up.
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #6
Quote from: Live Fast;273907
how far are you from zip 27243?
I see your in VA and I wouldnt mind picking it up.

Hell I dunno, how far are you from 23320(Chesapeake)??? :D I'm about 45mi N of Elizabeth City...

Ummm I see you are in Efland, I was in Burlington Thur & Fri... No I couldn't have delivered it, was in the wife's '07 Grand Marquis...

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #7
Quote from: Live Fast;273795
but a hood that comes all the way to the bumper cover with the tbird emblem in the hood.


your mistaken,, optical illusion.

the hood does not sweep down to the bumper.  the header panel gives it the look as tough it does.

my son actually thought of how he would modify a hood to integrate the part of the header panel to do just what you are saying.  not sure how sturdy it would be though.

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #8
yeah i realized that after i posted this, was hoping no one else would look at it! lol
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #9
I don't think it would be all that hard to remove some of the header panel and extend the hood into it's place.You'd have to alter the hood latch as well.Might be cool.Certainly would be unique.Let's get Jerry to do it,he's done so much welding,a little more wouldn't hurt anything.LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #10
Yeah and you'd have a giant tooth stickin' down to knock your head off when the hood was open... A '70 Cougar has a similar design, sux after you've banged your head a couple times...

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #11
Oh sure, put more ideas in my head.  :D
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #12
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;274044
Yeah and you'd have a giant tooth stickin' down to knock your head off when the hood was open... A '70 Cougar has a similar design, sux after you've banged your head a couple times...


that's how my lincoln is. the grille is attached to the hood.


And it does get in the way
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #13
That lincoln grille is a monster too! I bet it does hurt! lol
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

Question about my 88 Sport model hood?

Reply #14
Not onlywould you hit your head off it I think it'd be ugly with that big hole between the lights. That's one of the things I didn't like about the Mustang SVO.