True Turbo Coupes

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True Turbo Coupes

March 09, 2010, 11:01:15 PM

I've been wondering lately why so many people pull out their turbo 4cyl engines and opt for V8's. From what I've been learning about the engines T/C's came with, you can get some REALLY impressive power out of them. The blocks and rotating assemblies seem to be able to handle a lot of power, so that would be one less thing you'd have to replace when doing your build.

Anyone here have anything to say about this? I know Chuck has a true T/C. Who else here is and what have you done to it? Are you happy with the performance considering what you've done to mod it? Just curious.

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #1 – March 09, 2010, 11:20:29 PM

I swapped a turbo 2.3 in place of my 5.0.

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #2 – March 09, 2010, 11:23:46 PM

First, AMEN!!!

Of course I am biased.

I think alot of it has to do with habit. When I bought my first TC 11 years ago, I told my dad that it should run low 16's- high 15's, and he literally laughed. Alot of the old heads view 4 and 6 cyl. engines as the the cheap version, and turbo engines as finicky hard to tune and maintain. These combined together makes the TC seem like an underpowered high maintenance car, that only gives you (model year dependant) about a 10 hp advantage over the tried and true, rumbly, push rod V8.

As far as making power, in my '87 with (what I consider) minor mods, I have a car that on a good day (ok, I concede, it is a little finicky) will put the back end into oncoming traffic going into 2nd gear, and with a gentle cruise (highway @ 70 and country roads @ 50) can return a 29.7 MPG (my personal best). Many people have made daily driven sub 13 second cars out of them.

But, alas, you are still missing the off idle torque and deep throaty rumble. The torque isnt a big issue to me, but I do yearn for some bark that doesnt sound like an outboard out of the water (though I have gotten compliments on the exhaust tone). I see a 4eye with a 460 in my future (there was one for sale on another forum that I still think about...)

-Shane

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #3 – March 09, 2010, 11:35:05 PM

I knew there had to be some turbo 4 fanatics on this forum. I've been thinking about buying another black, 88 Turbo Coupe identical to the one I already have and leaving the turbo 4 in it. Obviously, I'd build the engine to be nasty though. I think it would be neat to have two cars that have the same rims, tires, same color paint & interior, etc. I think it would be neat to drive either car and have the exhaust tone be the only determining factor that would tell friends which car I was driving that day. :D

My first car was a Mercury Capri RS (turbo). That thing was FUN to drive. I loved how that thing felt and sounded when the turbo started coming on.

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #4 – March 09, 2010, 11:42:06 PM

Chuck swapped.

Ive seen and hear of this power but Ive only driven stock auto TCs. I hate the little 4 banger. That might change if I ever drove one with real power.

This all coming from a guy that drives a Taurus...

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #5 – March 09, 2010, 11:58:24 PM

I'm on my 5th Fox bird and the first 4 were 4 cyl Turbo Coupes.
The only reason I have a V8 now is it was cheap and available when I was shopping for a bird .
I was looking at both TCs and V8s . I love them both :D

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #6 – March 10, 2010, 12:09:01 AM

An automatic TC is not a true indicator of what a TC can do... Trust me, I own both.

The 85-86 were a 3:45 diff and C3, just too tall on the gearing to work well with a turbo.

The 87-88 were 3:73 diff (have one sitting) but the engine was "detuned" to 150hp (versus 190) because ford was (very rightly) worried about the longevity of the (POS) A4LD transmissions they used (Automatic 4speed LIGHT DUTY). I so wish the had just made a new bellhousing for the AOD and used it instead. I have a perfectly good (relatively speaking) A4LD sitting, that I simply refuse to put in my '85. AOD conversion it will likely be for me.

-Shane

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #7 – March 10, 2010, 01:14:22 AM

by 'true' tc, what do you mean?

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #8 – March 10, 2010, 02:12:56 AM

I guess I have a False TC....Sport, with a buncha TC shiznit throwed at it.

Someday it'll be forced induction, probably turbo. Would it then be a real turbo coupe?

Owning a TC isn't meant for me, I reckon, y'all can have 'em. I stickin' with my V8. :D

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #9 – March 10, 2010, 07:26:07 AM

I have had alot of the 87-88 TC models over the years. 5 speeds are fun and the autos cruise easy. Loved them all.

I also have 460 T-Birds, and they have their place.
I have never had a 5.0L 87-88 TC tho. That sounds like a fun combo.

I bought a 67K mile all original 87 TC in March 2007 with the hope that I could preserve it for years to come so I could jump in it and re-live the "good-ol-days".
Now I find myself at a crossroads with that car because it has a cracked block. It starts and runs great, but leaks oil into the water jacket.
I want to put a 5.0 in it but I also want to keep it all original.
So I can see why people pull the 2.3 out and swap in a 5.0-5.8.

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Reply #10 – March 10, 2010, 08:07:34 AM

The reason i yanked my turbo 4 is for more reliable and easier power.
What i mean by this is,with double the cylinders(having 2.5L per side)and the same kind of internals the 5.0L was a wise choice.
At the hp level i'm at a 4cyl would not be a reliable driver and would as you say be finicky.
I also can't put aside the sound and raw torque that a 5.0L has.
As far as parts go they are usually more expensive for the 2.3L than the 5.0L and are harder to find.
I like the 2.3L and would like another one to fool around with but i will never regret my decision to swap in a boosted 5.0L.

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #11 – March 10, 2010, 08:14:46 AM

I think it depends on what someone wants. If you are looking for a muscle car, then the TC just isn't going to cut the mustard, but if you are looking for an American version of a European "driver's car" then the TC is for you.

I love my Turbo Coupe. No, it doesn't have low end torque like a V-8, but then again, I don't plan on pulling a trailer with it. That's what I have my 1986 Grand Marquis Colony Park!

Now the ole' TC doesn't hold her own any more when compared to more modern cars, and with all those Mustang GTs wrapped around trees and poles it's no wonder some find it so easy to just swap the GT drive train into the 'Bird. I have another plan.

After I fix up the basic car (suspension, etc) I plan on getting a Wilson Racing Megasquirt II. A bit of fooling around with this, and a few minor mods on the little Pinto lump and I should have a feel on how to tune the MSII, after which I plan on installing a nice Duratec 2.3 (keeping the turbo of course) and 6-speed backed at some point by a Cobra IRS.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #12 – March 10, 2010, 08:57:36 AM

I have a 'true' TC, and I absolutely love the turbo-4. It is finicky, but this motor is the entire point of the turbo coupe. And anyone worried about the T4's torque just needs to remember to drop a gear. Problem solved. 240ft/lb is nothing to sniff at even today (and I'm talking about modern 4-cyl turbocharged cars), and considering that's the stock output, finding stock V8 levels of torque is as easy as turning a on a valve. Getting the power you want out of a small displacement boosted motor is all about how you drive it.

This is going to be my commuter/highway cruiser for the next two years (when there isn't any snow on the ground), and I'll be glad for the smaller engine when it comes time to put fuel in the tank.

There is only one engine I'm interested in putting in my car that isn't a 2.3L Ford, and the engine never made it to North America. Maybe some day, but for now, I'm more than happy with the lump the ol' girl was born with. I know it will never house a V8. There are enough of those cruising around the globe. If I want a vehicle with a V8, it will probably always be a truck.

If you want to talk to some more 2.3t fanatics, drop the guys a line at http://www.turbotbird.com . There are a couple of 12 second cars over there, so they have plenty of experience wringing more out of the 4-pot.

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #13 – March 10, 2010, 09:09:54 AM

i have had both an 88 sport may it R.I.P. and my current 88 tc. i can say i miss the sound a duals from the sport and the low end torque of the V8. But on the flip side i love the feel of the turbo boost and the fuel milage 34mpg my best highway . plus the fact the guys at work r floored when i say it a 4cyl.:burnout:

True Turbo Coupes

Reply #14 – March 10, 2010, 09:52:12 AM

As mentioned, my car is a "clone"

Was originally a 5.0/AOD car. I would have had a hard time molesting an 83TC, so I built one.

I'm not planning on keeping the 2.3T in there for the long term, but I'm happy with it for the time being.