Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Topic: Contemplating the Unthinkable.... (Read 3485 times) previous topic - next topic

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

March 13, 2006, 11:42:16 PM

Well guys, I figured before I went ahead with this plan, I would discuss it here first to get some input. Lately I have been contemplating selling my Turbo Coupe to purchase a Sport model. Why? I just have to believe that the responsiveness of the V8 would be so much better than what I currently have in my Automatic Turbo 4. There are serveral other reasons why I believe I would be making the right decision:

1) Durability- I just have to believe that It would literally take TNT to destroy a 302. Considering my driving style, I can't imagine putting much stress on that engine at all. I drive to work and back everyday in stop and go traffic.

2) Reliability-Again, compared to my Turbo 4, I imagine that far less things go wrong on the 302 (if taken care of properly of course...).

3)Power- Yes, I have a Turbo Coupe, but it is the Automatic (Which I did want by the way...). I have looked at the Horsepower ratings and the Sport model with the V8 allegedly has 5 more horsepower. On top of that, I have to think that the 150hp rating for the Automatic turbo coupe is with the Turbo actually engaged. With the 302, the power is already there, and as a bonus, it has tons more torque.

4)Air Sluggishness- Running Air Conditioning with any 4 cylinder car bogs the hell out of the engine. I would think it would have less of an effect on 8 big cylinders.

5)Looks- The other day I saw a Dark Red, 8 holed, 87 Sport driving around the block....and I must say I was impressed. Even with the Grill and no Hood Scoops, I thought the car looked awesome. And, I would be able to get the same interior as my Turbo Coupe now, and if it's an '88, would get the buttstuffog guages as well.

So, with all that said, and having seen what I currently drive now in the picture below, what would you do in my situation? I know I could probably get 1 grand or more for the Turbo, and finding a Sport probably wouldn't be too hard. (If anyone wants to trade....I live in Tucson. Drop me a line.....)

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #1 – March 14, 2006, 12:00:10 AM

Your car looks exactly like my parts car (except in better condition) :hick:

If you want to retain an auto tranny I think a 5.0 car would be the way to go. The A4LD is a very weak slushbox, so cranking up the 2.3 wouldn't be a reliable option.

If you can swing it, keep the "$520 wonder" as a donor car. This would net you several benefits, including the fact that you would not need to find a "Sport" model - any 5.0 T-Bird would be as good a starting point if you were gonna swap the TC rear, swaybars and interior in anyway. The 3.73 8.8" in your TC would really wake up even the SO 5.0.

If you've got to sell the TC to buy the Sport, and if you're hell bent on getting a Sport, try to find an '88. The 87 has the same interior as the base T-Birds (except with a console and floor shifter) so you'd be giving up a lot in the way of seat comfort when compared to your TC. The 88 Sport has the TC seats and an buttstuffogue cluster (as you mentioned). Plus, some 88 Sports apparently have the 8.8" drum-brake rear.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #2 – March 14, 2006, 01:30:51 AM

Man I wish you were closer! I would gladly give you a grand for that bird, or trade for my '88 5.0L 5 speed LX 'bird.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #3 – March 14, 2006, 03:56:14 AM

I bought my 5.0 Sport for many of the same reasons you're contemplating the same thing. My 5.0 has been far more trouble free than my 2.3 turbo was. Another reason I made the change was simplicity. For example, I'll take vacuum brakes over the electric ABS system any day. That ABS costs a fortune to diagnose and repair when it develops problems. Also I loved my electronic climate control but again- big $$$$ if it s out. And finally the 5.0 is so much easier to work on than the 2.3 turbo.

The ideal situation would be if you could keep the TC and use it as a parts car. I was "lucky" that a drunk driver totalled my turbocoupe before I had a chance to sell it... Viola, Instant parts car!!! There are a ton of good parts on the TC. Especially yours, hell just the 3.73 disk brake rear and 11" front brakes make it worth keeping for a parts car.

I agree with thunder chicken... Find an 88 sport if you can. Mine is an 87 and I never liked the electronic cluster. Although now it's kinda cool after doing the speedo mod... I'd still rather have an buttstuffog tach though.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #4 – March 14, 2006, 11:55:44 AM

All Points Bulletin:

Will Galdly trade 87 Turbo Coupe for ANY 5.0 Thunderbird. Preferably Sport model!

Yeah, the main reason for my wanting to do this is mostly the power issue. I know that with the 5.0, the power output is all there when you press of the pedal. For my car, the Turbo has to kick in to full blast before it achieves the maximum power rating. I want to be able to drive on the highway up to Phoenix without worrying about killing the engine. And I'm not a total Handling freak like some of you guys are, so the rear end doesn't really bother me that much. I made U-turns just fine in my LX, and I'm sure I could adjust to a 5.0.

And yes, from what I have heard, the 302's are much easier to work on, and parts are more readily available. While I do know that putting a T-5 in my current car would solve the power issue, I simply don't want a standard transmission. So, that leaves me with only one option: get a powerful V8. I'm not going to be doing any racing, so have an "S.O." isn't the end of the world for me. Since I've never driven a V8 Automobile before, I would probably find the power more than enough!

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #5 – March 14, 2006, 12:12:13 PM

It's possible to to up the boost to approx 12 lbs, advance the timing to 12*-14*(two simple mods) and get decent performance from the auto version. My TC was a auto and with just those two changes it ran much stronger. If you don't continually beat on it and change the fluid EVERY year, a fresh A4LD should hold up. Playing with the G-tech, mine gave a reading of 162hp(vs 195 for a STRONG 5 speed I had at the same time) and would lay a 20 ft patch of rubber(power braking).

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #6 – March 14, 2006, 01:34:03 PM

That's one of the more stranger things about my car which I haven't to this point mentioned. I know the Auto Turbo's were only supposed to get 10lbs of boost, but when I trounce on the thing, I can get up to 15lbs easy.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #7 – March 14, 2006, 05:22:17 PM

hmm, I got a couple of 86 v-8 cougars. tuscon is alittle bit far though. may I suggest that you just swap in a v-8? it is really well documented here, and you would have all the good parts of the turo coupe. Including rear disks and a killer suspension. It would also lower you car in the front an inch or two.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #8 – March 14, 2006, 05:25:54 PM

btw, a v-8 would prolly even feel week compaired to 15 lbs of boost.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #9 – March 14, 2006, 05:38:39 PM

you could swap. if you didn't mind being down a car for a weekend (or two)

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #10 – March 14, 2006, 06:28:01 PM

A stock 5.0 SO isn't going to feel that much quicker than your auto Turbo Coupe. They're probably equally fast. I've done a few mods to mine (check my sig) and the car has woken up considerably. The 5.0 Sport will have much more low end torque than your Turbo Coupe though which might make it feel faster.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #11 – March 14, 2006, 10:08:59 PM

A 302 easier to work on than the 2.3? I don't know about that. I've worked on both and the 2.3 is pretty darn accessable, but I know that's not your only gripe.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #12 – March 14, 2006, 10:20:01 PM

Hey man I live in PHX and I'll keep my eyes out for a sport, to be honest with you, the only foxes I ever see around here anymore are either ghetto cruisers, or bario beaters. I've seen a few nice 4-eye birds, and I saw one really nice 87-88 Cougar LS. I do know for a fact that there is a really nice tan colored 88 Sport around here though because it has window louvres that I really want. I've only seen it once though at a Wendy's. And just to clarify, what's the difference between the TC seats and the LX seats, because mine are the 8-way power with the controlable lumbar and the adjustable ass flaps on the side and the little lift up leg rest thing in the front, and I think they are pretty comfortable.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #13 – March 14, 2006, 11:56:03 PM

Quote

And just to clarify, what's the difference between the TC seats and the LX seats, because mine are the 8-way power with the controlable lumbar and the adjustable ass flaps on the side and the little lift up leg rest thing in the front, and I think they are pretty comfortable.

Someone swaped you seats at some point then. My LX seats are flat with no lumbar or leg rest. I do have dual power seats though.

Contemplating the Unthinkable....

Reply #14 – March 15, 2006, 12:06:18 AM

I've had both, the 5.0 might have the low end advantage, but the 2.3 has the 5.0 beat everywhere else. 2.3's pull to red line (properly setup), get better mileage, are easier to get at what you need, and are more reliable when maintained. 5.0's have breathing problems up high, can suck gas as much as a 2.3 under full boost all the time.

I'll give you the sound is no comparison. And at highway speeds, a good 2.3 will pull like crazy. Turbo cars are nuts at highway speeds. Once the exhaust gets hot, the engine just screams and away you go. If anything, I would get a 5.0 car and drive them both...see which you like better then decide. All this talk means nothing if your tastes are different. Some guys like all grunt and no top end....I don't fault them. Just don't decide because you have a 2.3 auto that its the worst thing possible.