T bird Turbo Coupe-late 80\'s

What do you all have to say or what do you know about this model. I never see them, so it seems they must be rare. They had a 5spd and a 4cyl with a turbo. I know where one is and I want another daily driver.
[addsig]

I drive an '87 Turbo Coupe as a daily driver. It is fun. Drives like a 4 cylinder until you put the pedal down. Then you get the power of a V8. Mine is an automatic. They are not popular or well liked. A stick should be better.
There are lots of hop up parts for these cars if you look. They respond well to tuning and bolt-ons.
[addsig]

Junk! along with the Mustang SVO.
The motors are not junk, they haul ass, but the cars themselves suffer from constant electrical problems and almost always have error codes thown out that tell you whats wrong.
The thin gauge metal that the bodies are made of tend to rust out a lot sooner than other Fords.
Although they do handle quite nicely compared to other Ford products.

Friend,


I'm on my 3rd 88 Turbo Coupe since the Mid 1988 Model year...and I still have a thing for them

IMHO...Ford could have done a better on the car from a number of standpoints...but I still like them and always wish to keep one on hand.

(1) Paint defects were rampant during this timeframe
(2) The Automatics used were DOGS
(3) Error Codes are seemingly ever present
(4) The interior does not age well...especially the dash pad and center console arm rests , unless it was always garage kept. Interior fade seems to happen early , unless garage kept
(5) The IHI Turbo Charger on the 87 and 88 are weaker than the Garretts used on the 84-86's
(6) The parking brake cables are a very weak design
(7) They tend to run Hot...or indicate being so.


On a positive note.
(1)A well maintained TC is very comfortable
(2)A model with a 5-Speed can be fun as well as more reliable
(3)The 87 and 88's have an inter-cooler that will prolong the Turbo's life-span
(4) Most parts other than certain hoses can be found easily
(5) It's a good handling car.
(6) It's economical when well maintained..and the Turbo Boost isn't always pegged.
(7) Even a bit dated..it's still stylish
([img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] The automatic climate control is nice
(9) The factory stereo wasn't bad for its time...but its an antique now

If you can locate a TC that isn't worn out with the paint oxidized and clear coat peeling like a snake or the interior isn't shot to hell...Give one a try...as long as it's a 5-Speed.

Just my opinion

I had an SVO for a while. I could not keep it stock. They are easily modded....and with the factory computer 300 HP is achieveable, easily. SVO-same engine as the TC, but some of the TC's had IHI turbos which were on the small side. Instant boost, but they give up at higher revs. First thing I'd do is replace the tiny IHI with a T3. Don't get an automatic trans....they suck! The car is too heavy to make use of the motor--especially off boost. But if you don't mind tinkering with it you can make a serious sleeper that gets 30-35 mpg all day long.

EDIT: I don't recommend using one as a daily driver, UNLESS it's 100% stock and it's got a history of being bulletproof. Electrical systems are a PITA on these things (the engine electrical system specifically). I eventually replaced the SVO engine controls with a Megasquirt home built EFI controller. It worked great, but it became a "tuner"...meaning I constantly was messing with it to get the tune right. Mod list was stock engine & intake manifolds, stock TB. I used an intercooler from an Isuzu NPR truck (which bolts right into a Mustang--and possibly a TC as well), Holset HE351CW turbo from a 2004 Dodge pickup with a cummins engine, 4" exhaust, home-made header, 52 lb injectors from a pair of CFI HO mustangs, and of course the Megasquirt...oh and a Walbro 255 LPH high pressure fuel pump (that replaced the stock dual pump setup). Thing would break the tires loose when boost came on at 3800 in 2nd gear and it would pull hard all the way to about 6500, which is where I prog'd the MS to cut fuel. I'd guess around 325-350 HP...and that was with GOOD gas and 25 psi boost. I'm sure if I ported the head and added bigger valves, it would have made the same HP but with lower boost, but I was too lazy to pull the head off. I just cranked the boost. BTW, the HE351 turbo is capable of over 3:1 pressure ratio according to Holset. I've seen them make 38 psi on the dodge pickups-if that tells you anything.

There are guys making over 500 HP with a 2.3 4 cylinder...so they have plenty of potential, if you decide you want to mod it later on.
_________________
"it is better to appear ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"--Mark Twain

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: mavman on 3/21/06 7:41am ]</font>

On 2006-03-20 00:57, LightningFastFords wrote:
Friend,


I'm on my 3rd 88 Turbo Coupe since the Mid 1988 Model year...and I still have a thing for them

IMHO...Ford could have done a better on the car from a number of standpoints...but I still like them and always wish to keep one on hand.

(1) Paint defects were rampant during this timeframe
(2) The Automatics used were DOGS
(3) Error Codes are seemingly ever present
(4) The interior does not age well...especially the dash pad and center console arm rests , unless it was always garage kept. Interior fade seems to happen early , unless garage kept
(5) The IHI Turbo Charger on the 87 and 88 are weaker than the Garretts used on the 84-86's
(6) The parking brake cables are a very weak design
(7) They tend to run Hot...or indicate being so.


On a positive note.
(1)A well maintained TC is very comfortable
(2)A model with a 5-Speed can be fun as well as more reliable
(3)The 87 and 88's have an inter-cooler that will prolong the Turbo's life-span
(4) Most parts other than certain hoses can be found easily
(5) It's a good handling car.
(6) It's economical when well maintained..and the Turbo Boost isn't always pegged.
(7) Even a bit dated..it's still stylish
([img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] The automatic climate control is nice
(9) The factory stereo wasn't bad for its time...but its an antique now

If you can locate a TC that isn't worn out with the paint oxidized and clear coat peeling like a snake or the interior isn't shot to hell...Give one a try...as long as it's a 5-Speed.

Just my opinion

Yeah, I know, I've owned 4 of `em.....all were 5 speed models one 1986 model, one 1987, and two 88's.
Also have owned 3 Mustang SVO's and a McClaren Capri Turbo RS.
Finally got tired of contantly fixing them and doing ongoing repairs that took up all my time and money.
Chasing my tail on the constant electrical problems is a major turn-off[img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_tdown.gif[/img]
I said "to hell with this" and sold all the T-Birds, sold one SVO, and parted the other cars.
I think I know the 2.3 fairly well, I have one making 416hp/389tq at the wheels right now and Im shooting for 450+

I bought a new one.Ordered a new 84 special order,just the way I wanted it with a 5 speed.I replaced the power window motor twice.It was rough riding. With only about 30K miles on the odometer I had to replace the trans.It left me stranded in the middle of nowhere when it completely came apart just cruising down the interstate.The mechanic that replaced it for me said the insides were dry as a bone.It never leaked so it must not have had ANY oil in the transmission from the factory. I had to replace the turbo when it burned up because the 84 model had no external oiling to the turbo.The next turbo started to go out so I traded it for a new S10, the best new vehicle I ever owned.
But, the reticulated front seats on the Turbo Coupe were the best I ever had in a car.I swore I would never buy another new Ford after that,but then got a 97 Mustang.I think everything made in the 80s was crap.My 2cents

you guys need to bone up on your turbo info!

First of all I'd like it explained to me how an intercooler prolongs turbo life since it just simply cools the air charge coming out of the turbo??

And secondly, I'd like to see pictures or even written documentation of how ANY turbo lives for more than a blast around the block without having oil lines?? The turbo bearings ride on oil just like engine bearings and I trust you all know what happens when an engine's bearings don't have oil?

_________________
There is a fine line between a hobby.... and mental illness.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ZephyrZ7 on 3/22/06 3:38am ]</font>

The cars are fun, but they are indeed a maintenance headache. My mom has had 2 of them, and I honestly spend more time tinkering under the hood for goofy electrical issues than she does driving. But she loves it, and I love my mom, so I keep at it [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Her 5 speed was a blast back in highschool with the turbo nudged a lil [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

i have an 85 exp turbo coupe i got in a trade about 4years ago. it's been parked for 6 yrs but has a new turbo on it. it does run and i was thinking of doing a little work on it and driving it some. does anyone know if these cars had the electrical problems to.