North American Turbocoupe Organization



Highway speeds...
w60 Offline
Senior Member
#1
I never really like to cruise down the interstate more than about 70mph, nothing to base that speed on except ignorance.

I've been doing a lot of driving between birmingham and montgomery lately in my CRV and speed is usually between 80 to 90 or you get run over and I just don't want to drive my t-bird 80+.

Am I being foolish or is there some "drive forever" speed out there?
http://www.mycoachonline.com
White 88 TC Auto Trans
White 04 Honda CR/V
Blue 74 Honda Trail 70
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5.0TurboCoupe1988 Offline
Posting Freak
#2
if it's mechanically sound, you shouldn't have any problems. just keep an eye on the temp.
1988 TC 2.3/5-Speed, 148K
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Sean Offline
Member
#3
I recently drove from Lincoln, Nebraska to Chicago and back in one day. Mine's a 1988 with the standard 3.55 rear and a 5 speed, but in 5th gear it turns right on 3,000rpm at 80. It cruises comfortably at a GPS indicated 95 without any issues. In bumper to bumper traffic in Chicago everybody was doing 90+ in a 55, and I was playing with the big boys. The temperature gauge stays in the coolest "normal operating range" spot at 80 without issue, got into the middle of that range when I was running hot and hard in traffic and calling upon the turbo and 17psi of boost to squeeze through traffic, but never climbed high. Honestly, she runs hotter in stop and go traffic.

These cars could do 143mph when new and were tested at said speed by magazines. Mine has crap front wheel bearings that keep getting sloppy after 2,000 miles and need to be replaced rather than repacked, and a few worn bushings in the front end. Once I replace those, I am contemplating finding an airstrip to max her out, as I believe with the higher than factory boost levels I will be able to hit 150. That might require a better intercooler, though.



Seriously, if it's in good mechanical shape, it should be able to do 100 all day.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
160 amp 3G and upgraded charge/power supply cables.
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kunar Offline
Member
#4
i agree, my bird loves to cruise at 80-90 with no trouble at all and the only think keeping me from cruising faster is the potential for a ticket.

as for top speed, 4th will take you right to 130. that's where i stopped. im sure 5th would be happy to keep pushing, but the front suspension didnt like it so much
1987 Turbo Coupe
1987 Ranger 4.0, 4x4
1991 Escort GT
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86thunderchicken Offline
Member
#5
Man I WISH I could cruise at those speeds, the fastest I've cruised is 75 on I-84 EB from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, Oregon. The highest speed limit in Oregon is 65 Sad I've seen a "test Speed limit" of 90 in Utah a couple years ago lol my Mustang's front suspension doesn't like over 100 very much so that's the highest I've taken it
1986 TC 240,000 miles. Walbro 255. Soon to be under the knife for an 87 5 speed swap

1992 Mustang LX 5.0, headers, H pipe, and soon to have subframe connectors to boot!
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Sean Offline
Member
#6
States with limits lower than 75 need to get that fixed. If my 25 year old car can cruise at 100, then everybody else should be fine.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
160 amp 3G and upgraded charge/power supply cables.
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w60 Offline
Senior Member
#7
I have to say that our speed limit is 70, just the interstate between the state capital (Montgomery) and the largest city in the state (Birmingham) the state troopers pretty much leave everyone alone for some reason. 80 mph gets you passed by most people on weekdays.

Waiting for a 90+ degree day to run to Montgomery with the AC on to see what the temp does.
http://www.mycoachonline.com
White 88 TC Auto Trans
White 04 Honda CR/V
Blue 74 Honda Trail 70
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Sean Offline
Member
#8
Honestly, don't let it spend too much time building a lot of boost and you should be fine. Even if it spends all its time building major boost.....the airflow should be more than enough to keep it cool.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
160 amp 3G and upgraded charge/power supply cables.
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