North American Turbocoupe Organization



Is My car Too Old to Be Goin Fast?
Noname
Unregistered
#1
Hey again everyone!
Got a quick question. I have an '87 Turbo Coupe, and it has 128,000 miles on it. The first 100,000 miles were pampered, then the kid I bought it from drove it really hard for about 25,000, but still maintained it properly, and kept it in great condition. Here in Nevada, We have a race every year called the Silver State Classic, and I was thinkin of entering my T-Bird, and representin Tongue Is my car too old to be modifying? Its 100% stock right now. I kinda wanna get my car between 220 and 250 horses at the rear wheels before the race if possible. Any advice is much appreciated!!
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wwwtbirdforumcom Offline
Senior Member
#2
Do what you want - no one can answer weather or not you should race - or mod - or spend money on what you like to do. If your car is your passion - then go with it - if you want others to think you are cool - don't waste your time or money....

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Here is my 1988 TC, Clean look - Glad to be here...
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Here is a pic of my baby
NATO Member
Here is my 1987 TC, Mean look - Glad to be here...
[email protected]
[Image: Cumberland.gif]
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JONESER Offline
Senior Member
#3
I've got 214,000 miles on my 87 TC! The engine has never been rebuilt. I'm running 18 PSI of boost, K&N in the finder, 3" downpipe, no cat and 21/2" duals with Dynomax super turbo muff's.
It had 145,000 when I bought it and it was all stock like yours.
I wish I could tell you what HP I've got, but there aren't any track/dyno's that close to me.
To answer your question, your car isn't to old. If you want to do it, do it.
87 Turbo Coupe, 5-speed, boost at 18 PSI, K&N in finder, tangerine paint, shaved door handles, locks and emblems, painted interior trim(same as exterior), tiger print headliner, visors and door panels, Autometer gauges, 5.6" monitor & Playstation 2, lowered, white pony wheels...did I forget anything?
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#4
As for the motor, it is just getting broken in at 128K miles. I would be willing to bet you can crank up the boost with no ill effects. Get a low restriction exhaust and intake, crank up the boost to 18 or 19, and you will get the HP you want. If the fuel pump is original, oyu may want to get a higher output pump to keep up with the increased fuel demands.

Before you go driving 100+ mph, give the suspension a good going over. By the mid 100K mile range, there is a good chance the ball joints are worn, as well as the tie rod ends. Dont forget all the rubber bushings are 14 years old, and may be half rotted. Wheel and axle bearings may be on their way out too. You wouldnt want to be rounding a curve at 95 mph and have a ball joint let go on you.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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Mr. Sam Ford Offline
Senior Member
#5
I say go for it. A TC would be a great choice for a top speed oriented race like the Silver State. The mileage wouldn't concern me too much either, but I agree that you should definately check the suspension out thoroughly before anything else. With the K&N, a better exhaust and a little more boost it should be a really fun car. Make sure you have some speed rated tires on it too [Image: smile.gif]
'88 Thunderbird TC, daily headache with a few mods, 14.65 and still not happy Smile

'86 Mustang GT, daily transport, fresh 302, Twisted Wedge heads, Track Heat intake, custom cam, all the associated goodies, 4.10s, hoping for mid 12s n/a
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**PathogeN** Offline
Member
#6
My original motor had 250k miles. It still ran when I pulled it, just a blown head gasket. These things last forever. Take care of it and for sure do the suspension! Mod the car like you mentioned, you'll be capable of delving into a speed category seen usually only by italian exotics and slow aircraft. Mine's been up over 170 personally and theres plenty of people's on the board who's can hit that fast or close too it. God help me if I ever can manage to get a *real* turbo.

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87 TC 5-Speed. 5.0 T-5, .030 over 2.5 stroker, balanced, blueprinted, studded and strapped. Keith Black Forged Pistons, FMS Valves & FRPP springs. Gutted Upper, knifed lower & E6, Minor Head Porting. Esslinger alum. flywheel, FMS SVO clutch & plate, Esslinger cam pulley, unorthodox pulleys, K&N, VAM Mod, ETS 3" DP, Dual 2.5 dynomax, teflon impeller'd 15k mile IHI, Brembo evolution rotors & 4-piston calipers, HPM Rear lower C. Arms, Griggs front A Arms & K Member, Max. Motorsports Caster/Camber plates, Eibach pro kit, KYB AGX Struts, Tokico shocks & quads, Full KB Subframe, PST Polygraphite all around, Lincoln LSC anti-roll bar (f), 225/50zr16's. 2kWrms Infinity/Clarion Pro Audio Sound System

"Set gillis to Kill, prepare for launch"

[This message has been edited by **PathogeN** (edited 10-11-2001).]
88 Turbo Coupe (White)
88 Psudo Coupe (Silver LX)
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Keith Nubel Offline
Posting Freak
#7
The only thing that gets to old with a turbo coupe are the owners of turbo coupes.

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85 TC 5 speed, K&N filter charger, Ranger Roller cam, 3" exhaust system, manual boost valve, large VAM, SVO PE computer, front mount intercooler, underdrive pulley, ported upper and lower intakes,flow matched injectors, ported E6 manifold, 245/45/17 wheels & Tires
1985 TC
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