North American Turbocoupe Organization



pros and cons of 86 TC vs.88 TC ( ITS LONG)
RDOG Offline
Posting Freak
#1
What are the pros and cons of having a 86 or a 88. I know the 86 has no ABS, a single fan, Rear drums, and no intercooler. I am about to purchase a 86 for $600 that is clean with 60,000 miles on it or a clean 88 with 120,000 miles on it for $1300. I am not so interested in the engine since I have one on the stand that is fully set up with all the goodies. (ported head, roller cam , ported manifold,gutted upper, ported lower, 255 fp, billet fpr, bypass valve, and front mount intercooler)I also stripped my 88 (that burned up) of everthing but the rear end, including VAM and LA3. I need to know what is a better choice. Is one lighter than the other? Is the 86 less likely to catch fire? Is the driveline the same? Does one handle better? Is the heater core easier to replace in a 86? I want a headache free car this time.Help me out guys!!
1986 Turbo Coupe. Boport StageIII head, Boport 2.1, Performance Techniques 50 trim hybird, StageII.63, stinger 3" exhaust, Phenolic spacer, Boglog header,NPR FMIC intercooler setup, kirban fpr, bigrmotorsports fuel rail, diablo water meth kit, CAI, remote mount TFI, CHE rear adj control arms, MAC girdle, 8.8 rear disc, aluminum drive shaft, H&R lowerings springs Tbird Turbo Specific, y MAS!!
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GaryS#2 Offline
Posting Freak
#2
I'd buy them both for those prices. [Image: smile.gif]

I have an 86 and 88 and I like both.
The 86 is lighter, has the open grill ready for front mnt IC, but I'd buy whatever you like best.
Drive them both and see wich one you like best.
Grocery Getter/Rice Cooker.
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segfaultxr7 Offline
Posting Freak
#3
The 86 is lighter, and given that it has half the mileage and is less than half the price, I'd recommend that one. Plus you can easily swap your VAM and LA3.

Most TC fires are caused by leaking injectors or the alternator plug, regardless of year. The newer TCs seem to have better wiring, though. To the best of my knowledge the heater core change is identical between 86 and 88 (same interior, etc). I don't know about handling, but since the 86 is lighter it might have a slight edge.

Personally, though, I'd go for the 88. One of the main reasons I like these cars is because of all the gadgets like auto ride control, ABS, etc. they had back then. In other words, all the stuff half the people here end up ripping out because they consider it weight-adding junk. [Image: smile.gif] Most of those features didn't show up until 87..
88 TC 5-speed
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sctur601 Offline
Member
#4
The 88 is faster, brakes and handles better. The 86 does weigh less, how much depends on the options each car has. My 83 weighs just under 3300 lbs. The nice thing is you can swap all of the 88 engine and suspension parts over and have a quicker better handling car, but is alot of work. the heater cores in either car is a majot pain in the butt. The 86 also has the smaller front brakes and the 7.5 rear, which is all pretty easy to swap. It all depends on which car you like better. I like the earlier TCs because they arent as flashy and weigh alot less.

------------------
My vehicle
1983 Turbo Coupe-
13.83 at 103mph!
273rwhp and 342ftlb at 24 psi with a slipping clutch!
And it still feels slow!
Thanks
Shawn

Please click the link if you want to sign my aftermarket head list
My vehicle
1983 Turbo Coupe-
13.83 at 103mph!
273rwhp and 342ftlb at 24 psi with a slipping clutch!
And it still feels slow!
Thanks
Shawn

I also do port work, if you need something ported email me at [email protected]
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GT350R Offline
Senior Member
#5
I have owned a ton of both. I would go for the 86!

Everything is easyier to work on. It does not have all the crap that the other one will need replaced already at 120,000.

then just swap on a 87-88 hood and intercooler.Then bump the boost up and you will blow away a later one. The only thing you would want to consider after tha would be a brake upgrade.

The 7.5 rear will be fine until you want to put slicks on it. I have beat them so bad that I have broken off the quad shock mounts and they never broke the gears.

If you want one with less headachs, go for the 86. That is of course ASSuMEing that it is not a turd when compared to the 88 you are looking at.

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GT350R
#1978 20th 2.3 Turbo T-top
#3608 20th 2.3 Turbo T-top
WAY too many TC's and other mustangs!

My Garage
GT350R
(sold Sad ) 87 5speed, Motorsport head, A237@+2, T3@20psi, gutted or ported everything & all the typical junk.
84 Gt350 2.3T T-top
84 Turbo GT 418rwhp

My Garage
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