North American Turbocoupe Organization



V 8 conversion
Fatboy98 Offline
Junior Member
#1
I would like to know how hard it would be to convert my 4cyl to a 5.0. I have a sweet 88 t coupe but thinking about making it a 400plus hp V8.

cougarman Offline
Member
#2
Quick run, hide...lol. Seriously though check over here... http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/index.php This board is mainly for the preservation of Turbocoupes, they kinda frown on V8 conversions.
Feel the Thunder !!

russ c Offline
Senior Member
#3
If i were to do a V8, I'd skip the 5.0 and go 351 or larger. Stock block 5.0s start to have durability issues above the 400hp mark. Just my $.02.
A V8 swap is easy in these cars, as they are Fox bodies, sharing most under body components with the Mustang.
86TC Saved from certain death
88TC Gave its life so other TCs could live.
88TC DD.

TurboCoupe50 Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Physically it's a breeze to swap out the 4cyl for the 5.0, but you'll also need a transmission and associated components... It's the wiring that's a bitch, '87-'88 Turbo Coupes are unique in that dept, don't even think about it if you or someone you know isn't good with wiring... If you retain the ABS system, the big Windsor is a snug fit but unless you are continually beating on it at higher RPMs, a std 5.0 block will hold 400Hp...
1988 Turbo Coupe331 AOD

1972 Comet GT

1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 4-Speed

turbocoupes Offline
Senior Member
#5
DON'T DO IT!!! Please leave the coupe as is and find a regular bird to hack on. There are swap kits available,cant remeber where,from small block up to 460 for the birds, some things still need to be fab'd to complete the install though.
Garry McVey "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
TC's 83 project, 86 donor for 83, 86 FUN street car daily driver with speed equipment from Red 88 donor, 87 blue to be stock street car, 87 red donor for blue and others, 87 red donor, 88 street and strip(now a donor) 14.01 chasin 13.0's, 87 XR4ti project,

lonstar7 Offline
Posting Freak
#6
Quote:Originally posted by turbocoupes:
DON'T DO IT!!! Please leave the coupe as is and find a regular bird to hack on. There are swap kits available,cant remeber where,from small block up to 460 for the birds, some things still need to be fab'd to complete the install though.
I agree, don't modify the TC. I see plenty of Thunderbird Sports with a 5.0 V8 already in them for sale cheap. Get you one of them and modify it the way you want. Or, find one with a bad motor and drop a crate motor in it.
Lonestar7

1988 Black/Red TC, 5 Speed, 92,400miles (on 4/14/2012). KYB Shocks And Struts, 140MPH Speedo, CHE Rear Control Arms, Otherwise Stock.

2005 Volkswagon Golf GLS 1.9L TDI Turbo Diesel, 5 Speed Manual, InMotion Stage II Chip Tuning

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4, 5.9L Cummings Turbo Diesel, 5 Speed Manual

1988 Firebird Formula 350, 350ci Tuned Port Injection, 700R4 Auto

Paulie Offline
Banned
#7
Now if you really want to go fast drop an LS motor in a cheap 5.0 T Bird and leave the TC alone. Their are to many TC Birds used as donor cars for mustang turbo conversions. Its wrong and not necessary. Just My $.02

Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#8
As others said, keep the relatively rare TC a turbo 4. Find a SEFI 5.0 Bird, which will have virtually all the correct wiring already there and drop in a 5.0 HO, 331 or 347 SBF stroker, or a 351. Or go wild with a 460.
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

TurboCoupe50 Offline
Posting Freak
#9
Well from what I've seen the Sports are rarer than the TC, at least they seldom were at the auction where most of my past 14 TCs were purchased... Also the '87 Sport doesn't have the seats or the analogue cluster and only have the 10" front brakes & 7.5 rearend(some '88 had the 8.8 but with a 3.08 gear)... If it weren't for the wiring that scares most swappers away, the TC is a far better candidate for building a hot rod... Instead they are usually junked and the other TC owners swarm over the carcases picking parts...


AND before everyone jumps on me I bought my TC in '97, did the conversion in '99, most of the other TCs I bought between '96 & '05 then resold are long since junked... My car still all the unique TC systems functional, plus has most of it's original paint(had a fender repl before I got it) and could be converted back if someone(not me)really wanted to do so...
1988 Turbo Coupe331 AOD

1972 Comet GT

1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 4-Speed

Fatboy98 Offline
Junior Member
#10
Well,I guess it's not a popular switch. It's a solid car & I see most like to keep them stock. I've been in the wiring system before with issues & that would most likely be the biggest problem I would encounter. I was looking to get some muscle out of it, thought a v 8 would be more fun.
Thanks





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