Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Carl on August 18, 2008, 03:17:10 AM

Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Carl on August 18, 2008, 03:17:10 AM
Picked up an 88 Turbo Coupe with a perfect interior and near perfect exterior that runs for $400 :flip:

There is one problem, sometimes it runs great and other times it sputters violently and randomly. Also the boost gauge only registers 5 PSI at full boost. Seems like it's boosting better but I dunno what's going on. Replaced the plugs, wires and coil and it still does it. I am guessing it's a vacuum leak somewhere???

The T-5 shifts like a champ and the clutch is wonderful! I will be putting a short throw shifter on after I find out the problem with the sputtering.

Any suggestions? (good pics coming tomorrow.)

here are some py cell phone pics

(http://i36.tinypic.com/so4fpc.jpg)
(http://i34.tinypic.com/106hduh.jpg)
(http://i37.tinypic.com/34g4xa8.jpg)

Specs

122k Miles
Custom dual exhaust with no cats (from last owner?)
buttstuffog Cluster (soon to be full digi)
T-5
Broken Heater Core
No power brakes at the moment :hick:
Some kind of sputtering issue. Sometimes runs fine, sometimes does not.
Only registering 5 PSI of boost and I think that is all it's boosting.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: speeddemon31176 on August 18, 2008, 04:45:19 AM
Nice ride, especially for the price. Sounds like a few minor repairs and you'll have one sweet ride.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: vinnietbird on August 18, 2008, 06:07:48 AM
Very nice.Good find.I need to find a TC like that for parts.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: jangus on August 18, 2008, 06:53:45 AM
Vinnie,

You part out a TC that is that nice, and we'll have issues:mad: . LOL.
Nice find.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 18, 2008, 09:46:44 AM
A)  You NEEEEEEED to get us better pics
B)  You NEEEEEEED to bring it down to NC
C)  Sweet ride!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: 1WLD BRD on August 18, 2008, 10:34:57 AM
nice TC, get better pics....

Only putting out 5 psi?  thats not good...  My TC has a sputtering problem sometimes too, but only when I am at 17psi...  I backed it off to 14 for now...
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: 88turbo on August 18, 2008, 10:44:39 AM
check your I/C hoses and all vacuum lines.  my tc is having the same issues, can you hear escaping air under boost? also look through the tech articles on NATO http://www.turbotbird.com/techinfo/techarticles.html
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Beau on August 18, 2008, 11:09:04 AM
Quote from: Carl;232488
buttstuffog Cluster (soon to be full digi)


You don't mean the digi gauges from a base/lx Tbird, do you?
If so, WTF for? lol ;)
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 18, 2008, 02:00:58 PM
Yeah why the heck would you put in digi instead of keeping the buttstuffog?
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Innes on August 18, 2008, 02:20:20 PM
looks good
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 18, 2008, 03:04:38 PM
Quote from: Carl;232488
Picked up an 88 Turbo Coupe with a perfect interior and near perfect exterior that runs for $400 :flip:

There is one problem, sometimes it runs great and other times it sputters violently and randomly. Also the boost gauge only registers 5 PSI at full boost. Seems like it's boosting better but I dunno what's going on. Replaced the plugs, wires and coil and it still does it. I am guessing it's a vacuum leak somewhere???

The T-5 shifts like a champ and the clutch is wonderful! I will be putting a short throw shifter on after I find out the problem with the sputtering.

Any suggestions? (good pics coming tomorrow.)

here are some py cell phone pics

(http://i36.tinypic.com/so4fpc.jpg)
(http://i34.tinypic.com/106hduh.jpg)
(http://i37.tinypic.com/34g4xa8.jpg)

Specs

122k Miles
Custom dual exhaust with no cats (from last owner?)
buttstuffog Cluster (soon to be full digi)
T-5
Broken Heater Core
No power brakes at the moment :hick:
Some kind of sputtering issue. Sometimes runs fine, sometimes does not.
Only registering 5 PSI of boost and I think that is all it's boosting.


Nice car :D

Oh and digi dash FTW!:D
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Tbird232ci on August 18, 2008, 03:06:29 PM
As for your boost problem, reach under the turbo, and grab the wastegate arm. See if you can push the rod towards the rear of the car. If it moves with only a little bit of resistance, then you need a wastegate. They should be very difficult to open one handed. If it opens easily, let me know, I may have a spare.

Also, only use Motorcraft wires if you can.

Looks to be a very nice car.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Carl on August 18, 2008, 04:24:39 PM
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;232528
You don't mean the digi gauges from a base/lx Tbird, do you?
If so, WTF for? lol ;)


Yes I do.

2 Reasons

#1 the buttstuffog is only to 85 MPH
#2 the full digi is one of those things that makes me instantly think of our cars.

I may go with an aftermarket buttstuffog setup but I have yet to look into it further
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 18, 2008, 04:36:19 PM
You can easily make an buttstuffog 140 speed for it :D .  That's > digi dash.  And you neeeeeed to get that down here to NC so we can go cruisin.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Carl on August 18, 2008, 04:59:21 PM
Will do! Now that I have a car that gets great gas mileage! Still on a full tank after going 67 miles. Even with it running like .
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: BlackCardinal on August 18, 2008, 05:35:33 PM
Congrats on the purchase! You can't go wrong for $400!!!

Yeah, personally, if it were me, I'd stick with the buttstuffog gauges--but the beauty of it, is that it's your car! If you like the digital dash (does the speedo read over 99mph?), I say go for it!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Sick88Tbird on August 18, 2008, 05:57:12 PM
Digital dash stops at 85...unless you do the W2 mod, then it'll read up to 199...you can also turn your 85mph buttstuffog speedo into a 140 cheap and easy.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Carl on August 18, 2008, 06:05:14 PM
Quote from: BlackCardinal;232574
Congrats on the purchase! You can't go wrong for $400!!!

Yeah, personally, if it were me, I'd stick with the buttstuffog gauges--but the beauty of it, is that it's your car! If you like the digital dash (does the speedo read over 99mph?), I say go for it!


was not doing it for that reason. the buttstuffog everyone knows it says 85. the digi no one knows unless you do over 85 lol :D
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: 88TurboCoupeman01 on August 18, 2008, 06:31:33 PM
Stick88tbird how do I modify mine to 140 I have the download gauge from CooCats what else do I need to do.

Hey carl the TC come with short throw shifters, so u don't real need one unless u just want it for the brand.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Beau on August 18, 2008, 07:03:01 PM
Quote from: 88TurboCoupeman01;232584
How do I modify mine to 140? I have the downloaded gauge from CoolCats, what else do I need to do?

There's a write-up on this site for that, there's also one on CoolCats about it...which reminds me....if you've downloaded the gauge-face, why did you not read said write-up? :confused:


Quote from: 88TurboCoupeman01;232584
Hey carl the TC come with short throw shifters...

Wanna bet!? Not stock they don't...
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: 88TurboCoupeman01 on August 18, 2008, 10:10:46 PM
Got it from turbobird.com under87-88 TC spec heres what it sayed under trans.
Manual: Borg Warner T-5 short throw 5 speed manual trans

Top speeds per gear: 1st - 33mph, 2nd - 56 mph, 3rd - 89 mph,

4th - 131 mph, 5th - 143 mph
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: booksix on August 19, 2008, 12:54:09 AM
absolutely INSANE!  $400.00?!?!  what a steal!  nice work!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: jcassity on August 19, 2008, 01:02:30 AM
I totally hate you now:flip:

Nice find!!!!!!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 19, 2008, 01:07:00 AM
Where are the better pics!?!?  Don't be slackin on us now!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: tc² on August 19, 2008, 01:11:27 AM
Quote from: 88TurboCoupeman01;232610
Got it from turbobird.com under87-88 TC spec heres what it sayed under trans.
Manual: Borg Warner T-5 short throw 5 speed manual trans

Top speeds per gear: 1st - 33mph, 2nd - 56 mph, 3rd - 89 mph,

4th - 131 mph, 5th - 143 mph


Believe everything you read on the internet machine?

They definitely were not short throws compared to, say, a Tri-Ax.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Carl on August 19, 2008, 03:04:29 AM
sorry, no pics today.

I did flush the radiator, did an oil change / cleaned the system of the 4 year old sludge. :mad:

and best of all, I fixed the sputtering. It turned out to be one of the little plastic vacuum lines was broken so I taped it until I can get another line.

Still only boosting 5 PSI.

Can someone explain the process of upping boost by bypassing the boost control solenoid?! That would be very helpful because I am sick of boosting only 5 when the car has so much more potential!

Many thanks :bowdown:

and you will be rewarded with pics tomorrow as I just got too caught up in working on it today.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 19, 2008, 09:30:48 AM
Nice score....

BTW guys they are out there, bought the red one in my sig for $420...
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: BCA on August 20, 2008, 10:12:31 AM
Quote from: 88TurboCoupeman01;232610
Got it from turbobird.com under87-88 TC spec heres what it sayed under trans.
Manual: Borg Warner T-5 short throw 5 speed manual trans


Quote from: tc²;232648
They definitely were not short throws compared to, say, a Tri-Ax.


You are both correct.

In 1985, Ford shortened the shifter throw compared to the 1983-84 cars and listed it as one of the new functional features for the 1985 model. So as far as the factory was concerned it was a short-throw shifter compared to the original version.
But in comparison to the aftermarket offerings it's not the shortest one out there.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: Privateer on August 20, 2008, 03:43:07 PM
Wow smoking deal, that TC looks very nice for that kind of cash. Congrats, now get to doing some mods :D
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: V8Demon on August 20, 2008, 05:32:16 PM
Quote
If you like the digital dash (does the speedo read over 99mph?), I say go for it!


Seems some of you have forgotten about this:
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/199speedo.html

;)

Full Digi>buttstuffog>Half-Digi in these cars IMHO...

Nice grab:burnout:
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: 88TurboCoupeman01 on August 20, 2008, 06:09:21 PM
Carl what u plan to do performance wise.
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: daboss351 on August 20, 2008, 08:05:36 PM
you are a lucky SOB!!
I want one so bad but anyone with a decent one wants over 2k
and I just found a SWEET slightly modded one with  paint for 1200, its just im broke and cant afford anything right now, but need a car for work!
I need a deal like that!!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: BlackCardinal on August 21, 2008, 01:56:53 AM
Quote from: V8Demon;232887
Seems some of you have forgotten about this:
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/199speedo.html

;)


Cool!
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: DerikWayne on August 21, 2008, 03:31:27 AM
Some people have all the luck
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 21, 2008, 11:02:32 AM
Quote from: V8Demon;232887


Full Digi>buttstuffog>Half-Digi in these cars IMHO...

Nice grab:burnout:


+1:D
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: DVP on August 21, 2008, 01:23:34 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;232887
Seems some of you have forgotten about this:
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/199speedo.html

;)

Full Digi>buttstuffog>Half-Digi in these cars IMHO...

Nice grab:burnout:



Minus the temp gauge, I would like numbers sometimes. Love everything else. Just have to run some A pillar gauges
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 21, 2008, 02:10:42 PM
buttstuffog > * in these cars IMHO :D
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 21, 2008, 02:26:06 PM
Quote from: kingcars;233021
buttstuffog > * in these cars IMHO :D


Every car has buttstuffog few have digital ;)
Title: My new 88 Turbo Coupe!
Post by: kingcars on August 21, 2008, 02:42:47 PM
I don't care what other cars have ;) .  The digi dash removes me from the old school feel of these cars.
Title: And its white too
Post by: sawhse2 on August 28, 2008, 03:35:19 PM
Nice car carl, hope it doesnt break the bank for you. see you in a week