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Topic: Just scored a 86 TC for $1000 (Read 5162 times) previous topic - next topic

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

I was scouring craigslist and found this 86 turbo coupe 3 hours away so jumped on it and picked it up
Runs really good, it had to for me to actually pick it up and make the drive back home. Body and paint is in ok condition, only a couple really small dents and a broken fog light. but has some rust on trunk and around the rear window ): . Interior is in very good condition The odometer says 288k but I don't believe that, it's way too nice to have that many miles, and everything is stock, even down to the stereo. Previous owner smogged it less than a month ago and it passed with very good numbers, especially for California smog specs, had a very recent valve job and head resurfaced. For now it's just going to be my daily but Idk what I end up planning to do with it, I was thinkin about dropping the engine into my 87 (right there in background of picture) since the body and paint is much nicer and most of the suspension components are pretty new.

It's runs extremely well and rides smooth but has nowhere near the power the engine in my 87 had for obvious reasons, I already set the base idle, timed it to stock spec but I noticed when you let off the gas the rpms drop really fast, is this normal for the earlier TCs or is there something I can do to fix this?

Here's the pics

1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #1 –
sweet
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #2 –
Nice!  Looks good in the pics.

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #3 –
Sweet deal!

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #4 –
Thanks guys all in all I couldn't ask for a better deal
It was a lein sale so it could of turned into a pita since the original lein sale holder?? Owner?? Is from a totally different city from the guy I bought it from and me, plus the guy who I bought it from never put it in his name
Anyways, I made a bill of sale right on the same paper from the PO's bill of sale so that really smoothed things over at the DMV. The lein holder also paid all fees, the guy who I bought it from smogged it (passed), and it only cost $1 to put it in my name, register it, get my plates, and get my tags.
Just insured it and removed my mustang since I sold it and wow, I was getting 8 mpg in my mustang which sucked and now I know I'm getting at least double that haha. It was a good day.
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #5 –
Good score...put an IC on that 86....and watch it make tons of power....the T3 has so much more potential then the IHI....just saying.  Also the lighter weight of the 86 will help for speed and fuel economy.

Travis
 

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #6 –
That's the plan hehe, I already notice better fuel economy than my 87 but the performance just isn't there. This thing still has the stock boost valve on it so I do plan on slapping on the extra Gillis I have.
I also have an extra large vam and LB2 ecu, vam is a drop in but ecu requires repinning right?

I don't plan on spending big money on it until my 87 is back on the road but at least I'm driving in a t-bird again lol, I was sick of drivin my wife's Saturn
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #7 –
Man......I wished I would run across a steal like that!! Nice score !


86' T/C 4.6L DOHC
16' Chebby Cruze 1.4L Turbo
17’ Peterbilt 389 600hp 1850ftlb Trq 18spd

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“Heavy Metal Mistress”
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Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #8 –
Sweet !!

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #9 –
Heck the gillis and cone will get you some extra power at little cost...

Travis

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #10 –
Yea I was going to do that but my real focus is getting my 87 running, I just picked up another 87 parts car so I can leave this 86 alone, it runs very well so I would hate to ruin the car.
I now have 3 turbo coupes I'm my driveway, ahh now I just need the time. I'm done with this semester of school so now I have a bit more time to wrench.
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #11 –
I would not worry about the newer ECM.  They are ment to be used with an IC.  I would do the cone, Gillis, set the boost at 12-14 depending on the quality of premium and overall temperature.  The T3 turbo will make a lot more power at 13psi then the IHI at 16psi. 

Good luck,

Travis

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #12 –
Gillis and crank the boost to 14-15#. The stock ECUs in those cars are very conservative in regards to fuel and ignition maps. I ran a PC-1 ECU with a WORKED 2.3T (Cam/higher comp/exhaust/cone/BV head/ NO intercooler) at 16-17# of NON-intercooled boost in my '84 XR-7. Never made a peep of detonation. Base timing was 12-14* BTDC as well. Car went like hell.


Auto or manual?
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #13 –
These are some good tips thanks guys
I feel like the car has good power in the first 3 gears but once in fourth when load is high it feels like there's no power after about 3500 rpm, it feels like it's pulling alot of timing

It's a 5-speed, btw I have an extra large vam and two extra 87-88 tc ecus one for auto, one for a stick car. Is it not worth installing these or should I just stick with what the car already has?
I also have extra 87-88 stock intercoolers w/a hood if these could be easily adapted
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Just scored a 86 TC for $1000

Reply #14 –
The later ECUs can gain you a little performance, from the more aggressive fuel and timing maps. Folks say that they are "for cars with an intercooler", but the ECU has no way of knowing if there's one on the car or not. If I remember right, the only thing the 87-88TC ECUs do in regards to an intercooler is pull up to 4* of timing, based on air charge temps. It doesn't advance timing at all when the air is "cooler". Some guys don't even mount the ACT sensor in the intake...they just leave it hanging in open air.

You might need to dial back the base timing, should you decide to swap one. Repinning is easy.

Don't waste time with the 87-88 IC and hood. Do a front mount IC.

I'd hold off on swapping ECU/VAM until you drop in an IC, if it were me.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon