Need '87 - '88 Tbird Info...

[car36]

I prefer the '88 - '87 Tbird body style. I'd like to find a V8 car that's fully loaded in Excellent shape. Before I go hunting.. tell me the difference of the Sport, LX, etc... Any particular models you'd avoid?

Dave

[T-Bird-uzi]

well first off, the lx had the digital gauge
cluster, sport had the analog cluster, with 5.0, trac-lok rearend and better susp. parts......if i was you, i'd try to find a sport, cheaper than a tc, as it's already upgraded from lx with the V8 and susp parts already there, but keep in mind that the 302 is NOT the Ho like found in your 86 and up 'Stangs, it rated at 190? horse... :-)

[rudbech]

The 87 V8 has 150 BHP and the 88 has 155 (according to Consumer Guide). It is said that the AOD tranny in the V8 eats up to 30 BPH... :eek: I don't know if the listed BHP is measured before or after the tranny, though...

[BirdNatic]

Just in case you're still looking....

The 87-88 Sport did come with the 5.0, NON-HO motor unfortunately, which is rated at 155 hp, and yes, the AOD does suck a lot of that away, but kick up the timing to about 15 degrees, run premium, and you'll be ok..it'll still break the tires loose pretty easily. Find yourself a Sport, and if the HP isn't what you want, swap in an HO motor. The easiest way to spot one is to look for the shifter location. If the Bird has a 5.0, and the shifter in on the center console (instead of on the column), then you've found a Sport. Or...the 7th character of the VIN will be a "1"...that's just about as easy. I've owned 3 of them, and I've loved them all! Ok..so they really suck in the snow...but that's ok...I have my Intrepid for the winter time! I am selling my old beater Sport, but it needs a lot of help...I bought it in 1995 from an insurance auction after a pretty nasty wreck. I have about $1500 into the car total--with me doing all the work of course. I've since logged 102k miles on her for a total of 151k miles, and no major problems at all. She's just getting tired..been bumped again...fading paint....stuff like that. But she's still a lot of fun to drive! So..in my opinion, find yourself a Sport. The V-6 Birds are dogs....the LX's have the ugly front seats and column shifter, and the Turbo Coupes are fun, but noisy inside. The Sport has the same suspension (minus the ride control)and interior as the Turbo COupe, and is almost as nice looking. All 3 of my Sports have received a Turbo Coupe hood, and they still look pretty sharp. Anyway...there's my $.02! Happy hunting!!

[KMcGrathNJ]

Originally posted by car36:
I prefer the '88 - '87 Tbird body style. I'd like to find a V8 car that's fully loaded in Excellent shape. Before I go hunting.. tell me the difference of the Sport, LX, etc... Any particular models you'd avoid?

Dave

[KMcGrathNJ]

Just to confirm what BirdNatic said, the TurboCoupe is a bit noisy inside. I have an 88, but it sure is fun to drive and it is by far the best looking of the bunch, however I think that is mainly due to the hood, and if you change it on the others...
The 2.5 however delivers great milage, just ran mine from NJ to FL and back and got about 27 mpg, and this was running at 85 and 90 trough most of the Southern States. (love their speed limits).

[KMcGrathNJ]

Excuse my brain fart there, meant to say 2.3L engine