1983-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupes - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

HickRocket1258 · 03-29-2011, 12:39 PM

I'm curious if anybody has had any experience with the Thunderbird Turbo Coupes from 1983-88. I'm thinking about going to take a look at one and wasn't sure if anyone has had any past experience with them. I've read up on them but as I said just curious if anyone has had any personal experience. My dad had one back like 20 years ago, but he wasn't into modding it back then.

TalonTsi97 · 03-29-2011, 01:06 PM

Not that it helps you but my neighbor has one sitting and it drives me nuts. he's a pretty old guy and he's had it since new, forget how many miles on it but he refuses to sell it. It's a shame cause i'd love to drive it around whereas i only see him start it and move it maybe once a month. I've always been a fan of odd ball turbo cars so they have always interested me. Don't really see as many around anymore, but about 5-6 years ago you'd still see modded ones come to meets or the races.

scott8989 · 03-29-2011, 01:30 PM

funny you say that as im about to go look at an 87 on rt3 near media sometime today lol. unfortunately i have no experience either so im looking forward to seeing what is said in here

HickRocket1258 · 03-29-2011, 01:32 PM

I've always thought it would be cool to own one of these. They have become rare these days, especially around these areas. Most of them are probably just sitting like your neighbor has his sit.

HickRocket1258 · 03-29-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott8989

funny you say that as im about to go look at an 87 on rt3 near media sometime today lol. unfortunately i have no experience either so im looking forward to seeing what is said in here

Wow. My mom was actually going to stop by Brookhaven to check one out for me. That isn't too far from Media. It's an '85 for a heck of a price.

scott8989 · 03-29-2011, 02:07 PM

they one im looking at is actually at a little dealership in the far back of the lot. i noticed it the other day and i couldnt resist going back to see it. i guess you can say its in media. brookhaven isnt to far my aunt lives there

Munky · 03-29-2011, 02:40 PM

I know enough about them to stay clear of them

. My uncle had one that gave him nothing but issues from the day he bought it brand new. My best friends dad has had like 4-5 of them and they've all been gremlin ridden. Good luck tho LoL.

inteva6184 · 03-29-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munky

I know enough about them to stay clear of them

. My uncle had one that gave him nothing but issues from the day he bought it brand new. My best friends dad has had like 4-5 of them and they've all been gremlin ridden. Good luck tho LoL.

Ahh so you dont know much about them huh. They are great cars and the motors are great and have no problem at all running high mileage. My dad just picked up one that we plan on transplanting into his ranger should be fun.

scott8989 · 03-29-2011, 08:18 PM

drove the car today and was a blast. but was a little to big for my tastes. great car just dont know about it yet.

Vbelisle · 03-29-2011, 08:41 PM

I had an 88 Turbocoupe. It was a great car, mine had some electrical problems. I would check for rust under the drivers doors, that area usually shows signs of rust. I would also check outwww.foxtbirdcougarforums.com they have lots of information there about these cars.

I miss mine

twastheglow · 03-29-2011, 08:44 PM

^ More pics?

Vbelisle · 03-29-2011, 08:48 PM

Also check the door cards they like to come loose..

and one before I blacked the red stripe

mckpat03 · 03-29-2011, 09:50 PM

No info to add, but I want to build a reasonably high HP 2.3T notchback in the future.

HickRocket1258 · 03-29-2011, 10:03 PM

Vbel that's really clean looking man. The one I'm looking at is a 4 eye like the fox bodies. Should be a fun tank haha.

HickRocket1258 · 03-29-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckpat03

No info to add, but I want to build a reasonably high HP 2.3T notchback in the future.

I seen a listing on Craigslist with a fox that has a 2.3 in it. Wasn't an original 2.3.

OMGz Turbo · 03-29-2011, 10:10 PM

I always wanted to pick one of these up. Are these the 3.8 motors???

A friend has the NEXT body style in a supercoupe and that thing is mint, its the pearl white color.

R22B · 03-29-2011, 10:14 PM

My friend has one. I dont know the exact year (88?) but I know a common thing to do is swap out heads from a Volvo. That's the extent of my knowledge

BlkWhtTSI · 03-29-2011, 10:27 PM

Saw one like last year, looked pretty beat up but when it passed me at probably 70 and climbing it sounded verrrry healthy.

Vbelisle · 03-29-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HickRocket1258

Vbel that's really clean looking man. The one I'm looking at is a 4 eye like the fox bodies. Should be a fun tank haha.

if it has 4 lights its not an 88 but there fun cars, and digging through my old pictures made me miss mine...

they had a 2.3 turbo, 3.8 v6 and a 5.0 v8. the 5.0's are slightly more popular or they were back when I had mine

OMGz Turbo · 03-29-2011, 11:01 PM

I know some one selling a thunderbird 87-89 that has a 5.0....needs work but its cheap..like a few hundred $$$$s

Dont the supercoupes have the 3.8 though?

EDIT:: They next gen supercoupes do, so why not turbo the 3.8??? They hold together REALLY well with a good headgasket and studs

03-29-2011, 12:39 PM	#1
HickRocket1258 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Chester, PA Member #415 iTrader: (0)	1983-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupes I'm curious if anybody has had any experience with the Thunderbird Turbo Coupes from 1983-88. I'm thinking about going to take a look at one and wasn't sure if anyone has had any past experience with them. I've read up on them but as I said just curious if anyone has had any personal experience. My dad had one back like 20 years ago, but he wasn't into modding it back then. __________________ -Rob Just a mustang that's lowered.....that's about it. Work harder....Millions on welfare depend on you! Last edited by HickRocket1258; 03-29-2011 at 01:28 PM.

03-29-2011, 01:06 PM	#2
TalonTsi97 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jan 2005 Member #136 My Ride: 1997 Eagle Talon iTrader: (21)	Not that it helps you but my neighbor has one sitting and it drives me nuts. he's a pretty old guy and he's had it since new, forget how many miles on it but he refuses to sell it. It's a shame cause i'd love to drive it around whereas i only see him start it and move it maybe once a month. I've always been a fan of odd ball turbo cars so they have always interested me. Don't really see as many around anymore, but about 5-6 years ago you'd still see modded ones come to meets or the races. __________________ 1997 Eagle Talon Tsi To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Updated weekly with Dyno, Track, AutoX, Street, and Event videos. Big updates coming soon! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-29-2011, 01:32 PM	#4
HickRocket1258 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Chester, PA Member #415 iTrader: (0)	I've always thought it would be cool to own one of these. They have become rare these days, especially around these areas. Most of them are probably just sitting like your neighbor has his sit. __________________ -Rob Just a mustang that's lowered.....that's about it. Work harder....Millions on welfare depend on you!

03-29-2011, 02:40 PM	#7
Munky Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wyomissing Member #3838 My Ride: 2013 Ram Blackout Express Quad Cab, 96 Jeep Cherokee XJ, 98 Nissan 240ss Never going to run iTrader: (0)	I know enough about them to stay clear of them . My uncle had one that gave him nothing but issues from the day he bought it brand new. My best friends dad has had like 4-5 of them and they've all been gremlin ridden. Good luck tho LoL. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-29-2011, 09:50 PM	#13
mckpat03 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lewistown, PA Member #15251 My Ride: Mainly VWs iTrader: (0)	No info to add, but I want to build a reasonably high HP 2.3T notchback in the future. __________________ - Pat '10 Touareg TDI w/air - deleted/tuned, tow pig, offroad-ish project '15 Sportwagen TDI SEL LP - Daily

03-29-2011, 08:41 PM	#10
Vbelisle Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South/Central NJ Member #13910 My Ride: 06 Salsa GLI iTrader: (0)	I had an 88 Turbocoupe. It was a great car, mine had some electrical problems. I would check for rust under the drivers doors, that area usually shows signs of rust. I would also check outwww.foxtbirdcougarforums.com they have lots of information there about these cars. I miss mine

03-29-2011, 08:48 PM	#12
Vbelisle Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South/Central NJ Member #13910 My Ride: 06 Salsa GLI iTrader: (0)	Also check the door cards they like to come loose.. and one before I blacked the red stripe

03-29-2011, 10:03 PM	#14
HickRocket1258 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Chester, PA Member #415 iTrader: (0)	Vbel that's really clean looking man. The one I'm looking at is a 4 eye like the fox bodies. Should be a fun tank haha. __________________ -Rob Just a mustang that's lowered.....that's about it. Work harder....Millions on welfare depend on you!

03-29-2011, 10:10 PM	#16
OMGz Turbo Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ltown Member #3108 My Ride: 01' WS6..That whistles...01' Explorer 5.slow iTrader: (0)	I always wanted to pick one of these up. Are these the 3.8 motors??? A friend has the NEXT body style in a supercoupe and that thing is mint, its the pearl white color. __________________ loading HATERS.....99% ████████████████] NO ONE CARES ABOUT BEING TTT APPROVED

03-29-2011, 10:14 PM	#17
R22B Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Allentown, PA Member #5854 My Ride: 88 Merkur XR4Ti \| 92 Mazda MX3 \| 98 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer \| 91 Ford Ranger89 \| 89 Yamaha FZR600 iTrader: (0)	My friend has one. I dont know the exact year (88?) but I know a common thing to do is swap out heads from a Volvo. That's the extent of my knowledge __________________ Half the wheels, twice the fun. That's motorcycles.

03-29-2011, 11:01 PM	#20
OMGz Turbo Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ltown Member #3108 My Ride: 01' WS6..That whistles...01' Explorer 5.slow iTrader: (0)	I know some one selling a thunderbird 87-89 that has a 5.0....needs work but its cheap..like a few hundred $$$$s Dont the supercoupes have the 3.8 though? EDIT:: They next gen supercoupes do, so why not turbo the 3.8??? They hold together REALLY well with a good headgasket and studs __________________ loading HATERS.....99% ████████████████] NO ONE CARES ABOUT BEING TTT APPROVED Last edited by OMGz Turbo; 03-29-2011 at 11:10 PM.

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