So I picked up a beautiful 1988 Cougar LS body with no engine and transmission (well traded a boat for it). Its in beautiful shape in and out. I wanted to stuff a 5.0 in it but didnt want to take it out of my Thunderbird. Then I come across this 1988 XR7. Now Ive wanted an 88 XR7 since I was a kid and could never find one. Now I have one. Its not in nearly as nice of shape as the LS body but do I take its parts and fix the LS or fix it and find another engine for the LS? Ugh
Does the XR-7 run? Doesn't look to be in too bad of shape. I say grab that XR-7!
They both look to be in to good of shape to part. So I say fix both of them. :)
I concur
Btw did you get the LS from Craigs list ? It looks very familiar
They both look very nice, did you already buy both of them?
Fix up the LS and sell it.
Take your profit from that and fix the XR-7
Engines are easier to find than decent '88 XR-7s just as you stated ("...could never find one"). Keep the XR-7 intact and find another engine for the LS.
XR7... definitely. How many miles and how much are they asking? People really love the black turbines. You'll do better with the value of the XR7, too.
I already have em both. The Xr7 has 200000+ on it and a rebuilt transmission. The LS says 100000+. The dash is tore up on the Xr7 some and the dents you cant see. I just need to find something for the LS. We still emission test here so it has to pass for at least the next three years. Id hate to take apart the XR7 but what can I do for the LS??? ANd yes it was on craigslist in atlanta
Ah, this was the one with the black center caps. In this case, you'd be better doing a XR7 conversion on the LS and upgrading to HO. Paint it black and swap everything over. 200k wouldn't be worth much even restored. Good find.
I did just find a Merkur XR4Ti's engine on craigslist.
Well I plan on keeping whichever car so reselling doesnt concern me. Down here people are nuts for what they want for their junk cars. Not much interest in ours so yeah us. But most of the people in Atlanta need to get off drugs and put SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED when they sell their junk L O L
If neither car has rust save both.
This is coming from a salt belt guy though ;)
so turbo 4 or v8 for the LS????????
What does the XR7 need, and what motor was the LS to begin with? If it was a 5.0, get a junkyard 5.0. I really don't see alot of reason to throw a 4 banger in a car that didn't come with it, just to sell it. Even if it was a 3.8, those are all over the junkyard and would be plug and play.
5.0L.... easier swap and they sound great too. turbo fours can make decent power, but sound gay.
Good thought if you already have the parts and can do it in a weekend or two but you probably won't get enough extra money to cover what the XR-7 will need.
After reading subsequent posts on the XR-7's condition, now I'm torn on what to suggest.
it was a 3.8. The Xr7 runs good, shifts great. It just has high mileage. Im sure some stuff is worn out. 200000+ miles. Paint is shot (but I paint) and some dents and a taillight. The seats although ugly colored are in good shape and most of the stuff works. I hate the buttstuffog dash though
Easy now there may be some of them gay sounding turbo 4's that will wipe the floor with ur 5.0 just not mine its stock lol
I say go for the black one
trade??!!:D
i've always wanted buttstuffog lol
there might also be some gays that dont like to be spoken of negatively LOL. I like my turbos in my 86 Xr7 and my 88 Lebaron
I own both