83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... June 22, 2009, 12:53:53 PM any of you guys own or have owned 83-86 AND 87-88's? i've never driven or even rode in an 87-88. how do they drive,handle,etc compared to the earlier cars? any different? i know the tc's will be better but i'm mainly interested in the base and sport cars.i may have a chance to pick up an 88 5.0 sport for a decent price, waiting to hear back from the guy. thanks guys!! Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #1 – June 22, 2009, 02:42:28 PM If the 88 is a Sport and not just a base V8 car (like mine) it will handle similar to the TC. Other than that I can't remember there being a significant difference between any 83-86 and 87-88 models I've driven. You might notice less wind noise in the 87-88 compared to the 83-86 because of the flush glass, but I didn't even notice that. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #2 – June 22, 2009, 04:38:56 PM thanks. looks like i may be getting an 88 tc for $300, no engine. waiting to hear back from the guy to be sure it has a title. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #3 – June 22, 2009, 10:10:01 PM The 87-88's turn slightly better suposedly. There alot more heavily optioned more often then not, and they only have two headlights. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #4 – June 23, 2009, 02:17:41 AM The '87-'88 had/have the longer, SN-95 style a arms, which had better geometry than the previous years.Also, the '88 3.8 was multipoint efi, vs '87 and older having cfi.The biggest differences between the 2 sets though were in the TC's, as the '87 and '8 had all kinds of goodies not seen on the previous version. I'm not really one to say, because the only 4 eye I ever had was pretty much for parts back in 2000...mainly all I got it for was the aod. It was severely rusted and some dipshiznit had broken all the glass while it was parked at owners house. They kept the 5.0 for a truck, and I got the rest of it. Sadly, it was before I was aware of this place (or before this places WAS a place) so most of the stuff got crushed. :hick:Anywho, not to derail here, but I'm kinda biased towards the last 2 years' worth myself. Although....I've more than once thought about putting an '86 clip on an '88.....:D Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #5 – June 23, 2009, 07:10:46 AM I really don't notice any difference between driving the 86 vert and the way I remember my 87 driving. but then again, the vert is more of a tank because of the frame it's sitting on. And my 87 will never be the same as it was next time I drive it. And it was a tank when I drove it last. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #6 – June 23, 2009, 08:11:45 AM Quote from: daminc;279317I really don't notice any difference between driving the 86 vert and the way I remember my 87 driving. but then again, the vert is more of a tank because of the frame it's sitting on. And my 87 will never be the same as it was next time I drive it. And it was a tank when I drove it last.I'm still waiting for the gun mount your adding. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #7 – June 23, 2009, 11:58:04 AM thanks guys. i knew the differences between the cars just didn't know if the later ones rode better.i bought the 88 tc. $300 minus engine. i'll post pics as soon as i pick it up :) Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #8 – June 23, 2009, 03:15:42 PM Cool, Another bird saved. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #9 – June 23, 2009, 08:55:01 PM In my personal opinion, the 87-88s were a little more sophisticated and refined .. and less fun. Same for the Mustangs, too.As to the specifics, additional to what FordTruckFreeek listed, the later computers run at a higher cycle, so the engines run a little smoother. Rear disks, of course, and aren't the brakes a little bigger? Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #10 – June 24, 2009, 03:32:36 PM The front and rears were the same size throughout all years, except the TC's in '87-'88. This does NOT count the fact that some '88 V8 cars had the 7.5 trac-loc with the smooth (no fins) 10" drums... Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #11 – June 24, 2009, 04:39:22 PM my 87 bird has and my 86 cougar had 10" drums. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #12 – June 24, 2009, 05:52:24 PM thanks for the info guys. like i said i know what the differences in the cars are ( brakes,etc), i was curious if they rode better or about the same. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #13 – June 24, 2009, 07:50:11 PM My 88 cougar has the 10" drums and open diff. Ive had 81' 83' 85' and 88' cougars. No extreme diffence in handling/ride quality in stock form, that I can recall. Quote Selected
83-86 vs 87-88 cars, how do they...... Reply #14 – June 24, 2009, 10:02:56 PM I had a '86 5.0 Elan, but that was prob 12 years ago, sorry I don't remember much about it... Quote Selected
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