[black_bird]

Hey, i can get a good deal on a 1988 Ford Mustang Gt (cobra edition) 5.0L, 5-speed. It has 180,000kms on it, is black with red interior. It has $1000 Sparco racing seats in it, also comes with stock seats, and a spare set of mustang rims and tires.

Its fully loaded with power windows, locks, and factory sunroof.

Just wondering what these cars were like reliabilty wise? I realize the 5.0L is pretty bullet proof but what are the 5-speed transmissions like? What type of dual exhaust system do these cars come with stock?

Whats the difference between the 5.0L stock and the 5.0L Cobra? Different Intakes?

What am i looking at for top speeds? Is it posi-track? can i roast the tires without using the breaks??

Any little piece of information regarding reliability and structure or fun facts are greatly appriciated. Also is there anything i should specifically look at before i buy one (eg. common system failures, rust areas, etc..)

Thanks for your time and i look forward to owning a 'stang.

-Neil

[Jay87LX]

In 88 i don't think they made a cobra

[mustang5l21]

the only real cobra in the fox chassis was in 1993 , all others were a marketing scam in canada, so i read somewhere. the 87-88 models have speed density except 88 cali models were mass air like 89-93.
not a big deal till you try going with big cams. i have a 88LX and runs fine. as for rust i think from experence i'd look around the ground effects where salt likes to stick and rear truck lid by the key hole and up front of the floor pan close to the exhaustor pretty much any of the floor pan. the 93 mustang have hypertenic pistons the 87-92 all have forged which are better. posi trak in all 87-93 V8 mustangs with 8.8 and if it has V8 should burn with or without the brake till it pretty much won; start. i hope this info will help 5.0's are fun so i'm sure you'll enjoy.

[gt-38]

There was no cobra model in 88.. The car probably just has a cobra intake on it. Check and see if it has rear wheel disc brakes (all the cobra's are 4 wheel disc). I believe the hyper pistons started in 94 not 93 but I'm not posistive.

Back you your post questions- These cars are pretty solid, motors take a lot of beating. I drive the piss out of my car in 90 degree FL weather never have a problem and it has 150K miles on the orig block. The 5speeds trans are tremec units their light and hold up well and a pretty cheap to upgrade if you break something. Factory dual exhaust isn't horrible but most guys upgrade the exhaust right away- Put and xpipe and flowmasters on it with some shorty headers it will soound sweet. Your mustang has a 8.8 rear in it with trac lok (posi), the trac lok uses clutches in the rear. The best way to tell if its working is do a good burnout, you should have two nice patches if everything is working. Top speed depends on the gears you have in the rear.

The best thing about these cars is how easy and cheap it is to modify them.. Pick up some mustang mags there are literally thousands of options. One common problem with the cars is the rear torque box when the upper control arms bolt up. Before adding any power add torque box re-inforcements and subframes connecttors stick with the 87-93 models

[black_bird]

hey guys thanks for the replys.. Just a couple more questions,, what does the '88 5.0L make for HP/TRQ stock? its 230/300 isnt it?

Just wondering how fast these really are? Whats the 5.0L stang compare the 4.6l stang?? And whats the fastest you've had your stang going??

Last thing, what are the stock rear-ends the '88's come with??

Thanks again- Neil

[systronic]

not sure on hp numbers, but remember, its got mileage.
all mustangs are fast cars. comparitively speaking, the 4.6 has the advantage of being a newer, more efficient motor comprised of more up-to-date technology. but theyre heavier.
and i dont know how fast my stang has been, speedo only goes to 85... but ive had the needle burried, bouncing, and even bent.

88 should have an 8.8 inch rear end.

[shakes]

Originally Posted by black_bird

Hey, i can get a good deal on a 1988 Ford Mustang Gt (cobra edition) 5.0L, 5-speed. It has 180,000kms on it, is black with red interior. It has $1000 Sparco racing seats in it, also comes with stock seats, and a spare set of mustang rims and tires.

Its fully loaded with power windows, locks, and factory sunroof.

Just wondering what these cars were like reliabilty wise? I realize the 5.0L is pretty bullet proof but what are the 5-speed transmissions like? What type of dual exhaust system do these cars come with stock?

Whats the difference between the 5.0L stock and the 5.0L Cobra? Different Intakes?

What am i looking at for top speeds? Is it posi-track? can i roast the tires without using the breaks??

Any little piece of information regarding reliability and structure or fun facts are greatly appriciated. Also is there anything i should specifically look at before i buy one (eg. common system failures, rust areas, etc..)

Thanks for your time and i look forward to owning a 'stang.

-Neil

Hey Neil, I own a canadian cobra GT... the only difference between the canadian cobra GT and the american GT are a few standard canadian options (block heater , rear window defrost and km guages) and of course the cool cobra sticker on the hatch.

here's the full write up on the canadian cobras.

http://www.mustanggt.org/canadiangt/canadiangt.htm :thumbsup

[systronic]

haha the pics on that page are funny. its insane how much the styling of these cars has changed because of aftermarket parts.

in my mind its the most versatile car ever, with an unbeatable motor, and styling that continues to blend with the times.

good stuff.

[tormenting5.0]

These cars are tuff SOBs, i have 152k on the motor and it stills runs like a champ. Fox bodies are fast, and easy to upgrade cheap. I've got my gt upto about 120+ even though my speedo says 140mph. Running at those speeds can scare the piss out of you if your not careful. stock hp is 225 and tq is 300, but a few bolt ons, full exhaust, and some tuning can get you 25-40 extra hp. Thats with stock intake/heads. Check the sunroof really good for leaks, also check the rear tail pipe brackets, they tend to rust out too. over all its a good investment, and bound to be a great classic in a few more years.