Stock 80's TC's

[Mr. Land Yacht]

why are the 5.0 Town Cars so much slower than the Vic and Grand Marquis?
I tested my 0-60mph time with my stopwatch and my Merc did 60mph in about 12.2 seconds.
When I tested our '88 TC (with only 80K on it) it took 15.5 seconds to get up to 60mph!
The pedal was floored so long that the pedal got stuck to the floor

is there something in the trans that slows them down?
is it the extra weight?
ideas?

-Colin

[Tiggie]

I'm fairly certain that the drivetrains were identical as far as affecting performance. It's gotta be the weight.

[Mr. Land Yacht]

how much heavier are they? 300lbs? 400lbs?
cuz that is a big difference...

[Tiggie]

Even 500lbs shouldn't make three seconds worth of difference. Hmmmm...

[Nathan in MI]

What were the axle ratios in both cars? That's certainly going to make a difference.

[mrltd]

two 20 year old cars are gonna be different. Lots of different wear and tear, varing point in tune ups... And yes the TC is much heavier...

[OVERKILL]

The TC is MUCH heavier.

As pointed out above, what was the gearing difference?

[OVERKILL]

Town Car curb weight (from my '89 brochure) 4,044lbs.

[OVERKILL]

A couple of neat facts:

1. 3.08 gears were standard on TC's for 1989.
2. 3.27 gears were the standard gear for Cartier cars.
3. 3.55's were available with the towing package.

All the above directly from a 1989 TC brochure.

[Tiggie]

Mr. Land Yacht had 2.73's stock I beleive.

[OVERKILL]

Mr. Land Yacht had 2.73's stock I beleive.

Interesting. Maybe the 2.73's were eliminated from being an option in 1989 then? The above is 1989 specific.

[Tiggie]

Interesting. Maybe the 2.73's were eliminated from being an option in 1989 then? The above is 1989 specific.

I meant on his GM. Sorry for teh confusion.

[OVERKILL]

That adds more confusion to the situation actually If his GM is lighter, and has LESS gear, and the TC has 3.08's but is heavier.......................

[Mercmarquis]

I think colin has 3.55's in his merk IIRC

[mrltd]

My 2.73 geared single exhuast 91 marq was quicker than my dual exhuast 3.08 or 3.27 geared 87 vic...