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  1. #1

    Default Decode my blue cobra

    Pics of the door tag, buck tag, and emissions tag are in my gallery. If you click on them they will blow up real big.
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  2. #2
    Earl Ingstad evlgt85's Avatar
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    Default

    Damn...there it is, plain as day, 15A. Cobra and N/A 4 banger. O_o

  3. #3

    Default

    But I think A is the same code for the turbo-4...
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  4. #4

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    Wasnt' 'W' the turbo 4?

  5. #5
    FEP Power Member kj_80Cobra's Avatar
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    My '80 Cobra has a 2.3T and has a A engine code in the vin but a T code on the buck tag. My '80 service manual lists the T code as a 2.3L turbocharged.

  6. #6

    Default

    02/81 = scheduled build date
    1FA = FoMoCo, USA
    B = manual seatbelts
    P = passenger car
    15 = three-door hatchback
    A = 2.3L engine, non-turbocharged
    3 = check digit
    B = 1981 model year
    F = Dearborn, MI assembly plant
    181399 = unit number
    3L 1C = Dark Blue Metallic exterior w/ Lower Tu-Tone Paint Treatment
    15 = New York DSO
    61R = three-door hatchback
    TB = Wedgewood Blue interior w/ Recaro seating
    7 = AM/FM stereo w/ cassette
    F = 3.45:1 rear axle ratio w/ open differential
    5 = five-speed manual transmission
    V = D8BZ-5310-AS front coil springs
    G = D9BZ-5560-L rear coil springs

    MUSTANG = model
    181399 = unit number
    61R = three-door hatchback
    A = 2.3L engine, non-turbocharged
    066n = assembly line rotation number
    3L = Dark Blue Metallic exterior
    TT = Lower Tu-Tone Paint Treatment
    DF = ?
    ST = ?
    LL = liftgate/rear hatchback louvers
    08 = full-length, rear facing hood scoop
    HB = heated back glass/rear defrost
    S = speed/cruise control
    CBR = Cobra option package
    07 = full-length hood 'scoop'
    V = light group
    S = ?
    B = Wedgewood Blue interior
    Last edited by FoxChassis; 01-26-2011 at 08:41 AM.

  7. #7

    Default

    So there it is again. Some sources show the "A" as turbo charged and some dont. However the emissions tag on the underside of the hood shows info for an N/A engine.
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  8. #8

    Default

    OK here is what I can find about engine codes:

    1979:

    4cyl = Y
    4cyl turbo = W

    1980:

    4cyl= A
    4cyl turbo = T

    1981

    4cyl = A
    (no listing for a turbo engine code)

    However some of the other books I have list "A" as the engine code for '80 and '81 whether or not it is an NA or turbo 4 cyl
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member 93-331-29PSI's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 85vert View Post
    Wasnt' 'W' the turbo 4?
    I believe that is only true for the later turbo cars
    83 GT Turbo

  10. #10

    Default

    From pg 42 of the Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide:
    It should be noted that showroom brochures and dealer information indicated continued availability of the venerable 2.3 liter turbocharged four. However, we could find no evidence of the engine actually being utilized in 1981. Periodicals of the time indicated the engine was discontinuted due to reliability issues.
    I was thinking pace cars on the W code and didn't consider they'd change year to year like that.

  11. #11

    Default

    I also heard that the turbo was eliminated for '81 but I'm almost positive that I've seen one.

    I guess the base engine for the '81 Cobras was the 255 V8 although I never knew the NA 4cyl was optional. It makes me wonder if there are any sixes out there.
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  12. #12

    Default

    '81 Ford Mustang dealer sales brochure (dated 08/80):

    http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/al...1m10_11?full=1
    http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/album26/81m13?full=1

    Standard engine was the 2.3T.

    Now, when did the 2.3T became unavailable? Is there a revised sales brochure? Other factory literature? Does any of it show the Cobra Option package available with engines other than the 2.3T and the 4.2L?

  13. #13

    Default

    The same book says the engine code for the turbo in 1980 was 'w' as well so maybe there's a mistake or two in it.

  14. #14
    FEP Power Member 02Z06's Avatar
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    As far as I can tell, the fox recognition guide is wrong about W being the code for 2.3Ts in 1980. We have 7 1980 turbo cars in the registry, all have the engine code "A". As for 1981, I'm not sure.
    Chris Lott
    '81 Cobra T-Top - Black
    '85 Dominator GT - Black, 24k miles
    '85 Predator GT302R #150R - Light Regatta Blue
    '85 Predator GT302 Convertible #119 - White w/blue stripes For Sale
    '86 Texas DPS Mustang (Unit # unknown) - undergoing resto

  15. #15

    Default

    There are mistakes in every book I have. People have pointed out plenty of mistakes in the Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide.

  16. #16

    Default

    Canada continued the Turbo. The 81-82 brochures still listed it so I am pretty sure 81 would have it.

    -Mike

  17. #17

    Default

    Did the 81-82's (Canadian or otherwise) have the 'turbocharged' badge on the bezel above the dash?
    I used to have an 80 Capri that was neutered to NA before I got it but it still had the badging.

  18. #18
    FEP Power Member 02Z06's Avatar
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    With the trouble that people had with turbos when the cars were new, what are the chances that the dealer removed the turbo and sold it as N/A?
    Chris Lott
    '81 Cobra T-Top - Black
    '85 Dominator GT - Black, 24k miles
    '85 Predator GT302R #150R - Light Regatta Blue
    '85 Predator GT302 Convertible #119 - White w/blue stripes For Sale
    '86 Texas DPS Mustang (Unit # unknown) - undergoing resto

  19. #19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 02Z06 View Post
    With the trouble that people had with turbos when the cars were new, what are the chances that the dealer removed the turbo and sold it as N/A?
    Probably not. The dealer would be more than happy to kick back the cost of the warranteed repair to Ford and keep one of his guys working.

    -Mike

  20. #20
    FEP Power Member
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    I have a turbo Fairmont , a turbo Capri and a M81 turbo mustang Mclaren all have (A) for the engine code.

    Another note, check and see if it has a 8K tach, so far all the turbo cars I have seen have it.
    Kendal

  21. #21

    Default

    So what do I have here then? Everything when you are looking at the car points to an N/A engine originally. 6k tach, no turbocharged emblem, emissions sticker on the hood for an NA engine, it has an NA wiring harness under the hood (turbo ones look completely different). The radiator and shroud are just the basic stock 4cyl ones. I cant see someone going through the trouble of swapping something like that in. Everything under the hood looks completely stock. I just dont see this as a possible engine swap car...

    Maybe if I can find the VIN stamping in the block and compare it to the car?

    Also, what would the engine code be for just a standard 4cyl in '81 if not A?
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  22. #22

    Default

    Hmmmm... this is an interesting post: http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showpost...7&postcount=46
    '79 Indy pace car T-top
    '81 Cobra
    '81 Cobra T-top
    '82 Mustang GT T-top
    '87 Corvette
    '10 Mustang GT Convertible
    '17 F250
    '17 Landrover Discovery Sport

  23. #23

    Default

    If you read the product fact book carefully for 1981....

    http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Liter...Book%20010.jpg

    Technically it does not rule out the 4cyl NA engine IF you get it with a standard transmission.

    4cyl na w/automatic = unavailable with cobra
    6cyl = unavailable w/cobra
    8cyl = standard w/cobra
    4cyl na w/standard = ????????????/

  24. #24

    Default

    Also in the fact book, the 255 v8 requires the automatic transmission?

    And the 4cyl Turbo engine was not even listed as an option????

    -Mike

  25. #25

    Default

    So if you wanted a stick shift Cobra....you HAD to get the 4cyl NA engine.

    -Mike

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