Did Ford build 4 Cyl GT's?

[3pik]

Because it sure seems like they did with my car. I have a bonestock '88 GT that is absolutely slow as sin. It doesn't pull in ANY gear whatsoever.

Here are some facts about the vehicle. It was sitting for a long time, but I've done a fuel injection cleaning, changed the iac valve / tps sensor, changed the fuel filter, changed the air filter, changed all the spark plugs, cap, rotor, etc.

All that, and it still has NO torque whatsoever. The car starts fine, idles fine, and actually gets fair fuel economy (sort of), but it just has NO power whatsoever. The previous owner did tell me that the catalytic converters are shot to hell and he's like you should probably replace them.

I went to an exhaust shop and the guy told me all FOUR of my catalytic converters are shot. So I went out and bought an off-road H pipe, which I haven't installed yet. If this doesn't fix it, what should I do next?

I'm thinking maybe timing is an issue.

 

[Snikt89GT]

Pulling the codes might be a good place to start too

 

[795.0pacecar]

Ford did make 4 cylinder GTs in 83 and 84. They were turbo GTs, there aren't many of them so if you ever find one, buy it and restore it.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Obviously something is wrong if yours is butt slow

 

[dastang2]

you answered you own question, the cats. also check the timing.

 

[Flavadave4]

A plugged catalitic converter will definatly make your car sluggish, but would wreck your fuel economy i would imagine. Whats good fuel milage anyway? It should be in the upper 20's if you are more or less stock.

I would put on the new h pipe, check the timing, set it around 13-14* and run some 93 octane.
Run a check for any codes

 

[Foxfan88]

A plugged catalitic converter will definatly make your car sluggish, but would wreck your fuel economy i would imagine. Whats good fuel milage anyway? It should be in the upper 20's if you are more or less stock.

I would put on the new h pipe, check the timing, set it around 13-14* and run some 93 octane.
Run a check for any codes

no way a stock mustang gets upper 20's mpg... no way in hell.

they were rated 17 city/24 highway from the factory and most of them dont even get that anymore with higher wear and milage.

 

[wythors]

My AOD car got as high as 26 mpg on the highway on a trip from Seattle to Reno when it was stock. This was during a 240 mile run with the cruise on at 65 mph going through central Oregon.

 

[speedytang]

I have 535rwhp and get 20.6 weekly combined mileage and my car new was a easy 19 city 24+ highway. 3.08 gears make great power and mileage.

 

[joeyd0730]

i agree sppedy, i have close to your hp. 480rwhp. and the mileage isnt that bad

 

[srothfuss]

Drive you Mustang across the country and then report your MPG. I've done it twice and gotten fantastic numbers. 26+ MPG is not uncommon on the highway in a car as light as this (by today's standards)

BTW: everyone is right on about the cats.

 

[Foxfan88]

lol i guess im wrong lol

i've just had no luck with milage
i am getting around 13 with my combo with gears and all.