1987, NEW INTERIOR, NICE!

The big news for 1987 was a completely restyled interior and Ford's new "aero-look". The interior featured driver's side pod with full instrumentation and climate controls located in the center console above the radio. The GT came standard with tilt steering wheel and articulated seats that featured lumbar and thigh support. Cosmetically, the Mustang received a new front fascia, tail lamps, rear side window, and body-side moldings for both the base LX and GT . This new "aero-look" helped decrease the Mustang's CD to about 0.39 and increase top speed to about 145 MPH. (In comparison, the new fourth-generation Mustang has a CD of 0.35.) Also new for the GT were 15x7 cast aluminum "turbine" wheels, rocker panel treatment, rear bumper cover, louvered taillights, and rear spoiler. The 10-hole cast aluminum rims of the previous year's GT became standard for the 5.0L LX models. The 5.0L engine received a larger 60 mm throttle body and new "E5TE" truck heads with smaller combustion chambers which helped boost power. The CR dropped slightly to 9.0:1 due to dished forged pistons. Also, at some point in 1987, an air silencer was added to the intake tract just before the air filter, reducing engine output by about 5 to 7 horsepower. Cars with the 4-speed automatic transmission and 5.0L engines were fitted with quieter mufflers than the 5-speed versions. This is the reason for the 5 horsepower drop in engine output. Both the manual and automatic transmission for the 5.0L now came with the 2.73:1 rear axle ratio. Suspension improvements, inspired by the SVO, featured a new crossmember, alignment changes and increased wheel travel. The rear brake drums remained the same, but front rotor diameter increased to 10.84".

In an October 1986 issue of Road & Track magazine, the Mustang GT edged-out the Camaro 5.7L IROC-Z in 0 to 60 times and Quarter mile speed. The GT sprinted to 60 MPH in just 6.7 seconds while the Camaro was ever so close at 6.8 seconds. Both cars reached the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds, but the GT's trap speed was 93.0 MPH; 3 MPH more than the Camaro's. Better yet, the 2-door 5.0L LX coupe could hammer the Quarter mile in mid-14s right off the showroom floor. WOW! (Mustang 3, Camaro 0)

  
Horsepower : 225 BHP   @ 4200 RPM 
             220 BHP   @ 4200 RPM (4-speed automatic) 
Torque     : 300 Ft-Lb @ 3200 RPM 
Base Price : $10,165  (2-door LX coupe) 
Total Cars Produced : 159,145 
5.0L Cars (non GT)  :  16,609
     GT Cars        :  47,539

1987 Happenings:
Henry Ford II dies at age 70 due to complications from pneumonia.
Chrysler Corporation buys AMC.
The stock market crashes by a record 508 points on October 19.

1988, KEEP THE CHANGE!

The Mustang remained virtually unchanged. California models received a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor which restricted engine output by 2 to 3 horsepower. (This system of air metering is better known as Mass Air Metering.) Also, the LX received a larger battery rated at 540 amps. The 87-88 5.0L LX sedan (coupe) is the second fastest TGM; only the 93 Cobras are faster. By 1988, the automotive community was singing the 5.0L's praises. The aftermarket community sat-up and took notice and began to produce products good enough to take the 5.0L Mustang to new heights.

A quote from Road & Track's Performance Cars magazine states, "If it were fitted with a bigger ring gear, today's Mustang would eat its legendary ancestor for lunch." An even more stunning quote from the same article appeared in the last paragraph and read, "It's the Mustang legend come alive, and you feel part of it every time you take the wheel. Only the legend has never been more true, nor has the Mustang (been) ever better than it is now."

  
Horsepower : 225 BHP   @ 4200 RPM 
Torque     : 300 BHP   @ 3200 RPM 
Base Price : $10,842  (2-door coupe) 
Total Cars Produced : 211,225 
5.0L Cars (non GT)  :  30,877
     GT Cars        :  68,468

1988 Happenings:
Public objects to Ford's replacement of the Mustang with front-drive sports coupe.
Manuel Noriaga is indicted by the Justice Department on drug charges.
A Pan AM jet explodes over Scotland due to a terrorist bomb.

1989, MASS AIR!

A Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor was now used on all 5.0L engines. This system allows greater flexibility in modifying the 5.0L engine. All LX models optioned with the 5.0L engine were now called LX 5.0L Sport models. At some point during the year, all 5.0L equipped cars received a 140 MPH speedometer. Lastly, a minor camshaft revision reduced engine output by 3 horsepower.

Horsepower : 225 BHP   @ 4200 RPM 
Torque     : 300 BHP   @ 3200 RPM 
Base Price : $11,410  (2-door coupe) 
Total Cars Produced : 209,769 
5.0L Cars (non GT)  :  45,876 
     GT Cars        :  59,701

1989 Happenings:
Ford introduces the Taurus SHO (Super High Output).
First Sketches of the Fourth Generation Mustang begin in September.
Germany is united when the East opens its doors.
Students in Tienanmen Square face off with Chinese government tanks.