Performance Stats

[Lindy]

Hello all, was wondering if anyone out there could tell me (in layman's lingo) what to expect in terms of performance comparisons on the 2002 vs. the 2005 T-Bird. Originally, it was published (on at least on one web-site) that the 02 could do 0-60 in 6.0 seconds rated at 252hp, while the 2005 could do 0-60 in 5.0 seconds rated at 280hp. However, each of the motors and transmissions had subsequent factory computer updates. Does anyone know what the actual accurate stats are, and how these stats may have changed the 0-60 and the hp of the 02 and the 05 after the updates? What kind of questions would you ask a Ford service department, to make sure that they have the latest computer update program? Also, is there really such a big difference between the 02 and the 05 performance?

--Lindy

[berogersjr]

Re: Performance Stats

Lindy,

I don't have any numbers to back me up, but from my personal experience, my 05 definitely outperforms the 02 I traded in for it. My take off is faster and smoother, the shifting is much more responsive and smoother, and it just generally seems to be a better performing car.
My 02 seemed to hesitate or delay between certain gears at certain speeds. In fairness, though, there were some things wrong with that car when I bought it that the dealership never could quite fix, so other 02s may not have had those issues.

As for computer updates, every time I've ever asked the Ford dealership, with both my old 02 and my 05, I've been told that I have the latest upgrade. I don't think they've ever upgraded me in either car, no matter how often I've asked. Just my thoughts...

-bobby

[V8 Cat]

Re: Performance Stats

Originally, it was published (on at least on one web-site) that the 02 could do 0-60 in 6.0 seconds rated at 252hp, while the 2005 could do 0-60 in 5.0 seconds rated at 280hp.
--Lindy

From what I remember, the above figures seem overly optimistic. The 2002's ranged around 7.0 to 7.1 sec from 0 to 60 according to "car enthusiast" magazines. There wasn't but one of the top "car enthusiast" magazines (I believe it was Motor Trend) that did a test on the 280HP Tbird and it was in the neighborhood of 6.5 sec.

[5bird7]

Re: Performance Stats

or Leisha from Canada can speak up and tell how his is performing but he's worked on his.
V-8 Cat is right about what the magazines reported.
I know our 02 did 9.4 sec in the 1/8 mile at about 76 or 78mph, totally stock, nothing changed. Would have to dig to verify/find that timeslip. Do not know what the 0-60 was as I don't think that track recorded that time. I don't think our 05 did as well but that's because George never tried more than two runs with it and he wouldn't follow my advice on how to run it.

[leisha]

Re: Performance Stats

We have an 02 and 04, Borla's and real Cold Air induction with cone K&N filters on both with SCT computor upgrades for performance, with 94 octane fuel.

The 04 is about 1/2 second faster in the 1/4 mile.

Without the mods I would say 0 to 80 there was about the same 1/2 second difference.
One does notice a slight difference between the two cars, the 02 comes of the line to 50 MPH better, the 04 pulls better after 40MPH. In 1/8th mile a few years back we raced a bunch of 02's. 03's and 04's at the drags at All Fords Carlisle, my 02 won, beat another 02 by a hair. The o2's won because the less HP and similar torque allowed faster starts, the 04's had faster MPH times at the line but could not catch the 02's in the shorter race.

Will you notice any difference, probably not!

[rerdmann17]

Re: Performance Stats

Lindy, in Road and Track from August 2001 their roadtest showed 0-60 in 7 seconds, 1/4 mile 15.2 secs @93.5mph, 252hp @6100rpm and 267lb-ft @4300rpm. Dick

[rmarshal]

Re: Performance Stats

If the stock '02 has the PCM upgraded, the difference in performance shouldn't be significant compared to the '03-'05. Probably not significant enough to go through the cost of trading for a newer year or changing engines. I'm more like the 'drag race' Thunderbird commercial.