early vs later TR

No, all US version TR are KE-Jetronic with Lambda (with O2 sensors, precats, and cats). Early euro TR 84~86 are K-Jetronic without Lambda, and most later euro TR 86+ are KE-Jetronic without Lambda. However, any euro TR in the US should've had added modifications to be "with Lambda" -- and that's often not a good thing .

IMO, any KE-Jetronic TR is no more, or less, troublesome than a K-Jetronic TR -- they all give the equal amount of pain.

 

There are certainly good and enjoyable things about them -- otherwise, I wouldn't have put up with mine for 23 years. One way that I would explain it to others is: "it isn't an 8 cyl car with 4 more cylinders like a V-12 Packard with a 1-bbl carburetor -- it's a car with two complete 6-cyl engines so right off the bat it's 2X the maintenance and potential problems of a normal car.

My point was more that, yes, the KE-Jet TR have more electrical gizmos, but the K-Jet TR have WURs so it's about a wash IMO for KE-Jet vs K-Jet.

 

Two sixes are not a deal killer IMHO. The 12 cylinder music is worth it!

 

There were a lot of changes. Many you'll never see in print. I was factory trained on them and went to a few schools just on the updates. When we got one it was a 90 and for a lot of very good reasons. In most cases with Ferrari there is a very good rule of thumb that applies to nearly every model "The newer the better". From late 89 to end of production in every meaningful way the design was pretty set in stone.

 

Well I could sit down and spend the afternoon writing about them or you can take the word of a factory trained Ferrari mechanic with 47 years experience and 24 year TR owner.

 

If you don't care about the knockoffs, the 87 is a great choice.

Some regard it as the preferred TR - dual mirrors while retaining the more classic center lock look.

 

JKG, the '87 wheels do use a massive center lock bolt, not a single nut as a knock-off, but do have an iconic look and can be easy to live with given the right tools, understanding and attitude. The mousetrap seatbelts started in 1987 which suck, and the iconic single high mirror is gone. If the car has never been abused in its history, as some of us old time owners do have, the diff grenade issue is less bothersome. EDoug