Cougar Support Group - Modifications

gustafsc · April 2000

The lesson for today is: DON'T LUG THE ENGINE!!!

Keep the revs up where they belong when accelerating. Cruise all day in 5th at 2500 rpm, but drop into 4th when getting on the gas. Extremely lean tuned engines WILL knock when opened up at low RPM.

All those gears are there for a reason, use'm!

Skip G. (End lesson from wise old guy.)

fastback2 · April 2000

The key phrase is "extremely lean tuned". My previous car was an Escort GT, which never pinged even when revved up from the "basement"(1500 rpm). It got 35 mpg+, so fuel economy wasn't an issue. The fuel/air mixture setting on the cougar seems to have a lean spot from 2500-3000 rpm, which happens to correspond to highway cruising speeds(legal that is) in 5th gear. I suppose an occasional ping is an acceptable price to pay for the 28 - 30 mpg I've been getting on the highway. Besides, the joy of shifting was the reason I got the MTX cougar in the first place:-)

fredly · April 2000

Skip G-
When cruising in 5th at 2500 what is your speed?
Usually when I cruise in 5th my RPMs are around 3500 going 70-75
If I remember correctly, its been two weeks since I've seen my baby

rickel · April 2000

At 70 to 75, my Cat is purring at 3,150 to 3,200 rpm's or so. I have the four speed automatic, though, so my numbers are slightly different.

Why an automatic? Well, I was leaning towards a manual, but when I realized how much I rely on having two hands free when taking treacherous intersections on while driving to work, I went with the automatic.

Besides, I have never owned a manual. Maybe in my Porsche...

Rick

badulah · May 2000

K&N drop in replacement filter review:

www.audizone.com/info/perform/filter_testing.htm

gustafsc · May 2000

Could it be that the stock filter on the S4 is already a pretty free flowing design as it is designed to supply turbo's with air?

I'll probably agree with the thought about sucking in hot air though. If I eventually start changing things, I'll consider the SVT intake system, rather than the cone, as it still draws from the wheel well area where it's cooler.

Skip G.

gustafsc · May 2000

Yeah, 2500 is about 50mph. 70-75 at 3500 is superhighway cruising, and the engine is already into the peak power band. In most cases, a downshift isn't needed for general passing.

On tighter roads, a downshift will really help to pass and dodge that SUV coming the other way.

In town, I'll loaf along in 5th at 30-40mph, but always stir the stick to get the right gear for any occasion that comes up.

Skip G.

badulah · May 2000

Skip:

Do you have traction control on your Cat? If so, I have heard you can not upgrade to the SVT intake.

I agree that the S4's box is mostlikely designed to be very free flowing, but I think this proves that a simple drop in filter will not improve intake.

gustafsc · May 2000

1. Normal brakes, no traction control, so, no problem.

2. The high flow filters may help when the original design is more constrictive. The S4, being a true performance package in the first place, should be breathing pretty good to begin with.

Back in the olden days, swapping the big factory filters with little oil bath pots used to help quite a bit.

Even competition cars (sprints, etc..) benefit from easier air flow. As long as the fuel/air mixture doesn't get screwed up, performance should increase with more CFM to the engine.

In the performance business though:

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CUBIC DOLLARS!!!!

Skip G.

badulah · May 2000

I agree 100% about your cubic dollars statement. These minor mods will only free up restricted horse power. It costs real bucks to add real horse power.

Even through the KKM intake is not connected directly to the stock air hose inlet, it is still close enough to utilize the cold air coming in. I know the effect is not as substantial as if it were connected, but to me it's close enough. I can't justify paying all that cash for the SVT intake system.

esbrock · May 2000

I have come across a cheap alternative to the Borla exhaust. On the Nopi web site, they are selling a Pacesetter cat-back exhaust for the Mercury Cougar. The price is $149.95. Now before you say that it sounds too good to be true, there are some differences. First of all, it is not made of T-304 stainless steel. It uses aluminized tubing at 2.25" diameter (mandrel bends). It has one muffler with two outlets for the dual tips. The tips are Monza pencil rolled 3.5" outlets. Since I don't live in an area that salts the roads during the winter (Texas), I didn't see the need for a stainless exhaust. Are there any opinions about this system? It's time for the CSG to respond.

badulah · May 2000

If only one muffler is being used, what is the
advantage to this system? Dual tips are nice, but
they don't necessarily add performance.

Always remember the golden rule when performance
shopping:
You get what you pay for.

gocatz · May 2000

I've haven't called for specifics, yet, but Jeg's (www.jegs.com) has a Borla cat-back system for $375.99...very good price from what I've seen so far.

badulah · May 2000

I just got off the phone with Jegs. The Borla system that is listed (part number: 157-14826) is the single tip (one muffler) cat-back system.

They also have the dual muffler system (phantom style tips), part number: 157-14841F. This kit sell for $738.99 and will take two to four weeks for delivery.

The rep mentioned that the dual muffler system comes with a Borla drop in performance filter (K&N style).

fredly · May 2000

badulah, that is way too much for the dual borla system.

badulah · May 2000

I agree 100%

daexpert · May 2000

So the borla has a dual muffler? For those that have this system installed in their kitties, could you tell the difference in performance once teh borla was installed? Or was it just teh sound that really attracted you to it?

I'm really thinking about getting the Borla cat-back system, but it certainly isn't cheap! I've read so many mixed reviews dealing with this product that I don't even know what to believe. I know you guys have gone through it many times before, but if you could shed any light on the matter I would appreciate it. Thanks guys.

fredly · May 2000

Borla has three systems
single exit
dual exit
dual exit with carbon fiber tips

badulah · May 2000

I wouldn't really consider the carbon fiber tip Borla a "system". It's an option to the dual tip system.

daexpert · May 2000

A friend of mine has the dual outlet Pacesetter. And it sounds pretty nice actually, adn it looks nice. But he was honest and told me that the car didn't get that much of a performance increase nor does he know how long this system will last him. He told me that he would recommend it because it's pretty inexpensive compared to other stuff out there and sounds pretty good.

I know that "you get what you pay for," but do you guys think that a Borla system will completely outperform the Pacesetter or is it just a better refined sound that Borla has. I'm sure that Borla is much better material, you guys talk about it a lot! = )

Thanks guys.

badulah · May 2000

Borla has been around for years and is considered one of the industries best manufacturers of performance exhaust systems. Personally I like their systems for the following reasons:
- Quality materials
- Life time warranty
- Appearance
- Sound
- Performance figures (for all cars)

The price is kind of high, but if I was going to change the stock system, I would go with Borla.

daexpert · May 2000

Thanks for the response guys. I found a place that sells the Borla Dual Outlet with Carbon fiber tips for $600. I'm gonna try and search other places but from what I've seen, that's not too bad of a deal. They can also do the installation, at an added cost of course! = )

The guy I talked to on the phone told me that the Borla sounds great and it's of great quality, but he told me that I would NOT see a great performance gain (he said about 6 hp), that it was more of a better feeling that you get knowing the car can growl like that. Which is probably true, because otherwise people would be buying them nonstop. I think it would sound great, and hopefully not have that droning (and very annoying) sound that I've heard on other systems (modified Civics). What do u guys think?

Also, on their site I saw a "Y-Pipe" for the Cougar/contour. What do you guys think of that "Y-Pipe" thing? What does it do? Do you guys really think it adds that much horsepower to the car? Let me know what you guys think on this. Thanks again!

http://www.spmotorsports.com/contourexhaust.html

They are located in MD. So I wouldn't have to pay for shipping!!!! = )

badulah · May 2000

daexpert:
Did you get the Borla information from SP Motorsports? If so, I personally don't care for their information. Although their staff is very friendly and helpful, they tried to sell me a strut tower brace. I did some investigation and I found out that the part they were pushing would have eventually damaged my struts and other front end parts. Be very careful when dealing with them. Do you homework and know what you are getting yourself in to.

IMHO the Borla cat-back combined with the KKM intake system should produce more than 6 HP. Even if it only adds 5% to the car, that will add 8.5 horses. The average figures I have heard are an average from 10-15 hp at different points in the power band.

daexpert · May 2000

Thanks Badulah!!!

I'll keep researching then, but I'm pretty sure that I will go with the Borla, I just need a place where I can get it for a reasonable price and somewhere to install it.

But what do you think of the "Y-Pipe"? Have you heard anything about this part for the kitty, because I have not heard too many people on here mention it, I think only one person has mentioned it before.

My currenty Kitty is doing pretty well, and I'd like to modify it's performance (specially add a bit more pep to it)a bit, rather than the looks of the car, but that's just my personal preference.

Let me know what you or other guys think. Thanks guys.

badulah · May 2000

Where did you get your Borla info?

daexpert · May 2000

I've been pretty much looking up at a bunch of sites that are mentioned on here, on Cougarfast.com, on CSG, and other places. And if it sounds like I know nothing about cars it is because that's correct! I know nothing about cars so I'm just trying to evaluate my options and hopefully arrive to a correct decision. This Topic and other Cougar sites are my main source of info since but I still see lots of mixed reviews/feelings.

Sorry if I sounded like I'm asking the same thing over and over again. = )

badulah · May 2000

No it's okay, feel free to ask anything about cars.

Here is my advice:
Go with the Borla dual muffler cat-back system. This is the best system on the market for the Cat and I don't think you can go wrong with it. I plan on getting it sometime in the early summer.

I would have gotten it this week, but I went berzerk and bought a new home theater system. It took me a few days to decide, Borla or Home theater? It was a hard choice, but I had some help (Thanks Skip G. and StageLeft!!).

daexpert · May 2000

Hey Badulah,

Have you ever seen that awesome car-chasing scene in the movie Ronin? It's awesome.....and with a great home theater system, it's almost like if you're driving the cars!!! = )

But I would still go with the Borla. I would rather drive on a great sunny day and listen to the kitty then watch TV.

daexpert · May 2000

Do you guys know why it is illegal to replace the Y-Pipe in new or fairly new cars? I believe you can replace it only after 50K miles! If that's the case, why do some shops offer this for the Cougar(they say it is for street-use)?

catscratch · May 2000

Does anyone know the life of the borla muffler? I assume it would be about the same(maybe less) than the stock/average muffler....

For its $699 retail price, you'd think they'd kick in lifetime replacement on the muffler itself...

I'm just curious is all. I'm set on borla as my prospective exhaust mod...

now, if I could just go into hibernation for the next 34 days! This waitin' business is for the birds....but that's the price one pays to order a vehicle. Ok, I'll stop complaining now

catscratch

stageleft · May 2000

One Million Miles! [holds pinky up to mouth ala, Dr. Evil]

(At least that's the warrantee length, so if it does go bad, it's like getting a new one.)

badulah · May 2000

daexpert:
Normally I would agree with you, but after viewing my new home theater system this weekend, I have no regrets what so ever about the choice I made. A flat screen TV, DVD player, and a Dolby 5 speaker surround system truly makes viewing movies at home a totally different experience.

I'll get the Borla and the MAF later on in the mid summer.

esbrock · May 2000

I installed the Pacesetter cat-back exhaust on my cougar last thursday. After driving around town this past weekend, I would definately give it two thumbs up. The sound is great, the dual tips look great, and the performance increase is noticeable. I'm not saying that is adds major horsepower or anything like that (I'm looking into getting it dyno tested). It does seem to accelerate alot easier, and passing on the highway is where I notice the most change. All in all, I think I found a nice alternative to the Borla system.

stageleft · May 2000

What was the price on that Pacesetter, esbrock? Just so we can keep track of alternative performance parts ...

daexpert · May 2000

Hey esbrock,

What made you decide to go for the Pacesetter? Seems like you liked it, I guess is not as bad as people say. What's the warranty on it? You think you can give us some more info on the sound it makes and performance (if any)? I'm looking into also replacing the exhaust in my Cougar but not sure yet what I want to go for yet. I know the Borla has a great reputation but also it's price nothing to play around with! = ) So please let us know. Thanks = )

esbrock · May 2000

The main reason why I went with the Pacesetter was the price. If you order it directly from the manufacturer, it is priced at $249.00. Summit Racing sells it for $174.00. NOPI sells it for $149.00. As you can deduce, I ordered it from NOPI. I figured if it didn't perform right, it was no big loss. The system is constructed out of aluminzied steel instead of stainless. That is why it is so much cheaper than the Borla sytem. It uses one muffler placed where the factory resonator was located, and has two 3.5 inch chrome pencil-rolled monza tips. The pipe is 2.5 inch diameter with mandrel bends. I am not real sure about warranty length. I was so excited to get the thing that I didn't read the warranty sheet. I can't quote performance numbers either. I do notice it allows the car the rev up more freely and there is a feeling of some horsepower boost in the mid to high rev range. The sound is definately addictive. Makes the car sound like it has a V-8. Doesn't sound buzzy like the little imports. I do have the KKM intake installed and that may be why I notice a more significant power increase.

Living in San Antonio, there wasn't a need for a stainless steel exhaust. They never salt the roads here and we dont have to deal with any salt air like coastal areas. I figure if the system lasts 4 to 5 years, it will have been worth it. If it doesn't, I can always purchase the Borla system later.

daexpert · May 2000

Thanks esbrock! It sounds like a good alternative if people don't want to or don't have enough to spend on the Borla, but not the same quality of course! But if the cash is not there, the Pacesetter is a plus, and I guess it also depends on how long you plan to keep the kitty I guess. I'm really debating whether to get the Pacesetter, although I'm not sure what it sounds like (only the way it looks, and it looks good), or to get the Borla, which is like 3 times as much, but much better quality.

Are the tips yellow inside? How long do you think that paint will last? Let me know how it's going so far. Thanks.

badulah · May 2000

the previous message was sponsored by your local Town Hall wandering salesmen.

Thank you, drive through.

bobschm · May 2000

According to the Pacesetter site, limited warranty is 3 years. Not bad.

One thing, though. Neither they nor NOPI list the Cougar that I can find. What model number did you buy, esbrock? Are they painted black like the pictures?

daexpert · May 2000

bobschm,

On NOPIs site, you have to look up the 1999 Mercury Cougar, not the 2000. Then the Pacesetter will show up. I emailed them and they told me that they are selling it for $147. At that price, I'm seriously considering it, I figured that if it sucks, at least I won't lose that much. The Borla looks great, but boy, it's expensive!

Hey, esbrock, are you gonna give us an update on how the Pacesetter is doing is doing on your kitty??? = )

bobschm · May 2000

$147 for an cat back is not bad.

Next question: Is it in enough pieces so it can be installed on jackstands in the driveway? or do you need welding, cutting, air tools, grunting, skinned knuckles, and multiple curse words?

esbrock · May 2000

As of May 30th, I still feel like I made the right choice in buying the Pacesetter. It sounds great and draws that much more attention to my Kitty. The last seal of approval came when my mother-in-law thought it was "too loud". I love driving on the highway now, that's where you feel the performance boost the most. The car just seems more eager to be revved up.

147 DOLLARS!!!!! That's two dollars cheaper than when I bought it. One word of advice, when dealing with NOPI, keep on them about your order. It took them a week to ship my order out. When I would call seeking a UPS tracking number, they would keep telling me that it was scheduled to ship the next day. At such a great price, I didn't make too much noise though.

Installation was somewhat easy. The system comes in four pieces. The pipes are painted black. The only tools you will need are a rachet set and maybe a coulpe of box wrenches. I installed mine in my driveway with the car sitting on jack stands. It took me 3.5 hours total, from pulling the car out of the garage to pulling it back in, to install it by myself. If I would have had an extra pair of hands and read the instructions properly, I would have probably trimmed that down to 2 hours. No special tools needed but I did include alot of grunting, a couple skinned knuckles, and several curse words. I feel shedding a little blood, sweat, and tears for my Cougar just makes the bond that much stronger.

daexpert · May 2000

Hey esbrock,

Thanks for the update! Is there a lot of droning at highway speeds with the Pacesetter? Say you're going 65-75 mph, how's the soundlevel, does take over the car's stereo? Thanks.

esbrock · May 2000

You can hear it but it's not that loud. It won't over take my stereo, but I don't have the factory head unit anymore. If you only have the 5W per channel factory CD unit, it maybe a problem. I wouldn't think so but I'm not sure.

cocheez · May 2000

If you guys want to check performance improvements and want to check horsepower at the wheels before and after a mod, you can use a little gadget that looks like a radar detector. It can calculate 0-60 and quarter mile times. It's pretty cool. Here's the website www.gtechpro.com

fish8 · May 2000

I have never had a problem with my stock radio. Many have bashed it in the past but I think is sounds fine. I also have never had problems with the road noise overtaking the stereo.

daexpert · May 2000

You also have the Pacesetter, fish8? For how long? How is it holding up so far, a good buy? Thanks.

stageleft · May 2000

Yeah, those G-Tech's are pretty neat, but I don't have a 1/4 mile strip anywhere between two traffic lights where I can get a running start (w/o cops everywhere, anyway). Neat little tool though ...

Fish8:

I've never had a problem with my stock unit, either (as far as sound quality and noise level go), but then again, I didn't deafen myself in the early '90's by playing my headphones too loud, either ... :^)

Besides [puts on pompous aire], I have the PREMIUM stereo, FMC told me so!

fish8 · May 2000

No Pacesetter here. I was just talking about the noise level with the stock exaust. Sorry for the confusion. Also, my car before this was a Jeep Wrangler so the noise level in my Cat is almost non existent compatered to the Jeep.

badulah · June 2000

Since this system is not stainless, I have heard that it will crack and scale over time from the heat it generates. I had an inexpensive system put on my Camaro that fell off because of this after a few months.

Cougar Support Group - Modifications

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles