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Cougar Support Group - Modifications
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Comments
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.)
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
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
www.audizone.com/info/perform/filter_testing.htm
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
single exit
dual exit
dual exit with carbon fiber tips
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.
- 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.
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!!!! = )
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.
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.
Sorry if I sounded like I'm asking the same thing over and over again. = )
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!!).
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.
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
(At least that's the warrantee length, so if it does go bad, it's like getting a new one.)
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.
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 = )
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.
Are the tips yellow inside? How long do you think that paint will last? Let me know how it's going so far. Thanks.
Thank you, drive through.
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?
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??? = )
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?
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.
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.
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!