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Cougar Support Group - Modifications
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Comments
This is the first time I've posted, but I've been lurking for awhile. Just bought a 2001 white v6 about 2 weeks ago, and I can't say enough good things about the car. The first thing that has to go though is the stock exhaust. I'm trying to figure out what the best route is, but I'm getting different information from the exhaust shops I've visited as opposed to what I've read in msg boards such as this.
I did my intitial research online, and at first was convinced that the borla cat back was the way to go. However, after reading more about it, I came to the realization that I could probably have an equivilant system built custom for less money.
Well the local shops I talked to all agreed that unless I was going for looks (which is nice, but not the main goal) it was pretty much a waste to go dual exhuast. All agreed that I would be better served by removing the resonator and the factory muffler, and installing a high performance flowmaster muffler. They all seemed to be of the opinion that the performance difference between that setup and a dual cat back would be negligable.
SO, I would really appreciate some advice on this, because I've seen nothing but the contrary online. Again the goal here is better sound, and better performance. Im on a budget so if it looks good - great, but I'm not fanatical about have two exhaust tips. If thats all the borla offers then I think I'll pass.
Also, I've seen dynomax mentioned over and over online as the way to go muffler-wise, but EVERYONE I talked to locally seemed to think the flowmaster is way better. Again, any advice is appreciated. If you've run both high performance muffler and a cat back dual, I'd love to hear from you...
Thanks!
Rich
- Stainless Steel Construction
- Borla Quality and product research
- 1,000,000 mile warranty
- Increased pipe diameter
- Increased performance
- Better sounding exhaust note
- Top notch looks
Drawbacks to the Borla:
- Price
After doing a lot of research I decided to go with the Borla because of all the engineering they have invested in to this system. I could have gone to an exhaust shop and had them build something, but the fact of the matter is that unless you plan to have your car dyno tested after installing a custom made system, you really do not know if it is improving performance. It may sound a lot better, but that does not mean it runs better. To little back pressure and the overall performance will go down.
There are other systems on the market, such as the Pacesetter and the kit made by Yodude, but neither one impressed me enough to spend the money and have it installed. Yes, Borla does charge more because you paying for their name, but your also paying for their level of quality.
There are two rules when shopping for performance parts:
1. Research research research
2. You get what you pay for
Just my $0.02
I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think we can help you with your question. The CSG caters to owners of 1999 and newer Cougars.
Sorry.
-Rob AKA "Badulah"
Lots of reviews and links to manufacturer's pages.
Skip G.
The KKM adds about 5 pounds foot of torque, but the increase in horsepower is negligable. But it makes the engine sound really good. :-)
Good luck, and Happy Cougaring!
Currently I have the following mods:
- KKM Intake
- Borla Exhaust
- Superchip (currently uninstalled due to high gas prices - you need to run 90+ octane)
With these three mods, performance is noticeably increased at all points in the power band.
Also, can I get all those options from the V6 sport & comfort group with a I4 if I pay enough or would it save me money sticking with the V6 on that? And the moonroof it comes with, is it good or should I get an aftermarket one installed that I could get a lifetime warrenty on?
And ofcourse, if you could list any really good sites for different mods for a cougar, body and engine and interior wise... I was looking at the Razzi kit for the 2001, and I hope they make it the same for 2002 or atleast have it so it fits
I think the V6 is only a $600 or so option over the I4. So you're not talking about a big amount of money. But, I have heard that the I4 is comparable in speed to the V6 ATX. The V6MTX is faster than both. Before committing to either, I would go to several dealers and check pricing. With all the incentives on the Cougar, you may be surprised on the price you will end up getting on a new Cougar. Good luck!!
I'm not too fond of having to cut a car after it's been manufactured, but if you're that concerned with the factory roof, then by all means, go with an aftermarket one. There are many companies that do offer good, quality installation and offer lifetime warranty. I do not have a sunroof myself, because I'm too tall, but an aftermarket roof might have been okay for me, head-room-wise.
Also, you could probably get an I4 to compete or even beat a V6, but you'd spend over $3000 trying to get there. They do make a turbo-charger for the I4 that puts it up to just over the stock V6 number, but you'd be voiding your warranty right off the bat, and probably spending more than you would for a V6 - as Fish mentioned, it's only a $600 or so option from the factory, and you get the option of the sport and convenience groups.
Let us know if you have any other questions, we're all willing to lend our experience! Have you gone out for a test drive in either the I4 or the V6 yet? If so, let us know what you thought, if not - go! - and let us know what you think.
:-)
Happy Cougaring!
Take care and Happy Cougaring!
After checking out the sites you guys mention in much earlier postings a few people makes wings for the cougar. Am I limited to those wings only? I understand that the width of the trunk/hatch will limit what I can do. I just don't like any of the ones they have listed, of course I haven't found a wing that I like yet at all. Any suggestions?
I can visualize the design/marketing meeting 6mo before production start.
Designer: "Well, here's the completed design, and all the focus groups and evaluators think that it's a true thing of beauty".
Marketing type:"I don't know, something seems to be missing. We need that little design clue that means sporty car."
"And what might that be?"
M: "Lets see. Don't sports and racing cars have those flat thingys hanging on the back end? Makes 'em look really fast."
"Yeah, but those are actually functional at speed, but don't really do anything for normal cars"
M:"But they look cool, how fast can you whip one up for us?"
"To do it right, make the tooling, order material, etc.., about 18mo,"
M: "We need something right now!!!!"
"OK, we can give you a simple little tack-on that won't look like part of the design, is cheap, and will act as an incentive for after-market replacement with something that actually looks good."
M: "Go for it!!!! We really need that little styling clue, and we'll charge $250 for it as part of the SPORT PACKAGE. WOW, what a concept, glad I thought of it before we started production."
Back to drawing board thinking,"I'm not allowed to hit him, I'm not alowed to hit him, I'm not...)
Skip G
The only wing that really does anything is located on a Porsche, and rises as speed increases. This wing provides rear downforce at speed to mach the downforce provided by the nose. Otherwise the car would get loose at Autobahn speeds. All others just create drag.
Although, I believe that they had to make a change on one of the other German cars to eliminate lift at speed after a bunch of them went off the road backwards.
Even M/B had a big problem on thier LeMans cars a couple of years back. Saw some spectacular pictures of them flipping like speedboats on the long straight.
Skip G.
(just kidding)
A.
Anyone have any ideas or theories on this?
Thanks for the feedback Harbachj!!!
Recommendation for Brakes, upgrade those pads.... Try Mintex they make a set for the coug.. lower dust, and better braking.. I have them on the fronts now, with my next pad change I'll do fronts and rears... looks like the rears last 2 times longer than the fronts.
Recommendation for tires.. My Street Tires are Kumho Ecsta 712's, my AutoX tires are Kumho Victoracers V700(first month on them).
I suggest staying on street rubber for a couple seasons.. learn the car... then get ready to learn a whole new car with R-Compound tires.
I'll be down near Philly for a SCCA Autocross at the Boeing Plant on the 19th.. http://www.autox4u.com/philly.html
http://www.autox4u.com/philly.htm
Next Saturday I am going to be attending a drivers school at Lime Rock Park with the association I am involved with: http://www.nasaproracing.com
Be careful or they'll have you in the corner with the dunce cap on ;-)
Have fun!!!!!!
Skip G.
When I installed the KKM, removed the resonator, and added an aftermarket mini-turbo muffler the hesitation in my Cougar was eliminated.
hopefully someone will reply...
i have a 2002 cougar v6, i just bought it, used, great car, i love it. i want to do some work on it though but i have absolutely NO clue where to start. i read through all these posts and it did help some, but for the most part i still don't know what you guys are talking about.
could you recommend a way for me to learn about this stuff? maybe some reading material or if i could even talk to one of you guys ( yahoo ID: psyoxy) i'd really appreciate it. and if you do recommend books or websites, please remember i have no clue about cars.
i'm definitely all about performance, i'm not looking to make it "pretty", i like the lines now, but i'd like to improve the engine.
thanks guys!!
Pat Mulkerrin
Best of luck!
I have a v6 motor and auto trans from a 99 cougar and I am putting it in a boat, a 78 ski nautique.
So having said that I need all the power to be applied to one output shaft only (drivers side) or equally to both would be ok too.
So I have two thoughts the first is to make some kind of plate for the passenger side that keeps the output shaft on that side from moving. The other option is to go into transmission and modify it somehow (like welding the spyder gears in a chunk). Anybody have a clue?
Since I last posted in this thread Nov of 2001 there have only been 11 posts here...sigh.
The CSG used to be one of the hottest groups in Edmunds. Too bad a pretty good car was abandoned by Ford.
I drove my Cougar for almost 7 years. Other than a broken throttle, which may have been my fault, I had no mechanical issues whatsoever. I was looking at a Cougar today, made me wish I had kept mine.
Oh well, enough walking down memory lane. My current car is a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Se. It is a great car, and a much better family car than my old Cougar, however, it is the same color....silver!
Thanks