Besides, the yellow on those tips represents an icon that was around long before the Uncle Bens'ers -- Monza tips have been around a whole lot longer than this craze.
But it is all about modification, and if you don't like the yellow, I know a Sharpie will take care of that until the carbon buildup covers it naturally! ;^)
I have a question, can you guys please help me out? The catback-exhaust system for the Cougar would be the same for the 1999 and 2000 models right? Would that be a correct assumption or not? Like, a Pacesetter exhaust system that would fit a '99 model should also fit the '00 model, right? Someone told me that it would be a wrong assumption, what you guys think? Thanks.
I heard a little while back that the Borla dual for the 99's wouldn't be as effective on a '00. I'm not sure how much of that is based in reality, but I don't think it's a fitment thing. I think it's either an emissions thing or possibly some computer thing.
Double check the place you're buying from and see if they know anything about a model year difference.
Sorry I couldn't have been more knowledgeable. Good luck.
Yeah, I just called the dealer and the guy told me that it is the same for both years, so no worries there. I'm gonna keep calling around for the Pacesetter, someone has to have it, I don't want to wait till September to get it installed in my car. Did you get your badulah?
I read in the NECO post where someone removed his muffler from his Borla leaving only the two resonating tips.
Someone else said he would have been better off keeping the muffler and removing the two resonating tips if he wanted to improve sound and performance.
I am really beginning too thank a custom dual exhaust will be the best thing for me.
Well I was the one who made the suggestion not to remove the borla muffler as it, helps to regulate pressures... and the person who removed it was having irregular tone. Lil did he know its the resonators that control tone (I also agree with badulah)
I own the Borla Dual and would do it again if I had too. Come on now, borla doesn't make crap.
I have seen a few different covers that look nice, but personally I have better things to spend my money on. Not to mention the fact that I am afraid of messing up my gauges.
According to the Contour group, it helps, and they've been doing it for years. Just be careful, follow the directions, and should be no problem. The throttle lag is an emissions thing, but seems to be a little overdone. Carbs had a thing called a dashpot which was a real pain at times. You want hang, this thing would really stick, and leave you with an engine screaming at high RPM until you turned it off, popped the hood, and unstuck it.
gustafsc, as of yet, I haven't got them installed actually several other drivers actually put their's on before I could get my own mod on... and haven't had any problems...the top grill will still remain the same. I do plan on watching the Coolant temp... I usually run 194 F sometimes 210 if I'm running AutoX, we'll see, and I'll update the pages.
I don't have to deal with Rush hour, perhaps the curious tourist stopping to see one of those "Bambi's" on the side of the road.
Gee, nobody likes my toolbox.... :~( Just Kidding... hehe
Lucky you, living out in the bush I've had cars nearly cook when I was commuting into the city. And, on a hot summer day, things could get a little warm!!!
Tried this the other day based on the recent post and it really helps. Had a 1/2 inch cap in my plumbing parts box, and the entire job took less than 10 minutes. Now the revs drop smoothly upon throttle release, and I can actually slow down using the throttle. I would recommend anyone who has been annoyed by this trait of the V6 to try it. This has been one of my major complaints with my Cougar, and it was great to find such a quick and easy fix.
Thanks for letting us know. I may try it, but I'm not really all that concerned with it. Does it help through the shifting as well, or does it cater to "see-sawing" when you let off the gas?
I find that in normal driving, the upshifts are smoother because you are better able to match the speed of the engine to the speed of the transmission. Without the modification, the engine RPMs are being maintained high by the computer for several seconds, and the clutch must "drag" the engine down to the transmission speed, resulting in rougher shifts. I've been driving sports cars and sport coupes with manual transmissions for over 30 years, and this was one quirk of the Cougar that really annoyed me. You may remember some reviews of the Cougar that commented on this (one referred to it as a "spindown" problem and thought the flywheel was too heavy!). It may not bother you but its worth a try as it's so easy to do and and you can go back to original in about two minutes if you wish.
I definatly will take the challenge, especially knowing that I can revert. So it's interesting that this "problem" was misdiagnosed as a heavy flywheel. I do remember reading articles that mentioned that, but never found it a problem. I have only been driving manual since 1995, and that was in a pickup, so there's bound to be a difference.
Thanks again, I will let you know what I think of it (probably not until next weekend though, because I didn't plan on any car mods for this weekend, and it's probably going to rain all day Saturday anyway).
Actually, I have the MTX. With the funky lock they have on the stock reverse gear, I didn't know if making a sport shifter for the MT-75 tranny would be possible.
A short throw shifter. Might put that on my list of things to do later on (along with the Borla and intake systems), especially now that the gearbox has losened up (only too 10Kmi).
I was planning my next set of modifications and started to wonder if they would effect the warranty of my car. MWS, is there an approved list of manufactures that can be used to make sure that warranty issues will not arrise? My next project would include installing a Qualfe limited-slip differential, Eibach springs and polyurathane suspension bushings. What systems on the car do I have to stay away from to avoid warranty issues?
Yesterday when I got home I found a slip in my mailbox that said I have a package waiting for me at the post office. I'm hoping that it's my Pacesetter. I'm going to leave early today so I can get down there before they close.
Nope, not my Pacesetter. It was a package from my friend in England. He sent me a set of fake Euro license plates that say "Cougar". They look cool hanging next to my authentic Euro plates, but I would much rather have the Pacesetter.
I finally did the throttle hang mod yesterday. I liked the results. The Tach doesn't really drop all that noticeably. But you do feel a difference.
That surging you feel when shifting aggressively (just before the rev limiter) has decreased significantly. The shifts are a lot smoother now also.
I also hear the KKM air filter a little more now which makes me think that I am sucking in a little more air now. I think this is a result of the bybass hose being blocked a little so the air filter is "rebreathing" less air. Resulting in what appears to me to be slightly increased performance.
The bottom line is do the mod if you have a MTX it is worth the few cents. Your tach isn't going to move up and down all that noticeably, but you WILL feel the difference especially when shifting aggressively.
Just found these articles on the NECO post. They pretty much explain why the Pacesetter exahust loses power.
This is an excerpt from a post by Blorton
...I previously had the crap muffler that came with the pacesetter system replaced with the cherry bomb, largely based on suspicions that it's flow control was for sh*t. I was right, that muffler was a can with two tubes clamped on the end - not even a single internal element to at least direct the flow to the exit - dumb. The glasspack mod restored some of the power lost from the stock level, so with this mod, and the mileage gain, I feel pretty sure I'm ahead of the curve now. (grin)
This is the complete post from BigWilly669: Re: Bubba exhaust on a Cougar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blorton: I know what you did and thought about it myself. So the Pacesetter muffler is little more than a gutted cat, eh? That accounts for the loss in performance. I would try it, but I want a dual side-exit system and it looks like the fuel line would be too close to the pipe on the right side (kaboom!).
Trevor: X-, H-, and Y- pipes all take advantage of the scavenging effect on exhaust gasses. X-pipe is more effective than H-pipes used commonly in dual exhaust systems. When the exhaust exits from one side, the X/H/Y pipe joint creates a suction for the other side, reducing backpressure and increasing horsepower.
Comments
But it is all about modification, and if you don't like the yellow, I know a Sharpie will take care of that until the carbon buildup covers it naturally! ;^)
http://www.stoffler-autotechnik.de/Stoffler-Tuning_Info/Cougar/1/Heckspoiler1komp.jpg
It sure is weird seeing Ford on the back of the kitty!
Badula:
Nice to see you back. It seems that the post is just a little less exciting when you are away.
You talkin' ta me?
See i'm really not the Godfather after all.
8-)
Double check the place you're buying from and see if they know anything about a model year difference.
Sorry I couldn't have been more knowledgeable. Good luck.
Someone else said he would have been better off keeping the muffler and removing the two resonating tips if he wanted to improve sound and performance.
I am really beginning too thank a custom dual exhaust will be the best thing for me.
I wouldn't mess with the Borla. What's the point of paying all that money and then taking part of it off?
as it, helps to regulate pressures... and the person who removed it was
having irregular tone. Lil did he know its the resonators that control tone
(I also agree with badulah)
I own the Borla Dual and would do it again if I had too.
Come on now, borla doesn't make crap.
Nice article & test of the Rousch Cougar. 280HP+, from a Roots type blower and a bunch of other mods such as using the 3l. block, pistons, cam, etc..
Now THAT'S a modified Cougar!!!!
And we can't have it
Skip G.
http://www.fastcougar.com/how_to/index.html
I just want to know if it works, and if anyone likes the effect.
I have seen a few different covers that look nice, but personally I have better things to spend my money on. Not to mention the fact that I am afraid of messing up my gauges.
Skip G.
Grill
Emblem
toolbox
These are "how to" pages,
Enjoy
Eric
Have you seen any change in the temp guage, especially in tight standing traffic (such as found in rush hour expressways)?
Skip G.
as of yet, I haven't got them installed actually several other drivers actually put their's
on before I could get my own mod on... and haven't had any problems...the top grill will still remain the same. I do plan on watching the Coolant temp... I usually run 194 F sometimes 210 if I'm running AutoX, we'll see, and I'll update the pages.
I don't have to deal with Rush hour, perhaps the curious tourist stopping to see one of those
"Bambi's" on the side of the road.
Gee, nobody likes my toolbox.... :~(
Just Kidding... hehe
Skip G.
Jim H.
I find that in normal driving, the upshifts are smoother because you are better able to match the speed of the engine to the speed of the transmission. Without the modification, the engine RPMs are being maintained high by the computer for several seconds, and the clutch must "drag" the engine down to the transmission speed, resulting in rougher shifts. I've been driving sports cars and sport coupes with manual transmissions for over 30 years, and this was one quirk of the Cougar that really annoyed me. You may remember some reviews of the Cougar that commented on this (one referred to it as a "spindown" problem and thought the flywheel was too heavy!). It may not bother you but its worth a try as it's so easy to do and and you can go back to original in about two minutes if you wish.
Jim H.
Thanks again, I will let you know what I think of it (probably not until next weekend though, because I didn't plan on any car mods for this weekend, and it's probably going to rain all day Saturday anyway).
Take care Jim!
Skip G.
j/k hope its your pacesetter
Nope, not my Pacesetter. It was a package from my friend in England. He sent me a set of fake Euro license plates that say "Cougar". They look cool hanging next to my authentic Euro plates, but I would much rather have the Pacesetter.
O-Well!!
That surging you feel when shifting aggressively (just before the rev limiter) has decreased significantly. The shifts are a lot smoother now also.
I also hear the KKM air filter a little more now which makes me think that I am sucking in a little more air now. I think this is a result of the bybass hose being blocked a little so the air filter is "rebreathing" less air. Resulting in what appears to me to be slightly increased performance.
The bottom line is do the mod if you have a MTX it is worth the few cents. Your tach isn't going to move up and down all that noticeably, but you WILL feel the difference especially when shifting aggressively.
This is an excerpt from a post by Blorton
...I previously had the crap muffler that came with the pacesetter system replaced with the cherry bomb, largely based on suspicions that it's flow control was for sh*t. I was right, that muffler was a can with two tubes clamped on the end - not even a single internal element to at least direct the flow to the exit - dumb. The glasspack mod restored some of the power lost from the stock level, so with this mod, and the mileage gain, I feel pretty sure I'm ahead of the curve now. (grin)
This is the complete post from BigWilly669:
Re: Bubba exhaust on a Cougar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blorton: I know what you did and thought about it myself. So the Pacesetter muffler is little more than a gutted cat, eh? That accounts for the loss in performance. I would try it, but I want a dual side-exit system and it looks like the fuel line would be too close to the pipe on the right side (kaboom!).
Trevor: X-, H-, and Y- pipes all take advantage of the scavenging effect on exhaust gasses. X-pipe is more effective than H-pipes used commonly in dual exhaust systems. When the exhaust exits from one side, the X/H/Y pipe joint creates a suction for the other side, reducing backpressure and increasing horsepower.