Cougar Support Group - Modifications

daexpert · July 2000

Hey Badulah, did you ever get your Pacesetter? Seems like the just keep backordering them again and again, maybe I'll get mine by next summer. = )

stageleft · July 2000

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! ;^)

camelard · July 2000

Anyone seen these. Picked it up off the NECO sight. There from a German company. http://www.telepath.com/ajermain/C~000001a.jpg

camelard · July 2000

This one is better.

http://www.stoffler-autotechnik.de/Stoffler-Tuning_Info/Cougar/1/Heckspoiler1komp.jpg

badulah · July 2000

Look kinda big on the Cat.

dgemini · July 2000

Man,

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.

daexpert · July 2000

Yeah, I agree with dgemini, it was pretty quiet around here w/o Badulah, he's like the godfather of CSG.

badulah · July 2000

LOL! The Godfather of the CSG!!! LOL! That's funny.

You talkin' ta me?

lmigliore · July 2000

That's not the Godfather, that's the taxi driver.

badulah · July 2000

OOps, i'm not up on my gangster movies. Sorry.

See i'm really not the Godfather after all.

8-)

daexpert · July 2000

But "..I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.." = )

badulah · July 2000

"Honda Civic SIs sleep wit da fishes"

daexpert · July 2000

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.

stageleft · July 2000

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.

badulah · July 2000

Well off the top of my head I would say there should be no difference, but since Lefty has heard differently, I would double check it too.

daexpert · July 2000

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?

badulah · July 2000

Nope. Still on order. They said it should be here sometime in late August.

stageleft · July 2000

Great. I'm glad they aren't model-year specific. If they ever change the body or the drivetrain, I'd be worried. Thanks for the update Daexpert!

dgemini · July 2000

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.

badulah · July 2000

Modifying a modified exhaust kit......Interesting.

I wouldn't mess with the Borla. What's the point of paying all that money and then taking part of it off?

fredly · July 2000

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.

gustafsc · July 2000

Just saw the latest copy of Sport Compact Car.

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.

badulah · July 2000

I want one too!!! I would pay around $30,000 for a Cougar Eliminator.

dgemini · July 2000

Anyone tried the throttle hang modification listed in FastCougar.com?

http://www.fastcougar.com/how_to/index.html

I just want to know if it works, and if anyone likes the effect.

badulah · July 2000

What is this supposed to do? Drilling holes is never a good thing as far as i'm concerned.

microkitty · July 2000

Would it make any sense to spend $150 replacing the gauge covers on the Cougar?

badulah · July 2000

Only if you want a new gauge cover.

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.

microkitty · July 2000

That's what I figured...and juding by fastcougar.com there are a lot of other things that I too would rather spend the $150 on.

gustafsc · July 2000

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.

Skip G.

dgemini · July 2000

Also got a response from the NECO post. I think I might try it. If I do I will let you all know how it goes.

fredly · July 2000

A few of my most recent Cosmetic Modifications...

Grill
Emblem
toolbox

These are "how to" pages,

Enjoy
Eric

gustafsc · July 2000

While the grill mod looks good, I can't help but wonder about cooling, as it looks to cut the air flow by ~ 50%.

Have you seen any change in the temp guage, especially in tight standing traffic (such as found in rush hour expressways)?

Skip G.

fredly · July 2000

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

gustafsc · July 2000

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!!!

Skip G.

harbachj · July 2000

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.

Jim H.

stageleft · July 2000

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?

harbachj · July 2000

Stageleft:

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.

stageleft · July 2000

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).

Take care Jim!

esbrock · July 2000

Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket shifter kit available for the cougar?

esbrock · July 2000

By the way, at my next service interval, at 27,000 miles I will try the throttle mod.

badulah · July 2000

for an ATX? Check out Hurst, i'm pretty sure they make something.

esbrock · July 2000

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.

gustafsc · August 2000

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).

Skip G.

badulah · August 2000

I would be interested in that mod as well.

esbrock · August 2000

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?

badulah · August 2000

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.

fredly · August 2000

hehe its a lugwrench

j/k hope its your pacesetter

badulah · August 2000

SCUMPED AGAIN!!!

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!!

dgemini · August 2000

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.

dgemini · August 2000

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.

Cougar Support Group - Modifications

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