General => Lounge => Topic started by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 10:36:03 PM
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 10:36:03 PM
Heres my 1988 XR-7, some of you might recognize it. Its been in a dark, cold garage for 3 years.. More pics coming next week when I finish parting out the tbird.
Looks like I'm going to rebuild the 351w, and use alot of the parts from the bird to get this badboy running.
I plan on starting a new thread that will go from begining to end so stay tuned!
Check out my parts threads in the classifieds if anyone needs any tbird or 302 parts...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: P71 on January 28, 2008, 10:40:22 PM
351? And a stick? I must know more about this cat's history...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 28, 2008, 10:41:42 PM
Aw, I'd know those exhaust tips anywhere...that's Bill's old car. Cool, congrats! :)
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 10:44:16 PM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;200625
Aw, I'd know those exhaust tips anywhere...that's Bill's old car. Cool, congrats! :)
Thanks man. I'm glad I got the cat, it feels right for me to have this car. I can't wait to get it in my garage
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 28, 2008, 10:53:05 PM
Congrat's... This'll be fun...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: BEARMAX on January 28, 2008, 10:57:34 PM
hey who is the random guy removing the tail light on that bird
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: CougarSE on January 28, 2008, 10:57:48 PM
Looks like a fun project. From those shots looks like the body is rust free.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 11:02:24 PM
Quote from: BEARMAX;200634
hey who is the random guy removing the tail light on that bird
Thats me!! I got no time for taking pics lol :burnout:
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 11:04:12 PM
Quote from: CougarSE;200635
Looks like a fun project. From those shots looks like the body is rust free.
one tiny 2-3 inch spot on the driver door right below the trim, thats it.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: tc² on January 28, 2008, 11:11:17 PM
I see potential... I've always [always] wanted a 351W in front of a TKO. Can't wait to hear more!
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: FLSTCI71 on January 28, 2008, 11:29:56 PM
Hey, look at that dash, it doesn't even looked cracked!!
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: xjeffs on January 28, 2008, 11:37:37 PM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;200625
Aw, I'd know those exhaust tips anywhere...that's Bill's old car. Cool, congrats! :)
Did Bill build a white one for me?
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 11:40:59 PM
Quote from: FLSTCI71;200656
Hey, look at that dash, it doesn't even looked cracked!!
Its cracked, I ripped the dashtop.com top off of the tbird. That was a pain in the a$$
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 28, 2008, 11:43:18 PM
Nice. :D
No engine shots? ;)
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 11:44:06 PM
Oh I got one more pic...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 28, 2008, 11:46:48 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;200662
Nice. :D
No engine shots? ;)
Quote from: thunder306;200663
Oh I got one more pic...
There we go ;)
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: vinnietbird on January 28, 2008, 11:50:39 PM
I can't quite figure it out,but there seems to be something missing from under the hood.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 28, 2008, 11:55:14 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;200670
I can't quite figure it out,but there seems to be something missing from under the hood.
its really just a 351w short block, the heads are screwed up.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: xjeffs on January 28, 2008, 11:58:01 PM
Tell Bill to forget it if he forgets heads.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: vinnietbird on January 28, 2008, 11:58:48 PM
Nice looking Cougar.I'll be looking forward to updates.I myself,as we all know,am building a car as well (the Sport),and it's been a real challenge,but enjoyable.I wouldn't trade it.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 12:03:40 AM
I'm saving all the dirt, twigs, acorns, bugs, trash, papers, leaves, used condoms under the seats (j/k they were still in the wrapper,lol) and dumping all of it on top of Bill's nice shiny Chevy Caprice HAHHAHAH
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: baxo on January 29, 2008, 12:25:14 AM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;200625
Aw, I'd know those exhaust tips anywhere...that's Bill's old car. Cool, congrats! :)
it Eric, you beat me to it!
Yeah, definitely a good score!
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Nate on January 29, 2008, 01:54:58 AM
i didnt read everything, but is that bills old car?
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Kitz Kat on January 29, 2008, 04:04:40 AM
Nice project,and I thought I had a lot of red!
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 06:11:25 AM
Quote from: Nate;200695
i didnt read everything, but is that bills old car?
Yeah I picked it up Sunday, If you need some parts Nate let me know cause I'm looking to get rid of the tbird Monday
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Mercoug302 on January 29, 2008, 08:29:04 AM
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 08:36:27 AM
Thanks for the old pics Bill, If you got more email them to me I'd like have them for the cat's s book
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Chuck W on January 29, 2008, 08:58:44 AM
Looks like a good start.
Should have some motivation when it's all together.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 29, 2008, 11:46:38 AM
Recommendation, don't piss around with any iron head... Get a set of E'brocks, Trick Flows, GT-40, etc... If you want to go all out the 185 AFRs are a killer street head on a 351... For the money, T Flows are hard to beat and with a full exhaust system you probably cant tell the difference in any of the above... Don't settle for less than the 2.02 intake valves...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 11:58:30 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;200744
Recommendation, don't piss around with any iron head... Get a set of E'brocks, Trick Flows, GT-40, etc... If you want to go all out the 185 AFRs are a killer street head on a 351... For the money, T Flows are hard to beat and with a full exhaust system you probably cant tell the difference in any of the above... Don't settle for less than the 2.02 intake valves...
What you think about this Tom, I was going to run the edelbrocks I have already 2.02/1.60 (60359), cobra upper, 75mm tb, 30lb injectors, lightning mass air, a9p chipped for 30#ers from bills old setup.
I was going to find a 351w gt-40 lower
Only question is cam, I have a tfs stage 1 would that run good with this combo or is there better out there. Also when I get the 351 redone what piston and compression ratio should I shoot for.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Chuck W on January 29, 2008, 12:01:54 PM
Now you know you're going to need some strong motor mounts too :hick:
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 12:04:07 PM
Quote from: Chuck W;200747
Now you know you're going to need some strong motor mounts too :hick:
It uses the stock 5.0 style mounts right? If so I still got my chuckdubya mounts :shakeass:
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Chuck W on January 29, 2008, 12:16:10 PM
Yup, same mounts. ;)
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 29, 2008, 12:17:47 PM
I really like the Stage-1 cam, for a hot street engine it's all I need.. In fact mine is going in the new 331, with 1.7 rockers...
There are far better flowing intakes out there, but few have the visual of the GT-40... Problem is I dunno if you can squeeze anything else under a stock hood... Even the Cobra upper on a GT 40 lower is going to be pushing it... BTW in case you didn't know, the GT-40 tubular is approx 3/4" shorter, and I believe Bill had slight rubbing issues with it...
I've heard of using spacers between the chassis and K member to gain hood clearance, dunno if I'd want to go that route...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: 1WLD BRD on January 29, 2008, 12:21:08 PM
Sweet!!! how much did you score it for? I always wanted that thing...
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 12:28:38 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;200751
I really like the Stage-1 cam, for a hot street engine it's all I need.. In fact mine is going in the new 331, with 1.7 rockers...
There are far better flowing intakes out there, but few have the visual of the GT-40... Problem is I dunno if you can squeeze anything else under a stock hood... Even the Cobra upper on a GT 40 lower is going to be pushing it... BTW in case you didn't know, the GT-40 tubular is approx 3/4" shorter, and I believe Bill had slight rubbing issues with it...
I've heard of using spacers between the chassis and K member to gain hood clearance, dunno if I'd want to go that route...
So the tfs stage 1 cam will be okay than? Will I need more lift? or is the 1.6 rr okay? I already have 2 sets of fms 1.6 rr now. So if theres another cam to be had I could easily sell the tfs-1 cam if need be.
I'll look into the intake issue, I could alway raise the back of the hood for now with spacers or pick out a different intake and sell the cobra whole. What do you think of the overall combo?
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2008, 12:31:30 PM
Quote from: 1WLD BRD;200752
Sweet!!! how much did you score it for? I always wanted that thing...
heres my payment I'm still waiting for the truck to pick it up. Damm I swear this pile was bigger a couple of days ago. Bill better hurry up before theres nothing left :D
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Mercoug302 on January 29, 2008, 01:26:09 PM
I was running just under 11:1. While it ran fine on pump gas, I ended up having to replace the later model mini gear reduction starters about every three months.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 29, 2008, 02:48:05 PM
Quote from: thunder306;200755
heres my payment I'm still waiting for the truck to pick it up. Damm I swear this pile was bigger a couple of days ago. Bill better hurry up before theres nothing left :D
I'll be stoppin' by when you get home from work with a couple fifths of Jim Beam...:drink: :drink:
Quote from: thunder306;200754
So the tfs stage 1 cam will be okay than? Will I need more lift? or is the 1.6 rr okay? I already have 2 sets of fms 1.6 rr now. So if theres another cam to be had I could easily sell the tfs-1 cam if need be.
I like the S-1 specs, but a little more lift would be beneficial on a 351... I've not considered a different cam, as I want new rockers anyway....
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Nate on January 30, 2008, 12:58:38 PM
dam bob, i dunno... got any pictures of whats left on it?
and bill, rember when we were at the track and you beat that trans-am... he was so pissed he didnt even get his time slip lol.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 30, 2008, 01:36:33 PM
only body parts are hood, and glass. The engine is missing heads, upper part of cobra intake, and cam
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Johnny Cougar on January 30, 2008, 04:01:05 PM
So this car will actually live? In all the time I've known Bill, I've only seen this car once, and it was dead in his driveway at the time.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on January 30, 2008, 04:06:09 PM
I'm hoping to get started on it next week. I can't wait to get the wrecked one out and focus on the cat
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: 86T-bird on January 31, 2008, 02:56:27 PM
Looks like you have a great starting point. Seeing the current pictures and the old one's really shows how nice it could turn out!
When I see questions about which cam to go with, I cringe a bit. If you would like the engine to meet (and most likely exceed) your expectations, a custom cam is the way to go. Granted it will cost more, but the results are sooo much better. For myself, I would never consider an off the shelf cam again! It sounds like you are going to put some money in this engine (rebuild, heads, intake, cam), consider the value of a matched combination. None of us has an unlimited budget for our cars, but I have found it cheaper to do it once (with the right parts, read: more expensive) as opposed to buying stuff and then buying the right stuff.
If you are interested in learning more, there is a great site called SBFTECH.com. One of the sponsors and moderators is Jay Allen. Read some of his threads and posts (there is a specific forum under Small Block Ford - Camshaft Innovations). The amount of informations and concepts presented can really open your eyes as to the factors which influence valve train stablity and appropriate cam choice.
If you E-mail or speak to Jay, he is willing to spend time expanding your knowledge on what may be right choice for you, OTS or Custom (he will make an OTS recommendation, if that what you want, for a fee). He is always willing to educate (ingnorance is fine, but stupidity doesn't go over big...).
I have had lots of camshafts over the years (I'm gradually selling off four OTS H/R cams I swapped around until I went custom). The difference in performance and drivablity (mileage too!) was so dramatic, it didn't seem like the same car!
I haven't had experience with TFS cams. I have experience with a couple Comp rollers and couple alphabet cams. Sure wish someone had "schooled" me prior to my cam adventures, it would have been so much cheaper!
If you would like specifics on my experience, PM me, I'm glad to share what I know.
Title: The search is over ! I'm now a cougar owner!!
Post by: Bob on February 01, 2008, 10:02:11 AM
Quote from: 86tbird;201193
Looks like you have a great starting point. Seeing the current pictures and the old one's really shows how nice it could turn out!
When I see questions about which cam to go with, I cringe a bit. If you would like the engine to meet (and most likely exceed) your expectations, a custom cam is the way to go. Granted it will cost more, but the results are sooo much better. For myself, I would never consider an off the shelf cam again! It sounds like you are going to put some money in this engine (rebuild, heads, intake, cam), consider the value of a matched combination. None of us has an unlimited budget for our cars, but I have found it cheaper to do it once (with the right parts, read: more expensive) as opposed to buying stuff and then buying the right stuff.
If you are interested in learning more, there is a great site called SBFTECH.com. One of the sponsors and moderators is Jay Allen. Read some of his threads and posts (there is a specific forum under Small Block Ford - Camshaft Innovations). The amount of informations and concepts presented can really open your eyes as to the factors which influence valve train stablity and appropriate cam choice.
If you E-mail or speak to Jay, he is willing to spend time expanding your knowledge on what may be right choice for you, OTS or Custom (he will make an OTS recommendation, if that what you want, for a fee). He is always willing to educate (ingnorance is fine, but stupidity doesn't go over big...).
I have had lots of camshafts over the years (I'm gradually selling off four OTS H/R cams I swapped around until I went custom). The difference in performance and drivablity (mileage too!) was so dramatic, it didn't seem like the same car!
I haven't had experience with TFS cams. I have experience with a couple Comp rollers and couple alphabet cams. Sure wish someone had "schooled" me prior to my cam adventures, it would have been so much cheaper!
If you would like specifics on my experience, PM me, I'm glad to share what I know.