Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: BM's 88 Cougar build (Read 42927 times) previous topic - next topic

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #45 –
Sounds like you have a plan. Is the H.O cam what you're going to use,or possibly a step up from that? Mas Air is super easy to do,and super cheap. The meters can be had from most salvage yards,and then a good computer which can be found for about $125.00 or so.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #46 –
Im not sure. I might run the cam you have in your car. I think I'm going to get the HO for now. I can afford to upgrade everything else like the TB and exhaust. Maybe down the road someday I'd like to swap the heads, so I can change the cam than.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #47 –
I saw an H.O cam on Four Eyed Pride for $25.00 this morning.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #48 –
Well today I was going over some options with the wife. I was talking to her about buying a mint 92 Ranger XLT 2.3 with 82K miles instead of putting money into the Cougar. She threw me for a loop when she told me she would rather me get some much needed work done to the Cougar. She's so awesome! She gave me a list LOL. She wants me to fix the leak thats leaving a puddle in the rear floor board, rebuild the motor to fix the oil leaks, have the headliner redone, and have the interior detailed. She also told me that if I expect her to drive it that she wants to have it repainted. I think she's finally coming around.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #49 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;352839
I saw an H.O cam on Four Eyed Pride for $25.00 this morning.

Thanks but I think I'm just going to do a stock rebuild for now. Im on a strict budget now. My wife wants to be able to do more than the motor now. Stage 2 might involve mass air, trick flow cam, Patriot heads, and so on. We'll see.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #50 –
Stock rebuild? That sucks. That's the time to install a cam and just do the H.O upgrade. Cheap,and you won't have to tear the engine down again to do the swap later.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #51 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;353230
Stock rebuild? That sucks. That's the time to install a cam and just do the H.O upgrade. Cheap,and you won't have to tear the engine down again to do the swap later.

Yeah but its funny how things work out. I got a HO cam today for free so now all I need is the computer. SWEET!!! My heads are done too. I got the seats cut out for the GT40 intake valves and I put them together today. I'm hoping to get a engine kit next week. Im getting a speed pro kit for what the KB pistons cost so no KBs. I'll have pictures soon, I need a new card (all of my cards are full).
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #52 –
Man this sucks! I got my state return yesterday and I planned on going to the junkyard to get a low mile explorer motor. But now my son and I both have the flu. I hope I feel better by this weekend cause explorer motors dont last long in the yards around here.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #53 –
I made my summit order today!!!! I ordered the engine kit, pedestal mount roller rockers, push rods, and o2 sensors. Should be here next week. $750 (dont tell the wife). I still haven't made up my mind if I'm going to use the HO cam or not. I haven't located a computer yet and Im not sure if I want to hot rod the cougar or not. I think I'm going for a nice restored cruser. I would like to do some suspension work too. It already has poly control arm bushing, so I think my next summit order will be a poly bushing kit for the rear and koni springs. Other then that I plan on having the head liner redone and having the carpets shampooed. That should hold me over for a couple years tell I can afford to have it painted.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #54 –
For the money you're spending, you'd better be adding some power. If you don't want a hot rod, just don't push the gas pedal so hard. But when you decide you want some power, it'll be there.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #55 –
To each is own. I've got another build in mind. My Cougar has a lot of sentimental value and I think that this is the better option for her. Not everything I own can be a hot rod. I have the hot rod bug and I hot rod everything I have owned. I just want to some what restore her back to her old glory. When I got this car from my aunt and uncle it was in such good shape and was bone stock and it has really gone done hill fast in the last couple years. I am not happy with what I've done to the car since I've owned it and I really miss how nice it was when I first got it. Dont worry too much. It will have alittle more power than the stock SO. I will be running E7 heads, roller rockers, and a explorer intake. And it already has 2.25" true dual exhaust. It will be fine for me. Thanks for your concerns.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #56 –
Im off to the junkyard today to look for an HO computer. You win Vinnie but this is where I draw the line, no more go fast goodys. I figure what the hell, I have the cam and injecters, and to be honest it's still going to be a stock motor. Why am I reasoning with myself. This is how it always starts.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #57 –
Well, I understand where you're coming from. BUT, with an H.O engine, you still have super driveability, good gas mileage,plenty of power, and overall, a great all around engine.I don't mean to build a lopey,300 horse engine, just add some power since it costs the same as a base engine if you already have the parts. Speed Density H.O computers are on Ebay, the Corral, and probably a member here has one sitting around somewhere if you can't find one. Check the Mark VII's if you can,and the Stangs of course. Usually by the time I find a 50 Stang, they are already stripped. Good luck,and post pics as the progress moves along.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #58 –
I wouldn't mind getting one from someone here, but Im always worried that if I buy something from Ebay or from another forum that it will not be what they said it is. I "had" a freind that sold a truck cam to someone and told them it was an HO cam knowing that it came out of his bronco (so he knew it wasn't). I'll be sure to post pics I just got a new 4GB card so I've got a lot of space. My parts should be here next week. As for the other build I've got in mind, it will either be a 5.0 ranger or a 91-93 2.3 5spd mustang autocross car. That's at least a year off though, so no need even bringing it up I guess. I try to have a plan though. It changes day to day LOL.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #59 –
I had no luck at the junkyard. They had few explorers but the intakes were already robbed. I thought about getting a set of GT40Ps but that would open a whole other can of worms, headers and exhaust arent in the budget right now. They didnt have any fox t-bird/cougars. So I couldnt find a good headliner or dome light lense. The mark VII that my friend said was there was gone, so I couldnt get a computer either. If anyone has a good HO computer please PM me.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.