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Topic: BM's 88 Cougar build (Read 43013 times) previous topic - next topic

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #105
I've got good and bad news. Im keeping the cougar but I didn't get a new car. I was approved but they didnt have what Im looking for and they were only going to give me 300 for a trade in. So even if I get a new car Im not going to use the cougar as a trade in. I can save that much pretty fast. Im going to try to save atleast 1500 to 2000 for a down payment that way I cant get something nice with a good payment. I want a V6 Escape 4X4 or a four door Explorer 4X4, between 05 or 09 year.

So back to plan A. Im going to get the rest of the parts needed to install the motor next weekend. I need a motor mount, trans mount, oil & filter, antifreeze, and a gt40 intake gasket. Im about to head out the door to pick this stuff up. I think Im going to get a upper and lower rad. hoses too. I might need an electirc fan too cause I think it might be running a little warm to. I'll try to post some pictures but I dont know if I can down load them on my sisters computer.
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 #106
I'm glad to hear the cougar stays
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]:ford:87 Turbo Coupe through the floor sub frame connectors, 5.8 swap Ford racing heads Harland sharp 1.6 rockers BBK shorty swap headers 2 1/2 BBk X pipe magnaflow ler's. Megasquirt 2 with 36lbs injectors on hurricane intake with 4150 throttle body.Tremec TKO 600 Quicktime blowsheild spec stage 3 clutch. 3.73 gears and still not done

 

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #107
Thanks. I understand its an old car but $300 for a trade in, come on. Im not letting my car go for chump change. I didnt want to trade it in anyways but now I know that it wouldnt help if I did so I get to keep my baby.
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 #108
Well, for the monthly payment on something else, you could have the Cougar fixed in no time, and still be way ahead. I have motor mounts with new cushions, and new cushions as well.
'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 #109
The Cougar is better off with you anyway. I'm glad you're keeping it. What all do you need to make it road worthy, working a/c, and ready for action?
'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 #110
Quote from: vinnietbird;363886
The Cougar is better off with you anyway. I'm glad you're keeping it. What all do you need to make it road worthy, working a/c, and ready for action?

It's road worthy, A/C works. I think its running a little warm with the A/C but the gauge reads fine and I have a check engine light and know one can seem to pull codes around here. It's just that it's 23 years old and my familys growing. I'm just worried its going to leave on the side of the road. But as I already said Im back on track the motors going in next weekend, maybe Im just a little overwelmed.
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 #111
Now that I have the Sport's cooling system figured out, I'd take it anywhere. Actually, all of the suspension and drive train has been swapped, new everything for the a/c,.heck, practically every part has been swapped out. It's almost a new car. I have a few small things to do (new struts and shocks, rear tires, and paint and recover the seats, then window tint). After that, I'll call it quits for a while and just drive all I can.
'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 #112
Make sure all of the really important stuff is up to the task...brakes, bushings, drivetrain, and a/c and heat. Just work, as I'm sure you already know, patiently, and one piece at a time. Keep it highly functional. With the sport, It's my daily driver, so, I want performance, decent gas mileage, good looks, and can haul groceries and kids. It can do all that without a problem. I'm good with that.
'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 #113
Quote from: vinnietbird;363892
Make sure all of the really important stuff is up to the task...brakes, bushings, drivetrain, and a/c and heat. Just work, as I'm sure you already know, patiently, and one piece at a time. Keep it highly functional. With the sport, It's my daily driver, so, I want performance, decent gas mileage, good looks, and can haul groceries and kids. It can do all that without a problem. I'm good with that.

Yeah, all of the important stuff is good. I've rebuilt the front end about two years ago. New poly bushings, new ball joints, new tie rods, new rotors & pads, and wheel bearings. I also need rear tires. I also need to redo the rear suspension and the rearend. I already have a rebuild kit for the posi, I just need 3.73s (or reuse my 3.45s) and an complete install kit. It also has new rear brakes. And the A/C blows pretty cool. I think it might be a little over charged because it doesnt seem to cool as good as I think it should.
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 #114
I just want to the parts store, I think I got everthing I need to swap the engine. I got new motor mounts, explorer intake gasket, spark plugs, oil & filter, thermostat, and antifreeze. I already got new O2 sensors too. The motor mounts are nice, theyre solid rubber not filled. Theyre Pioneer inc part # 2661SR. I didnt know they made them.
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 #115
Keep the 3.45 gears since it's your daily car. 3.73's are nice, but you'll be better off with the 3.45's in the long run with gas mileage. In the end, that has to be up to you. I have 3.55's, and am very happy with them. I had the 3.73 rear in for a while, not a big difference, but the rpm's were a lot higher. I still have the 3.73 rear (8.8) out in the garage on jack stands. It looks good siting there I suppose.LOL.
'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 #116
Any progress, or are you waiting for fall so you don't spontaneously combust outside? It was 109 here yesterday.
'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 #117
No progress yet. Im putting the motor in this weekend. I set it up with my old boss yesterday, hes going to let me use his shop and tools to install it. We just came out of a heat wave yesterday, it has been around 110 to 114 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 #118
GL and keep us posted.
88 Turbocoupe: Coast High Performance 331 kit 28oz balance, Comp XE264HR14 cam, 58cc 185 afr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Mass-Flo EFI (was POS to setup and their techline is a joke at best)
Full 1 5/8 primary equal length headers, 2 1/2 exhaust, Full manual reverse VB c4 and baked off clear coat "BECAUSE RACECAR"

BM's 88 Cougar build

Reply #119
You mentioned it running warm and the A/C not cooling as well as it used to. This cropped up on mine this spring as well.  Turns out the fan clutch (original mechanical fan) was on the way out.  The A/C temp would rise as would the coolant temp gauge.  Didn't put the two together until it started to make NOISE.