Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

My wife and I have owned our 1986 Mercury Cougar for about 11 years now.  We bought it in 1999 when my wife was pregnant with our son.  We bought it because we needed a reliable car and she always loved Cougars because her first car was an 86 Cougar that her dad bought back in '88.  This is what it looked like when we got it...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/scan0001.jpg)

After driving it around like that for a while, we got tired of the normal look and tried to make it look a little bit sportier (I guess).  We ditched the wire hubcaps and put some shiny ones on.  Looking back on it now, they look like  and I now appreciate the factory look, but I was a poor and dumb 18 year old at the time.  We also put some 5.0 badges and some chrome trim on the bottom, those werent too bad looking.  We used the car as a daily driver.  Here are some pics...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/cougarside.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/cougar50.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/cougartaillights.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/cougarfront.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/cougarengine.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IROCburnout2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/coldcat.jpg)

A little after that I found an 86 XR7 that had been hit hard in the front, but only had 50k on it.  The interior was in perfect shape, so I swapped the interior into the V8 Cougar and drive it like that for a while.  It was great because the original interior had some bad "fox lean" going on.  Shortly after that some punks drove down my street and broke out about 15 different car's windows, ours included.  I didn't want to mess with swapping the glass from the XR7, so I just swapped the whole doors onto the car.  That made the car not so nice looking, but we still liked it and it drove great.  Still a daily driver...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/thecars.jpg)

After that we started making more money and could afford newer daily driver cars.  The Cougar was parked on the side of the house and fell out of use.  I considered selling it and the parts car XR7 and then parting it out, but couldn't really get very much for them.  I decided to keep them, because the Cougar ran great and I had in the back of mind the idea to use the 2.3T out of the XR7 for a turbo notchback mustang or a turbo ranger.  Time passed and nothing happened.  The Cougars just sat there untouched and began to look pretty wore out, making me want to work on them less and less.  I was constantly having people stopping by and asking to buy them or leaving little "we buy junk cars" cards on them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/DSC00411.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/DSC00412.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/DSC00410.jpg)

Then about 4 years ago I decided that I was going to do something with the Cougars.  Hmm...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/DSC00591.jpg)

I decided to do the opposite of what most people on the board do.  I pulled out a perfectly good running V8 and started to swap in the XR7's turbo 2.3.  I got most of the swap completed in late 2007 while my wife was in boot camp.  After that we moved to Texas, but the car wasn't ready, so I had to leave it behind at my house in Kansas.  After that we moved to Las Vegas, but the car still wasn't ready and we didn't have the money to ship it anyway.  Every time we would go visit family I would take a few tools and try to get a little bit at a time done on it.  Progress was slow and I had a few setbacks.  My parts car, the 86 XR7, was stolen right from my house while my buddy who rents it was at work.  I had already gotten most of the stuff I needed from it except for the tail lights, TL 3.45 rear, exhaust, and 2 10 holes and all 4 Cougar 10 hole center caps.  The funny thing is, I was coming to town the next week to finish all that stuff up and would have PAID them to haul it off for me.  About 2 months ago, my buddy who rents the house told me that there was a tow notice on the car from the city and the same day a note on the front door from a person who buys junk cars.  Now I don't know exactly how it went down, but it seems to me like after all these years of turning people down who wanted to buy it they came up with a new tactic.  I think they called the city to report a "junk car" (even though it had been there at my house for years and years) and conveniently stopped by to leave a card the same day, essentially leaving me an easy way out of this problem.  It had never been driven before with the new drive train, but my dad drove it over to his house down the street and put it in his fully enclosed back yard to keep it safe for me.  He reported that it got him there ok. 

That brings us up to last weekend.  I found some dirt cheap tickets to fly home for the weekend.  We flew out of here on Friday night and after a good night of sleep I went out to work on the car Saturday morning.  I installed the new electric fan (from a Supercoupe) and wired up the relay for that.  I got all the lines to the new tranny cooler tightened up with 2 clamps and stopped the leaks that I had there.  I put most of the interior back together and put the remainder in the trunk along with the V8 wiring harness (in case I ever decide to switch back.) 

So, about the swap/build.  I did this swap for a few reasons.  First, I wanted to breathe some new life into the Cougar.  Second, I wanted a "race car."  Everything that is not necessary in the Cougar was removed.  All interior (only put back in for shipping purposes,) carpet, cruise control, radio, heater/AC (yep, ALL of it,) and everything else we could find that did not NEED to be there.  The third reason I did the swap was just to see if I could.  There is a great sense of pride knowing that you did something like this yourself.  Thanks to my wife and the people here who have bought part from me, I now have the money to ship it home to me here in Vegas.

My plans for the car's future?  Since this is a kind of "junkyard cat" build, I will be trying to go as fast as possible for as little money as possible.  I have already installed a 255 fuel pump and have a manual boost controller ready to go in.  I will be putting in a FMIC, 3" exhaust and a new rear end with better gears.  I also plan to have the head mildly ported along with a cam.  I am going to stick with the C3 tranny until it breaks, then probably go with a T5.

Thanks for reading all of this and here are the new pictures and videos!

Ed

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/031.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/006.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/007.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/009.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/010.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/015.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/011.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/012.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/016.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/017.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/025.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/026.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/018.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/019.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/020.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/023.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/024.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/th_021.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/?action=view¤t=021.flv)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/th_022.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/?action=view¤t=022.flv)

Ed , Your Cougar has seen some days of ware & tare...Thanks for sharing your photos and videos. ;)

Awesome. I love to see the phoenix cougars rise from the ashes!

Cool build, Im glad you didnt lose it to the city.  Segwick county....Wichita area?

Thanks guys!  Yeah, we are from Wichita.  That is where is currently.

Hey, I have that same steering wheel cover! Isn't it great! Heh, good job on getting this far. Keep it up!

Good story...always hard to give up on a good car.

BTW, now you need some 2.3 badges ;)

The dual automatic shift levers are interesting.... LOL!

Thanks for sharing, that's a great history you have with your car!

UPDATE - The car just got loaded on the transport truck and is finally headed my way!

The car is here!  It got here yesterday but I have been busy with homework so I haven't got to do much with it. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/022-1.jpg)


The car made it here fine with a couple of exceptions.  The battery is dead (brand new battery.)  I assume they let it sit with the key on and the car not running and the fan drained it.  My VAM and air filter are missing!  I didn't notice until after the truck was gone.  I am going to go ahead and say it probably fell off with a good bump in the 1200 miles it took for the car to get here, but it was on there pretty well.  I guess it's not a big deal, just sucks that I have to replace them now.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/040.jpg)

It is nice to see that you finally were able to bring it "home". It is also nice to see people work on them even if it takes forever.

Thanks, it sure is nice to have it home. 

I put the dash back in today with the new blank plates I made for AC and radio.  I got most of the trim back on except for the steering column cover, because I have to get rid of the column shifter.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/003-8.jpg)

Oh man and I love the dual auto shifters... LOL! It's still one of the funniest things I have ever seen for some reason!

Oh dude I hope you plan to lower that automatic shift indicator bezel as featured on CoolCats.com. I know it's not factory correct to do so but it's like what was Ford thinking to make that stick up like a sore thumb when it did not have to. There is so much harmony in the 85-87 interior design except for this! I'd rather have an old Mustang/Pinto/Maverick/Torino floor shifter than that look.

Just my personal preference though... It only matters to me... LOL! But then again I'd more likely do my old trick of just putting a manual boot in place of the auto shift bezel. I have done that to many former cars including all my auto trans Camaros, my 1989 Tbird and my 1999 Mustang as well as on my current 08 Mustang. I always loved the manual transmission boot look anytime I could use it. It might have something to do with the fact that my Mom used to own a 67 VW fastback with automatic stick shift.. LOL! The only reason I changed it back was that I liked the relation of the bright shifter beel to the shape of the classic Ford ones and it looked so much better with the premium aluminum manual trans boot rectagular ring in place that the plain black one that came with the car. So I simply removed the boot from the ring and snapped it into place of my plain black one...

I have also seen people adapt the new Mustang auto shifter assembly and console into classic Mustang restomods...

And yes I know I have been rather long winded today!

I agree, it is pretty funny. Kinda reminds me of my first Camaro, an 85 Z28 that was originally a 305/5 speed but somebody converted to a 350 /700R4.  They left the clutch pedal in though and you had to push it to start the car.

I am planning on leaving it as is though for the time being.  I think the tranny will be the first to go under the abuse I intend to put this car through and I will be swapping in a 5 speed then.

Good to see you got the car home.

The car has a full set of 10 holes on it and I have two spares that I will be mounting slicks on in the future.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/99bb9f8b.jpg)

looks like you have room for one more in that garage ;)

I wish I had the room for one more.  The wife parks in the other half of the garage and my truck sits outside.

I am trying to go with the lightest weight possible so today I swapped in a manual seat track on the drivers side.  I weighed them both and the power track weighed 25 pound compared to the manual tracks 9 pounds.  I am happy with a 16 pound loss.  Now if only I would get on the treadmill more and lose 16 pounds myself.

Don't take this the wrong way , but I actually laughed out loud when I read why your doors were a different color .
 It is SO much harder to change a door than to swap glass :D
.
 But I am certainly impressed with all the work you have done.

You know, with what I know now, I have to agree with you.  I was young and pretty limited on tools, but if I had to do it over again I would swap the glass out.

Live and learn , I can sympathize I have done my share of making things harder than they had to be  :D

Small update.  This last weekend I changed the valve cover gasket and put new of those plastic plugs in the drivers side power window motor.  No more oil leak and the window works again!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/a6629113.jpg)

Nice one piece gasket.Leave the cover off so you can always see it when you open the hood.LOL.

Are you going with a factory air cleaner or an aftermarket one? If you're going with a stock one and if they're the same as the 87/88 Turbo Coupe, then I've got one you can have.

I am going to go with a K&N cone filter right on the VAM.  Thanks for the offer though, I do appreciate it.

Did a little more work to the car yesterday.  I finally got rid of the column shifter (sorry Watchdevil!)  It was a huge pain to get rid of it.  I tried knocking the pin out to get the shift lever out but that pin just would not come out no matter what.  I tried knocking it out from the top and bottom and it wouldn't budge.  I eventually ended up cutting the shaft just bellow the shift lever with a hacksaw (took forever) and then pulling the shaft out through the engine bay.  Not fun but at least its done.  The bar weighed in right at 5 pounds, so I am happy with it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/002.jpg)

Did you also get the suspension parts off the 2.3? 

Any plans for paint, or are you looking for a hood off a silver car?

Those hub caps were teh ghey, glad you went with something else.

I didn't get any of the suspension parts from the XR7.  It was stolen from next to my house before I could get the suspension, exhaust(only have up to the cat,) trunk lid, rear end, and tail lights.  The thing that makes the most mad is that instead of the traction lok 3.45 I'm supposed to have, I have the stock open rear end with 2.73s.  I bet this car is a dog down low right now (I haven't driven it yet.)

I have no current plans for paint.  Maybe eventually when I get the car to a power level that makes me happy I will look into paint.  I am keeping my eyes open for a TC hood but not too worried about it because I will probably be going with a front mount intercooler.

Lookin' good with the wheels and shifter removal!

Does make me wonder if the filter and whatnot fell off in the road, or in the truck driver's hand before the trip started...:punchballs:

Glad to see it coming along so nicely :D

Oh man I am going to miss the dual shifters.... :rollin:

Yeah, those shift lever pins can be a bear. I am persistant though and I have gotten quite good at knocking them out!

I did some more work on the Cat today.  I took out all the trunk carpeting and panels and the sound insulation panels next to the rear seats.  All that stuff weighed in at 16 pounds.  I also made some metal block off panels to block the holes left over from the AC/Heater delete. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/006-1.jpg)


What is left of the wife's baking pan I used for the block of plates...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/002-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/003.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/004.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/005-1.jpg)

Very small update.

Got a new air filter on.  All the parts that came up missing in the transport have now been replaced.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/53398e8e.jpg)

BIG UPDATE!
The car has made its maiden voyage with the new drive train!  I just got our new tags for it in the mail from Kansas.  I had my doubts along the way about swapping out the 5.0 for a 2.3T but it was all worth it today.  It isn't the quickest car because of the stock 2.73s but it feels and sounds great when the boost kicks in.  I only drove it around the block a few times to make sure everything was working properly and it did great.

Congrats Buddy!!!!! :D

Whoo! Alright man, that's awesome!  Next time I'm down there I'll have to stop by and check it out!


...It is in Vegas right?

thats some good reading.

Thanks guys.  It's been a long adventure.

I tried using the manual boost controller I bought for it a while back but it overboosted.  I had the controller set to the minimum setting and it hit 18 psi.  I might not have it hooked up correctly but for now I just unhooked it and have the BCS bypassed.  It is making about 12psi which is right where I want it anyway.  Can't wait to get an intercooler and some gears!

Here is a short video I took today going around the block.  Speedometer is off because of wrong gears.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/?action=view¤t=CIMG0002.mp4

My turbofords hanging out in the garage.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/82cee945.jpg)

Swapped the TC rear end, sway bar, and springs into the Cougar today (and the Cougar rear into the TC...)  Pretty tired, but very happy.  I haven't figured out the plumbing or E-brake stuff yet, but at least the hard part is done.  Tomorrow I will be installing the quad shocks, intercooler, hood, fans, and radiator.  Next weekend I'll pull the drivetrain from the TC and swap the 5 speed into the Cougar.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-08154656.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-08155105.jpg)

Hell yeah man! Glad to see some stuff getting done! I guess I'll have to get on it to keep up!

TC radiator and fans went in yesterday.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/005-6.jpg)

The 5-speed, intercooler, and 3.45s should make it ALOT more fun to drive. Have you thought about swaping the serpentine setup.

Yeah, the gears and intercooler should be a huge improvement.  I am planning on using the serpentine setup also. I'm not gonna let any part of the TC go to waste.

Its been awhile sence you've posted. Has there been any progress? Any updates?

Well I guess it hasn't been too long.

Still working on it, lol.  I have been working on swapping the TC brakes, springs and sway bar this last week.  I used the PRC struts too, but only because the ones I had in there were shot.  I will probably be done tomorrow if all goes well and will update with pics.

While I'm on the topic though I want to add that I really hate working with coil springs.  I always feel like they are going to break free at any moment and I keep getting the  hooks stuck in the coil and only after an hour or 2 of yelling, cussing, sweating and prying can I get it out.

  I FEEL YOUR PAIN!  Been there, done that, while sick, too. Definitely was not the most enjoyable 2 weeks I've ever spent on that car.

pretty cool man. Interesting to see all the TC stuff going on the Cougar.

I love how you snuck that one picture in up there on your first post. Now I know where you get your username from:rollin:

Im not looking forward to changing springs. My car is leaning to the PS a little, so sone I'll be swaping some Mach or Koni springs.

PS installing the poly bushing were a .  springs!

Bruce, I'll say a little prayer for you when you are getting ready to do the springs ;) 

I finished up the brake swap last night.  It went pretty good.  It appears the Cougar has a bigger opening on the top spring pocket so the hooked part of the compressor just came right out the top on both sides as opposed the nightmare on getting it out of the TC.  The only thing I had to get was a 3/16 to 1/4 brake adapter and that was easy enough.  FYI it was Edelmann part number 258340 and cost me 4.99 at Checker auto.

I bolted the swaybar up after I took this picture.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-28120553.jpg)

Dropped the tank to get my premium gas back, lol.  Yeah, I'm cheap.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-01-31154441.jpg)

Heh, I used an electric pump to pull about 1/2 the tank of Premium out of my bird back when the engine went south.  Figures I filled the tank the day it died!

That's not cheap, that's smart!

I installed the TC 15:1 rack and hood.  That is all the TC has left to give so it is going away.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-02-06091748.jpg)

Got my SVO compressor housing for the turbo so now I can use the TC intercooler!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-02-10191705.jpg)

Cool! Coming along good. Should be a nice Cat when you are done.

This is going to be one sweet Cougar when finished.  Nice work so far.

Thanks guys.

Did a little bit of work on the car today.  I pulled the steering column and dash out to put in the 5 speed pedals.  Luckily, all my wiring is attached to the firewall now so pulling the dash is pretty easy.  The 5 speed should be going in this weekend.  I haven't gotten a chance to put on the SVO compressor housing yet though, maybe this weekend too.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-02-23133455.jpg)

Woohoo, the car grew an extra pedal!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-02-23193408.jpg)

You know, you only have about a week to put it back together! Of course, I've got a ton of  to do to mine before the trip, so...We'll see.

I wish it would be done that fast, but it will still be a couple of weeks till its done.

The car has a 5 speed in it now!  Removing the C3 and installing the T5 went very smoothly.  I pulled the turbo and exhaust manifold (T3 on an E3) and separated them and also separated the IHI I have from the E6.  I couldn't believe the size difference inside the turbo .  I installed the SVO compressor housing (so I can run the TC intercooler) and will be putting it on the E6 manifold.  Here are a few pictures of the progress.


Manifold comparison
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-02-26135008.jpg)

T3 with new compressor housing
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/004-10.jpg)

Hydraulic clutch reservoir
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/001-17.jpg)

Pedals and enlarged shifter hole
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/002-16.jpg)

Removed auto stuff!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/003-14.jpg)

Hahah! - At the difference in exhaust I.D. - That's terrible! Looks like you'll get a pretty good upgrade on that.  I have a car sitting mostly in bare metal in my garage, and I have to find a primer/sealer to coat it with tomorrow. Yay me!

P.S. Serves you right for taking it all apart like that!

Gimmeh that old Shifter! ;)

Intercooled!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/001-18.jpg)

I got my Gillis boost controller in the mail today!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-03-24153855.jpg)

No new pictures today, but I upgraded to a big VAM and an LA2 EEC.  I was initially upgrading because I thought my old VAM had failed.  It was running very rich and stumbling at idle.  I checked the VAM voltage and it was too high.  When I finally got to doing the swap, i found that the VAM door was just stuck halfway open, causing the rich condition.  It was just dirty I guess, but I went ahead with the swap anyway since I had the parts from my parts car.  The car is running good again!

Great to hear it's doing well. What's next on the list? I'm hoping to get ANYTHING done tomorrow. The Sport is needing a little love. I did have the A?C put into functional status today. I suppose that's something, but since I didn't do it, it doesn't count.LOL.

Being the fool that I am (proven many times,) I sold my truck yesterday and had to press the Cougar into daily service for a few days because my wife is at a different base for the month and can't take the bus there.  I hadn't really road tested it since everything was done.  By everything I mean 5 speed swap, rear end swap, big vam, intercooler, TC spindles and brakes, etc.  Well I drove it to pick up my son from school and man, was I scared.  The car was pulling in every direction, tires screeching, fighting me the whole way, brakes sucked, clutch stinking.  You name it, it was going on.  My son was SO happy when he came out and saw me in the Cougar, he skipped all the way out to it.  That look of pure happiness was soon replaced by a look of pure terror as we started driving away.  I'm pretty sure I heard a few Hail Marys as we drove the 3ish miles to the alignment shop.  I'm very glad i have a smarty phone and could find a shop while I was sitting waiting for school to be out. 

So at the alignment shop they have the car up on the lift and theres things hanging off the wheels and weird red strobes going on and who knows what other black magic is involved in alignments. 

They give the car back to me about an hour later and I drove off.  It was a totally different car.  It is actually enjoyable to drive now.  And I LOVE the power.  Good for me for doing the 2.3T swap!

I'm sure you got a huge feeling of accomplishment now that you can drive it. Congrats! I'm sure seeing your son so happy to be picked up in it was a proud moment as well.

I tried to get a new video of me giving it some gas, but its not so easy now that I have a 5 speed, lol.  Its py, but here it is.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/?action=view¤t=video-2011-04-14-07-55-32.mp4

So, does first gear "Light 'Em Up"?  :D

Yeah, no problem getting the tires to spin in first, even tough I haven't tried.  Since I am having title problems with the other car I can't break this one till the other car is tagged.  I have been pretty gentle with it so far, but it has lots of power.

With it being my daily driver car for the time being, I figured I should change the headlights, even though I don't drive at night.  I am pretty sure I saw a fish swimming in the left one the other day.  No cracks, chips, or pits, so I don't know the water is in there and it won't come out.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-04-14092800.jpg)

Here is a little bit better video of me getting on it some.

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/Etorres381/th_004-1.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/Etorres381/?action=view¤t=004-1.mp4)

I got the parts gathered for my 3" exhaust. I hope to have it built this weekend.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-10-04155838.jpg)

3" exhaust is done!  It sits just a tad low, but doesn't se over speed bumps.  It is pretty quiet inside unless giving it a lot of gas.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/010-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/012-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/011-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/th_20111008173139.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/?action=view¤t=20111008173139.mp4)

Woohoo! Alright man, cool stuff! I can't wait to get the standalone engine management installed on mine so I can drive it down there.

I ordered an AEM wideband last week and got it installed today.  I like it! 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/101_1126.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/101_1124.jpg)

like this build also like how you are making the car light but you didnt go as far as i did lol keep working

Since the last update, I have installed a Stinger dual piston BOV, upped the boost to 17 psi and rattle canned it semi gloss black.  The car is a bunch more fun to drive now. 

Please excuse the copper 90 degree bend.  I installed it straight first but had clearance issues with the throttle cable.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/2011-11-12152124.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/008-6.jpg)

Sweet.  I love cheap paint jobs!

Travis

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated this but I guess I haven't done anything to the car.  Bought some A pillar gauges (one at a time because I don't have a lot to spend) and a pillar pod.  I finally got around to painting the pod and here is how it looks.  I am pretty happy with it.  It will hopefully be installed in the next couple of weeks and I will post some installed pics then.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0463.jpg)

Looks good!!

Gotta love the twin pod A-pillar.....for a 94 and up mustang I believe.

Travis

Yeah, its the 94+ pillar pod.  Not the greatest fit, but not bad either.  I finished it up today.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0558.jpg)

This is what they look like lit up.  They have 7 different colors, but this green matches the dash well. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0462.jpg)

I also like the red, so I built a red tripminder to match and may be switching the dash lighting to red...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0460.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG0429.jpg)

Awesome work. Looks great. I have thought about doing that. maybe when the 5.8 is done.

Looks real good!! What gauges are those? I had thought of using either SW Cobalts or the ones that change colors when they reach programable settings.

I dig it very cool

Looks good!

Thanks guys.  The gauges are Glowshift boost and fuel pressure.  They aren't anything fancy.  The gauges, pod, paint, and wiring only cost me about $150.  My car is a budget, bang for the buck car so they work well for me.

Looks good!

One more at night.  Thea pillar gauges are a bit brighter than the instrument cluster but look good

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0561.jpg)

looks good. you could always tap into the gauge illumination wire for the pillar gauges and it will dim them down a touch

They are led, so are just naturally brighter.  They have a wire that hooks in to the light circuit that dims them 30% when the headlights are on. They are still quite a bit brighter when dimmed.

thats crazy. but still looks real good

My friend gave me a practically new Kirban AFPR.  Sweet!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/bb10f0e9-d62b-478a-9db5-f606b7822d5e_zps4d6fbaac.jpg)

Good friend!!!

Nice

Got my headlight harness from RJM Injection Tech in the mail today.  This looks like a well built, quality harness.  It is a bit too cold to install it today, but I will get to it one of these days.  I will take before and after pics of the lights. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/IMAG0815_zps38cfa6ac.jpg)

What is the harness supposed to do?  Brighter headlights?

Thanks,

Travis

Yup, full battery voltage to the lights.  It should also take the load off the headlight switch.

http://www.rjminjectiontech.com/products/headlight-harness

I put the harness in last week and drove the to work all weekend.  I am happy with the results.  The lights are brighter but I forgot to take any before pictures.  I only had one hang up on the install with not being able to plug in the factory harness to the new harness.  The plugs were slightly different.  I just pulled the terminals out of the housing and inserted them into the socket.  At first I wasn't getting brights but I figured out the new harness was pinned with the brights on the opposite side of the three pin connector.  Easy fix.


Sorry for the bad cell phone pics.  Difference in connectors:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG0825_zps77a166f2.jpg)

My fix:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG0826_zpsd00f6c54.jpg)

Another bad pic showing the lights:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG0828_zps0a58d783.jpg)

Voltage at the headlights at idle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG0830_zpsb4351205.jpg)

Well, it's almost been a year since the last update but the warmer weather is here so it's upgrade time!


Ford Motorsport roller cam and followers upgrade, .63 AR turbine housing and adjustable fuel pressure regulator.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1215_zpsddce386a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1215_zpsddce386a.jpg.html)


My son helping me to get it torn down...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1219_zps3c4ac88e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1219_zps3c4ac88e.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1226_zpsa34c3386.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1226_zpsa34c3386.jpg.html)


Here is my homemade valve spring compressor I used to get the followers in and out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1202_zps02be6dc5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1202_zps02be6dc5.jpg.html)

Old cam out...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1231_zps45d98d0b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1231_zps45d98d0b.jpg.html)

New cam (and AFPR) in!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1232_zps1c31875c.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1232_zps1c31875c.jpg.html)


I got the cam timing set and valve cover, timing cover and water pump pulley bolted back on.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1244_zpsdd701b65.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1244_zpsdd701b65.jpg.html)


I broke two of the bolts that hold the downpipe elbow onto the old turbine housing so I bought a torch to heat the housing and remove the rest.  They came out pretty easy after that but the housing was stuck to the center section pretty good.  I guess it has been on there for 30 years...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1242_zpsc2282514.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1242_zpsc2282514.jpg.html)


I finally got the turbine housing off and swapped out.  Turbo is reassembled and ready to go in.  I had to cut the EGR tube off the exhaust manifold so I am currently fabricating a block off for the intake side and I got a plug for the manifold.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1250_zpsa3715e7f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1250_zpsa3715e7f.jpg.html)


That's it for now.  I hope to have it done in the next few days.

Sweet !!!!!!!

Looking good

Thanks guys.  I got it running last night and I'm pretty happy with how it sounds.  I couldn't drive it today because it dumped snow on us today but maybe this weekend.

Here is a video of the first start up with just the downpipe and then a video with the ler bolted on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRkOKJK66oA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqjRFsmyhfc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Your vids say they're private and require sign in. Don't recall having to do that before.

Even after logging in, still says they're private :mullet:

Hmm, my phone uploaded them as private for some reason.  Should work now.  Thanks for letting me know!

Edit: Oh yeah, sorry about the quality.  Cell phone + no light = py videos.

They worked foe me that time. Sound was good though, that to me is the important part.

I drove it around a little today and I wasn't too happy with how it was running.  It was lacking torque, didn't want to rev, and kept wanting to die when I pressed the clutch.  My first thought was that I was a tooth off on the cam timing and I was mentally preparing myself to redo it.  I popped the hood to double check all my vacuum lines and intercooler collections were tight and I noticed I forgot to plug in the VAM!  I plugged that in and went for another drive and it was running great.  I have to take care of a leaking coolant line but then it should be good to go. 

Here is a day time video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig3c5Ac6zhI

Lol I love when it's the simple little things

Congrats Ed!!!

Upgrades sweet....

At least somebody is working on there cars...

Travis

I made a trip to the dyno on Sunday for a local board's dyno day event.  I should have done this right after getting the engine swap done so I could have a nice baseline but I didn't.  I've always felt the car has some upper RPM issues but now the dyno confirmed it.  It the car just stops pulling at around 4k and takes a really long time to rev up past that.  Under 4k it is great.  I always thought it was just the stock cam and .48 hot side limiting it but now with the different cam and .63 it is still there.  I will probably be swapping valve springs soon to see if it helps any.  The car still made 199hp/232tq so I'm not really that upset about it, not to mention it didn't break.  The dyno operator said something is clearly not right just by looking at how jagged the power line is on the graph and that there is a lot of power to be found just fixing the issue causing it.


Here is the video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtEuOJi54LQ



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/IMAG1418_zps12511172.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/IMAG1418_zps12511172.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/dynoscan_zps70720ac0.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/dynoscan_zps70720ac0.jpg.html)

I honestly love your car.

Lol, thanks man.  It's kinda junk but it's my junk.  I'm surprised how many people like it.  I get compliments on it fairly often and I always see people stopping and looking at it while I'm at work.  My son said that when I went to pull it into the dyno shop everyone was excited and asking him questions about it and were saying they had never seen a car like it before.

It's nice being unique.

What makes it unique is the fact that you made it into the car you want. people appreciate time and effort, and i doubt too many people understand what really went into this.car, even though its "junk"

Could it be ignition issues? I've seen all kinds of trouble with mine just from timing/spark issues. Moreso bad spark delivery than timing though. That graph looks pretty nasty.  Glad to hear it's still on the road, mine should be again this year, with EFI.

Ignition was one of my first thoughts but it doesn't misfire, buck, or sputter.  Just stops pulling.  I still might try swapping out the coil though.

Have you pulled codes?

Yeah, that was the first thing I did.

54 - IAT  (I don't have one)
82, 83 - Fan  (Rewired)
84 - EGR  (Deleted)

Dude that dyno looks like an EKG....whats the AFR?  I cant. Tell from my phone...LOL

Travis

It says low is 11.1 and high is 12.4 wih an average of 11.6.  I realize the 12.4 is pretty high but that wasn't until the end and it was losing power way before that.  Usually is in the mid to upper 11s when I'm flooring it around town, although I normally shift before the flat spot.

Whoa, it's been four years since an update!

Let's see...

2015 - Changed valve springs.  Helped with engine not wanting to rev.  Still doesn't seem quite right but a lot better than when it was on the dyno.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20160324_195701_zpsbhvxhbyz.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20160324_195701_zpsbhvxhbyz.jpg.html)


2016 - Didn't do much with the car.  We were busy with the new house and moving. 

The Cougar making the trip from Nebraska to Ohio!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20160711_151630_zpsjzhlb4jc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20160711_151630_zpsjzhlb4jc.jpg.html)


2017 - The Cougar has a dedicated spot in the garage so I was able to work on the suspension.  I replaced the ball joints, control arm bushings, and shocks.  I also cut a coil from the springs for a much needed lowering.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20170305_135806_zpsayz1vhut.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20170305_135806_zpsayz1vhut.jpg.html)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20170502_135219_zpsdpplxvoc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20170502_135219_zpsdpplxvoc.jpg.html)

2018 - This is the car's current state.  It's been six years since the paint job and most of that time was spent without a garage so the paint is pretty beat.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20170501_091738_zpssjw65uvz.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20170501_091738_zpssjw65uvz.jpg.html)

So it's time for a paint refresh! 

I pulled off the trim that I could get off and started stripping the paint from it today...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20180503_125338_zpsr84vrmzj.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20180503_125338_zpsr84vrmzj.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20180503_114213_zpsznqd3vkx.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20180503_114213_zpsznqd3vkx.jpg.html)

Got some headlight buckets and metal grille from the junkyard to replace my slightly cracked pieces.

My car is all about weight reduction but this grille is nice!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/Junkyard%20finds/20180507_132553_zps8iggqcge.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/Junkyard%20finds/20180507_132553_zps8iggqcge.jpg.html)

Random question.

You using the 87-88TC ECU? (Didn't read back to see).

Have you tried disconnecting the Knock Sensor and see if it clears things up?

When I first 2.3T swapped my 83, I was using an LA3. The car would break up bad on the top end.  I unplugged it and it smoothed out.

Yep, I was originally using a PK1 EEC but I repinned the harness and swapped in a LA2 and big VAM.  The knock sensor is unplugged.  It doesn't really break up, just lazy up top.

OK. Just came across this last night and wanted to ask.

Thanks!  I always welcome suggestions.

My son got me some H4 conversion housings for my birthday.  I've had these on my eBay watch list for about the last ten years, lol.  He must have got tired of hearing me complain about the lighting.

They came with bulbs but I may order some different ones to see what I like best.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20180517_120724_zpslis1lzv3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20180517_120724_zpslis1lzv3.jpg.html)

Not much to comment on as to your project, but I do see you are a close neighbor! You're in Fairborn, my cars are in Huber/Riverside and I live up in Tipp!

Awesome!  Great to have somebody so close.  I move pretty often and it seems I always end up in the places with no other members close by.

Out of curiosity, is it the metal grill or the plastic  one?

Yep, it's metal.  The original on my 86 is plastic.

Edit, clarification:  The grille pictured is the metal one.

So am I correct in assuming you are out at WPAFB?

Almost correct.  My wife works there.

Your boy mentioned his TurboCoupe. He has an '87?

If he wants to install the Ranger cam/followers, I left them in the truck I took my parts out of. He also mentioned wanting to port an E6. Send me a PM and we can talk.

Yeah, he has an 88 Turbo Coupe.  A previous owner installed a ranger cam in it already, along with a ported head.

I'll definitely shoot you a PM regarding a ported E6.

On Sunday, my wife and I drove down to Kentucky and picked up a set of tail lights, bumper cover and fog lights from that 86 XR7 that I linked in the Leads section.  I'll definitely be peeling off the XR7 emblem and cleaning the lights up but they are in quite a bit nicer shape than my current lights.  I've wanted an XR7/TC bumper for a long time and decided the hundredish miles was worth the drive for this one. 

Some new foglights and my new Ecode Autopals should help the lighting situation considerably.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20180721_202128_zpsmq28n7ad.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20180721_202128_zpsmq28n7ad.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Loaded87IROC/86%20Cougar/20180721_202234_zpspnsy3csz.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Loaded87IROC/media/86%20Cougar/20180721_202234_zpspnsy3csz.jpg.html)

Installed yet?

No.  How's the Trans Am coming along?

Just as well as your bumper cover.

I'm trying to get some more updates posted on here and I'm a little behind.

After not driving the Cougar for a year and a half it's time to do some work.  First thing I had to do was change the water pump which had been leaking a little bit. 

The coolant was a little discolored and that black stuff coming from the bolt holes stunk bad, lol.

That looks healthy  :toothless:

The coolant was about 12 years old, from when I put the car together.  I've only driven it 3000 miles in those 12 years.

I picked up a set of wheels from Lodemia back in 2017 when I picked up the Turbo Coupe for my son.  I wanted a set of these for a really long time and he gave me a good deal on them. 

They needed a bunch of work but I'm happy with them.

The wheels were a total pain to get done.  That's part of why it tool me two years to finish them.

The paint that was on them was super stubborn and took many rounds of aircraft stripper and a pressure washer to remove.  Even that didn't get it all and I had to go through every corner of every opening with little pick to se out whatever was left.  I felt like a dentist, lol.

Once I was happy with them the painting and polishing went decently quick.

I didn't like the Ford center caps that I had so I had my wife make me some center cap decals with her Cricket and they turned out amazing!

Shopping for 15" tires kinda sucks these days due to limited sizes.  I ended up with Uniroyal Tiger paw tires in 225/60/R15.  I'm ok with them.

Looks really great!   I  went with 235 60 15 cooper cobra's.  225's are hard to find decent ones, except expensive overpriced BFG.

Finally time for an update!

The car was looking fairly beat so I decided to freshen it up with some new paint.  I'm still same ol' cheap me so it was back to the rattle can.  It didn't lay down as smoothly as the black did but I love the color combination.  I might go back and do some more to it but it's good enough for now.

I think the wheels looks great on it too!

Rattle can or not, that looks sharp!

Thanks!  The pictures are definitely flattering to my lousy painting.

The wheels look really good.  I like the white rattle can paint job.

Very 80s color comb/style.  :like:

Haven't updated in a year and a half.... oops. 

I moved to puppiesan and haven't seen the car since September.  I don't expect to see it again for some years.  I will have paid thousands more in storage fees than the car is worth by the time I get back to it, 😆

How are things in puppiesan?

Yokosuka?

Things are pretty good here.  It's definitely a different place that takes some getting used to but we like it quite a bit more than we thought we would.  We're at Yokota.