So the Cougar goes into the Garage for the winter and gets the Much-Needed Makeover beginning with the Ported E7 Heads, HO Cam E303, Cobra Intake, New V-Covers and I have Decided to go with an Air Suspension Kit that will allow me to drop it waaaaay down when showing. Looking for the Turbo Coupe Rear Axle and Brake stuff to swap out my 8.8 Trac-Loc (in excellent shape) (but 4 bolt). Going with Shorty Headers, 2 1/2" Cats (hi-flow) 2 1/2" X Pipe and Magnaflow VT lers with 2 1/2 to 2 1/4 reduction going out the back. Unsure what Ignition Components I want to use, somewhat based upon what I got left in the Christmas Stocking after the above is done. I saw an 88 Cougar with some BMW Halo Lights Installed and I want that look if anyone knows how that gets done and what parts it takes would appreciate info. Also looking for a Body Kit (Fiberglass) they are not on the market anymore so I guess Im looking for used for 88 Cougar Fiberglass Body Kit, and ideas???
Incidently, The Mark VII has been undergoing some minor restoration, got the AC working, pulled and re-built the Power Seat Controls, Power Mirror Control, re-sealed the Moon-Roof, Ordered new Air Bags for Rear, New Front rotors, doing Brakes this weekend, did a transmission Flush, filter and its feeling better, Royal Purple in the Crankcase, Power Steering, and Rear-end, Replaced the Power steering hoses (leaked), took compound and small buffer to the Headlights and all plastic lenses and had amazing results (unlike my Cougar), did a Complete Tune-Up Plugs/Wires/Cap/Rotor, Flushed and filled Radiator and installed my "Winterforce" Tires X 4 with an alignment, Installed a 200 Watt CD Changer W/Remote and Cleaned and Dressed the Interior. Have plans to get some minor Paint Touch-Up completed next week.
I'm thinking seriously that I should fix up the Lincoln MarkVII as a Daily driver and Build up the Cougar while it's parked.
Thanks guys for all the input I may have just went ahead and parted out the Lincoln and sent it off to the crusher without the input, but now I am seein the light, I can be a part of the Mark VII Club as well as CAT Club and not lose Value on Either.
The Lincoln is a 1988 Bill Blass and I'm Strongly Considering NOT pulling the Motor Parts I need from it or the ECM but that means I end up paying even more for my swap, but I can resell the Lincoln for more all original, it only needs minor stuff (ie) power steering leaks, passenger seat (full power) broken, Tires, alignment, and a good Cleaning. Some hail damage on hood but I might do some paintless dent repair (or learn how while trying), It's a bummer that BlueBook on the Lincoln is way more than my XR7.
And yes the Cougar has been primed (twice) on top trying to keep it from rusting while I finish the rest of the project stuff, my paint guy is getting impatient waiting for me to finish but being a Mechanic I know to get all the Engine stuff done first, then the Paint, then the Interior, and I really want this thing to be an Eye Catcher and Mustang killer.
The AOD Transmissions from Monster Transmissions are exceptionally built, check em out guys, not trying to plug for them but anyone choosing to go with an AOD for their build you don't even have to send a core, I had them do the original shipped in shipped back and its got over 10k and still shifts Strong.
I went to the wrecking yard yesterday and pulled a set of 67,000 original E7E heads off a wrecked 92 T-Bird and found an HO Upper Intake and Factory HO Headers just sittin around, may, or may not use them for swap. Im kinda leanin toward going just a little over stock with the Cougar, Intake, Headers, V-Covers and Such, we here in Colorado Springs like to show em off at the little Private Car Shows we hold here on Friday and Saturday Evenings so it might be nice to make it a little dressier.
Thanks for noticing and I will post PICS as I progress and may offer the Lincoln 4Sale at some point
Yeah, probably right, I'll do the Engine thing first and look into other alternatives before attempting anything so wild, besides, I dont have the hours to devote to intensive labor projects that dont net extreme results. So the Disk Brake thing I do want to do which requires swapping out axles but I think I will leave the ABS unconnected in the Lincoln and put the drums in it and attempt to re-sell the car for cheap. Kinda gonna look weird an 88 Mark VII with four bolt wheels
Does anyone know anyone who might know anyone who has access to a 1988 Cougar Ground Effects (fiberglass) kit. And if not can the 89 Cougar kit be modified without too much work ??
Companies still make a kit for the 89, but not the 88
Cool, thanks for the input, I guess my biggest question on the ABS is whether it is a Stand Alone System in The Lincoln. If it is then it should be Trans-plantable, somehow, and do I need better brake lines to the rear??? Wouldn't think so but ???
Close to 12 Years in the Automotive Industry including welding and fabrication and now I sell Computers (small business owner) but I still love what I love and its Cars, Cars, Cars.
I know that would be the easiest thing to do to lower my Cat but I have a very firm ride right now, almost too firm, rough, and the Lincoln rides sooooo smooth. I am really not building my Cat for cornering so much, it's more for show and go so it would just be another creative feature for the car and with creative thinking I might be able to make the air ride suspension adjustable so that when parked it would sit over the tires and when running would lift itself off of the tires. Mabey I am reaching too far but being a metal fabricator and auto mechanic for over 12 years it intrigue's me. Unique ?
What I am really asking is if anyone has ever attempted this and/or the ABS four wheel disk swap. I know that Cool Cats website has parts interchange information regarding the rear axle and front rotor swaps, but it is lacking info on the ABS and Lower Control Arm swap and there's nothing anywhere else on the internet.
Oh, and I am trying to figure out if the ECM from the Lincoln has any connection to the AIR Ride and ABS systems for the Swap.
So, I own a 1988 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Fully Loaded - NON HO 302 all factory. Already had the lower end built 10k ago, used forged-dished pistons and bored 15-20 over.
This is my question---
I have a 1988 Lincoln Mark VII - Bill Blass ED - Donor Car with 140,000 original. Car has all kinds of features I would love to incorporate into my CAT.
I know the HO Swap is first and I got everything figured for the engine parts swap, and I am wanting to transplant the non HO parts back to the Lincoln, leaving the E-7 Heads in place.
SO, heres the tricky part, has anyone ever tried putting the 5 Lug, four wheel disk ABS Brake system into the 88 Cougar? Looks like a direct bolt in but I hesitate on the ABS part and the E-Brake Cables.
I want the ABS for Colorado Winter Driving, but is it a stand alone unit that can be transplanted?
SECOND: I am wanting to also transplant the full Air Bag Suspension System (Still Works Great in the Lincoln) over to the CAT and drop the sensors to drop my cars profile (Sits too high)...
In looking under both cars this seems as if it could work, keeping in mind that I am also transplanting all the Cougar Parts over to the Lincoln.
LAST: Is the Dash TRIP-E/Milage-Clock-Date-Time-Dist-Dest- Distance to empty and so forth computer something that can also be transfered, I mean is it stand alone. This I doubt, but was a question...
SO, In conclusion, this 88 Cougar XR7 could/would have the best of both worlds if this is possible.
In the end I am hoping to have the following:
1988 Mercury Cougar XR7 (have) 275hp - 300hp 302 (5.0 HO) "Monster Transmissions" Rebuilt AOD W/ Kevlar Bands, heavy duty bearings, and shift upgrade (have) BBK Shorty Unequal Length Headers - hi flow cats - X Pipe - Dynomax VT lers - 2 1/2" Exhaust Cobra Intake - 65mm Throttle Body - Cold Air Kit - Accel Ignition - E303 Cam - 1.7 Rockers 8.8" Trac loc Lincoln Disk Brake Rear end W/ ABS and Air Bag Suspension and XR7 4 Shock Suspension - Lowered (have) 11" Front disk Brakes With ABS and Air Bag Suspension - Lowered (have) Factory Sun Roof - Spoiler - Cruise - Tilt - Air - Full Power Seats W/Lombar and Knee Supports - Power antenna (have) Already added Seat heater units Front and Rear (have) Complete Audiobahn remote 8 Speaker system 10" Subs on 800 watt Amp - 6X9 Decks on 400 Watt Amp - pillar tweeters (have) XM Satellite Radio Turbo Coupe Hood - Auto Electric trunk Closing unit from Lincoln - Headlight Units From lincoln W/Auto Dim unit on mirror Heated power Side Mirrors - From Lincoln - Still Need to find 120 MPH Speedo (mine maxes at 80+) Looking at 18" Custom Wheels and Directional tires for Summer, 17" Alloy Mustang Wheels for Winter Having the Entire Car Re-Painted in a Balck Noir Pearl Base-Clear Cote 2010 Hyundai color (go figure)
SO: Guys any thoughts, am I aiming too high or do you think this can become reality
So, I own a 1988 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Fully Loaded - NON HO 302 all factory. Already had the lower end built 10k ago, used forged-dished pistons and bored 15-20 over.
This is my question---
I have a 1988 Lincoln Mark VII - Bill Blass ED - Donor Car with 140,000 original. Car has all kinds of features I would love to incorporate into my CAT.
I know the HO Swap is first and I got everything figured for the engine parts swap, and I am wanting to transplant the non HO parts back to the Lincoln, leaving the E-7 Heads in place.
SO, heres the tricky part, has anyone ever tried putting the 5 Lug, four wheel disk ABS Brake system into the 88 Cougar? Looks like a direct bolt in but I hesitate on the ABS part and the E-Brake Cables.
I want the ABS for Colorado Winter Driving, but is it a stand alone unit that can be transplanted?
SECOND: I am wanting to also transplant the full Air Bag Suspension System (Still Works Great in the Lincoln) over to the CAT and drop the sensors to drop my cars profile (Sits too high)...
In looking under both cars this seems as if it could work, keeping in mind that I am also transplanting all the Cougar Parts over to the Lincoln.
LAST: Is the Dash TRIP-E/Milage-Clock-Date-Time-Dist-Dest- Distance to empty and so forth computer something that can also be transfered, I mean is it stand alone. This I doubt, but was a question...
SO, In conclusion, this 88 Cougar XR7 could/would have the best of both worlds if this is possible.
In the end I am hoping to have the following:
1988 Mercury Cougar XR7 (have) 275hp - 300hp 302 (5.0 HO) "Monster Transmissions" Rebuilt AOD W/ Kevlar Bands, heavy duty bearings, and shift upgrade (have) BBK Shorty Unequal Length Headers - hi flow cats - X Pipe - Dynomax VT lers - 2 1/2" Exhaust Cobra Intake - 65mm Throttle Body - Cold Air Kit - Accel Ignition - E303 Cam - 1.7 Rockers 8.8" Trac loc Lincoln Disk Brake Rear end W/ ABS and Air Bag Suspension and XR7 4 Shock Suspension - Lowered (have) 11" Front disk Brakes With ABS and Air Bag Suspension - Lowered (have) Factory Sun Roof - Spoiler - Cruise - Tilt - Air - Full Power Seats W/Lombar and Knee Supports - Power antenna (have) Already added Seat heater units Front and Rear (have) Complete Audiobahn remote 8 Speaker system 10" Subs on 800 watt Amp - 6X9 Decks on 400 Watt Amp - pillar tweeters (have) XM Satellite Radio Turbo Coupe Hood - Auto Electric trunk Closing unit from Lincoln - Headlight Units From lincoln W/Auto Dim unit on mirror Heated power Side Mirrors - From Lincoln - Still Need to find 120 MPH Speedo (mine maxes at 80+) Looking at 18" Custom Wheels and Directional tires for Summer, 17" Alloy Mustang Wheels for Winter Having the Entire Car Re-Painted in a Balck Noir Pearl Base-Clear Cote 2010 Hyundai color (go figure)
SO: Guys any thoughts, am I aiming too high or do you think this can become reality
Don't you need a Computer for the swap from non HO to HO.
I have an 88 XR7 Cougar and I am planning to do the swap, I already had new pistons (dished) installed in my motor during the prior rebuild.
I am purchasing an entire Mark VII "89" with H.O. Engine and from what I have been reading I can pull the Cam, heads, intake, and Computer from this Mark VII and put them into my 88 Cougar NON HO engine, change the firing order, Install Headers, and drive away.
Is this true? And if so what headers do I use, do the HO Heads have different Exhaust Ports than the Non HO Heads, or can I just throw in the headers that are recommended for my 88 Cougar?
