I have just acquired an '88 Cougar LS 5.0 with 30,000 original miles from my father. The car is all stock, in showroom shape and has won several car show awards. I just broke it out of storage where it has been for the last 5 years. It was started regularly and I've had it all looked over by the local Ford/Mercury Dealer. I would like to turn the car into a 'sleeper' and not sure where to begin. I would like to put a bigger throttle boby and exaust as the first of many upgrades. What are the suggestions for this? Can I add a throttle body that will stay with the car through the upgrades I would like to do, or do I need to be careful what I get since the engine is currently stock? I would like a 'throatier' exhaust - what is recommended? Last but not least, how difficult is it to get Mustang/Thunderbird 5.0 performance parts to fit on a Cougar? A lot of questions, but would appreciate any help for the newbie! :)
ANYTHING that will go inside a Mustang engine bay will go into a cougar engine bay.
And here's where most of us start out: http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/ Most of the info you're looking for is there.
Check my signature below. All on my Thunderbird (same as a Cougar, just better looking). I would wait on a bigger throttle body until you have a better intake to go with it. Other wise, you're trying to flow 65mm worth of air into a 50mm hole. Lot's of blockage. Gears will make the best first upgrade. Then go from there. Check into an Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body and spacer, Mustang H.O cam,19# injectors, Speed Density H.O computer, new exhaust with Mustang headers (stockers are fine from a Fox Stang), new fuel pump ,and try that out. That's a cheap upgrade that you'll really like. You need to figure out what your budget is. The parts I listed are easy to find, and generally pretty cheap. Get a notebook and do some studying. There are MANY combos you can go with. As stated above, any 5.0 engine mod for a Stang will work on these cars. When going to a bigger cam (bigger than the Stang's H.O cam, which in it's own right is a great cam), you may need to upgrade to Mass Air. Don't get in a hurry, look around here and see what others have done. There are lots of ideas here.
Alright.... that is IT! Now its ON.
Whaaaaaat ? Is it something I said?
I suggest keeping everything reversible. With a car like that, it is worth preserving in its stock form however if some things are changed but can be changed back with no evidence, then you can have the best of both worlds.
What color is it?
Thanks for the info so far. The color is Cinnabar.