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Topic: 1988 Cougar LS (Read 982 times) previous topic - next topic

1988 Cougar LS

I'm just putting a feeler out there on this one. I blew the transmission on my 88' LS the other day and I'm in the process of looking for parts for a V8 swap being that I'll have to pull the motor and trans anyway ;). I also happen to know a guy selling an 87' XR7 in pretty good shape, so my other option is to sell my Cougar as a roller to buy his car. My car is in fantastic shape (other than the trans) and would make a great roller for anyone looking to do an engine swap. It's also got aftermarket CHE lower control arms, a new aluminum 3 row radiator, fairly new BF Goodrich radial T/A tires, and is clean clean clean. Just figured I'd see if anyone was interested before I started tearing into it. If you want pics I can email you as I can't seem to be able to insert them into this post due to size restrictions.

Thanks!
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #1 –
If yours is a V6, just do a T5 transmission swap out of a 94-newer Mustang and keep on driving it until you have everything ready for the V8 swap.

 You can get everything for the 5 speed swap out of a pick n pull junk yard. I've pulled everything including the pedals on a half price sale weekend and gotten out of there for about $200.  The best part was the clutch and throwout bearing must have been recently replaced before the car was wrecked because the clutch looked almost new and the flywheel looked recently resurfaced. Couldnt believe my good luck on that one.

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Vintage;462078
If yours is a V6, just do a T5 transmission swap out of a 94-newer Mustang and keep on driving it until you have everything ready for the V8 swap.

 You can get everything for the 5 speed swap out of a pick n pull junk yard. I've pulled everything including the pedals on a half price sale weekend and gotten out of there for about $200.  The best part was the clutch and throwout bearing must have been recently replaced before the car was wrecked because the clutch looked almost new and the flywheel looked recently resurfaced. Couldnt believe my good luck on that one.


i ended up finding a rebuilt trans in a junkyard for 250 and installed a sk-aod shift kit in it so cheap aods are out there if you want to go that way
88 Cougar
88 T-Bird
other cars that don't apply to this forum

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #3 –
X2 on the t-5 swap. Then you could transfer the trans over to the v-8 when you are ready.

Swapping a motor in is no big deal compared to finding another good body. The newest 88 cougar is gonna be 30 years old soon. Not too many things that sit outside look good after 30 years.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #4 –
Indeed. I'm definitely looking into a T5 swap now! I'm in no rush so I picked up an old 302 motor and am going to take my time rebuilding it and swap it in with the transmission at the same time.

Thanks!
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #5 –
The sn-95 trans is basically a bolt in swap, only thing different is the clutch and flywheel between the six and eight.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #6 –
What would you say a reasonable price would be for an SN95 V6 T5 trans in functional condition. Also, if it needs rebuild, what do you think that would cost in parts?
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods
 

1988 Cougar LS

Reply #7 –
I bought one for $150 on craigslist. Seller said it had around 140k. Had no problems and shifted great. A junkyard pull usually goes for $75 plus core of around $40 in my area. Usually you can just spin the input shaft with it in gear. If there is no weird noises of a notchy feel to the rotation, the rest is usually pretty good. Don't worry too much about input shaft play, the main shaft needs the yoke inserted to limit movement, without it it should feel a bit loose.

Rebuild kits can be had fairly cheap, tons of youtube videos on how to rebuild them and what to look for.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com