View Full Version : What to Upgrade?
NoMechanic
01-10-2003, 02:20 AM
I'm new at this performance tuning thing and am just trying to get an idea of what would work best for me. My car is an every day driver that needs to survive in Wisconsin (rain, snow, temps between -20 and 100). My $2000 budget is also a concern since it needs to include parts and labor (thus the nickname NoMechanic). Here's what I was thinking of:
* YoDude - Stainless Steel
* Weapon R Intake & CAB
* B&M Short Throw Shifter (no performance gain, just has to be an improvement over the Cougar's clunky stock shifter)
Then I read some people debating whether or not dual exhaust really helps, are intakes just a waste of money, and so on. Now I'm thinking of skipping the shifter and intake and just doing exhaust (single or dual) and SVT UIM.
I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.
hey whats up dude, im in milwaukee too... check out the wisconsin forum at the bottom of the topic list and say hi! and turn on your private message feature in your profile. :)
The yodude stainless system is pretty decent.. it will last quite a long time..
Weapon-R intake and Cold air box... Not too great... Poor quality too.. You'd be better off with just a AEM or Injen intake and a custom heat shield that you can make with stuff from home depot.
b&m shifter is nice.. like you said its no performance gain, but it feels nicer.
As for the SVT UIM.... you wont have any performance gain if you do just this and no aftermarket intake.... plus you'd need SVT Throttle body too for maximum advantage..
NoMechanic
01-10-2003, 02:43 AM
Thanks for the quick response. Since you're from the area, do you know of any shops around WI that do this kind of work? I write code for web pages, and am no good under the hood of a car.
Gotta get up for work tomorrow. I'm out.
ArizonaCougar
01-10-2003, 02:11 PM
Hello and welcome! Ov3n knows his stuff, so I won't say too much more since you already have an idea of what you want to do. But basically, yeah - you will want to do the intake as well as the exhaust. Think of it like lungs -- there's no point in making the cougar able to breathe out better if it can't breathe in well. I have a simple KKM open-air filter that basically replaces the stock airbox, and it's worked just fine for me. A lot of people use them, as well as the Injen and AEM intakes. It's really just a matter of personal preference, as no 1 intake is drastically better than the next. Remember - it's just an air filter. As for the exhaust, I have a YD exhaust and I love it. The sound is great (mean), and it adds a nice cosmetic touch to the rear of the cougar as well... 2 pipes are better than one, in my opinion. If you don't want to do the installation work yourself, any muffler shop should be willing to do it for you at a decent price. It should take a decent shop NO longer than 1 hour to hang an exhaust, so if they quote you more than that, look somewhere else. As for the intake, you CAN do this yourself. Believe me! I was exactly the same as you when I started, i.e. completely ignorant to engines. It's honestly a very easy install... And if you have questions, that's what we're here for!!! Good luck, and happy modding. :beer:
NoMechanic
01-10-2003, 10:45 PM
Thanks for the info guys. Nice to know I was on the right track.
If I do get the SVT UIM (and all the appropriate required parts), is it necessary to get the 19# injectors or will the stock 17# do? Are the 19#'s expensive and where can they be found?
01blkcat
01-10-2003, 10:49 PM
I had the WeaponR Intake, was not happy with it at all -- I just recently installed a KKM into mine, and you can definitely tell the difference.
You won't need 19# injectors unless you do very extensive mods to you car... Just intake, exhaust, svt UIM will be totally fine with the stock injectors.
99CouGSweetRide
01-11-2003, 04:13 AM
Or like I posted once before, you can go to SPMotorSports (http://www.spmotorsports.com) and order the SVT Induction Powerset which consists of a SVT LIM with 19lb injectors and the 75mm Pro Flow MAF all for $399.
Mike
NoMechanic
01-11-2003, 08:02 PM
Since my Cougar is an everyday driver, will Intake, Exhaust, and a possible SVT UIM conversion impact the reliability of the car? I do live in wisconsin so it needs to run in a temp range of -20 to 100 degrees.
No way.. infact, when its really COLD OUTSIDE like it is right now, your car will LOVE these mods. :)
NoMechanic
01-12-2003, 12:55 AM
Nice. Looks like I had better start saving my pennies.
What's up and welcome to the boards! Everyone here is mostly pretty question friendly but sometimes people will yell to search before asking.
I personally have the Injen intake and am very pleased with it. It is an EASY install, it probably takes 30min tops if you really take your time and sit and scratch your head a bit. (Also don't be surprised if the bolts supplied are not long enough, I had to use the stockers for it) As for the Yo-Dude, I have the stainless duals and I love them!! I also added a stainless y-pipe and high flow cat and I have not had ANY reliability problems at all. I've even had a nice little bump up in my gas mileage! I live right next to Chicago so I too have the same concerns about weather and reliability, but no problems with any of my mods at all. Welcome again and good luck!
B3NN3TT
01-12-2003, 06:42 PM
Personally, I think the CAB is overrated (especially in Wisconsin). Granted, I'm not speaking from experience, but I have yet to get heat soak with my open intake. The words "minimal gains" come to mind, and for the price...
An open-element intake of some kind is a good investment for the future, if you plan on doing anything else (exhaust or throttle body, or SVT Upper). Plus it makes your car sound good, even without any more mods.
Do a search on gutting the precats- this is the world's best free mod (unless you have a 99 or 2000- stupid Check Engine light!). I wouldn't advise someone called "nomechanic" to do it yourself, though- maybe hook up with some other Milwaukee people and have a Mod Meet!
Regardless, welcome. I like your enthusiasm, dude.
NoMechanic
01-12-2003, 09:40 PM
Thanks to all that replied to my questions. I've decided on an Injen intake, Stainless steel duals, a B&M shifter, and (depending on available funds) SVT UIM and all the goodies that go along with it.
Now onto finding the best place to get the parts. Good times.
8BaLL
01-12-2003, 10:20 PM
Dont forget SVT LIM ,and MSDS headers!!!! :biggrin:
ArizonaCougar
01-12-2003, 10:25 PM
Originally posted by: NoMechanic
Now onto finding the best place to get the parts. Good times.
Try Custom Cougars (http://www.customcougars.com)... Supporting James and his site helps support this community. In my opinion, because of his show car the Cougar is gaining the exposure it needs to be taken seriously by aftermarket companies for new product development. Remember, the Cougar was shelved by Mercury, so any parts that aren't already out there most likely won't ever be unless companies believe there's a sufficient demand for them to develop the parts. Happy hunting...
B3NN3TT
01-13-2003, 12:13 AM
Originally posted by: 8BaLL
Dont forget SVT LIM ,and MSDS headers!!!! :biggrin:
Luckily, his 2002 and the SVT have the same LIM. You only need a SVT LIM if you have a 99 or early 2000...
And hey, if you gut the precats, who needs headers? :biggrin:
8BaLL
01-13-2003, 12:21 AM
Originally posted by: Bennett9000
Originally posted by: 8BaLL
Dont forget SVT LIM ,and MSDS headers!!!! :biggrin:
Luckily, his 2002 and the SVT have the same LIM. You only need a SVT LIM if you have a 99 or early 2000...
And hey, if you gut the precats, who needs headers? :biggrin:
Oh! :rofl:
Gutting the precats is good, but headers are better!! :biggrin: OR i would do both, will that work :shrug:
Originally posted by: Bennett9000
And hey, if you gut the precats, who needs headers? :biggrin:
My precats are gutted and i noticed no difference whatsoever. So I need headers :)
dv6cougar
01-13-2003, 08:08 AM
Originally posted by: 8BaLL
Originally posted by: Bennett9000
Originally posted by: 8BaLL
Dont forget SVT LIM ,and MSDS headers!!!! :biggrin:
Luckily, his 2002 and the SVT have the same LIM. You only need a SVT LIM if you have a 99 or early 2000...
And hey, if you gut the precats, who needs headers? :biggrin:
Oh! :rofl:
Gutting the precats is good, but headers are better!! :biggrin: OR i would do both, will that work :shrug:
you can however get the svt UIM and tb :biggrin: those are nice!
that the no one has ;)
welcome.....
you may also want to look into Il neco at th bottom of the list :biggrin: