I plan on getting my car by Feb. I need one that is reliable and fun to drive. I was thinking of a 94+ 4.6. I had a 00 Mustang GT that I installed a 2001 cobra motor into, had to get rid of it for a family car. Which year and model would recommend for a daily ride? Why? Is there any difference between a Cougar and T Bird besides body? Are there any aftermarket cowl hoods for the cougar? I always see them on T Birds. Thanks all
Which would you recommend?
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they are all pretty reliable and fun for the most part, but i'd suggest looking for a 96+ due to the known drivetrain problems the 94/5s have, although the 96/7 ones have a problem with the all plastic intakes cracking. the big differences with the cougars and thunderbirds are basically the roof, trunk, seats, the front end, and the tailights. other than that they are the same
as for the cougar cowl hoods, i know there some out there but i am not sure if there are any currently being produced
as for the cougar cowl hoods, i know there some out there but i am not sure if there are any currently being produced
I guess it depends on which body style you like more between those years. I'm more partial to the 95 T-bird, but some like the 96/7 better. I don't like the plain front end and all the side cladding on the 96+, but just personal preference. Also, the 96/7 have more power stock than the 94/95 due to better heads/intake.
The 94/95 is going to be 12-13 years old, while the 97 is only 10. I know it's all in the maintenance, but age is age. There is probably going to be the chance for more rust and little things wrong w/ the older years than a nicely maintained 97. Not saying there aren't plenty of lower mileage 94/95 out there that are decent, but it's something to think about if you don't have the time/money to spend fixing things that may come up like ball joints, drivetrain, etc...
Jay
The 94/95 is going to be 12-13 years old, while the 97 is only 10. I know it's all in the maintenance, but age is age. There is probably going to be the chance for more rust and little things wrong w/ the older years than a nicely maintained 97. Not saying there aren't plenty of lower mileage 94/95 out there that are decent, but it's something to think about if you don't have the time/money to spend fixing things that may come up like ball joints, drivetrain, etc...
Jay
Supercoupe's can take more money to maintain, but any car has that capability, the SC just seems to have a history of it.
As far as dumping an Explorer motor in w/ a forged setup to handle the boost of a blower, no problem. All you really need is the money to do it. And as far as the "Mustang" 4R, it doesn't matter. You can build any 4R to handle power. I would talk to Darrin about that. And have Alan build a TC for it.
If you plan on going w/ this combo, have you given thought to the extra cost of upgrading the rest of the drivetrain, rearend, etc.. Also a chip/tune to make it all work.
If this is going to be your DD, then I wouldn't plan on driving it for a while as these mods don't always come quickly, unless you have a bunch of cash laying around and can pay someone to do it all. Just speaking from experience, since it seems that once you start a project, about 12 other things crop up that you have to fix or buy along the way just to make the actual mod itself happen.
Sounds like it would be a good plan if you go that route though. More power to ya!
Jay
As far as dumping an Explorer motor in w/ a forged setup to handle the boost of a blower, no problem. All you really need is the money to do it. And as far as the "Mustang" 4R, it doesn't matter. You can build any 4R to handle power. I would talk to Darrin about that. And have Alan build a TC for it.
If you plan on going w/ this combo, have you given thought to the extra cost of upgrading the rest of the drivetrain, rearend, etc.. Also a chip/tune to make it all work.
If this is going to be your DD, then I wouldn't plan on driving it for a while as these mods don't always come quickly, unless you have a bunch of cash laying around and can pay someone to do it all. Just speaking from experience, since it seems that once you start a project, about 12 other things crop up that you have to fix or buy along the way just to make the actual mod itself happen.
Sounds like it would be a good plan if you go that route though. More power to ya!
Jay
My stang was my DD for 4 years. I bought a cobra motor for it. I saved up enough to do it all at one time. I did the install with help of a friend. Took one weekend to complete. I would work it out in steps. Start with building the rear, then get suspension, trans to handle the power, then build the motor, install it and get a tune. I can be without a car for a few days. I would not plan on doin it all as soon as I get the car. I will buy the car in Feb and start building it lil at a time starting sometime in the summer and take it careful and slow.
Is there a difference from 94-95 and 96-97 besides body?
Is there a difference from 94-95 and 96-97 besides body?
Not really, other than the different intake and heads as far as I know. I hate to see people drop a good motor in something and then complain that their trans., etc. is now dying, lol... Not sure about the hood though. I'm sure you could mod a T-Bird hood to fit the Cougar, but not sure how much of a PITA it would be, never tried.
Good luck w/ the project!
Jay
Good luck w/ the project!
Jay
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It all depends on what your end target goal is. I have been building on mine for 4 years now, and at last can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have to complete the super charger install, then put in the roll bar and sub frame connectors, then it is play time. I figure in May it will be done. Not sure who will be the happiest, my wife or me.
here are some hoods for the cougar: http://supercoupeperformance.com/partBrowser.aspx?category=73
Thank you everyone for the advise and input. I had a 91 and a 92 cougar 5.0 back in 99 and 00 when I was 18. My goal now is to get a car I can have some fun with and fun to drive. I have the family car and sold my car (88 BMW 528e) when I moved from FL to TN. One car in the family is very annoying to say the least. I plan on having the car run 12's when it is all said and done. With a 4.6, I figured a nice X engine with a KB 2.1, built trans and rear. I would be in no rush what so ever getting done. A 5.0 with a KB Blowzilla would be nice as well.
FordMan, i also like the clean look of the 94/95 trim. A couple days ago i took off the trim from the doors and rear quarter panels and the car looks much cleaner and more modern. The only hard part is getting off all that adhesive, i used what's called a pinstripe eraser tool. Using that, with the aid of a heat gun to soften it up a little, i got it all off in 10 minutes.
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dont get a v8, get a sc, the v8s are barely faster than the v6s ( i mean by like not even a full second) and if its a family car im sure your not gonna b racing it anyways, and the v8s guzzle
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dont get me wrong tho, the v8s are fun as hell to work on tho
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SC's are more maintenance intensive. To keep running at their best, they require more maintenance than a V8 or N/A V6. Also, the V8's don't get much worse gas mileage than the N/A V6 (at least the 4.6's). SC's mileage will be comparable to the 895SilverLX said:
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they can be more maintenance intensive but no matter what you have, if it's a lemon, it's a lemon. sc's are a ton more fun to drive and are the top of the line t-bird for those years.cougar_guy04 said:
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the 4.6 is my choice they just seem to hold together longer. The early ones do have the little issues but if your going to be swapping the motor trany and building the rear no problem. I reallly like the distinctive sound the 4.6 makes. Ive had no problems with my car at 130xxx and i beat the crap out of it. My car is a 95 which is said to be a bad year for the 4r70w but for years I have manualy shifted it all the time chirping the wheels hard in 2nd lol and stills strong. I was waiting until it dies to swap in a T45 but it may be pulled before it blows up lol
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