V6 5spd '02 Cougar -- Best Course for Power Upgrades

[Kuhn]

I'm new to the Cougar forum, but I'm thinking about becoming a regular once I get the Cougar I'm looking at. Before I buy it I'd like to have a plan for upgrades... on a budget. I've been researching and I think this is the best way to get the most bang for my buck, in order:
Intake
Exhaust
50 or 75hp wet shot Nitrous
SVT Contour Head
3.0L Duratec bottom end (eventually)

Any and all input would be appreciated, especially reguarding the SVT Contour head... Thank you!

[Kuhn]

Ok... I've been looking into it a little more. I still think I'd get the best results with an intake, exhaust, then nitrous... Then I'm thinking about the UIM from a '99+ SVT Contour (because it's double extrude honed, I think), the SVT's LIM, and it's TB. While I'm messing with all that I might as well replace the cams and cam gears.
SO, here's my question, finally! Does anybody know of a source for cams that are more agressive than the SVT Contour's? And I also need to find some adjustable cam gears (so I can safely run the cheater juice). Thanks!

[beyondloadedSE]

Okay...where to start.

I guess, I'll start with the cams. First of all, the cams are not adjustable like that of the 2.0L motor, so cam gears are out. Secondly, Cat Cams does make a set of cams for this car. Nobody has bought them to try them out because a)You have to take off the cam gear from your old cam and reposition it on the new cam , b) the intake and exhaust cams have the same cut profiles (again ), and c) the cost. I do believe that a guy on the Noble forums had a set of custom cams made however for his 500 whp duratec. You might try asking over at www.nobleforums.com.

Its a common myth that the later SVT UIM's are double extrude honed. I too used to believe this until it was debunked by Extrude Hone themselves. We had a huge long discussion on the the contour forums and finally came to this conclusion. I would get the LIM and throttle body as well off an svt.

However, I do think I would skip on the svt heads. If your planning on doing a 3.0L in the future, you might as well get the 3.0L oval port heads which are far more superior than the split port heads. I think untouched 3.0L heads still outflow ported and polished the 2.5L split port heads.

My next step would be to join the ACTUAL Cougar forums at www.newcougar.org. You'll find a billion times more knowledgebase there than you will here. You might want to join the contour forums at www.contour.org as well since our cars are essentially the same.

Btw, if you do plan on going with the nitrous, you will need at tune since the cam gears are out of the question. You can get a tune from www.nautilusperformance.com who by the way, also make a turbo kit for this platform. I personally would get a turbo kit over nitrous anyday, but thats just me.

FWIW, stock 3.0L swaps with a tune have been shown to make about 220 whp (~265 bhp).

[Kuhn]

Thank you, that was very helpful. I'll check out those forums. And it sounds like I just need to save for an engine swap. I agree that a turbo is much better than nitrous; however, it's also much more expensive... Idealy I'll have both eventually.
I don't have access to a garage anymore so I have to ask what you think the cost of a 3.0L swap might be, and how much I should expect to spend on the engine itself? Thanks again

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by Kuhn

Thank you, that was very helpful. I'll check out those forums. And it sounds like I just need to save for an engine swap. I agree that a turbo is much better than nitrous; however, it's also much more expensive... Idealy I'll have both eventually.
I don't have access to a garage anymore so I have to ask what you think the cost of a 3.0L swap might be, and how much I should expect to spend on the engine itself? Thanks again

Well, you want a 01+ 3.0L from and Escape. Those have the revised piston ringlands. If you look hard enough you should be able to get one for $500 or less. I know a guy on contour.org just picked up a 04 from an Escape for $500 last week. It will probably cost you another few hundred dollars for misc stuff like gaskets, head bolts, and some misc parts. it really depends what route you go. Theres a 3.0L hybrid, full 3.0L swap, 3.0L swap with oval port heads ported to split port manifolds, etc. Youll definetely want to upgrade the tranny too while its out since the stock differential is fragile.

[Kuhn]

I'm going to be getting an ACT clutch and Quaife LSD. Would that take care of the weak differential parts? Thanks again!

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by Kuhn

I'm going to be getting an ACT clutch and Quaife LSD. Would that take care of the weak differential parts? Thanks again!

A Quaife or Torsen LSD will work. Ive never heard of an ACT clutch? Are they just an OEM replacement?

Myself and just about every other person on CEG and NECO live and die by SPEC clutches. Mine has seen 410 foot pounds of torque and didnt bat an eye lash. My friends SPEC stage 1 in his nitrous 3.0L svt has seen 300 wtq and 26K HARD driven miles and its feels like it did new. If you do decide to get a SPEC make sure you they supply you with the correct throw out bearing. Some people have been accidently been getting the zetec TOB with their duratec clutch.

[Kuhn]

Once again very helpful! Do I have to switch out the tranny with the 3.0L duratec swap? Or will it bolt up to the stock one? I'm sure I could research this, but it seems like u definately know what you're doing. Thanks

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by Kuhn

Once again very helpful! Do I have to switch out the tranny with the 3.0L duratec swap? Or will it bolt up to the stock one? I'm sure I could research this, but it seems like u definately know what you're doing. Thanks

Your stock MTX-75 will bolt up just fine. You may have one bolt that doesnt quite bolt up from the bellhousing to the engine depending on the year 3.0L you purchase, but its very minor. You will need to shorten the crankshaft on the 3.0L since all the 3.0Ls in the Escapes, Taurus, etc use automatic transmissions.