Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - I want to put a Jag V12 into an 83 Cougar

billege · 12-25-2003, 01:08 AM

I hope you either are, or know, a very good metal fabricator. I also hope you are very good at welding, metal forming and cutting. Oh yeah, I also hope you are prepared to change the car's entire structure to make the engine fit.

That swap is akin to trying to stuff a square peg in a round hole.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I swear. There is a HUGE buttload of work and skill involved to try anything like that. You're asking to do something very difficult.
So...
I've got to ask: Do you have any idea what's involved in a swap like that? Are you aware that you'll have to:

fabricate new motor mounts

likley re-do the entire steering rack

cut, bend, weld, the floor pan to make the (new) transmission fit

custom build all the brackets and linkages for the gas, brake, clutch pedals

build a new fuel system

rewire the entire insturment panel (with two incompatable systems)

find someway to make the gear selector work with the new trans. If the new one is auto, and so is the Cougar I suppose you could do it. If the new onr is stick, vs atuo Cougar, I hope you like doing interior work. 'Cause you're gonna have to start choppping the center console...it gets worse from there.

build a seriously custom exaust

modify the driveshaft

modify the rear end

likely have to re-do the entire rear suspension

hope the front suspension doesn't require any modification.

the whole process you also have to HOPE there IS room for all the new hardware. If there's not, you'll have to find a way to make it fit. That's when one starts cutting metal.

Basically, unless you're an very, very, very, competent mechanic this is not even feasable.
Even if you are a master mech, you'd better have a shitload of time and money.

Save yourself the trouble, throw a 5.0L in it. I know the later year Cougars had one (at least as an option), and I think it's certainly possible yours did too.

Then you're only out more money than the car is worth, and a semi-shitload of time.

12-25-2003, 01:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	I hope you either are, or know, a very good metal fabricator. I also hope you are very good at welding, metal forming and cutting. Oh yeah, I also hope you are prepared to change the car's entire structure to make the engine fit. That swap is akin to trying to stuff a square peg in a round hole. I'm not trying to discourage you, I swear. There is a HUGE buttload of work and skill involved to try anything like that. You're asking to do something very difficult. So... I've got to ask: Do you have any idea what's involved in a swap like that? Are you aware that you'll have to: fabricate new motor mounts likley re-do the entire steering rack cut, bend, weld, the floor pan to make the (new) transmission fit custom build all the brackets and linkages for the gas, brake, clutch pedals build a new fuel system rewire the entire insturment panel (with two incompatable systems) find someway to make the gear selector work with the new trans. If the new one is auto, and so is the Cougar I suppose you could do it. If the new onr is stick, vs atuo Cougar, I hope you like doing interior work. 'Cause you're gonna have to start choppping the center console...it gets worse from there. build a seriously custom exaust modify the driveshaft modify the rear end likely have to re-do the entire rear suspension hope the front suspension doesn't require any modification. the whole process you also have to HOPE there IS room for all the new hardware. If there's not, you'll have to find a way to make it fit. That's when one starts cutting metal. Basically, unless you're an very, very, very, competent mechanic this is not even feasable. Even if you are a master mech, you'd better have a shitload of time and money. Save yourself the trouble, throw a 5.0L in it. I know the later year Cougars had one (at least as an option), and I think it's certainly possible yours did too. Then you're only out more money than the car is worth, and a semi-shitload of time. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend." Last edited by billege; 12-25-2003 at 01:14 AM..