My track Cougar

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p.whitelock

Well-known user
Jul 19, 2005
2,674
3
Middlesbrough
Been ripping all my interior out of the Cougar over the last couple of weeks, when i have had the chance. Been quite busy lately with sorting wedding out etc.
Basically ripped everything out thats not needed leaving just the dash for the HVAC, which is required for demisting and cooling. The only thing left now is the wiring and the last of the fat matt sound proofing and foam left on doors and roof. The adhesive on the matt is like tar and an absolute nightmare to remove. Its coming off slowly though.
Also lightened the weight by replacing drivers and passengers seat with Cobra Monaco pro race seats on Cobra sliding subframes (y) Also removed roof aeriel and rear wiper too. As mentioned in another thread im looking to fit coilovers at some point to lower it alot more as it now sits considerably higher as expected.


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A rear strut brace is definitely on the list. Its supposed to add alot of rigidity to the rear and its a good place to mount the harnesses ill eventually fit.
A roll cage im not sure about as it would need to be custom, although from memory there was some available in the USA years ago. Its something i would like to add, but ill just see how it goes.
 
Cougar has good a-pillars but id still look at a roll cage!

If you need help I have contacts around here that make roll cages up at good prices ;) and the bonus is there is a cougar here to take the measurements from :LOL:
 
Awsome job mate, as some know i stripped mine out for a while but didnt go quite as far ;) you will be amased at the acceleration increase if your not already!
 
Not had chance to drive it yet as the catalytic converter needs welding. The rear subframe mount has also gone on the passenger side presumably from the 21mm rear anti roll bar so the subframe will need changing and then strengthening.
 
paul is it the support for the arb bracket to sit on the subframe? if so i can get you a new pair made up 5mm galvi cut and shaped to originals just need to cut old ones of and weld these ones on ive replaced both of mine on the subframe
 
Structural ridgity is the name of the game in a Track Car. I'm sure there is a book some place that details preping your car for Track Days, I know Fast Ford have been doing a feature on it.
If your just gonna use it on track (ie. trailer it to the venu) then remove the cat altogether and get a decent full system, MIJ Performance do a "Full-on" exhaust that is a LOT louder than the Mid-sport i'm running, and a Cat-replacement pipe to replace main cat (I've got one on my car as it still has the pre-cats)
I'd look at some decent Track Day tyres to like some Toyo's R888's or something like that, and lighter wheels.
Coil-overs is a good idea the only kit i know of is the KW Variant 3 inox-Line, about £1500.
You kept the CF bonnet I hope to reduce weight?
 
Last edited:
Alex_16v said:
I prefer how it looked before....
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Haha (y) :ihih:

ginja said:
Structural ridgity is the name of the game in a Track Car. I'm sure there is a book some place that details preping your car for Track Days, I know Fast Ford have been doing a feature on it.
If your just gonna use it on track (ie. trailer it to the venu) then remove the cat altogether and get a decent full system, MIJ Performance do a "Full-on" exhaust that is a LOT louder than the Mid-sport i'm running, and a Cat-replacement pipe to replace main cat (I've got one on my car as it still has the pre-cats)
I'd look at some decent Track Day tyres to like some Toyo's R888's or something like that, and lighter wheels.
Coil-overs is a good idea the only kit i know of is the KW Variant 3 inox-Line, about £1500.
You kept the CF bonnet I hope to reduce weight?
Click to expand...

Yes i did keep the CF bonnet, thankfully. Thats a fair weight saving from the stock bonnet. My wheel are also light weight already. But i am definitely get some race tyres on the wheels, and probably the ones you have suggested as i have heard some good reports about them.
I think i will just remove the cat... itll be better flowing and will be lighter without the monolith and extra metal surrounding it. Cant believe i never even thought of that. Already got a welder sat around and my Dad is a welder (y)
 
Yeah the thing with them tyres is they ARE road legal too. Yeah get a cage welded in ;) :LOL: at this rate you will be bankrupt before you start.....but then again remember a proper Touring Car or Rally Car costs upwards of £250,000 !!!

TrackDay cars just have to be safe and legal (someplaces dont like loud exhausts) I've seen right sheds on track in my time :LOL:
 
Got some mates preping a Fiesta for banger racing and they have stripped out everything from under the bonnet that isn't gonna be needed including the washer bottle, seriously I can see that would be a problem because if your windows get mucky you cant see...!

Might be a good idea to keep some of that sound deading mate,the car will be well loud without it, just listen to the guy out of Fast Ford whohas a track day Escort and he almost went barmy driving down the motorway in it because of the exhaust drone :LOL:
 
weight saving

Hi. looking at this with interest. I have thought of a couple of possible suggestions for more weight saving. Change the rear side windows for perspex, and the door windows if possible, glass weighs a ton, also that way if one breaks you are not showered in thousands of bits of glass, front screen is ok as it is laminated, also if door windows are electric try to change to manual winders, as the motors and associated gubbins can be quite heavy. with the dash board, you could try to get rid of everything not required, if legal. air bags etc. and try to fabricate a binnacle to house your instruments, switches, etc, you could also alter the vent ducting by fabricating mounts to direct the air to where you want it, mainly the front screen and side windows, not where a designer thought it should be. Best of luck with the track days (y). Hornet
 
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