Looking to talk with anyone that has put a Coyote motor in their Cougar. I am using the TCI engineering front and rear suspension with shock tower delete and would love to talk to anyone that has done or is doing a similar project.
Do you have the suspension installed yet?
I have not yet installed all the suspension
I have not installed the suspension yet, do you have a suggestion. I’ve done quite a bit of research on the options and have everything lined up to do it this summer.
I did a 390 FE/6R80 combo in my '68. If you are doing an automatic Coyote swap it could be helpful. Check out the Speed Shop forum for the details.
I like these Coyote swaps. The changes you are making to the suspension make this more of a hot rod build than a restomod. Everything fits everywhere in hot rodding. The transmission tunnel is tight but until you know where the engine is going to sit you can’t really get to that. Maybe the engine mounts are going to be lower and it won’t be an issue. I haven’t had first hand experience with the TCI front suspension so I can’t really offer any specific advice. I have been around lots of hot rod builds and they are all a little different. The easy (not really easy) part is opening up the transmission tunnel. The hard part is getting the steering routed and the exhaust, clutch, and other parts to play nicely.
All of the TCI stuff is engineered to keep the Coyote below the hoodline and it comes with headers that fit the specific installation for steering clearance. I do however need to mount a remote master cylinder reservoir.
My swap is currently on the back burner while my home is going through a renovation. Hope to get back on the car later this summer. I used an Art Morrison Sport IFS kit for my coyote install. The link in my signature will take you to my build. One thing to note, the TCI suspension tends to raise the engine higher than other kits in favor of achieving a lower stance. If you plan for a power adder, you may need to cut the hood open.
I’m waiting to see a 7.3 Godzilla motor into one of these early year Cougars / Mustangs as the 7.3 is supposed to be narrower than an FE and may not require chopping the shock towers.
I have a 1967 cougar with a TCI front and rear suspension. The rear suspension is a mini tub style. Engine is a Gen 3 coyote with a 4R70W transmission. The front and rear suspension is completed. Just got the engine and transmission in. Engine sit’s at 4.1 degrees with the rocker panel level with the ground.
A couple of points for concern. 1. Would like to see engine/transmission angle a little lower around 2-3 degrees. 2. With the engine/transmission at 4.1 degrees the transmission is to high in the tunnel. The transmission yoke sits to high in TCI driveshaft loop. More tunnel modification than should be needed for this transmission. 3. And most important THE ENGINE HITS THE Hood. Sits to high on the frame rails. This explains why the transmission is so high on the tunnel. As for the rear suspension. The manual maybe ok for the standard rear suspension. It was completely wrong for the mini tub. The measurement are for the mustang and do not work for a cougar. I corrected the measurements for the cougar if you need them. Not sure were I’m going next this the front end. But this will not work for me. Going to contact TCI today. But I think I know what they are going to say. A little background I’m retired Family body shop, frame shop with alinement rack. Hope this helps.
Please let me know what you find out, I’m currently talking with Heidi’s and Gateway Mustang about their suspension system
I contacted TCI. The take away was to SHAVE the hood. Not an option for me. They said the Gen 3 oil pan is too tall. I have been looking at Moroso for a low profile pan. I would like to drop the engine 2". But at best I think I’ll only gain about 1.5 max. Stang-Aholics lists a oil pan that may fit. They also have a header for a Coyote with a 4R70W transmission. It is a mid-length Ultimate Header. Three Moroso pans may work with the TCI. 20571,20575 both need a Moroso pick-up tube 24578. The oil pan Stang-Aholics sels for the TCI is 20570 with a pick-up tube 24577. When I find what pans works best I’ll provide the part numbers. So if you are going to use a TCI with a gen 3 coyote, you need to change the oil pan and the headers that TCI sells.They do not fit a 4R70W automatic transmission. Hope this helps.