Throttle Response

Topic: Throttle Response (Read 1181 times) previous topic - next topic

Throttle Response

July 31, 2006, 04:32:11 PM

I was wondering how I could get more throttle response out of my cougar. Everytime I go to pass a car I try to accelerate and it takes a little while for it to realize I want to go faster. I have put a k&n filter on there but I need something so when I push down the gas it will get up and go. Any ideas, maybe a bigger throttle body?

Throttle Response

Reply #1 – July 31, 2006, 04:43:34 PM

Kickdown cable adjusted properly? If I mash my pedal, the car jerks ahead pretty much immediately, both before and after swapping out the intake/tb/egr. This is with everything else mechanical, that would affect performance, being stock (3G alternator, pmgr starter, etc in there but shouldn't matter). I think a proper tuneup, clean fuel injectors, etc would help more than anything else - if they're needed.

Of course, it also depends on speed travelling. If you're going 70 and floor it, it'll only go to third and slowly pick up on a SO.

Throttle Response

Reply #2 – July 31, 2006, 06:10:58 PM

If it's stock it only got 155 ponies,Needs real horses,
needs air out not more in.

Throttle Response

Reply #3 – July 31, 2006, 06:39:17 PM

Ok so what do I need to do kitzdnm? Performance ler is in the works and what else?

Throttle Response

Reply #4 – July 31, 2006, 06:52:07 PM

You don't want to open the exhaust too much on the standard output motor because it will cause the car to bog down.

I think 2-1/4 true dual exhaust is plenty for the car. 2.5 might be a bit much as the car needs some backpressure.
So you could get a set of Mustang or Lincoln Mark VII factory exhaust manifolds, an h-pipe and continue the pipes out the back.

To be honest with you, my car never really "took off" when I mashed the pedal. It always had a little lag time between when I hit the gas and the car shifted into passing. Even after getting into gear it wasn't a quick rush.

The rear gearing will have an effect on it as well. These cars are not geared to quickly get up and go but to gradually accelerate and continue to accelerate.

From what I hear an HO upper intake manifold, spacer plate and throttle body will help.

Like Seek said, there are a lot of variables, the speed at which you are traveling being a big one.

Throttle Response

Reply #5 – July 31, 2006, 07:12:38 PM

With the stock 2.73 rear gears the car isn't going to pick up really fast. Now with 3.73 gears the car picks up much better but gets worse gas mileage and has a lower top speed. HO upper, throttle body, HO headers, and a good 2.25 dual exhaust help a lot as well.

Throttle Response

Reply #6 – July 31, 2006, 08:51:33 PM

I agree that gears, exhaust, then some upper end mods will be the best bet...you'll notice a big change if you put 3.55 or even 3.27 ratio in the rear end...

Throttle Response

Reply #7 – July 31, 2006, 10:45:08 PM

filthy injector screens also cause a delay in throttle ,, take one of them out and you'll see what i mean.
Im running with no injector screens for a few years now.

Throttle Response

Reply #8 – August 03, 2006, 12:46:25 PM

Quote from: jcassity

filthy injector screens also cause a delay in throttle ,, take one of them out and you'll see what i mean.
Im running with no injector screens for a few years now.

Yeah, I thought this thread was about throttle response, not power gains.

Throttle Response

Reply #9 – August 06, 2006, 01:24:20 AM

Even my 3.8 would downshift and accelerate almost immediately on a pedal stomp. It wouldn't accelerate fast, but it did so with no lag.

Make sure your TV cable is adjusted properly. It sounds like its within range, but on the low side. Heres how to do it: http://www.txchange.com/aodadj.htm

As far as more get up and go for relatively cheap and without swapping heads or a cam:

1. HO Throttle body and upper

2. 1.7 ratio roller rocker arms ( you'll need HO valve covers for these)

3. Mustang Shorty headers or some sort of aftermarket headers and a true dual exhaust. IMHO 2.5" pipes are not too much.

4. Gears. In a daily driver with a 7.5" rear I'd personally go with 3.45's. It's a good mix of more acceleration and economy in the age of $3.25 a gallon gas. Installing a trak-lok if you don't have one will be beneficial as well.

5. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator and guage that taps into your fuel line schrader valve. With the above listed items I'd set the pressure about 6-8 PSI over stock. More than that and you will need to drop you gas tank and add the HO fuel pump as well.

The stock heads and cams on the 86-88 5.0 Standard Ouput motors are great for low end grunt and the E6 heads have a very wide torque curve which is actually pretty fun on the street. Adding the things above I've mentioned should make for a considerable difference. Most of those parts you can find used for dirt cheap and in great condition.
Oh, and have fun leaving piles of tire goo at will afterwards!