Intake Manifold Replacement on My '97 Cougar

[TruBluGT]

I just found out that my intake manifold is cracked. I saw the post about the extended warranty but my car is well past that. I was wondering where I could get this part for relatively cheap. How difficult would it be to do this on your own? I did call a couple of local shops & they wanted $800-$900 for the work. They were telling me that the part alone costs $400+. I appreciate any help. I recently had a tie rod, & wheel bearing replaced. I'd hate to dump the car now after putting in all that money. If you guys know of anywhere I can get the parts or get the work done for less than my local shop let me know. I live out in Plainfield Illinois.

 

[1LowGT]

i can do it for you but i live in st louis,and the part is only $200 they are full of it.

 

[TruBluGT]

The part is only $200? I just called another dealer & he told me $540 Just for the Kit. I'm thinking of looking on ebay, but I have no clue as to what parts are needed. I appreciate the offer 1LowGT, but St. Louis is a long drive. Any install tips would be appreciated as soon as I can find the part.

 

[1LowGT]

we will help,let us know when you get the part,and gaskets.

 

[Mike97gt]

I just found out that my intake manifold is cracked. I saw the post about the extended warranty but my car is well past that. I was wondering where I could get this part for relatively cheap. How difficult would it be to do this on your own? I did call a couple of local shops & they wanted $800-$900 for the work. They were telling me that the part alone costs $400+. I appreciate any help. I recently had a tie rod, & wheel bearing replaced. I'd hate to dump the car now after putting in all that money. If you guys know of anywhere I can get the parts or get the work done for less than my local shop let me know. I live out in Plainfield Illinois.

part is 200 wholesale so the dealer or other shop will charge about 400 for it. the have to get there rape going

if you lived near me i would install it for 100

 

[TGJ]

If this was my car, I would seriously consider the plastic PI intake with aluminum crossover swap. It would be cheaper, you would get a HP gain as well.

 

[LI98GTStang]

There are some differences in swapping out the NPI intake on a MN12 compared to a stang (stang being easier). You can do it though at a much lower cost that you've been quoted. I paid in the 150 range for the PI intake itself and the ancillary parts were under 50.00 i.e. new NPI gaskets, RTV, new T-stat while I was in there. I took me about 5-6 hours total, taking my time.

Have you tried tccoa forums for t-bird/cougar specific Qs? Good luck with the swap and the Cougar itself. They are great cars.

 

[TruBluGT]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go on ebay later today and order one a Manifold there. I've been looking at the prices and they all seem to be right around $200. I just hope the install isn't too difficult. I wouldn't mind the PI intake, but this care has more than 180K miles.

 

[TGJ]

I wouldn't worry about the mileage on the car if that is the only reason holding you back.

 

[TruBluGT]

Well I've already picked up the NPI intake. I know the PI would've been the better choice, but my Mechanics skills are not the best. I din't want to pick up the other intake & have to figure out how to get it right. Hopefully the NPI part will be easy enough to do. Any helpful pointers?

 

[TGJ]

Well I've already picked up the NPI intake. I know the PI would've been the better choice, but my Mechanics skills are not the best. I din't want to pick up the other intake & have to figure out how to get it right. Hopefully the NPI part will be easy enough to do. Any helpful pointers?

It is a pretty easy part to replace. The only part to concern yourself with is the re-installation of the intake manifold. I don't have a scanner that works right now or I would scan in the Ford service manual bolt torque and sequence for you on the install. If you don't have already, get your hands on the Ford Service CD or Ford Service Manual for a TBird/Cougar( Helms Manual ). Haynes and Chilton are trash.

 

[TruBluGT]

Thanks for the Tip TGJ. I don't have a Service Manual for the Cougar, but I do have one for my Bullitt. I'm assuming they are pretty similiar. I'll go looking tonight for the Helm's Manual. I was going to get the Haynes one tonight actually.

 

[billfisher]

i got my pi for 88 dollars on ebay.

 

[TruBluGT]

Well I have the new intake. & it looks like I will be installing it tomorrow. But I did a quick search on Google and came accross, www.Autoclinix.com They have a step by step instructions to do this. I wanted to pass this along to others to let them know. I'll find out how detailed these instructions are when I actually do this. Hopefully it won't be all that bad.