Modular Ford Engine

[Fireofficer5]

Gentleman.
MY 1996 Mercury Cougar is rated by NHRA at 210hp, 3541 lbs. shipping weight, 16.86 lbs.

1. Am I correct, this makes it a P/SA car?
2. If what I read is correct, the cougar can run in O/SA,P/SA,Q/SA.
3. I think the HP factor make this car uncompetive.
Am I right or wrong?

I've had it on the scales at Bradenton. 3780lbs. w/driver.
Best time 14.88, converter, gears and a tune. Everything else was totally stock.
Aided with the famous Florida March mineshaft air.

4.Is this a viable Stocker?
4a. Or super stocker?

[Joe Toller]

By my calculations, you are 40lbs heavy in Q/SA, with a 13.80 index. So, a second of ET to make up, taking advantage of headers and open exhaust, true "stocker" camshafts, a race converter, slicks and lightweight wheels, etc. 3530lbs puts you in P/SA, it's natural class (you are correct on question 2), at a 13.45 index, but the plus is you're dropping all that unnecessary weight, and if you drop enough, you get to add ballast where it can do some good. Seems like it could make Stock with a little work? There are alot of cars way further off the mark before they become stockers, I say go for it!

[Fireofficer5]

Thanks.
But what about the HP rating (nhra).
Factory rating is 210. Is it too high for the engine.
With the set up I have now, the car dyno'ed at 169 rwhp, 93 octain fuel.

[Joe Toller]

It might be a little high, but you could possibly remedy that with a HP request to NHRA.

I would think with headers, proper stocker cam(s), a race converter, and a tune to match you would be well past 210 rwhp.