2002 Mercury Cougar

Once upon a time, some goon found an open road, deftly balanced the delicate grip/throttle threshold from a standstill, then decided to lift at 60 mph and call it a day. Sounds like a job half done, but since then the world has mysteriously embraced 0-60 as the international yardstick of acceleration testing. We don't know how quickly John Mihovetz's Accufab Cougar hits 60 mph, and frankly, we don't care. But to put things into perspective for enthusiasts and "consumers" alike, in the 6.83 seconds that many consider a respectable 0-60 time, his Merc has traversed a quarter-mile, clicked the traps at 205 mph, and earned the title of the World's Fastest Modular-Powered Car in the process.

Quick Inspection
John Mihovetz
Ontario, CA
'02 Mercury Cougar

Engine
Type: Ford Modular DOHC 4.6L bored 0.020-over
Block: Stock '96 Cobra
Oiling: SHM billet oil pump, stock pan
Crank: Stock
Connecting Rods: Manley billet steel
Pistons: Forged aluminum 10.0:1 flattop
Cylinder Heads: Accufab-ported stock '96 Cobra castings, 52cc combustion chambers, 38/31mm Inconel valves; 330 cfm at 28 inches of water
Camshafts: Custom SHM hydraulic; 225 degrees duration at 0.050; 0.472-inch lift
Valvetrain: Stock lifters, rocker arms, and timing chain; SHM valvesprings, titanium retainers, and stud girdle
Induction: Twin Precision Turbo & Engine 74mm GTS turbochargers; custom Accufab air-to-water intercooler, discharge plumbing, intake manifold, and 90mm throttle-body
Fuel System: Custom 3-gallon cell, Weldon 2035 pump, Accufab fuel rails, Siemens 83-lb/hr injectors, Paxton regulator
Engine Management: Electromotive standalone computer, Auto Meter Data Logger, MoTeC wideband oxygen sensor, Bosch MAP sensor; tuned by owner
Ignition: Electromotive TEC2 crank trigger, Magnecor spark plug wires, Denso plugs
Exhaust: Accufab 171/48-inch 321 stainless steel headers, twin HKS wastegates, dual Borla 4-inch mufflers
Cooling: Custom PWR radiator, Meziere electric water pump
Output: 1,200 rear-wheel horsepower
Built by: Accufab and Sean Hyland Motorsport

Drivetrain
Transmission: Lenco CS3 five-speed manual (air shifted), Trick Titanium bellhousing, Crower clutch and flywheel
Driveshaft: Inland Empire Driveline 4-inch
Rear Axle: Mark Williams 9-inch, 40-spline axles, and spool; 4.30:1 gears

Chassis
Frame: Tube frame
Front Suspension: Lamb struts and 200-lb/in springs
Rear Suspension: Four-link with Lamb 110-lb/in springs and Koni double-adjustable shocks; 71/48-inch sway bar
Brakes: Twin air-launched Stroud chutes, Lamb 10-inch rotors front and rear, Chrysler 1-inch-diameter manual master cylinder

Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Bogart 15x4 billet-aluminum, front; Weld 16x16 (5-inch backspacing), rear
Tires: Mickey Thompson 25x4.5-15 front, 33.5x17-16 rear

Body & Paint
Body: Custom Jerry Haas carbon fiber
Paint: '02 Ford Chrome Yellow by California Custom (Ontario, CA)
Interior: Kirkey seat, M/W steering wheel, Auto Meter gauges, Advanced Engineering West wiring, 16-volt electrical system, custom fire systemCurb Weight: 2,300 pounds

Thanks
Crewchief Donnie Matter, wiring guru Mark Sanchez, Royal Purple, Crower, Auto Meter, Probe Industries, 76 Racing fuel, Mickey Thompson, Sean Hyland Motorsport