All V6 manuals have the same tranny, regardless whether it's an SVT or a Cougar or a Mystique. The only difference is that there are rod-shift trannies in the early Contours, which would not work in your SVT. All SVT's are cable shift, as are all manuals from 96 onwards.

So yes a Cougar tranny will work.

2000 SVT Turbo 295hp/269ftlb@12psi #1 for Bendix Brakes Kits! Knuckles rebuilt w/new bearings $55 AUSSIE ENDLINKS $70 Gutted pre-cats $80/set A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!