looking to purchase 96-98 Cobra..opinions

[EZRIDN]

Wanted to get some people's thoughts about those years. How do the Cobra motors handle miles? i would put maybe 24K a year on one. Let me know what you guys think of thjose cars. Anything that shoudl stand out when i look for one.

What mods have worked the best for you Cobra guys. Any input would help greatly.

[98SNAKE]

Great car , the sound, the pull from the wide power band. If you pick one up go with a set of 4.30 gears. I have 3.73 and they just don't cut it, with how high the car revs and lack of low end tourqe the 4.30's are perfect.JMTC

Will

[96SNAKE]

98SNAKE is right EZ.. You know I think the Cobra is a great car. Most of the mods are typical but the gears are a subjective thing and depends on what you plan on doing with the car. If you do plan on making it a track star, the 4.30's are a must. Some even go with 4.56's.

I prefer my 3.73's. Why? My car is pretty torquey compared to most Cobras and in my rural area, highway races are the norm. This makes my 3.73's perfect for battles with LS1's or anything else I run into. If you live in an area with many stoplights, the 4.30's are the way to go.

The only negative about the car is the cost of rebuilding, buying parts or working on this engine. It can make you wish the 5.0 was in it but not for long.

[Skyman]

I drove my friends 97 Cobra vert around last week. It was an awesome car. Bone stock, it hauls *** and I love the 7000rpm red line.

The low end torque was great! Just as good as my stang at partial throttle operation.

Definatly its just lacking some gears and exhast and I could make it a mid-low 13sec car.

Skyler

[DRASTiK]

What size MAF and TB's come in those cobras?

[98SNAKE]

They come with an 80mm MAF and 62mm oval TB.

Will

[96SNAKE]

Actually, the stocker t-body has twin 57mm bores. The 62mm is the BBK aftermarket piece..

BUT..how do you like that Star Stage 2 clutch Will? I'm going to be ordering this next week. I may get the aluminum flywheel too but I'm not too sure about that yet..



Lance

[98SNAKE]

Brain fart on the TB size But on the clutch it works awsome grabs instantly. I do get a little noise but I called and talked too a tech and he said that its normal with the heavy duty construction of that clutch. It's a night and day difference between the stock, heavy duty, and king cobra clutches. On the flywheel I would just stick with the stock steel one. Because our cars are sort of heavy and the more weight or inertia you have to release when you let off the clutch, will help the car get out off the hole. It;s hard to put into words but I read it in MM&FF and it made alot of cense. Hope I helped.

Will

[96SNAKE]

Will, I talked to another guy who has the Stage 2 clutch. He said the chatter went away after 800 miles or so..

The alum flywheel thing is still a tough one. I keep hearing how they will shave off 1-2 tenths in the quarter and that it makes our cars rev even easier.. Sort of like the effect pulleys have but better. The Cobra R had one stock but it does have a stronger engine to begin with..
You are right about the inertia needed for launch but I don't drag this car, not yet anyway. In some cases, I hear the lighter wheel is better since it allows a higher rpm launch with the softer hit to the tires.. My real concern is that I hear the stock flywheel may be better for highway cruisers because of the gas mileage difference. The stocker keeps you at speed easier where you probably have to hit the gas more to maintain speed with the alum one.

Decisions..decisions..

[98SNAKE]

I know when it comes to cars there are tons of options or routes to take when moding. But it's all in your hands now. Have fun
Also have you been to the track? What times did you run if you have?

Will

[96SNAKE]

Very true! I am in the process of installing all of these parts right now and should be done in two weeks. Steeda LCA's and torque box weld, Star clutch(no alumflywheel), tranny synchro rebuild and rear end differential replacement with a new Tru-Trac . I've been putting this stuff off for almost a year. Damn that hurts the wallet..

I haven't taken this car to the track because of that rollbar rule if you run under a 13.99. I never intended the car for the strip anyway so it's ok. I miss racing though. I used to take my carbed 89Lx to the track alot. Before I sold the Lx, I did get a chance to run the cars against each other when they were both in prime shape and on reg street tires. The Lx ran a best of 12.4 @109 on Nittos. The races were close until about 90, where the Cobra always pulled away by three cars to 120 or so.. Maybe if I get the Snake running good enough, I'll take my one run down the strip before they boot me for the rollbar.

What's your future plans for your car?

[98SNAKE]

Well, right now I plan on a total rear end overhall. After I installed the clutch allll the power from the engine goes through to the wheels. And has wasted the limited slip. I'am going with the eaton posi because it's rebuildable, 31 spline axles, 4.30 gear and last but not least a rear end cover. Then I would like to get a set of upper and lower control arms, sub-frame's, adj. struts, springs. And then take her to Paul's High Performance in Jackson,Mi and hit the engine with some mods like, pullies, ported intake, headers, maf and a dyno tuned chip. I know thats a huge list but I plan on doing almost all the work myself. Ill keep you informed.

Will

[Snakeman]

supercharger is a necessity, imnsho!

Billet Steel Flywheel is the one to get.


A supercharger is not needed to run low 12's. Look in my sig for times with stock motor and bolt-ons only.


Later, Jason

[Snakeman]

to get a 1.6 short-time, you either have slicks or drag radials, eh?
prolly 4:10 or 4:30 gearing, too?
i wonder what my et would be if I took a half-second off my 60' ?


I'm also wondering if there isn't something wrong with my car if my mph is the same as a stock-motored car...
what gives, jason?


I'm off to the user's rides section...

[Snakeman]

had me worried until i found that your "bolt-ons" consist of a transmission/clutch/flywheel/4:56 gears/31 spline axles/welded tubes/cut springs and a 32,500 lb track weight (3250, maybe? pretty light. you take stuff off?)/and a custom rollcage...

boy howdy!
come "bolt-on" stuff on my car!
you ROCK!

[98SNAKE]

Jason what do you think of the Eaton posi unit is it up to the task off hard launches with slicks and a 4.30 gear?

Thanks, Will

The EATON posi sucks!!! I know of 3 people that have destoyed on in less than 5 passes each with an N/A Cobra on slicks.

I personally blew a 31spline Trak-loc in 10 passes.

N/A Cobras have to be launched at 7000+ rpms to get the most out of them. The only thing that can stand up to that is the TracTech C-Locker (Detroit Locker). I haven't had a problem since I put the C-Locker in.

Snakeman,

I have a stock replacement tranny (T-45), it is just made by Tremec.

I got every bolt-on under the sun for a Cobra. The motor is truly stock except for sparkplugs. I have taken out everything possible for weight savings, but still have all power options, A/C, carpet, etc.

The only thing holding me back from 11's is my lowering springs. I get no weight transfer whatsoever and my slicks and rearend take the full beating and I have severe squat to get my 1.6's. I have dents in my trunk floor from the rear squatting so hard on launch.

I just got the full Anthony Jones Front Suspension (Tubular K, Arms, Coilovers) and that should get me low 1.5's and 11.7-11.8 ET's.

Then the Vortech (2valve impeller + AFM powerpipe + 7600 rpms = 20 lbs. of boost) and fuel system go on and mid to low 10's from there. All on the stock motor.

Later, Jason