Project Green Eyes

[cobraman302]

So a few of you may know that I had a Cobra before this car, but to me it was not much fun having a car that had the work already done to it. So I decided to get rid of the '04 and search for a nice foxbody.....yeah well nothing but a bunch of shitboxes out there or really nice cars that are just over priced IMO. So I stumbled on this ride, a '97 Cobra with 100k miles in amazing shape.

The car was located just out of Louisville in a town called Corydon, IN. I was very skeptical that for the money it would be a halfway decent car. He was asking $4k and I was able to pick it up for 35 benjamins. Its got a bad rod bearing and valve seals are a little leaky. The previous owner is a mustang nut and heard the engine knock when he started it one day and shut it off and never started it again....6 months later I picked her up by trailer and on my way back to Cincy with it.

The car currently has the following:

Ford Racing shorties
off road h-pipe
Mac catback
255 Walbro
39lb injectors
Trick Flow balancer
JLT cold air
'04 Cobra Pedals
4.30 gears
braced and girdle
Eibach Pro-kit
Centerforce dual friction clutch (brand new)
01 Cobra waterpump
fresh rebuilt t-45 with 99 Cobra internals
pro 5.0 shifter
17x9 and 17x10.5" Chrome '03 Cobras


Now for the "what I plan to do" list

It will be getting:

04' Cobra shortblock
Precision 67mm ball bearing turbo (still debating)
stock "B" heads gone through and milled .030"
tubular k-member and coil overs
lower the rear to match the front with coil-overs
Innovative wideband
return to stock 3.27 gears
remove rear spoiler
possibly put electric cutout for exhaust
re-tint the blue windows!

Those are the immediate plans, and maybe I can get some feedback from everyone on here with some previous turbo experience. I am still ironing out some details since this just started a few weeks ago. I will be sure to take plenty of pics and update if anyone is interested.

My goal for this year is to just have about 500 to the wheels and next year crank it up some with a bigger fuel system.

Here are the pics of the way it sits now...

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/1.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/2.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1230.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1209.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1242.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1037.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1247.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1036.jpg

[cstreu1026]

I would talk to jimssvt...he know's a think or two about turbo B headed Cobras.

[inferno50]

Looks like a nice clean car.

[COOP]

wow. gorgeous cobra. ive always loved the cobras in that color

[Evil_Capri]

Nice ride, good luck with build!

[bobtsgt]

very nice. kind of looks like my car.

[cobraman302]

Thanks guys, should be fun. It still has a tune in it for a 150 shot.....it rolls the coal like a diesel when ya lay into her. I will probably start yanking the motor this weekend at some point and send the heads off to the machine shop.

[CNTLOSE]

Great looking car and for a great price! Good luck on the build, should be a fun one to watch.

[Walter]

Fn nice car there guy! Need any help give me a shout.

[Pitbull1052]

finally one with black interior!!!!!!!!! Good looking ride

[bascom123]

nice build / ride.. but hey i'm biased.

[JIMS SVT]

Ive never seen one with black interior.Im guessing its been swapped or dyed.Looks good.

[cobraman302]

Its a full swap from a 96 Cobra. He did it the right way, nothing dyed or colored or painted. has the Cobra steering wheel and all, looks nice. Thanks for the compliments guys. This is one body style mustang I have not owned yet, and it is growing on me quick.

[chris91]

Very nice man! Good luck with the build!

[Stangman]

Maannn... that thing's almost too nice to even touch! (besides fix the motor)

[Yellow98Cobra]

Car looks sweet. Good luck with the build, look forward to watching this one!

[cobraman302]

Forgot to mention that i picked up some Corbeau GTSII seats for it as well. I really dislike the front seats on these Cobras so thats the first thing to go. I will be parting out with the following.....

Front and rear seat set with brackets
JLT cold air
4.30 gears
Eiback Pro-Kit Springs
Off road h-pipe
stock 03 cobra 39lb injectors
Stock shortblock

[Blkcobra01]

Car looks good sounds like a fun build.

[Yellow98Cobra]

Forgot to mention that i picked up some Corbeau GTSII seats for it as well. I really dislike the front seats on these Cobras so thats the first thing to go. I will be parting out with the following.....

Front and rear seat set with brackets
JLT cold air
4.30 gears
Eiback Pro-Kit Springs
Off road h-pipe
stock 03 cobra 39lb injectors
Stock shortblock

Are you selling the shorties?

[V8Mustang1967]

I got a Teksid with 58k miles on it. Id sell. If interested PM me.. Can get pictures.

[cobraman302]

Are you selling the shorties?
At this point I am keeping th shorties since the turbo kit reuses the factory manifold location.

I got a Teksid with 58k miles on it. Id sell. If interested PM me.. Can get pictures.
I have a 04' cobra shortblock being shipped to me this week as of right now. The car has a Teksid block motor in it right now, just needs rod bearings.

[beefcake]

very nice, i've always liked the 96-98's

[cobraman302]

Ended up picking up a Turbonetics 76mm ball bearing turbo. Still waiting on the motor to arrive and I should start on the car next week. I will take plenty of progress pics.

[5.0calypso93lx]

That wasn't the one of YB was it?

[cobraman302]

That wasn't the one of YB was it?

No sir it was not.

[cobraman302]

Well I am a few steps closer, I will update the thread with pics soon.

I got the upper/lower intake off, cam covers off, wiring harness moved out of the way, got all the stock suspension off. Ready to drain the fluids and yank the trans/motor/k-member.

Updaed list of parts I have finally got in...

Got the '04 cobra shortblock in
Headgaskets
turbo blanket
Innovate MTX-L wideband
Tial wastegate
Tial Q BOV
SCT Xcal3 tuner
Corbeau seat brackets
Maximum Motorsports 4 bolt camber plates
60lb injectors
315/30/18 mickeys (still looking for wheels)
Stock B heads
Stock 3.27 gears to replace 4.30's

Ordered the K-member and front/rear coilovers with strange adjustable shocks/struts.

Also about to order the VMP HPX 05+ slot meter and 75mm tube/adapter harness.

Still need to pick up the oil lines for the turbo, rear seats from 03-04 Cobra, and an electronic boost controller. Still a lot of work to do.

[03z06vette]

Its a full swap from a 96 Cobra. He did it the right way, nothing dyed or colored or painted. has the Cobra steering wheel and all, looks nice. Thanks for the compliments guys. This is one body style mustang I have not owned yet, and it is growing on me quick.

I like the interier better than fox's. Get them pics up!!!!:bigthumb

[Yellow98Cobra]

Do you still have the injectors that came with the car? Would you want to sell?

[5.0calypso93lx]

What k member did you go with?

[cobraman302]

Do you still have the injectors that came with the car? Would you want to sell?

I actually gave them to a friend already thats putting a vortech on his car. Sorry man.


What k member did you go with?

I ended up going with the QA1 setup, but with the UPR coilover kit using the strange adjustable shocks/struts for a fox body.

[cobraman302]

Well slight update, however I did not get as much accomplished as I had hoped for.

I got the new front and rear seats in which took more time that I had expected to do it right. Apparently the 03/04 Cobra rear seats mount different than my original seats.

Got the oil drained, trans fluid drained, started rolling the fenders, too the exhaust off, and called it quits after a couple of hours of work lol. Here are some pics of how it sits now.

And I am really considering buying a set of 03/04 Cobra front seats to match the rears, they really look nice in the car.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1046.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1050.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1054.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1051.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1052.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1055.jpg

[Squale iii]

That thing will be bangin!

[93RedNotch]

i love it!

[Gearhead]

Looks good !! :bigthumb You still working at Fidelity ??

[cobraman302]

That thing will be bangin!

I appreciate it man, I hope so! I have the dyno tune scheduled for April 5th at 10am.


i love it!

:coo1: Wish I had more time to work on it so I could say it was finished already!


Looks good !! :bigthumb You still working at Fidelity ??

Yes sir, I am still here at Fidelity in Covington. What you been up to??

[cobraman302]

Got a few things done today. Here are the pics.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1065.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1064.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1067.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1069.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1068.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1070.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1073.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1080.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1079.jpg

[Squale iii]

Nice start! I love getting things done.

[cobraman302]

Little more done, but been super busy at work and get only one day a week to work on it. Got the intercooler mounted up and altered the power steering lines to fit the turbo piping. Will have pics of that up soon. For now I leave you with a pic of some parts awaiting install....about half of what I have and getting the suspension tomorrow. Should have all of the suspension installed by Saturday afternoon and awaiting the new motor transplant. Hopefully if all goes right be installing the turbo kit early in the week.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1089.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1092.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1093.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1094.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1090.jpg

[Yellow98Cobra]

Just out of curiosity, why are you running B heads on the 04 block?

[cobraman302]

Just out of curiosity, why are you running B heads on the 04 block?

There are a few reasons. One is because I can make more than enough power on B heads to exceed what I can safely run on the stock trans and without going crazy on the fuel system. Two, if I swapped out to C heads I would have to change the intake since the ports dont line up. I wanted to keep the factor intake setup and C heads are more expensive. I can make 550rwhp with no problem on B heads.

[Yellow98Cobra]

I know you can make plenty of power on the B heads. I just saw that you were doing the 04 block rather than the 97 block. I didn't know if you had got a complete 04 motor or what. Didn't know if there was some advantage.

[93RedNotch]

this build thread got alot cooler when i saw the turbo pics. i cant wait to see this bad boy done.

[Walter]

Looking good!

[Yellow98Cobra]

Just out of curiosity, why are you running B heads on the 04 block?

Just read the short block part. My bad.

[cobraman302]

Got the suspension all mounted up...what fun stuff!

Crappy cell phone pics...sorry in advance. Also some pics of the new meats.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/3.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/4.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/1-1.jpg

[cobraman302]

Today was a LONG day's work, and come to think about it...so was yesterday. About 5 hours yesterday and 5 hours today.

Got the motor all put together, put it in the car, buttoned up the suspension, put most of everything on the front of the motor minus the tensioner and one pulley.

Was trying to mock up the intake piping to see how I need to cut the 45* bend. Decided that I will cut back some of the black piping coming through the fender to bring the MAF away from the throttle body some. Probably cut 3-4" off.

Still have a lot of work to do, need to hand the exhaust, adjust the coilovers, tranny fluid, run the turbo piping and plumb the feed/drain lines, finish up the intake, wire up the wideband and boost controller.

Here are the pics!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1114.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1115.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1116.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1117.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1118.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1122.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1124.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1125.jpg

The parts pile is down to very little....

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/DSC_1121.jpg

[AZZKIKR]

Nice work man,good luck with it. Love your shop!

[cobraman302]

Nice work man,good luck with it. Love your shop!

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I hope to have it 99% completed by weeks end. But we all know how that goes...:lol:

[Stangman]

Damn man you're kicking ass on that thing! Glad those parts worked out for ya!

[cobraman302]

Damn man you're kicking ass on that thing! Glad those parts worked out for ya!

You sir saved the day. I really appreciate the help.

[HARCracing]

looks real nice

[bobtsgt]

lookin good man. keep it up

[Stangman]

You sir saved the day. I really appreciate the help.

No problem man, im really glad I could help out.

[SN95N/A]

Looks slow

[cobraman302]

Few updates with the ol' cell phone. Spent a few hours in the garage today and got some things accomplished...thanks to my girlfriends patience lol.

Got 90% of the turbo piping installed, wastegate mounted up, intake piping finally cut to length and fit under the hood, coilovers adjusted close (having an issue with the rear coilovers sitting the car way too high), coolant hoses mounted and thats about it.

Still need to relocate the coil packs, run/mount the cold side piping/intercooler,put the Aeromotive fuel pump in, install the 3.27 gears, hook up the wideband and electronic boost controller, and button up a few loose ends. Only have four pics.

Anyone have experience with the UPR rear coilovers on these cars? I have the Strange 10 way adjustable shocks in the rear with the UPR 10" coilover kit. Its adjusted all the way down about as low as it can go and its still jacked up in the rear. Any advice?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/two.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/one.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/three.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/97%20Cobra/four-1.jpg

[JIMS SVT]

Just curious but did you get the right kit for the strange shocks? I know UPR's older kit wouldnt work with strange shocks. They just came out with a kit not to long ago that lets you use them.

[mad max]

Good looking cobra , looks like its gonna be alot of fun when your done.

[cobraman302]

Just curious but did you get the right kit for the strange shocks? I know UPR's older kit wouldnt work with strange shocks. They just came out with a kit not to long ago that lets you use them.

I bought the set from upr together. Im assuming that they are made for the strange struts. That's a good question thong. The coilover sleeve may not be long enough.

[JIMS SVT]

I bought the set from upr together. Im assuming that they are made for the strange struts. That's a good question thong. The coilover sleeve may not be long enough.

I think the diameter is different at a certain spot. Maybe why they are not going all the way down the shock. Im betting you have the wrong kit for that shock.

[bobtsgt]

lookin good. hope that transition before the MAF picks up alright.

[cobraman302]

lookin good. hope that transition before the MAF picks up alright.

I was thinking about that myself bobbbbbbbbb. I originally had planned on going with the slot style MAF from VMPtuning, which is only a 3" tube. i got a great deal on this 90mm SCT meter and decided to try it out, but I get what you are saying with the big step up right before the meter. Time will tell I guess.

[cobraman302]

I think the diameter is different at a certain spot. Maybe why they are not going all the way down the shock. Im betting you have the wrong kit for that shock.

The coilover sleeve seats all the way down onto the shock....but it does not go down far enough. It's hard to explain. I can take a measurement and call UPR and see how long they are supposed to be. They just don't allow for enough adjustment downward towards the bottom shock mount, it stops too soon.

EDIT** After looking at the picture on UPR's website, I can tell that the sleeve isn't long enough, even though it mounts on the shock and seats perfect....its not made long enough to compensate for how tall the shock body is on the strange shocks.

[cobraman302]

Found out that I have the wrong rear shocks. Just an FYI for those with 94+ cars thinking about doing coilovers with Strange shocks.....

Typically you want to get the Fox body rear shocks if you are lowering a 94+ car due to the shock travel better matching the lower car. Well, strange shocks have different shock body heights on the 94+ shocks compared to the fox body ones. This causes the rear end to be jacked up about 2" taller in this case because it raises the coilover sleeve up 2". So if you have a 94+ car and doing coilovers from UPR, DO NOT get the 94+ shocks, you must get the 87-93 shocks. There is not an option, unless you get their relocation brackets for the shocks.

I decided to wait for the relocation brackets, he said that the better fix is to kep these shocks and get the brackets, 3 weeks and they should have then ready for production and get me a set. Oh well, crap happens.

[bobtsgt]

3 weeks? hahaha there not that bad if you have to make them. shoot me a pic on your phone of the shock and I'll compare it to mine.

[AntiRice427]

Found out that I have the wrong rear shocks. Just an FYI for those with 94+ cars thinking about doing coilovers with Strange shocks.....

Typically you want to get the Fox body rear shocks if you are lowering a 94+ car due to the shock travel better matching the lower car. Well, strange shocks have different shock body heights on the 94+ shocks compared to the fox body ones. This causes the rear end to be jacked up about 2" taller in this case because it raises the coilover sleeve up 2". So if you have a 94+ car and doing coilovers from UPR, DO NOT get the 94+ shocks, you must get the 87-93 shocks. There is not an option, unless you get their relocation brackets for the shocks.

I decided to wait for the relocation brackets, he said that the better fix is to kep these shocks and get the brackets, 3 weeks and they should have then ready for production and get me a set. Oh well, crap happens.

Thanks for the info! I bought the same setup a few months ago, but have not had time to put them on. I'm going to call Jermey at UPR and see what he has to say. I will probably just return my shocks and get the ones for 79-93.

[cobraman302]

Thanks for the info! I bought the same setup a few months ago, but have not had time to put them on. I'm going to call Jermey at UPR and see what he has to say. I will probably just return my shocks and get the ones for 79-93.

Yeah you will def need the 87-93 shocks if you have strange shocks with the upr coilovers. There's no way around it unless you wait for them to make and sell the lower relocation brackets.

[cobraman302]

Well.....slight change of plans lol. Long story short, I canned the turbo idea, traded that for a Procharger kit, then sold that and got a Vortech T-trim kit and putting that on the car right now.

Its a T-Trim fully polished, with upgraded polished discharge piping, 3.1" pulley, got a crushed 1G BOV, and going with a Stage 2 Snow Performance Methanol kit to cool everything down. Still shooting for 550ish RWHP, but time will tell on that.

Need a pair of fox body strange 10 way adjustable shocks to put on her, clearance the longtubes for the steering shaft (touches a slight bit), put in the LOKAR dipstick tube, relocate the IAT sensor, drill and tap meth nozzle locations, throw the mid-pipe on, and possibly find a smaller belt....this one doesnt seem to be tight enough for my liking.

[cobraman302]

Got everything put on the car and running. Had an issue with the 1G blow off valve not functioing since the crushed top takes too much vacuum to operate. Switched to an upgraded bosch 710n bypass valve and its working perfectly now. Got a very tight shorter belt on it, no slip that I can tell of yet, Got it aligned, have a couple of base tunes loaded in the SCT to drive the car on. It hits about 13lbs at 5k, but I dont take it any higher than that really, and very short runs at that. Loaded up a coupld of videos for fun, sorry they are so short but it doesnt have a dyno tune in it as of yet. Still think the 4.30 gears will be a little too much for this kind of power, but it does help having that gear in 3rd and 4th gear. However, 1st and 2nd seem completely useless unless I get a very sticky tire.

http://youtu.be/PN2EXooN8JY
http://youtu.be/_WIkw07p2sY

[cobraman302]

http://youtu.be/7M_nA9tHXLk

Forgot a vid.

[cobraman302]

Well I guess this closes a project out! All I have to do is get it on the dyno to get the tune nailed down by Adam, whenever I find some time to do this. Trim the hood to fit the AEM powerpipe ( hood doesnt shut far enough). Also need to get the ass of the car down a bit, probably gonna take a half coil out of the lowering springs. And figure out why the damn speedo started working backwards out of nowhere. Here is a couple of pics of how it sits now, and a vid of it getting to about 6500 and hitting about 16 pounds. Car is REALLY strong in 3rd and 4th gear at the upper end of the rpm range. one part of me wants to get a 3.73 gear, the other parts thinks that it really fits the car with this blower (even if 1st and 2nd gear are pretty much useless). It's not a race car, but a really strong street car. Enjoy

http://youtu.be/o5ALKx-7E0w

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/SAM_0833-1.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/lightningrich/SAM_0835.jpg

[Walter]

Looks good! Heard u shredding up old 74 yesterday?

[cobraman302]

Looks good! Heard u shredding up old 74 yesterday?

Yeah, I just went down there to the new "park" off Tealtown and turned around. I messed with the tune a little bit and wanted to see how it would do under full boost. Where has your car been all Summer?? I kinda miss the flybys by my house lol. :coo1:

[Walter]

I sold it.

[mustangboy]

Sounds really good!! Engine pics look nice as well:bigthumb

[cobraman302]

I sold it.
Well that blows, I loved that car. In the market for another one anytime soon?


Sounds really good!! Engine pics look nice as well:bigthumb

Thanks to you man! The cam covers, intake, and camber plates turned out great. Thanks for the help on them.

[JIMS SVT]

Looking good. Get that tune on there and we can linem up sometime.

[cobraman302]

Looking good. Get that tune on there and we can linem up sometime.

Haha, I have a feeling you will come out ahead on that deal! Now if I get some ET Streets...maybe it will be a little closer. :lol:

[JIMS SVT]

Haha, I have a feeling you will come out ahead on that deal! Now if I get some ET Streets...maybe it will be a little closer. :lol:

Get some tires on it then lol.