96 Cobra Question

[chris91]

Okay, so I may be picking up a 96 Cobra soon. I have never dealt with a Cobra and dont really have any experience with the 4v motors other than the Mark VIII's Ive owned. Just wondering if there are common things that go wrong with them and maybe some certain things to be on the lookout for when Im checking it out. I know the typical areas on the body and such for the SN cars being Ive owned a couple now. Just looking for info on the drivetrain really. :bigthumb This one has also been swapped to a T3650 instead of the T45.

[RACEME]

I would listen to see if the timing chain tensioners are noisy, otherwise they are pretty bullet proof.

[SCHMUCKINGHAM]

Okay, so I may be picking up a 96 Cobra soon. I have never dealt with a Cobra and dont really have any experience with the 4v motors other than the Mark VIII's Ive owned. Just wondering if there are common things that go wrong with them and maybe some certain things to be on the lookout for when Im checking it out. I know the typical areas on the body and such for the SN cars being Ive owned a couple now. Just looking for info on the drivetrain really. :bigthumb This one has also been swapped to a T3650 instead of the T45.

Smoke on startup from the valve seals. Also the IMRC plates will hold oil and it will smoke under hard accel mid RPMs

[chris91]

Hey guys thanks for the info. If anyone else has anything to add, feel free. I just want to make sure I look it over thoroughly before committing to a trade since my car is in such good shape.

[Pitbull1052]

Yea I'll add something. KEEP YOUR CAR!!!!!!!! lol

[chris91]

LOL No way, I need another SN car in my life. I like Foxes and all, but I just love the SN's looks. Maybe one day Ill get another Fox, but if I do itll mainly be a track car. Daily driving a Fox just isnt me.

[Pitbull1052]

You wuss lol

[chris91]

Yep... Ive always wanted a Cobra too. :)

[2007ShelbyCobra]

engine noises.. usually things start to go sour around 80k, but im not sure what mileage vehicle your looking at

[chris91]

I dont believe the 80k mile thing. Both of my Mark VII's had WELL over that and ran strong.

[blown96cobra]

check to make sure both imrc plates open, the first set will open at 3250rpm and the 2nd set opens at 4000rpm. I was getting an intermittent code on my 96 for bank one being stuck closed, i seafoamed it a few times and it went away along with a nice pickup in performance. aside from the imrcs i cant really think of anything troublesome other than the t45 junker, but you said it had already been swapped for a 3650.

[chris91]

How do you check to make sure they are opening? And what would be best for mods other than the usual Intake, Exhaust, Gears? It already has the gears and exhaust minus headers. And is the JLT Cold Air the best intake to go with? Or should I just hit up SVTPerformance and start reading up?

[blown96cobra]

What gears? Yes the jlt is the best intake. Pm me your mod list and well go from there. There easy to make a 12aec ripper out of.

[boostanggt]

engine noises.. usually things start to go sour around 80k, but im not sure what mileage vehicle your looking at

That's not true.

Make sure you hear a cold start. That will show timing chain or possible piston skirt damage

[blown96cobra]

That's not true.

Make sure you hear a cold start. That will show timing chain or possible piston skirt damage

X2 if it rattles the guides or timing tensioners are worn.

[chris91]

Damn well then that means I have to make a nice long trip to hear a cold start. We were going to meet in the middle and that would be like a 2 hour drive for it so it would definitely be warmed up. Guess Ill be driving 4 hours there. But its worth it so I can check that out. I might be able to get a video of it cold starting but I doubt Id be able to hear it good enough to tell.

I dont know why but they put 3.73's in it. I know the gear of choice is 4.10 and above for the 4 valve so that would probably be the first thing I do with it. All it has is Mac H pipe, Mac exhaust, Gears, Clutch, and MGW Short Shifter and a K&N filter on the stock tube. So basically its fairly unmolested.

So should I stay away from it if the guides are making noise or is it something an average skilled mechanic can do to replace them along with the timing chain?

Oh and thanks for the info guys, much appreciated!

[blown96cobra]

It's about a 3.5 hr job to replace the valve guides. Not sure on the tensioners. I'm sure someone will chime in.

[chris91]

Whats the life expectancy of the Timing Chains? The car has 93k miles on it so Im sure its about due for one. Id just go ahead and replace the tensioners while I was at it. Now if he already has the car running when I get there will they keep making noise after warmed up? Just trying to cover all situations so I know what to keep my eyes and ears on.

[blown96cobra]

Chris gimme a call tomm and I'll go over everything I can with you. 7409416497

[chris91]

Sounds good man, THANKS! Whens a good time?

[jad0087]

i think you should keep ur car and do a better trade then that

[cobra429boss]

i think you should keep ur car and do a better trade then that

x2 he has a nice car with low miles.. thats what i was tellin him :bigthumb

[bobtsgt]

the timing chains are pretty easy. with the cobra you have 4 of them since the intake cams also drive the exhaust cams. worst part is just buying the new chains, tensioners and guides. Swapping them out isn't that bad if you have a good selection of sockets. The timing chains themselves should be fine though. The sound you hear on a cold start is the tensioners not fully built up with pressure to push the guides out and taking the slack out of the chain. If the chains are past their normal stretch then you will hear then rub together where they pass between your pivot guide and stationary guide after being warmed up.

[jad0087]

x2 he has a nice car with low miles.. thats what i was tellin him :bigthumb

ya i mean i wouldnt trade a low mileage car like that off anyway, but if ur gonna do it, trade it for a cobra with lower miles or has some good mods done to it with lower miles or something is my opinion

[blown96cobra]

Sounds good man, THANKS! Whens a good time?

You can get ahold of me anytime today. I'm gonna put a bigger fuel pump in my cobra today if the rain holds off.

[chris91]

Bob, THANK YOU for that run down. Whats the average life of the chains? I mean while I had it torn down that far I might as well replace them too right?

Guys Im getting rid of the Fox, I dont keep cars long and me keeping this low mileage Fox and driving the piss outta it is just flat out stupid. I feel guilty anytime I drive it and quite frankly its not worth what the Cobra is. Ive had the car for sale on a bunch of major forums and havent even had a bite on it. I have told people to make offers and no one has made me any kind of offer, even a lowball. This Cobra is VERY nice, if it wasnt I wouldnt even be thinking about trading. This isnt my first go round with trading cars, if I wasnt getting the better end of the deal I wouldnt be doing it. There are quite a few people on here that know what I paid for my car (I f**kin STOLE it basically) so really Im making out VERY well on this trade. No more talk about me keeping it. If this deal goes through, I might, I might not. Thats not what this thread is about. Im asking for info on the 96 Cobra here. Thanks!

[NXcoupe]

It's about a 3.5 hr job to replace the valve guides. Not sure on the tensioners. I'm sure someone will chime in.

I think you mean valve seals, and if so, on a 32 valve engine, it takes a little bit of time.

[chris91]

Nothing a set of 04 Cobra heads wouldnt fix right? :)

[bobtsgt]

The chains can last between 100K-300k. All depends on wear and tear and how well the tensionsers hold up. While your in there you might as well if you want piece of mind. The chain set up is just like the 2v motors and look at all those cop cars and taxis. Some of the motors go 250K before getting into the front cover. You should be fine as long as it was taken care of

[zippy94]

My 98 cobra has 102k on it and no smoke or noise, And i am pretty sure a grandma didnt drive it, I am going 456 gears and a short runner intake, and some bolt on's Should get me over 300hp to the ground and get mid 20's in mpg's. i am going to do chains and guides over the winter on mine to be on safe side

[chris91]

Oh wow, didnt realize they were that tough. Im hoping to have the car by not this weekend but the next. Its a good looking car, about the same color as mine but with 18" Bullits on it and lowered. Has the tails tinted but Im not sure if I like that too much. And once again, thanks for the info guys!!

Blown96cobra Ill probably be giving you a call tomorrow if thats okay. Had a few things pop up and my mother came down from Columbus. Such fun! lol

[Blkcobra01]

I dont know what the 80k mile thing is about Ive got more miles than that and knock on wood, mine has been great. The 96-98 Cobras like said are known for IMRC'S sticking/ getting carboned up, check for noise like stated can be tensioners/worn guides for the chains, and obviously the T-45, but full exhaust, JLT, 4.10 or 4.30 gears and a set of drag radials work on your launch should easily be a high 12sec. car. Good Luck.

[cobraman302]

Work out a trade?

[chris91]

Nope, dude is dickin around with it. Says he is still very interested but we will see.

[JIMS SVT]

check to make sure both imrc plates open, the first set will open at 3250rpm and the 2nd set opens at 4000rpm. .

Not sure what your talking about here. They only have one set of Imrc's and they open at 3250.

[chris91]

Not sure what your talking about here. They only have one set of Imrc's and they open at 3250.

No one ever did let me know how to check that they are indeed opening. Just watch them open while revving it up under the hood Im assuming?

[JIMS SVT]

Chances are you will have a code thrown if they aint opening. You can look on the back of the imrcs and watch for the cable and arm to move on each side when you rev it past 3250.

[chris91]

Cool, thanks man!

[JIMS SVT]

No problem. Ive had mine stick closed at the track years ago. I deleted them. Gains alittle power up top. May loose alittle down low without a tune. Nothing a 410-488 wont take care of though.

[blown96cobra]

Chris you'll be able to feel it when your driving. You should feel a little kick in the ass at 3250 and a bigger one at 4000. The tone of the motor will change too.

[JIMS SVT]

There is not one at 4000 lol.

[JIMS SVT]

The IMRC plates open at 3250rpm. Maybe what is being felt at 4000rpm is the motor finally coming to life. They arnt the greatest down low.

[blown96cobra]

My bad I thought they opened at different rpms

[redfirepearlgt]

I dont believe the 80k mile thing. Both of my Mark VII's had WELL over that and ran strong.

dittos. had a 94 Mk Viii and it was solid at 100K. Oil, and filters only. Tranny was beginning to slip slightly going up hills. Was a great car otherwise and did me well for many years. I never babied it either. Noting more fun that manual shifting a two door luxury tank that chirped second gear. Shocked me from the first time I drove it. Never smoked or missed or anything.