2003 Cobra build thread

Domestic any and all
#41

Getting the car to pass emissions here in IL became a headache because of some changes made to the testing. Basically, every monitor that the car had from the factory must be running. In the Ford world, the way you get a car to pass without cats is by simply turning the monitor off. So when the car is scanned, it is as if the ECU never knew the car had rear O2 sensors to even monitor. My car has deleted EGR and no cats. When I would scan my car, it would say “not supported” for those monitors.

So how do you pass now? I have to have my tuner send me a file that has those systems turned back on. I had to purchase and install the factory EGR system, then install O2 sensor spacers, and after running the monitor readiness procedure I was able to pass. What a headache, but that’s the price I pay to not have to look at the rabbits nest of EGR components on the side of the blower.

#42

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a well thought out all around build. Look forward to seeing more. Any thoughts on road racing the car?

#43

Great update. Great car. Its nice to see someone keep the IRS on the car. I think its makes for a better driving car. You can pedal the car if you really want to put slicks on it and run at the track.

Sucks about the tune and not being able to do more to fix. What a hassle. How often do you need to do the registration

#44

I forgot about this thread. No time slip but I hope to get there this summer. I need a set of 15" wheels and a bias ply tire for the car to not destroy the rear end. A while back I chose not to convert the car to a solid rear axle setup for multiple reasons. I wanted the car to still handle well, the exhaust pipes visible under the Cobra has been something that drew me to the car for a long time, and Ford intended on the car being a track car, not a 1/4" mile hustler. So, I completely built the IRS setup but they are still susceptible to wheel hop when using a radial tire at the dragstrip, which is what breaks axles, which are $400 each!

The car is a little different now.
-Ported blower, plenum, and throttle body
-True in-fender cold air intake
-Fore innovations 1200hp capable return style fuel system with 80lb injectors
-Tuned by Bob Kurgan on E85. 600whp and 570wtq at 18ish lbs.
-Built T56 rated for 1000hp. Centerforce 6 puck sprung clutch. Not as bad as you would think it might be, but certainly not what you would want to DD in.
-Mechman Billet Tech 240a alternator (factory design is a very weak point on the car and alt. failure usually means fuel starvation aka melted motor. heat cooks them, it sits 1" away from the headers)
-Bunch of other stuff done since then: engine bay beautified, paint correction, different gauges inside, yada yada you get the gist.

Upcoming plans: suspension stuff mainly. Everything about the factory ford suspension and steering makes the front end of the car so numb and hard to place. So I am doing upgraded control arms and aluminum/delrin bushings in place of a lot of the rubber parts. Also ditching the H&R springs that are on the car and putting cut stock springs on the car. CUT SPRINGS??? RICER!!! Nope, they are linear, which I know, cutting the spring does change the rate but not much for the amount I am going to cut to get the ride height I want. The H&R I have now are progressive and I really hate the feel. I am going to 18" Cobra wheels with Toyo R888 all around.

So as you can see I am trying to not build the typical 1/4" mile or roll racer Cobra that everyone else does. I am building everything on the car to be balanced, strong, and I am doing my best to not cut corners. Ultimately my goal is for the car to handle extremely well while also having a ton of power on tap. I like just taking the car out and driving it for a few hours. A lot of guys that build these cars build something that you’d hate to drive for a few hours because it was built to impress their friends with 10 second time slips.
For some reason I do not have any pictures of the new engine bay configuration so this is all you get, a quick picture I took before putting the car in storage

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x59/joec1992/20151012_142939_zpsr7v3q521.jpg

#45

Getting the car to pass emissions here in IL became a headache because of some changes made to the testing. Basically, every monitor that the car had from the factory must be running. In the Ford world, the way you get a car to pass without cats is by simply turning the monitor off. So when the car is scanned, it is as if the ECU never knew the car had rear O2 sensors to even monitor. My car has deleted EGR and no cats. When I would scan my car, it would say “not supported” for those monitors.

So how do you pass now? I have to have my tuner send me a file that has those systems turned back on. I had to purchase and install the factory EGR system, then install O2 sensor spacers, and after running the monitor readiness procedure I was able to pass. What a headache, but that’s the price I pay to not have to look at the rabbits nest of EGR components on the side of the blower.

#46

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a well thought out all around build. Look forward to seeing more. Any thoughts on road racing the car?

#47

Also, I know terminators have held value pretty well, but how do you think they will fair in the future, any thoughts on their collectability and possible appreciation? I always thought they had a mean stance front and rear stock. It was just Hard for me to get past the interior but it wasn’t terrible.

#48

Great update. Great car. Its nice to see someone keep the IRS on the car. I think its makes for a better driving car. You can pedal the car if you really want to put slicks on it and run at the track.

Sucks about the tune and not being able to do more to fix. What a hassle. How often do you need to do the registration

#49

Also, I know terminators have held value pretty well, but how do you think they will fair in the future, any thoughts on their collectability and possible appreciation? I always thought they had a mean stance front and rear stock. It was just Hard for me to get past the interior but it wasn’t terrible.

#50

Pretty sweet update there Joe!

Glad to hear things are turning along pretty well. I know you’re excited for the snow and ice to melt to get her out and burn some rubber!

Bummer about the emission stuff though. I’ve been there as well, but glad to hear you finally got a work around even if it did cost ya a bit more $$$.

Look forward to some updated pics and videos as spring comes around.

#51

Pretty sweet update there Joe!

Glad to hear things are turning along pretty well. I know you’re excited for the snow and ice to melt to get her out and burn some rubber!

Bummer about the emission stuff though. I’ve been there as well, but glad to hear you finally got a work around even if it did cost ya a bit more $$$.

Look forward to some updated pics and videos as spring comes around.