01 Cobra Buildup

[SAVGE 89]

Work on the 01 Cobra has begun. The IRS has now been removed, built - solid axel, new spec stage II clutch installed, ECU reflash (back to factory stock), and other stuff ongoing. I'm really liking how it's going so far - especially with the ECU reflash & IRS replacement.

I had a "special" ecu flash that was supposed to take care of the "ping" (later I found out it was a simple header leak, which was fixed some time ago). I was lazy and didn't get to reflashing the ecu back to stock until a couple of weeks ago. After that was done, the car went into the shop for the mods. They did a baseline dyno before we installed all the other engine goodies I have planned. I was pretty stoked when I got the numbers - 306.7RWHP/311.4 RWTQ (before it was 299.6 RWHP/304.8 RWTQ). Now this is without a tune, so I know we could have bumped up the timing and gotten the air/fuel ratio better optimized (sitting now a about 11.5/1) but since the procharger will be added in a few weeks, there wasn't a need to do this right now.

Here are the latest pics of the IRS replacement and aso a pic of the engine as the guys were disassembling it in preparation for the parts (upper intake, valve covers, cross over tube, brackets, ect.) to be sent off to the chromer to add some bling under the hood.

About the only sad news is that the chromer said it would be 4 weeks before the parts were ready to be picked up... kind of a bummer but I do think the wait will be worth it.

Out with the bad - the 01 IRS has always been a weak link for the straight line runs.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/IMG_1288.jpg

Looks kinda empty in there LOL
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/IMG_1290.jpg

Build live axel - should be good to 800RWHP :thumpupn:
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/IMG_1292.jpg

Taking the parts off the engine to send out the the chromer.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/IMG_1293.jpg

My inspiration.... Scott Wingers 01 Cobra engine bay. the article on his site - http://www.scottwinger.com/2001-engine.html - was a true godsend and I cound not have aven attempted this mod without it. Huge props to Scott!
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/2005engine2.jpg

6 weeks later, and the chromer has finally done his bit, I went down to NextGen Autosport to see how the progress is going on my Cobra. I was happy to see everything moving along nicely, and some progress being made. Today they were starting on installing all the chrome pieces, since the new clutch. new gages, and live axel swap have all ready been done. Here's some pics to document the build.

With all the components now chromed and new parts ready, the installation begins. Pictured is the valve covers being installed.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_01.jpg

http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_02.jpg

http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_03.jpg

http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_05.jpg

New gages - woot!
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_14.jpg

Some of the other chrome parts ready for install.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_07.jpg

The Steeda radiator cover - this was chromed as well.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/050506_15.jpg

The procharger came in last week, and there was some parts that came with the kit that needed to be chromed (intake manifold tube, brackets, ect) - and those parts wre ready for pickup today - so yeah, I'm stoked. The huge box the Procharger came is looked like it had a ton of parts - but it was that polished blower that had me drooling :cool: .

Anywayz, they are shooting for the car to be ready next week Friday - but I don't think so :lol: . Probably a more realistic time would be 10 days from now. I'll keep everyone posted.... I plan on visiting the shop a couple of times next week to checkup on my baby. :thumpupn:

[Brickyard]

Looks good man.

[mustangfreak123]

It's going to be awesome, how much hp do you think the procharger will add? Don't you have an 03 Cobra too? :wow:

[SAVGE 89]

Thanks for the nice comments guys :thumpupn:


It's going to be awesome, how much hp do you think the procharger will add? Don't you have an 03 Cobra too? :wow:
I'm hoping to see 450 at the rear wheels - not anything insane... just a good kick in the butt from the current 306. I'm only going to run the 9 pound pulley - pretty much the largest amount of "safe" boost for a stock block. In a year or two, or after the sticker shock wears off from this round of mods, a VTengines long block & a pulley change will be all that's needed to bump that up considerably.

Yeah, I have the 03 Cobra - but that's supposed to be the wife unit's daily driver. In actuallity, the 03/04 Cobra was just something I had to get my hands on while the getting was good. Such potential and affordable performance it was just too much to pass on. The "hard sale" was a lot easier this way - just cause I'm old don't make me stupid :naughty:

[darkhorse]

Can't wait to see it done.

[SAVGE 89]

Well, it's all finally starting to come together.... literally :D

Decided to spend some time down at the shop, take a few pics, and talk to the guys about where we're going on this build and the short term plans I have for the car. Found out the last of the chrome pieces will be arriving next week - so I'm looking at Friday or Saturday for the work to be completed, and then the fun part - dyno tuning and driving the beast back home.

Work has now been completed in a few areas... the Eratispeed rotors, Magnapacks, & the Steeda adjustable billet aluminum lower control arms came in last week, and have been installed. This finishes up the build for all but the final phase of the blower install. So stoked - here, peep it :)


The rear end assembly is now complete and ready to go. :woohoo:
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/052706_01.jpg

I'm very impressed with the Steeda lower control arms. The billit aluminum piece is very substancial and seems well engineered - having a poly bushing up front, and a metal bushing where it attaches to the axle. The adjustable spring perch and roller bearing assembly is a big plus - along with the grease zert to insure that bolt remains well lubricated - so adjustment will always be fast & easy. Besides it being a quality piece - this unit just looks way cool.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/052706_02.jpg

The Eratispeed rotors, combined with hawk break pads are surly going to stop the beat a lot better then stock (and stop that squealing once and for all). The looks are A+ in my book.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/052706_03.jpg

The polished Procharger & intercooler have been mounted, along with the new a new mass balancer, pulley's, chrome alternator from PA Performance, and all the rest of the engine bling. It's really starting to look cool under the hood.
http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/052706_04.jpg

http://www.badmustangsclub.com/gallery/files/1/052706_05.jpg

OK, that's about it so far. The next update will be the last in this buildup - when we finally get to tune the beast and see what numbers we arrive at. Hopefully it'll be done this Saturday. Getting more pics and the dyno vid will really cap off what has been a long, fun process. :thumpupn:

Wish me luck!

[mustangfreak123]

Good luck, It's looking awesome! :beerchug: I can't wait to see the dyno vid :devil:

[Nicoleb3x3]

holy crap...awesome

...I'm jealous!

[SMOKE]

Great build up ... awesome pics. Impressive project!!! :thumpupn:

[SAVGE 89]

Thanks guys :thumpupn:

[Car2n]

Nice!! :thumpupn:
Yellow and chrome look good together.