2003 Cobra refresh/restoration

[heitzke]

About time for some updates!



Got my header gasket swapped out with an OEM piece, a BMR tubular K-member installed to drop some more weight off the front of the car (roughly 30lbs) and changed up the catback to a MBRP brushed black exhaust.

Sounds about perfect to me, has a nice throaty tone and isn't insanely loud until you're really deep in the throttle.

Next on the list is swapping out for a fresh set of spark plugs, some new Ford COP to hopefully address a little stumble i'm feeling at higher-RPM under load. Also picked up a 0 gauge wire grounding kit for the "the big 3" to help with the higher amperage alternator.

Otherwise, I need to swap out the rear brake lines for some braided lines with a smaller banjo fitting so I can drive around with the 15x10's. They should hook really well so i'm pretty excited.

In other news, I did manage to get this heavy pig to a sub-7 60-130 too. I kinda thought it would be a little faster, but it weights about a jillion lbs. I'll see if maybe the fresh plugs and coils will help pick up some lost power.



The T56 is SO notchy, but I'll learn how to really rip that 3-4 shift and hopefully pick up a tenth or two.

[heitzke]

Can confirm that the plugs/coil packs really helped smooth things out a bit. Hopefully with permitting weather i'll be able to swap on the new x-pipe and wideband this weekend.

[heitzke]

Little bit of work today.

LAR Performance makes a nice piece, opened it up and installed it today. Fitment was great, and if anything was better than what BBK offered. It's a touch shorter which allowed me to tuck up the exhaust a little better.

02 bung placement isn't angled slightly down like the BBK, which makes my wideband the lowest point on the exhaust.





Looking at the BBK piece it looks more like a H and not quite the same X configuration as the LAR Performance X. BBK is "technically" in X configuration, but pipe placement is much different. Definitely changed up the exhaust tone in a very good way. Very pleased with how the car sounds now.

Also lowered the front of the car a touch more on the coilovers, as I wasn't quite happy with the ride height. I'll let it settle over the next day or two and see how it's sitting. I figure it's probably only 1/4" - 1/3" lower than before.

Aaaand an exhaust clip -

[P1]

I see you're getting the garage rebuilt. Any fun plans for it?

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by P1

I see you're getting the garage rebuilt. Any fun plans for it?

Haha I wish! It's a pretty mundane rebuild that's probably deserving of a long dramatic thread by itself. I had dreams of having the floor all ground down and coated, maybe a lift, but my contractor bailed on finishing the job and left me with a LOT to do.

At best, it'll look cooler than my last garage, but for all intents and purposes is roughly the same but with a double front door vs the single I had. It's a little more functional inside, and i'll do better lighting (maybe a few of those hexagon LED lights) but that's probably the extent of it.

[heitzke]

No big updates here, just picked up a new Viking DA rear shock since my coilover collars are frozen on the passenger rear. Also lowered the front down a little more and it's about perfect now imo.

[Our03z4]

Looking real good now!

[heitzke]

Did my MM rear brake lines so I could mount up the 15x10 rears w/ Nitto 555RII's. The ride is SO much more comfortable with the rear of the car raked up too. The look is definitely cool though, I dig it.

Also installed the style bar, which I think really improves the lines of the convertible when the top is down.

[heitzke]

Eh, fuck it.





I've always wanted a turbo Cobra and a complete kit popped up locally that needs some love. It's an older style kit that places the turbos down low behind the rear fog lights but they're 60 trim t3/t04e and should be able to easily make the power I'd like.

Some of the hot side is a little rough and needs some love, but the turbos are fresh rebuilds and has all the components from TiAL wastgates down to the feed, return lines, fittings and scavenge pump. I'll end up replacing components i'm sure, but $1500 for the setup is a great start.

[happyjack]

Originally Posted by heitzke

Eh, fuck it.

could also be read as, 'hold my beer.'

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by happyjack

could also be read as, 'hold my beer.'

but for real though. The deal popped up and was too good to pass up. All the hot side piping is currently soaking in my giant tub of evaporust and then I can see if I need to get it bead blasted before getting ceramic coated.

I'm going to TRY to keep this one more budget friendly, but you know how it goes.

[heitzke]

Not a ton of pics of this kit to be found on the internet given when they came out and all the different revisions the company made during production.

Best I can tell, it'll look like this: