1998 Cobra, BAB, Build Thread

[06LLGT]

Figure I would start a build/progress thread.
Picked the car up this past Tuesday, 07Dec10.
Pictures of the car's condition when I picked it up can be seen in this thread, 08Dec10 pictures.

Engine Specs
2003 Cobra Crank
Forged Rotating Assembly and lowered compression, 8:1
P&P'd B heads and stock cams

Drivetrain
2003 T56, 10 Spline, Lethal Performance TOB retainer sleeve
SPEC Aluminum Flywheel with rebuildable friction plate
SPEC Stage 3+ clutch
Aluminum driveshaft, shortened and 28 spline yoke for T56
Pro50 short throw shifter
3.73 gears

Other Mods
BBK CAI
90MM Lightening MAF
MMR Intake Plenum Spacer
IMRC Deletes
BBK ceramic coated long tubes
O/R X pipe
Magnaflow catback
Bilsten shocks and struts
Welded sub frame connectors
LCA's
Lowered 2'' on Eibach Prokit
Offset steering rack bushings
Maximum Motorsports caster camber plates
Cobra Y2K rims wrapped in Ventus V12 Evo K110 tires, 265/35/18 front and 285/35/18 rear


These were the issues I noticed when I drove it this past week:
1)Shudders below 1500rpm in 1st gear when taking off, acts like the engine is going to cut out.
2)Rough and jumpy idle, was idling at about 950-1000rpms
3)When coming to a stop in 1st gear, would stay at 1500rpms, even with clutch in, and slowly go back down to 950-1000rpms.
4)TOB needs to be replaced, going bad.
5)Transmission will lock up in reverse and not let me shift from reverse, I have been having to reverse more and play with it to get it out of reverse. I don't have a clue as to what could be causing this issue.
6)Front suspension clunks over bumps and good size dips. I'm guess the bushings need to be replaced
7)Was throwing the P1443 code so I checked the system. The vacuum hoses on evaporation system purge control valve are corroded and leaking, one going from solenoid to intake manifold has long tear in it causing a huge vacuum leak. The hose going from the solenoid to the valve was also too long and cause the valve to pinch it in between the valve cover and shock tower pinching the hose shut.

This week I have fixed and replaced the vacuum hoses on the evaporation system purge control valve and solenoid.
Replaced the fuel filter, fuel was coming out dark brown from it when I removed it, and was also pretty clogged up.
I also had to replace the battery. It was completely dead so I had to get jump started 3 times today. So I spent the extra money and bought a Optima(red top) from Auto Zone.
Also replaced the bald PS2's with Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 tires, 265/35/18 front and 285/35/18 rear.

Since I have done those three things the car now idles steady at 800rpms, does not shudder below 1500rpms when taking off in 1st gear, starts right away, and now I am getting more than 20mpg's rather than 16mpg's.

This past Wednesday I ordered Ford Racing 3.73 gears with the speedcal box, Ford Racing TOB, and pilot bearing. I do a lot of highway driving and I don't like doing 2850rpms cruising at 80mph with these 4.10's and I'd like to get better hwy mpg's. My dad and I will be replacing the TOB this next weekend hopefully and I will probably take it to a shop here in SA for the 3.73 install.

I will post some more pics next week of the progress.

 

[06LLGT]

I also just replaced the battery last friday. So I went ahead and spent the extra money and bought a Optima Red Top.

 

[NYstang]

sounds like a sweet project...what you using for teh boost?


and random, but- what color are the springs? I might be able to tell you what they are.

 

[06LLGT]

I'll be putting a Vortech V-3 Si Trim High Output on her. The motor will be able to handle all the boost and more that I plan to put through her.

They are black on color. I was thinking they might be Eibach springs.

 

[NYstang]

tis a prokit- with a 2" drop, the PO may of used the V6 kit to get it a bit lower.

 

[06LLGT]

Damn, you da man! Thanks, now I know what springs I'm running lol.

And she rides beautifully for lowered, stiffer shocks/struts and built rear end

 

[06LLGT]

Update:
I will be getting the 3.73's installed and TOB bearing replaced.
I am also going to get pics of the rear end and suspension to post up.

 

[06LLGT]

18Dec10:
Took the car to Maximum Velocity Performance here in San Antonio,TX yesterday. Tim installed the 3.73 gears and new Speed Cal from Ford Racing.
He also replaced the axle seals, outer bearing race, and the inner & outer pinion bearings. One of the bearings was eating it self up he said, when he drained the rear end fluid there was fine metallic flakes in it.
Also, he took the adjustable clutch cable out and put in a OEM one, said no need for adjustable cable when I have adjustable quadrant and firewall adjuster.
The noise that I was hearing was being caused by the clutch be out of adjustment or something so the TOB was be pushed against and spinning the whole time.
Tim also looked at the rest of the car. I have a valve train tick from a lasher. Front control arm, power steering rack, and rear control arm bushings are shot, so I will have them replace those next month. Exhaust tips also need to be welded, they are making contact with the sway bar and axle housing.

The tranny barely makes any noise now, but it is going to have to be replaced, 2 gear synchro is going out(she pops out of second gear), it get's locked into reverse and won't come out so I have to keep reversing till I'm able to get her out of gear, and Tim said it is making some noise that it shouldn't be. So I'll be swapping a T-56 into it sooner than I expected.

Overall, Tim and Tracy are pretty cool people, had a great experience with them and I am definitely satisfied with the work and how he checked the whole car out for no extra cost.

Will post up pics once Tim emails them to me.

 

[06LLGT]

Well, I got my Kenwood headunit, amp and speakers 2 weeks ago and installed everything. It took me 3 days out in cold and foggy/wet weather to install everything but it was well worth it. I can listen to my iPod and the headunit matches the LED's very nicely. I'll get some night pics of it tonight and post them up. I think I hide the amp power cable pretty well also, the only thing that looks out of place to me is the fuse block, you can see it on the engine bay wall behind the battery.

I also replaced the IAC and my hanging idle problem is gone now, and she seems to drive and idle hell of a lot smoother also. Also replaced the evap purge valve and the evap purge solenoid at the same time since I was throwing the P1443 code awhile back.

I'm going to take the car back to Max V the end of this month or next month so I can get the steering rack bushings replaced, going with some offsets since car is lowered, and the control arm bushings as well. I am also going to have them tune the car also since I had to use a 90MM Lightening MAF when I installed the BBK CAI because the car had a 87MM Pro-Flow MAF with the housing being to big and too long to be used on the CAI. I got the Lightening MAF for cheaper than I would get a stock MAF.

 

[06LLGT]

Here are some night pics, sorry for the poor quality. My camera is cheap and doesn't take good pics at night.

 

[06LLGT]

Got the front brakes done today, going to knock the rear out tomorrow.
Since I don't plan on auto crossing or going to the track anytime soon I kept the stock rotors and got Duramax Gold Max ceramic pads from Autozone.
Left the same rotors on there, took some sand paper to em to get the glaze off and also painted the center of em black so they won't rust anytime soon again. I will need to get new studs put on each hub except for the front left. I think the previous owner didn't have the wheel lock key and just knocked the studs off :nono:
Old pads;

Rotors back on and cleaned with new pads;

 

[06LLGT]

Oh, and I ordered this nice shiny piece today from MMR. Should go well with current and future mods

MMR Plenum spacer

 

[06LLGT]

I got my rear brake pads in today so I put those on. While I had the car on jack stands I took the opportunity to polish the exhaust up the the axle, clean the fuel tank cover, rear differential cover, and a few other parts as well.
I used Mother's PowerMetal Aluminum polish and I love it.Cleans wheels, exhaust, any type of metal really.

 

[06LLGT]

It's been awhile since I have updated this. I've got a couple things done since than.
Blue Oval Industries smoked headlights which I love.
MMR Intake Plenum spacer, for such a small modification, it really makes the engine bay look better.
Lastly, Fender Gripper trunk mat with red Cobra logo.

 

[1990_LX]

Looks awesome Ryan!

 

[06LLGT]

I can't seem to get the other pics attached!

 

[AdirondackFox08]

Very nice, I got some smoked head lights for my car but have to send them back because they have a few issues. Wouldn't you be able to load the pics onto nym and then post them that way?

 

[06LLGT]

MMR Intake Plenum Spacer

 

[06LLGT]

So the T45 decided to take a shit when I was trying to get onto Fort Sam this morning but luckily I already have a T56 on the way which so be here next friday at the latest.
I did find a direct bolt-in crossmember so I won't have to modify the stock crossmember to mount the T56 to. It's made by AJE Racing. Part # MU-7061 for $159. Now I just need to order that and a new clutch. I already have a couple short throw shifters that I can pick between; a Pro 50 and a B&M Ripper. The only other thing is that I will have to talk with Tim and see if I should put a switch for the reverse lockout solenoid or wire it to the brake lights, or I could just leave it disconnected completely and have to shift into reverse with 2 hands.
AJE Racing - Anthony Jones Engineering - Racing Suspensions

 

[06LLGT]

Got my T56 in yesterday and cleaned it up. Everything seems to be in pretty good shape.
10 Spline input, B&M Ripper short throw shifter(for now and if I decide I like it), or the Pro 50 I have.
Also went down to MaxV today and placed a couple parts on order;
RAM Powergrip HD clutch, SPEC Billet Aluminum Flywheel with replaceable friction plate, and a Lethal Performance TOB Sleeve Retainer.
Those parts should be ordered on Monday and arrive Thursday or Friday. I will also receive the AJE Racing T56 crossmember for 94-98 Mustangs, which is a direct bolt-in, no modifications required.