This is topic Modifications for 98' Cobra in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .
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Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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Hey guys, wassup! This is my first post-I have been kinda hanging back for awhile, checking out the scene. Since there are lots of people with lots of knowledge on this site, I thought it would be good to get an opinon from here, as well. Here it goes:I have a 98' Cobra convertible-No major mods, except for my 17x9 Cobra R rims, MAC intake, Eibach springs, Autometer Tach w/ light, and some enhancements to the visual area (saleen styling bar, turn-signal mirrors, etc.).
I'm getting ready to dump some funds into it to get my car up to speed, so to speak. I was first planning on going with some headers and exhaust. I was wondering what you guys might recommend as far as brands (MAC, Hooker, etc.) and also what you think the total would be, including installation. I had Motorsport Dynamics put in my Tachometer, and was thinking about going back to them for headers/exhaust.
Also-I was thinking about throwing in some underdrive pulleys. Would it be worth it (I know they aren't that expensive, but would it make my power steering a pain in the @ss?). I'm also planning on adding a short-shifter-any suggestions as to what brand to get would be great.
Any help/comments you guys have would be great! Thanks for all your help!
Brad
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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Your car will be much faster in the quarter mile with gears and pullies than it will with headers. Pullies are a great "bang for the buck" mod, if not the best bang for the buck mod out there. As far as MAC goes, they're generally known for a company that provide low quality parts.
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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Thanks bro...any type of pullies/gears I should look for? Cost?
Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on
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If i had your car these would be the mods that i would do.1. Ford Motorsport 4.10 Gears $190
2. Steeda Pulleys $170
3. Pro 5.0 shifter $190ish
4. Super Charge it with a upgraded
fuel managment system
You will then be running low 12's high 11's
Posted by MilesMerk (Member # 27) on
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Id definately go with gears FIRST!!some 4.10's or 4.30 is just what the cobra needs. Talk to JUSTIN, he does gear installs for $150 plus parts (gears are usually about $170 plus the $40 for the intallation kit). I think that'll be your biggest bang for the buck. Plus, when you mod it more in the future, the gears will make all that much more improvement.
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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Will the pullies cause any difference to the power steering, etc. etc.?
Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on
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The pulley kits are three peice kits. That means they come with an alternator, water pump, and crank pulley unless custom. The power steering isnt affected at all. Just a reminder the amps do drop when you install the pulleys do to the alternator being underdriven.
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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What can I do to offset the alternator not charging up the battery as much? I have a crazy alarm system that sucks my battery big time while i'm not driving my car.
Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 779) on
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You cant really get around it, but if u dont wanna sacrifice the amps you can just leave the alternator pulley off and leave the stock alternator pulley on w/the steeda water and crank pulley on. I dont really think your alarm or battery volts will be affected enough to be considered.
I run Underdrives on my pulley and i can still knock my two twelves, w/my head and foglights on w/wipers/and heater. Yours will defnnatley be fine.
Go ahead and but them and install all three of them it will be just fine w/the alarm and all.
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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Sweet. Thanks for the help-I think I'll go ahead and do the pullies for sure. Tge Pro-5.0 shifter you are talking about...is that a short-shifter?
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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And those $ amounts you quoted for the gears, shifter, and pulleys....is that including installation? Won't it cost a grip to put the gears in?
Posted by Poisoned Pony (Member # 26) on
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gears usually cost in the $300 dollar range. Call River City Differential in Rancho. Not many people work on the 4.6 Mustansg in Sacramento. I think Sacramento Mustangs does. But those prices are just for parts, not including install. The shifter is easy to do. Only took 15 minutes in my driveway to do mine. Pullies are alittle more specialized, as are gears.
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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You guys are awesome! Thanks for all your help! ![[worship]](graemlins/worship.gif)
Posted by Mirza (Member # 135) on
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i say u take $800 bucks, dump it into a NX wet kit and u will have 75, 100, or 150 hp depending on how aggressive u are...But if not,
Gears, nothing under 4.10's
Pullies,
Nitto Radials,
As for exhaust, 4.6l Cobra + BBK Off-road H pipe + 2-chamber flowmaster = great sounding car
but it's all up to you
Posted by sic91sleeper (Member # 1029) on
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Yeah the Pro 5.0 is a short throw shifter.
Posted by the50ho (Member # 73) on
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Hey bro-I live in roseville, I can't do gears, but I can help with the other stuff for sure. River City differentials did my last car, and it was great and only about $225 if I remember correctly. Also, if you want a shop to charge you out the ass (even though they do good work) JT Performance (behind sacramento mustang) does work on the newer stangs. But if you need help, just let me know.
Jack
Posted by Darren99Cobra (Member # 1083) on
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How was the work that was done at River City? Do they have any experience with late model Cobras? There aren't any good late model mustang shops around here. I have to drive all the way to Sears Point to have work done at Griggs. Does anyone know of any good shops in town?
Posted by cobraman_1994 (Member # 467) on
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JT's behind sac mustang does good work on stangs. they put my tach in and i was very pleased. its a little expensive though
Posted by blackcobra98 (Member # 1078) on
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Cool guys, thanks for the info. I think what i'll do is order a Pro 5.0 shifter online, along with some Steeda pullies, and have both put on within the next week or so. Then I'll contact river city and see whats up with the gears. Ask for 4.10s, right?Also-I noticed while looking at the pro-5.0 shifter online that they don't come with a shift boot (for instance, the cobra has a leather boot stock). Is there an option to put one on or does it stay the way it looks, with no boot? Also-can you put any type of aftermarket shifter on the pro 5.0 shifter? I have a MOMO Saleen shifter (I think it's the "Phantom") and I also still have my stock leather cobra knob.
Thanks for your help, guys-this is all very appreciated!
Also-how is it looking at Sac Raceway these days? I went twice last summer, and only got 3 runs in the first time and 4 the second, the place was absolutely PACKED...I would like to see if I can improve my times after my upgrades (I am sure I will). The best I could manage was a 14.3 (I know, it sucks, but I had never done it before and really had no instruction as to what RPMs to launch at, how to stage correctly, etc. 
). By the way-what RPM should I be launching at? 
I was having a hard time keeping the car planted from the start (even though I have the 17x9 Cobra Rs all the way around with 245/45ZR17 XGT Z4 Pilot Michelins wrapping 'em (Expensive tires, but it's cool-I get them wholesale through my cousin in-law who owns a tire shop ).
Thanks again for all your input,
Brad
[ March 31, 2002: Message edited by: blackcobra98 ]