Getting a 95 Cobra

[Joe5.0]

Well as some of you know (or maybe dont) I wrecked my stang last november. I had just bought a s-trim & LT's so I planned on fixing the $2k worth of bodywork and get it running good.

Over the past couple months I've been really thinking about it, and for the money I'm gonna spend fixing mine I could buy one already built and have a hella fast car.

In the course of thee past week I have sold my mustang to a coworker for $3k, got approved for a loan, and found a really nice well built 95 Cobra.

The cobra has a 347 with forged internals, 8.5:1 compression, aluminum heads, custom cam, edelbrock rpm intake, built rear end w/31 spline axles, tremec 3550 tranny, and custom driveshaft. It was built for a blower, and with my s-trim should be good for around 500rwhp with a nice tune.

Here's some pics:

http://photos.imageevent.com/jtkz13/cobra/websize/Picture_017.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/jtkz13/cobra/websize/January%202006%20015.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/jtkz13/cobra/websize/Picture_010.jpg

[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/jtkz13/cobra/websize/January%202006%20013.jpg

[BigWheelinBubba]

Nice car! :cool:

[Lisa]

Cool! :cool:

[1BAD89SC]

:leghump:

[GTrackd]

sweet!!!!, ditch the svo stickers though......imo :)

[357windsor]

Nice ride!

[Steve Starnes]

Looks really nice bro. How much are you getting it for? I'm looking at something to that looks extremely simular to that but red.

[Joe5.0]

They are an svo part, and where that sticker is there is an inlay, so I'll prob leave it.

I am getting it for $10k, should be putting down like $5k, so it'll be paid off quickly.

[ReiKo]

Can the block handle that power?

[Joe5.0]

We'll see ;)

I probably will pulley for about 10psi to start and see how it runs. I dont want so much power than I am breaking stuff. I have the ability to adjust the computer, so I could run high boost at the track and low boost on the street.

[StangRacer]

Congrats, have fun with that car.

[Xx96GTxX]

nice damn car and for 10K not bad at all. hope to see it on the streets :)

[Crazzy_Al]

Can the block handle that power?
Yes.





Nice car.

[ReiKo]

This is a stock 302 block right Joe? So your good till about 500ish horses right?

Just curious...

[Joe5.0]

Yeah, from the research i've done you gotta be cautious once past ~475rwhp.

I dont need a 10 second car, nor do I want the maintenance on one. I'll probably try to pulley the SC to about 450rwhp for the street, and after I get more comfortable with the tweecer and that the engine is strong enough maybe i'll try more boost and shoot for 10's on race gas. Its all dependant on how it responds to 8-10psi non-intercooled.

Hell, even NA is will be a bunch faster than my GT, as it should run low-mid 12's without any trouble.

[357windsor]

Yeah, from the research i've done you gotta be cautious once past ~475rwhp.

I dont need a 10 second car, nor do I want the maintenance on one. I'll probably try to pulley the SC to about 450rwhp for the street, and after I get more comfortable with the tweecer and that the engine is strong enough maybe i'll try more boost and shoot for 10's on race gas. Its all dependant on how it responds to 8-10psi non-intercooled.

Hell, even NA is will be a bunch faster than my GT, as it should run low-mid 12's without any trouble.

Sounds like a really nice car. Can't wait to see it run at the track.

[Joe5.0]

Found out its actually a Sportman block, which is a little bit stronger than stock. 500rwhp should be decently safe. :)

[ReiKo]

I thought sportsmans blocks hold alot more then that?

[357windsor]

I thought sportsmans blocks hold alot more then that?

They should be able to hold a lot more than 500hp.

[Joe5.0]

The block will safely hold about 550rwhp, which is still 600+hp at the flywheel. The thing is that I will be making that power with a centri sc, so it takes some hp to turn it, so 500rwhp with a blower is not 500rwhp from say, nitrous.

In any case, i'm not sure how up to the task the tremec 3550 will be with that kind of power, altho the rear seems to strong enough for it. I really dont want to be breaking stuff all the time. I just want a 11 sec reliable street car. if eventually I can get 10's with more boost and more mods I will be ecstatic, but that state of tune is unreasonable for a daily driven street car.

I might even skip the SC, sell it, and use that towards building a 450hp NA engine. It would prolly need better heads, cam, and of course higher compression pistons. I just dont know what route to go yet.

With the setup right now it prolly makes about 335rwhp, so even thats not bad. Thats more than my s-trim'd GT wasgoing to be, so either way it's gonna be fun.

I'm looking to fly down on the 11th of aug, and drive it back that weekend. :cool:

[BigWheelinBubba]

The block will safely hold about 550rwhp, which is still 600+hp at the flywheel. The thing is that I will be making that power with a centri sc, so it takes some hp to turn it, so 500rwhp with a blower is not 500rwhp from say, nitrous.

In any case, i'm not sure how up to the task the tremec 3550 will be with that kind of power, altho the rear seems to strong enough for it. I really dont want to be breaking stuff all the time. I just want a 11 sec reliable street car. if eventually I can get 10's with more boost and more mods I will be ecstatic, but that state of tune is unreasonable for a daily driven street car.

I might even skip the SC, sell it, and use that towards building a 450hp NA engine. It would prolly need better heads, cam, and of course higher compression pistons. I just dont know what route to go yet.

With the setup right now it prolly makes about 335rwhp, so even thats not bad. Thats more than my s-trim'd GT wasgoing to be, so either way it's gonna be fun.

I'm looking to fly down on the 11th of aug, and drive it back that weekend. :cool:My buddy Diamond has a stock longblock 5.0 with a vortec on it in his 93 coupe, other than headers, exhaust, intake and tb the motor is stock. He put down 393 rwhp and went 12.0 babying it. The car was dead nuts reliable until he raced it on 93 octane (tuned for 110) and popped a head gasket.

[Boomer!]

Hey Joe, unless you are leaving the line on full boost with a centrifical blower you should be ok.Tremec rates those at 5500 lbs vehicle weight for anywhere from 350-450 ft tq , that is a basic load for launching and shifting. The t3550 is broken down to I believe 5 different models. I'm sure on a 3000 lb. car you car figure nearly another 1/3 additional overall torque capacity before you should be worried.

I know a buddy who is runnung the same trans with a mexican block 347 stroker/F1R procharger at 650 rwhp and over 500rwtq on a baby tune and has yet to break his t3550.

[Joe5.0]

My buddy Diamond has a stock longblock 5.0 with a vortec on it in his 93 coupe, other than headers, exhaust, intake and tb the motor is stock. He put down 393 rwhp and went 12.0 babying it. The car was dead nuts reliable until he raced it on 93 octane (tuned for 110) and popped a head gasket.


That was my plan with my 94 GT, but I found this cobra and at the same time had a buyer for mine, so the timing worked great.

White96, that makes me feel better. I wish he had spent a couple more bucks and gotten a T56, but its still a ton stronger than the original T5. :lol:

So, if the tranny is strong, engine is strong, rear end is strong (31 spline Mosers & Detroit Locker), and clutch is decent - what is the weak link? The clutch is the McLeod street twin, but its about 40k miles old.

[Steve Starnes]

I can tell your going to have tons of fun with this car bro. Make sure to keep us posted on it when you get it and start diggin' into it!

[357windsor]

I can tell your going to have tons of fun with this car bro. Make sure to keep us posted on it when you get it and start diggin' into it!


:w/:

[ReiKo]

That was my plan with my 94 GT, but I found this cobra and at the same time had a buyer for mine, so the timing worked great.

White96, that makes me feel better. I wish he had spent a couple more bucks and gotten a T56, but its still a ton stronger than the original T5. :lol:

So, if the tranny is strong, engine is strong, rear end is strong (31 spline Mosers & Detroit Locker), and clutch is decent - what is the weak link? The clutch is the McLeod street twin, but its about 40k miles old.
Torque Boxes?
Subframe connectors?
Upper and lower control arms?
Alum. Driveshaft?
Driveshaft Loop?
The clutch should hold up for awhile till winter hits... then I recommend taking it out for sure...

Keep the 5spd in it... A lot better for racing of any sorts... And it will take a good beating...

[Joe5.0]

Torque Boxes?
Subframe connectors?
Upper and lower control arms?
Alum. Driveshaft?
Driveshaft Loop?
The clutch should hold up for awhile till winter hits... then I recommend taking it out for sure...

Keep the 5spd in it... A lot better for racing of any sorts... And it will take a good beating...


Not sure
has SFC's
Steeda upper & lowers
Custom built driveshaft with billet flanges
Not sure, but he ran slicks so probably

[ReiKo]

Not sure
has SFC's
Steeda upper & lowers
Custom built driveshaft with billet flanges
Not sure, but he ran slicks so probably
Check for the torque boxes for sure.. Have those re-enforced

[Boomer!]

For sure check it, the SN95's body cars were a little less prone than the fox body but still a very good idea. If you plan to run slicks definitly have them(tq.boxes) welded solid to the body and also weld the axle tubes. When you do replace the clutch buy something that will have a little give to lower the stress levels on other parts or even a slick with more sidewall will help. Reiko is on to the point something has to give.

[Joe5.0]

Thats a pretty cheap security measure. I'll pull the carpet and make sure its not all torn up, but i'm sure its fine.

I've read alot of good about the mcleod street twin, but it doesnt really have any give. What clutch is strong enough for 500rwhp, but also wont kill the drivetrain?

[ReiKo]

Unfortunately if you really think about it... No clutch that is going to hold 500+rwhp is going to slip... It wants to bite it hard... Your the one who is going have to slip it a little bit before you take off...