Evolution of a 97 Cobra

Gallows · May 28, 2012

I got it back together 1-1/2 weeks ago. Very pleased with the swap but I need an alignment to get the best out of it. It is a Magnaflow catback that came off the same car the IRS came from. The tails were pitted badly so I had them powder coated. Time will tell if it was a good idea.

The rear was complete except for the "T" fitting and short brake line. I bought the full FTBR kit as recommended by Bruce. I am going to buy the FRPP rear cover and use the bottom drain fitting to run a temp gauge.

MM parts might be spoken for once I figure out a price. If they do go I will list them.

alex302 · May 28, 2012

Gallows said:
Extra parts

What are you going to do with the extra parts? I can take them off your hands.

Gallows · May 28, 2012

I have a couple people interested for those but if they decide they don't want them you can be next in line.

alex302 · May 28, 2012

Gallows said:
I have a couple people interested for those but if they decide they don't want them you can be next in line.

That works.

g36 monkey · May 28, 2012

I call next, next in line

twovalveterror · May 28, 2012

I wondered how they looked so good. I've contemplated the same, but I was leaning towards getting everything after the muffler ceramic coated. if I ever go back to a rear exit system that is.

I'll have to see what the new kit includes. mine has a urethane rear bushing, and I think the aluminum would help me out a lot. but I've got a lot of little things to go over before I start swapping parts. I'm curious to see how yours does on the track, if you plan on taking it.

I really like your temp. sensor idea as well.

Gallows · May 28, 2012

I did try to polish the tails and tips but there were badly pitted in a few places. It is a chrome color and looks pretty good but it isn't as shiney as poilished.

I can't see it going to the strip but I would like to try autocross. I missed a couple of schools on it and don't know if there are going to be anymore this year.

Duffman off of the Corral and SVTP and I were discussing temps and IRS coolers but no one knows what the actual operating temp of the fluid is so I was going to plumb in a gauge for scienctific purposes and keep a log of what temps it runs.

twovalveterror · May 29, 2012

I think 230(?) is the maximum safe operating temp. can't remember where I saw that. I'll be curious to see your progress on the temp. gauge.

Gallows · May 29, 2012

twovalveterror said:
I think 230(?) is the maximum safe operating temp. can't remember where I saw that. I'll be curious to see your progress on the temp. gauge.

or hot I guess. Good to know. I will definitely be keeping track of the temps.

I probably won't be picking up the IRS cover until later this fall or winter. I also need a set of gears (These 4:56's are noisy) so I'm keeping a lookout for a set of NIB FRPP 4:56's or even 4:30's and rebuild the carrier while it is apart.

twovalveterror · May 29, 2012

the noise is probably a direct result of the diff bushings. only my front two are aluminum, and it can be noisy at times. I think I'm going to try a little bit of dyna-mat or similar to quite it down. but my car is a vert and noise just goes with the territory!

then again, my car has aftermarket gears as well, so maybe the just were not installed perfectly by the previous owner.

and I remembered where I got that number from. it was in the tech info of MM's rear oil cooler.

Gallows · May 29, 2012

The guy who I bought the IRS from said they were noisy when he had them so that's what I am leaning towards.

Was the 230f before or after the cooler?

twovalveterror · May 29, 2012

they claimed that 230* was the maximum safe temp. according to Ford. they said that on the track their rear end far exceeded that, pre-cooler. they never said by how much, which I found fishy, but a cooler still seems important. especially when you're running the exhaust under the diff.

Gallows · Jun 7, 2012

Mod list updated in post #1.

g36 monkey · Jun 7, 2012

That thing must feel like a damn rocket ship with those gears.

Steven · Jun 7, 2012

Hell yea! I'm glad to see its back together and some updates buddy. You make me jealous. I intend on basically the same swap but with coil overs instead and kenny brown LCA's.

Gallows · Jun 7, 2012

g36 monkey said:
That thing must feel like a damn rocket ship with those gears.

I thought I would see more of a difference with the 4:56's over the 4:10's but they are only slightly more aggressive.

Steven said:
Hell yea! I'm glad to see its back together and some updates buddy. You make me jealous. I intend on basically the same swap but with coil overs instead and kenny brown LCA's.

Lol, glad someone is interested. I screwed one of my tires because of the alignment. I only put 100-120 miles on it but it sure made a mess.

g36 monkey · Jun 7, 2012

I thought you were going from a stock gear (3.27) to the 4.56, but you're probably right, not an overly dramatic difference there.

I love this car though.