Jason's 96 Cobra - investigative build

[1BadSVT]

Hey everyone! So I bought a 96 Cobra and she's... well... not stock. I have been in the automotive world since birth so I've been around the block so to speak. A Gulf Coast of MS native, transplant to Upstate, SC, and finally getting back into the car scene after over a decade hiatus. I found this low mileage (documented) beauty about 1.5 hours away and started general maintenance. (Plugs, wires, oil, filter, and some little odds and ends that needed tidying - passenger mirror glass, antennae, etc.)

Bottom line is... I don't really know what I bought just yet but I'm starting to work through all of the details and following the crumbs. EXCITING!!! The car runs decent for something that was driven 800 miles in the last 3-4 years. I don't see any major signs of blowby or leaks, feel any compression loss issues or hear any crazy noises but I bought it with the intend to drive and enjoy as much as I can, ultimately pulling the engine and digging all the way to the block on a rebuild. If you know the car, do me. I'd love to know what you know.

What I know as of 11/1/24: Edited 11/26/24
-96 Cobra, VIN confirms
-Red repaint, it was originally laser red, under hood and door jambs where not painted in repaint, need to confirm actual paint code at an auto body shop at some point
-4.6L, need to confirm #s to see if original engine
-Transmission, 5 speed, Borg Warner T45, has a Hurst shift with the cue ball knob
-JBA shorties headers, BBK downpipe with H, Magnaflow mufflers, cat delete, stock exits
-Kenne Bell 2.0L SC, 16+ psi
-Bosch EV6 42lb 440cc fuel injector 0280156127
-Ford Performance plug wires M-12259-C464 and dividers
-NGK R TR6 plugs, gapped 0.032
-Alcoholinjectionsystems.com - now called Prometh out of Salt Lake City. It's a pro system with a custom designed tank based on the paperwork. It triggers at a defined boost level and takes 93 octane to 116 to reduce detonation in the higher rpms.
-Oz Racing wheels, 17 x 10 in the rear, 17 x ? Front
-New, but super cheap tires - will be fun to use while sorting out the car
- Rear End - 3.73 gears, changed out the rear cover and it was leaking a little with one that is stronger build.
- Suspension - it squats and floats, rear shocks were shot so those have been changed
- Brakes - stock Cobra brakes and rotors

 

[ttocs]

welcome

 

[Musturd]

Welcome . Looking forward to updates . If e85 is available in your area I’d go that route its way cheaper then race gas

 

[1BadSVT]

What's been done:
-Passenger side mirror glass replaced with OEM
-14" radio antennae installed
-new battery
-battery hold down
-new belt installed 107.3"

Next up:
- compression test
- install plugs and wires, oil and filter and new
- change battery terminals
- remove some security decals from the 1/4 windows
- sctx4 programmer to see what I can find a log some data

Awaiting delivery or install:
-Oil and filter
-supercharger oil
-Ford Performance plug wires M-12259-C464 and dividers
-Motorcraft plugs AWSF32C, plan to gap at .035
-Bluetooth cig plug (I forgot how convenient this is in newer cars! Lol)
-cig lighter battery tender (to maintain ECU during battery change out)
-Battery terminals
-Windshield wipers
-batteries for key fobs

Future Plans:
-replace/repair passenger seat buckle, works but clunky
-touchup paint matched for front bumper 2-3 spots need a little love
-handbrake leather cover replaced
-new tan racing seats
-custom steering wheel wrap
-replace under hood insulation
-street slicks
-suspension (street/track)
-exhaust (headers?)
-dyno tune

 

[Musturd]

This cars boosted that’s some serious plug gap even at 10 psi

 

[1BadSVT]

This cars boosted that’s some serious plug gap even at 10 psi

Oops, typo, 0.035

 

[Musturd]

Oops, typo, 0.035

That’s better at 15psi you’ll find out what it likes

 

[1BadSVT]

That’s better at 15psi you’ll find out what it likes

What gaps are you seeing people run?

I don't have much experience with boosted cars other than driving them and need to do some more research on IAT and EGT. So far, I understand you need smaller gap to help with blowout at higher boost. The methanol injection system also helps with that. This Sunday evening, I'm planning to measure crank and sc pulley sizes, see what suspension and exhaust are on the car, and hopefully complete the basic maintenance items if they arrive in time.

As for the exhaust, all I know at this point is the cats have been replaced with straight sections from what I've been told.

 

[Musturd]

What gaps are you seeing people run?

I don't have much experience with boosted cars other than driving them and need to do some more research on IAT and EGT. So far, I understand you need smaller gap to help with blowout at higher boost. The methanol injection system also helps with that. This Sunday evening, I'm planning to measure crank and sc pulley sizes, see what suspension and exhaust are on the car, and hopefully complete the basic maintenance items if they arrive in time.

As for the exhaust, all I know at this point is the cats have been replaced with straight sections from what I've been told.

I’d start at .035 or .032 see what happens might have to tighten it up some . On my small block ford car they’re gapped at .20 . My vortech 4v cobra was always 0.28 on 10 psi . Check what they’re gapped at when you pull the plugs . Also I’ve only ever ran tr6’s in my boosted 4v . I didn’t run the numbers on the plugs you mentioned are those factory heat range ?

 

[1BadSVT]

I’d start at .035 or .032 see what happens might have to tighten it up some . On my small block ford car they’re gapped at .20 . My vortech 4v cobra was always 0.28 on 10 psi . Check what they’re gapped at when you pull the plugs . Also I’ve only ever ran tr6’s in my boosted 4v . I didn’t run the numbers on the plugs you mentioned are those factory heat range ?

Common sense isn't so common. Haha! I'll pull the plugs and see what they were using and measure the gaps. Great point. Ty

The plugs I mentioned are stock heat range.

 

[Musturd]

Common sense isn't so common. Haha! I'll pull the plugs and see what they were using and measure the gaps. Great point. Ty

The plugs I mentioned are stock heat range.

Yea don’t use those . Good chance it’s got ngk tr6’s based off the details you gave . You scored yourself a killer car .

 

[1BadSVT]

Yea don’t use those . Good chance it’s got ngk tr6’s based off the details you gave . You scored yourself a killer car .

I'm slowly figuring that out... It is a killer car for sure. NGK R TR6; you are correct sir. Just ordered a new set. I couldn't find my gap gage so I'll probably have to pick up another tomorrow. I reached out to Kenne Bell to see what supercharger this is and waiting for feedback. Some small numbers stamped on the side. "420 322". Photos attached

 

[Musturd]

I'm slowly figuring that out... It is a killer car for sure. NGK R TR6; you are correct sir. Just ordered a new set. I couldn't find my gap gage so I'll probably have to pick up another tomorrow. I reached out to Kenne Bell to see what supercharger this is and waiting for feedback. Some small numbers stamped on the side. "420 322". Photos attached

Goona be fun car for sure and have lots of low end torque . 2.1 litre maybe for the kenne bell ? Think the smaller ones were 1.75L

 

[1BadSVT]

Did a little research and fixed some twisted seat belts tonight.

I have some documents that show the car may have been tuned by SCT themselves in a Florida location so that's some good news. The OBD codes are showing it's running rich which I'm ok with for now. It also showed a misfire in #4 which I believe as the engine still isn't purring 100%. I ordered the NGK tr6 plugs and they'll be here in a few days.

Later, I'll have to dig into the dreaded theft light (came on after changing battery) and the abs light. For ABS I need to inspect the sensors and make sure they are not falling apart and the theft code could be the transceiver at the key but not sure why the failure after changing battery. I might have to try that three times in on position for 15 mins for the key to reprogram trick first.

The suspension appears stock and I may just put a pair of OEM rear shocks just so it doesn't bounce around when cruising until I decide what I want. They are obviously shot. The injectors are 40.9lb Bosch and I think I also figured out the exhaust. JBA shorties to a 3" BBK H pipe, cats removed to dual Magnaflow mufflers and then out the tail duals. The passenger side exhaust flange at the header needs so love; there is some high temp sealant at the flange but doesn't look like a clean job. Yuck

 

[95opal]

Did a little research and fixed some twisted seat belts tonight.

I have some documents that show the car may have been tuned by SCT themselves in a Florida location so that's some good news. The OBD codes are showing it's running rich which I'm ok with for now. It also showed a misfire in #4 which I believe as the engine still isn't purring 100%. I ordered the NGK tr6 plugs and they'll be here in a few days.

Later, I'll have to dig into the dreaded theft light (came on after changing battery) and the abs light. For ABS I need to inspect the sensors and make sure they are not falling apart and the theft code could be the transceiver at the key but not sure why the failure after changing battery. I might have to try that three times in on position for 15 mins for the key to reprogram trick first.

The suspension appears stock and I may just put a pair of OEM rear shocks just so it doesn't bounce around when cruising until I decide what I want. They are obviously shot. The injectors are 40.9lb Bosch and I think I also figured out the exhaust. JBA shorties to a 3" BBK H pipe, cats removed to dual Magnaflow mufflers and then out the tail duals. The passenger side exhaust flange at the header needs so love; there is some high temp sealant at the flange but doesn't look like a clean job. Yuck

I would suspect a broad coil pack on #4 cylinder

 

[RAU03MACH]

I'm slowly figuring that out... It is a killer car for sure. NGK R TR6; you are correct sir. Just ordered a new set. I couldn't find my gap gage so I'll probably have to pick up another tomorrow. I reached out to Kenne Bell to see what supercharger this is and waiting for feedback. Some small numbers stamped on the side. "420 322". Photos attached

one thing is for sure youl want to put a oil catch can on it
mine had oil all up inside choking out the KB
just saying check it

 

[RAU03MACH]

i have also got the 2.1 on mine set up almost like it

 

[white95]

Personally?

I’d yank that injection stuff and look into E85.

 

[Musturd]

Personally?

I’d yank that injection stuff and look into E85.

Agreed .

 

[1BadSVT]

Personally?

I’d yank that injection stuff and look into E85.

I agree that will be the direction at some point for sure, but it's definitely a fun smell. I plan to enjoy it for a little while at least. E85 is readily available and my area.

i have also got the 2.1 on mine set up almost like it

Pics?