Jason's 96 Cobra - investigative build

[white95]

Welcome back

 

[1BadSVT]

Nice shop! Did you perform most of the machine work rebuilding the engine?

I don't have any of the tools for machining so I went to a local shop. I did the disassembly to save some cost.

 

[1BadSVT]

Just about ready to drop the engine back in. I've been taking the time torquing to spec and putting it back together with my Son. Next up is bolting on the supercharger, wrapping the other header, securing with safety wire, and then bolting on the lightweight flywheel and clutch.

I also picked up the SVT certificate.

 

[96blak54]

Looks like progress! Keep moving forward!

 

[1BadSVT]

March 7th is the date, decided to do the COP conversion since the plug wires didn't fit the new valve covers. Adaptor harness and 03 power steering bracket should arrive today. We've had rain the last two days but it looks like my shed will finally get finished tomorrow. Next step is to get all the junk out of the garage to create a clean working environment before the 7th!

 

[badass98svt]

March 7th is the date, decided to do the COP conversion since the plug wires didn't fit the new valve covers. Adaptor harness and 03 power steering bracket should arrive today. We've had rain the last two days but it looks like my shed will finally get finished tomorrow. Next step is to get all the junk out of the garage to create a clean working environment before the 7th!
View attachment 48843

Looks great man. Love that KB pulley

 

[1BadSVT]

Looks great man. Love that KB pulley

Thanks, I love that decal but not big on the color. It works for now.

 

[96blak54]

Ok, lets back track a little bit. Let me ask a few questions.
Did you intall the timing wheel on the crankshaft? We have all installed the front cover, forgetting the timing reluctor wheel. Some have made it in the engine bay to startup.

Are you reusing the original lash adjusters or new? These are components critical to oil weights. Their characteristics hydraulicly change. Can prevent valves from closing completely when full of old trash oil or by using heavy oil weight like 15w-40 or "high mileage " branded oil. These little things can cause some hp and tuning problems and easily overlooked. They can also lift valves of their seats. Ive beat a dead horse around here about this and most understand it. If you run the old lashers and was sensible about oil changes, they probably ok. Id suggest heating them up and squeezing the oil oil out before reinstalling on a fresh build or new ons.

Build is looking awesome tho! Thanks for sharing with us

 

[1BadSVT]

Ok, lets back track a little bit. Let me ask a few questions.
Did you intall the timing wheel on the crankshaft? We have all installed the front cover, forgetting the timing reluctor wheel. Some have made it in the engine bay to startup.

Are you reusing the original lash adjusters or new? These are components critical to oil weights. Their characteristics hydraulicly change. Can prevent valves from closing completely when full of old trash oil or by using heavy oil weight like 15w-40 or "high mileage " branded oil. These little things can cause some hp and tuning problems and easily overlooked. They can also lift valves of their seats. Ive beat a dead horse around here about this and most understand it. If you run the old lashers and was sensible about oil changes, they probably ok. Id suggest heating them up and squeezing the oil oil out before reinstalling on a fresh build or new ons.

Build is looking awesome tho! Thanks for sharing with us

All set, no concerns. Thank you for the heads up!

 

[1BadSVT]

A few updates

 

[1BadSVT]

I had an aftermarket differential cover but I didn't like it. I pulled it and put this forward performance spend version on. Love it. Rear rotors and pads are installed and I finally got around to changing out the quad shocks. I'm still waiting on the freight company to deliver the transmission. I really wanted to rebuild the one in the car but it was the same price to buy used one with a one year warranty. This will give me time to go through the transmission myself as I don't have all the tools or the time. I'll have to get a shop to press off the bearings or find some time to do it at work.

Most likely I'll put that off for a while because I want to develop an intercooler system for this car and maybe offer it to some people who want one for their Kenne Bell swap.

I started tidying up the vacuum lines but the cold air intake still hasn't arrived for me to wrap up all the other hoses. I started looking into how people have their PCV and passenger side breather's routed. I'm not exactly sure how I want to proceed (and I'm still researching KB setups) but I'll probably route the passenger side directly into the intake tube and the PCV to the intake right behind the throttle body. The IAC is the only thing I haven't figured out yet as mine was originally ran to the intake tube pre TB.

Anyways, off to vacation for a week. Parts should be here when I get back.

 

[1BadSVT]

Got all the wiring sorted but the engine sits too high. I ordered a set of Maximum Motorsport brackets to.hopefully fix the issue. If this third set doesn't sort it out I'm making my own or modifying a set. The idea is to run the OEM hood but I have plans for a wilder hood and wing for certain events.

 

[badass98svt]

Did you have a problem getting the motor mounts to line up correctly?

 

[1BadSVT]

Did you have a problem getting the motor mounts to line up correctly?

No, everything looks perfect. I did notice the large nut appeared to not be in the original position but the studs on both sets are all the way down in both slots. At first I thought the OEM studs might have been smaller but the nuts are the same size but had a larger flange.

 

[badass98svt]

No, everything looks perfect. I did notice the large nut appeared to not be in the original position but the studs on both sets are all the way down in both slots. At first I thought the OEM studs might have been smaller but the nuts are the same size but had a larger flange.

I was talking with another member, and we were pondering whether or not you had a 302 K member/mounts. We were just brainstorming.

 

[1BadSVT]

I ended up installing the solid mounts from Maximum motorsports and I cut the throttle bracket on the KB SC as much as I could. I also had to remove the JLT intake as it was also interfering with the stock hood. We're getting close now. The transmission and starter were also knocked out. Driveshaft and exhaust are up next, then it's time to spin the car around (to point exhaust out of garage for startup), wrap up interior wiring for the gauges and get the shifter installed.

 

[RAU03MACH]

Let us know how it dose
Have fun with it

 

[RAU03MACH]

i dont want to start anything but that throttle cable that you have is sketchy
lokar throttle cables is what you need

 

[RAU03MACH]

the lokar will come with all hardware to mount a bracket and cable assembly

 

[1BadSVT]

the lokar will come with all hardware to mount a bracket and cable assembly

Do you have a part number? I see cables but no brackets. What I have will work but I'm not so excited about the finish. I'll probably end up removing the intake at some point and milling down the ramp angle. I need to measure the thickness there first, probably with ultrasound so I don't mess it up.