UPGRADES!?!?!?

[BlacknRedGT]

I have a 96 cobra and i was wondering what would be the best bang for my buck as far as performance goes .....my car is bone stock with the exception of flowmasters......thanks

 

[EastBayStang98]

mid pipe? gears? springs?

 

[Mr.Bolt-on]

Get some 4.10 gears. DOHC loves the gears. Get some long tube headers too. While your at it get some underdrive pulleys. Don't forget an x-pipe to match the headers. Also get a cold air intake, matched with a throttle body. An aluminum driveshaft should be good too. Don't forget a performance clutch, and a short throw shifter.

Now, after that get some lower control arms, and a Dr.Pepper.

 

[oemracing]

Depends on your price range for mods.
Best bang- as described previously-
1. Gears 4.10 is good for what 2500 rpm at 60 ish? 4.30 is 2700 rpm at 60 ish.
2. underdrive pulleys are a great choice.
3. sct tune- 350 or so. This will change the fuel and ignition maps of the ecu.
4. Cold Air intake.

The exhaust manifolds that are stock are decent, no real performance gain by aftermarket from what I have seen on near stock engines.
Short throw shifter wont help your performance, just your feel of shifting.
Aluminum driveshaft, o.k. I can see your point. but that is dropping 400 on something he can put into gears.
Seriously depends on what you want to spend. 500 or 5k?

 

[OnyxCobra]

I'd definitely have to say gears and a sticky tire will do the most for you.

 

[FaykSaleen]

4.10s, march pullies, JLT, long tubes, off road x or h pipe and a tune should put you close to 300 to the wheels

You can always skip the long tubes and pullies and get a nitrous kit.

From what i've read/seen/experienced changing out the stock throttle body on a close to stock 96-98 Cobra will either make no difference or even lose horsepower

But like oemracing said. It all depends on how much you're looking to spend

 

[imthefin]

Everybody has pretty much covered the essentials. I would start with the 4.10's, pullies, and finish the exhaust.

 

[H8machine]

Hey guys

I have the same question: I will buy a 96 Cobra Convertible with this options:
- 3.73 gears
- lowered with Ford Racing
- It has a Flowmaster Force II exhaust system

Next steps for sure:
- short shifter! What brand? Is the PRO 5.0 still the best choice?
- 18" Saleen rims (8x18 & 10x18 with 245/40/18 & 285/35/18 tires)
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016d~Z5Z5Z5ACUNA~P153.95~~~~S2P719CDDE19635025450f~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d
- install a new sound system

But what else shall I install?
- X-Pipe? What brand and what do I need when I will use the factory tubes? I guess this one:
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016d~Z5Z5Z5ACOUH~P454.95~~~~S2P719CDDE19635025450f~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d

- What specally would change if I install LONG TUBE HEADERS and what X-Pipe shall I use then? What is better: Ceramic or Chrome?
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016d~Z5Z5Z5ACTYS~P529.95~~~~S2P719CDDE19635025450f~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016d~Z5Z5Z5ACTYC~P449.95~~~~S2P719CDDE19635025450f~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d
Why are SLP so expensive:
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000016d~Z5Z5Z5ACTYY~P899.95~~~~S2P719CDDE19635025450f~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d

- CAI: I often read that it's just waisting money... maybe with a new throttle body? What does this components?

Thanks for answers! =)

 

[AaRoN]

Gears, mid pipe.

 

[oemracing]

yeah short shifter actually first mod. try going to the track with a stock shifter, you will hit the radio once and think why didnt I get a short shifter!!!
Then intake exhaust... etc, etc.
ensure the pro 5.0 is the pro tower if you go to that one.
actually the cobra wheels are quite light. Not sure what the weight difference is between the saleens and the stock. Sorry dont really care, since I have heavy forged aluminum 2 piece rims. I would hate to spend uddles of money and dent a rim.
Wheels though inexpensive route for different one's- the 03/04 wheels normally go for 200 a set with little tread left.
Chrome headers tend to blue and discolor. ceramic dont. you can get a set ceramic coated in nearly any color. Actually just dont spend money on chrome. some like the blued look, like me but then it starts looking really bad eventually.
Another thing on headers- If you change to long tube you have to remove, what side to change the clutch.... driver side right? you may not think much of it, but think hard and look at your headers. I waited till the head was out to pull the exhaust manifolds off.
There are a couple of write ups on sound systems on the forum. I had boston acoustics and mb quarts in my 95 gt, with a... cant remember the amp. I normally never have the radio on in a car anymore. Always paranoid about this or that, always listening to the engine see what she needs. normally its I WANT GAS! haha

 

[Shifty Powers]

Ok. Lets see here. Depending on your driviing, 4.10's or 4.30s for gears.(dont forget $$$ to install about 200-250)
If you get gears(dont know why everyone forgets this) You will want an aluminum driveshaft. ($250) It will take away any vibrations, and help your car in general turn the drivetrain quicker(less rotational mass, but thats a diff subject).
-Short throws- The best out there are the steeda tri-ax(notchy), and MGW(smooth).
- Full exhaust(Long tubes(GET CERAMIC COATED, none of that chrome bull, it helps protect them and keep the heat down in the engine bay) If you have flowmasters, dont get an X-pipe, get an H-pipe.. O/R of course. If no catback then whichever one you like.
BTW whoever mentioned SLP earlier, its expensive becauuse its full SS and its modular.
If you get longtubes and whatnot. You will want to buy a tuner(SCT2, or SCT3 if u feel like spending the extra $$$; but SCT2 is still perfect), you can find them used quite often, but a tune will run you around $500. Tuning ur car after this is where you will really see the gains.
CAI- Dont get BBK(its a hot air intake). Ur CAI doesnt really give you any gains, but almost improves your throttle response. So yes its still benficial to get one. JLT makes some of the best.

Side note for long tube headers. Most brands like MAC/Flowtech/ and BBK are good, but you will need to take your driver side off in order to drop the tranny(or drop the tranny to get it on). These Lts will run you about $500-600.
If you buy Kooks you will spend around $1000, but you do not have to take the header off to drop the tranny, the header itself actually comes apart so no need to drop the tranny.(alot of people dont get these due to price and depending on how they drive it). If you do alot of racing and are gunna end up changing ur clutch or whatnot alot, get these.

Rims- cobra rims are decently light, depending on the year. 98s- 25 i believe. and i think 03/04(authentic) are about 27/28. I might be off by a few lbs here and there on them, but not my much. Replicas usually weigh in around 35-40 lbs.
And yes, lighter rims will make your car faster(again less rotational mass which is 4x heavier then deadweight, and if you are talking rims(which u have 4 of, thats alot of weight to be saved). Yall can do the math.

here. 25lb rims=100lbsx4rims=400lbs
35lb rims=140x4rims=560lbs..

see what im getting at?

 

[tankerman1981]

with these cars N/A definately some gears... alot of people like 4.10's... Headers, midpipe, and catback...if you want go ahead and get a CAI but wont see a huge increase with that but will look a little cleaner...