2003 Cobra refresh/restoration

[heitzke]

Few minor updates as i'm just tinkering away on the weekends mostly.





New engine on the stand, and the whole driveline is ready to pull this week. I just ordered a different lift plate than the arms that I have, as i'm just not quite happy with how they fit. I may wait for that to get everything out entirely, but at least start hoisting it up and see what bolts, sensors, etc that I missed.

STILL waiting on my 26-spline input shaft, but I think that's the last part i'm missing besides the correct belt for the inner accessories. Otherwise have all the gaskets, bolts and parts to start making faster progress.

[heitzke]

Success finally. Got the whole driveline out the top and didn't break a single thing.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by heitzke

Success finally. Got the whole driveline out the top and didn't break a single thing.

Awesome! I think I missed it, why are you taking out the motor and trans?

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Awesome! I think I missed it, why are you taking out the motor and trans?

Thanks! Yeah it happened pretty quickly there in the middle of the thread but I developed a bad ticking noise from cyl #7, so when I went to diagnose I came across 26% leakage in that cylinder, and then also some cross-cylinder leakage across 5-6 (probably a partial head gasket tear there).

Without tearing into the original engine yet it's hard to say, but the oil reeked of gasoline so I assume the #7 piston rings are completely shot and it needs a rebuild. Instead of all the downtime I picked up the other 50k long block in great shape to use instead.

Trans is coming with the motor so I can do a 26-spline input shaft to go with the twin-disc clutch and other new driveline bits. It'll be easier for me to get everything lined up when it's all out of the car together

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by heitzke

Thanks! Yeah it happened pretty quickly there in the middle of the thread but I developed a bad ticking noise from cyl #7, so when I went to diagnose I came across 26% leakage in that cylinder, and then also some cross-cylinder leakage across 5-6 (probably a partial head gasket tear there).

Without tearing into the original engine yet it's hard to say, but the oil reeked of gasoline so I assume the #7 piston rings are completely shot and it needs a rebuild. Instead of all the downtime I picked up the other 50k long block in great shape to use instead.

Trans is coming with the motor so I can do a 26-spline input shaft to go with the twin-disc clutch and other new driveline bits. It'll be easier for me to get everything lined up when it's all out of the car together

Ah ok, makes sense, dont know how i missed that LOL. This will be a great car once your done.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Ah ok, makes sense, dont know how i missed that LOL. This will be a great car once your done.

Thanks! Yeah it went from a fully driving fun car, doing some cleanup and modding and then... entire driveline pull and rebuild lol. I'm excited to get it all back together for some nicer weather cruising

[Alfisti]

I give you credit man, no idea how people know how to do shit like this who are not full time pros

[heitzke]

Few updates here and there. Got most of the major accessories transferred to the new motor and have it all sealed back up.

Worked on the 26-spline input shaft today and got it alll shimmed correctly and the end play all set to the correct tolerance. I unfortunately wasn't happy with how the pilot bearing went in, so I pulled it back out and ordered a new one so i'm sitting on my hands for a few days until that gets in.

Next is the twin-disc clutch, sealing up the transmission and then putting all back together into a single unit. At that point i'll do the long tubes and it *should* be ready to drop back into the engine bay for me to hook up the rest of the accessories.

Making decent, but slow progress given i'm just doing some nights and a little each weekend but figure with this week being mostly a bust - I MIGHT have it all ready to drop back into the bay end of next week, trying to target maybe a first start the second weekend of April.

[P1]

This is all so damn impressive. You can't just be a shade tree mechanic, right?

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by P1

This is all so damn impressive. You can't just be a shade tree mechanic, right?

Haha thanks man, I appreciate it. Totally amateur hobbyist here. Lots of research, forum reading and youtube (and being familiar with this chassis) has gotten me through a lot of little details.

I had a '99 Mustang GT for several years that I worked on a lot so at least a little bit of my experience has been able to carry over here. Also a LOT easier to work on this than the F82 haha

[Alfisti]

Again, kudos, nfi how people are this smart. I can barely change a god damn light bulb.

[///d]

Love this. I too am a hobby mechanic. I rebuilt my G35 to support ~700hp and I'm all self taught. I guess I just have that natural understanding of mechanical things. But I would hate to do this stuff as a full time job. Last thing I would want to do is wrench all day on other peoples stuff, and then go home and wrench on mine. I think it would take all the fun out of it.

I've been hit an miss on pony cars. I think certain generations of the Cobras, SVT, and some GT look great, but like most things domestic they try to appeal to all markets and release cheap underpowered versions that ruin the family line.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by ///d

Love this. I too am a hobby mechanic. I rebuilt my G35 to support ~700hp and I'm all self taught. I guess I just have that natural understanding of mechanical things. But I would hate to do this stuff as a full time job. Last thing I would want to do is wrench all day on other peoples stuff, and then go home and wrench on mine. I think it would take all the fun out of it.

I've been hit an miss on pony cars. I think certain generations of the Cobras, SVT, and some GT look great, but like most things domestic they try to appeal to all markets and release cheap underpowered versions that ruin the family line.

I didn't think VQs liked to hold boost. 700whp is very impressive. Got a link or any more info?

[///d]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I didn't think VQs liked to hold boost. 700whp is very impressive. Got a link or any more info?

Rods are the weak link in the VQ (~420hp), next weak points are head bolts and upper manifold bolts causing the manifold halves to separate, and then finally oil pump if it's a DE. With the internals it should be fine to at least 700 crank, and currently tuned to 515rwhp. Cant squeeze anything more out the of little single GT35R and don't need to honestly. A few years back I hydroplaned real bad and hit the ditch, decided it was time for a change so now it's going to be dropped into a '76 Datsun 620 I've been slowly building over the years. It's going to be unnecessary power, but fun non-the-less. But unfortunately I dont have a link to a build and don't want to hijack the OP thread anymore than I already did lol.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by ///d

Love this. I too am a hobby mechanic. I rebuilt my G35 to support ~700hp and I'm all self taught. I guess I just have that natural understanding of mechanical things. But I would hate to do this stuff as a full time job. Last thing I would want to do is wrench all day on other peoples stuff, and then go home and wrench on mine. I think it would take all the fun out of it.

I've been hit an miss on pony cars. I think certain generations of the Cobras, SVT, and some GT look great, but like most things domestic they try to appeal to all markets and release cheap underpowered versions that ruin the family line.

Thanks! I appreciate that and pretty similar here. I've always had the interest and have just enough general knowhow to get into trouble and deep into some projects like this one.

I'd absolutely haaaate doing this everyday, but because I can pick it up and set it back down whenever I want I can tolerate it. I reaaaally like this generation of Mustang despite them being pretty polarizing. Very sloppy and raw, but that's part of the appeal for me. Probably more nostalgia than anything at this point haha.

When I had my '99 GT I wanted one of these Cobras sooo bad, but they were just out of reach at the time. I continued to follow the markets occasionally and then just decided to go ahead and do it after watching the prices slowly trending upward.

[heitzke]

Not the update I wanted, but is what it is. Around 3pm today a fire started around the side of the garage and engulfed the entire thing - car and every last thing in it.

I'll let insurance do their thing, but already planning on picking up another when I can actually stomach it again. I'm just thankful it only took the garage and was far enough away from the house to leave it untouched. Be safe out there y'all.






And a new ad for Lethal Performance lol

[Torgus]

Holy shit. Glad you and your family are safe!

[Our03z4]

Man I am so sorry to see this! I was really enjoying watching your project come along, I know it wasn't the journey you thought it would be in the beginning but it was still interesting to watch. This is just a terrible way for it to go in the end. My in-laws lost their home to a fire last year so I know the heartbreak that it is. Glad it left your house untouched, take care and keep us updated on the new garage.

[P1]

Goodness gracious. Absolutely not the update I was expecting to see when I wanted to check on your progress. Any idea how the fire started?

Glad you and your house are safe/were spared.

[///d]

FAAWWWKKKK! That sucks. Hopefully insurance treats you well. Never know, maybe this will open the door to finding a perfect setup gem.

[happyjack]

heitzke holy crap dude!!! so sorry to see that post...and happy to hear that no one was hurt.

i've been silently following this thread (both my father and father-in-law are mustang guys) and was really looking forward to seeing you finish this project.

hopefully insurance can move quickly to replace 'the stuff'....best of luck.

[Alfisti]

Jesus H! I mean glad no one was hurt but bloody hell, what a kick in the nuts.