98 Cobra Restoration Build Thread

Revvv

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Got my new tailshaft seal in last night, old one was leaking bad. Also this is an 83 Gt I'm repainting for a customer.

Jb weld the holes in the IMRCs because my friend had just silicone in them. They popped right out, I can't believe they stayed in! Hoping to have the Cobra back on the road next Month! That is if it ever stops snowing here..View attachment 1481482

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Every now and then I miss the inside of a body shop. I had a lot of fun.

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Revvv

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My dad and I do it as a little side business. Eventually we would like to open it full time.
I grew up in a shop. I couldn't wait to never work in a car again. My dad owned his shop for 40 years. Towards the end, I was running it.

I hate that it's gone. Every now and then I get the urge to do s bit of work, but I no longer have the tools, or a place to work.

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Hunter98SVT

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I grew up in a shop. I couldn't wait to never work in a car again. My dad owned his shop for 40 years. Towards the end, I was running it.

I hate that it's gone. Every now and then I get the urge to do s bit of work, but I no longer have the tools, or a place to work.

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That's why we like it as a hobby right now ha fix cars, drink beer. I can't complain ha
 

Hunter98SVT

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Update:

Got some things done this weekend! Got the IMRC deletes in, front EGR tube off, still need to get the back one, it's a pita!

My dad and I went to a salvage yard yesterday that had half a dozen sn95's. Got a good drivers door, cowl vent, spoiler, front bumper brackets, and a couple radio cubbys. all for $80 bucks!

So I know I need to tune out the IMRC's. Whats a good tuner to get? I haven't messed with tuning a whole lot and would like to start. Any help on this would be appreciated!
 

Hunter98SVT

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Finally got the egr tubes off and bungs plugged. Got a block off plate coming. Looks a lot cleaner.
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Hunter98SVT

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Little update:

Starting to get parts in the mail. Got a new fuel pump, of course it's 3/4 full.. Going to tackle that this weekend.

Still waiting for the o-rings for the crossover pipe.

Got most of the body blocked off and ready to go into the booth. Can't wait to see this thing all finished in the sunlight.

I'll take some pictures tonight.
 

Hunter98SVT

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Got the fuel pump in this weekend, old one quit when we were pumping the gas out. It sounded terrible!

Also, I need to tap the treads in the cross over tube plug. Anyone happen to know the size?

Plan to get the fenders and hood painted this week, or at least primed.
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Hunter98SVT

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Been doing a lot of body work lately. Almost done with the quarters and hopefully this weekend I can roll it into the booth and prime/paint/clear the body.

Then I'll get the fenders in, then doors, hood and bumpers. I'm hoping I can have the car all painted by mid July.

I'll take some pictures tonight and post them up. Also I want to get some red and black caliper paint and do those.

She's getting there, just been a long slow process.
 

Hunter98SVT

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Forgot to take pics... I will tonight if I remember. Have a lot of other things going on in the shop and get sidetracked.

I finally got the body a smoothed out. Just need to put some etch prime on the bare metal spots and then in the booth for primer!
 

Cobra52898

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Oh yes. MM k-member. Coilovers. Konis. Panhard bar. I want it to handle like it's on rails. Had the same setup on my 96 and absolutely loved it.

98 Cobra vert owner here.
I’ll be watching for updates on your progress. I “highly” recommend replacing the factory rear suspension with an MM HD Torque Arm and HD Lower Control Arms with spherical bearings. MM offers a package deal that includes everything you’ll need. The handling will be night and day!
No more fish tailing on hard launch’s caused by the upper rear control arms binding up.

With that I would also recommend a quality set of subframe connectors welded and NOT bolted in place.
MM full length or Global West extreme duty SFC’s are both excellent products.
Good luck with your project!
 

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Cobra52898

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Update:

Got some things done this weekend! Got the IMRC deletes in, front EGR tube off, still need to get the back one, it's a pita!

My dad and I went to a salvage yard yesterday that had half a dozen sn95's. Got a good drivers door, cowl vent, spoiler, front bumper brackets, and a couple radio cubbys. all for $80 bucks!

So I know I need to tune out the IMRC's. Whats a good tuner to get? I haven't messed with tuning a whole lot and would like to start. Any help on this would be appreciated!

Hey bud I’ve been watching your build thread and would like to offer some thoughts based upon my experience building and tuning my 98 Cobra vert.

First off I’ve used a couple of DIY tuning devices and finally settled on a TwEECer-RT.
While not as popular as the hand held tuners, it allows access to each and every point in the EEC-V if desired. It also allows you to data log those same points.

In Texas they annually inspect and test for proper operation of all pollution control devices. So I had to get creative.

For what it’s worth it’s not necessary to remove all the pollution control devices to get maximum performance. Besides at WOT the EECV disables them all anyway.

SHM has reported that replacing the factory IMRC’s with deletes actually hurt’s low end performance and power significantly. So he no longer recommend’s that mod.

The EGR valve actually helps reduces combustion chamber temperatures if they get to high.

The electric air pump only operates briefly at startup to inject fresh air into the exhaust manifolds to help burn all the fuel.

As for the Cat’s I had to replaced them and went with a set of low restriction, high flow cat’s and stainless steel H-pipe.

With a Vortech V1 S-trim S/C and air to water after cooler, I’ve consistently put down 460 to 470 RWHP using the stock pulleys and internals.

I’m currently in the process of rebuilding the engine. Not due to damage but, because I’ve been driving it for 20 years and felt it was time to upgrade to more robust internal components that are able to withstand higher boost levels and power.

Anyway those are my thoughts. Hope they are helpful.
 

Hunter98SVT

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Hey bud I’ve been watching your build thread and would like to offer some thoughts based upon my experience building and tuning my 98 Cobra vert.

First off I’ve used a couple of DIY tuning devices and finally settled on a TwEECer-RT.
While not as popular as the hand held tuners, it allows access to each and every point in the EEC-V if desired. It also allows you to data log those same points.

In Texas they annually inspect and test for proper operation of all pollution control devices. So I had to get creative.

For what it’s worth it’s not necessary to remove all the pollution control devices to get maximum performance. Besides at WOT the EECV disables them all anyway.

SHM has reported that replacing the factory IMRC’s with deletes actually hurt’s low end performance and power significantly. So he no longer recommend’s that mod.

The EGR valve actually helps reduces combustion chamber temperatures if they get to high.

The electric air pump only operates briefly at startup to inject fresh air into the exhaust manifolds to help burn all the fuel.

As for the Cat’s I had to replaced them and went with a set of low restriction, high flow cat’s and stainless steel H-pipe.

With a Vortech V1 S-trim S/C and air to water after cooler, I’ve consistently put down 460 to 470 RWHP using the stock pulleys and internals.

I’m currently in the process of rebuilding the engine. Not due to damage but, because I’ve been driving it for 20 years and felt it was time to upgrade to more robust internal components that are able to withstand higher boost levels and power.

Anyway those are my thoughts. Hope they are helpful.

I mainly wanted the EGR stuff off because it looks cleaner and I was missing half of it anyways.

I'm now worried about loosing a small amount of low end because I'm going to Eaton swap it next year. I have a 97 Mark 8 engine on the stand and I have a set of 04 Aviator heads. There's a local place here that sell the swap kits. I'll probably get a TVS with the kit.
 

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