03 Cobra has run its course

BadAzztt

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Hello all,

Long time member here, had the cobra since 04. I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and money into my cobra and would never get it back from selling. However, I also found I never drive it any more because I have newer better technology cars that are just more fun to drive (07 Z06, 2017 GT twin turbo). Even when you show up to the track with 650hp I’m the slow guy due to the massive advancements in the last decade.

That said, I’ve decided to take the entire drivetrain, suspension and modern(ish) technology and put it all into my 67 mustang coupe. I know ripping apart a perfectly good Cobra is blasphemy, and I could just get a different donor. The problem is that I would still have at least twice wrapped up in this car that I couldn’t get back, the car only has 33K thousand miles on it, I have all the go fast goodies and will be swapping as much as possible. This will leave me with nothing but a shell, which I will most likely part out.

I figure if the car is going to feel older and more raw, it would be more fun to blend it with the raw and classic looks of a 67. I know this is no simple undertaking, but have done my homework and already have the chassis mods needed mapped out and being taken care of. I know many will think I’m crazy, but that’s the plan. Anyone have a need for a body and what’s left of an 03 Cobra convertible?
 

GodStang

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Hello all,

Long time member here, had the cobra since 04. I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and money into my cobra and would never get it back from selling. However, I also found I never drive it any more because I have newer better technology cars that are just more fun to drive (07 Z06, 2017 GT twin turbo). Even when you show up to the track with 650hp I’m the slow guy due to the massive advancements in the last decade.

That said, I’ve decided to take the entire drivetrain, suspension and modern(ish) technology and put it all into my 67 mustang coupe. I know ripping apart a perfectly good Cobra is blasphemy, and I could just get a different donor. The problem is that I would still have at least twice wrapped up in this car that I couldn’t get back, the car only has 33K thousand miles on it, I have all the go fast goodies and will be swapping as much as possible. This will leave me with nothing but a shell, which I will most likely part out.

I figure if the car is going to feel older and more raw, it would be more fun to blend it with the raw and classic looks of a 67. I know this is no simple undertaking, but have done my homework and already have the chassis mods needed mapped out and being taken care of. I know many will think I’m crazy, but that’s the plan. Anyone have a need for a body and what’s left of an 03 Cobra convertible?


The only part I think you are crazy about is why the 03-04 Cobra motor. Grand scheme of things it is crap. There are so many better/cheaper routes to go. It was nice 15 years ago but so many down sides to it compared to now a days. I still have all my stock 03 Cobra engine and parts I was going to put into something one day till I realized it would be a waste.
 

lemosley01

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Won't doing this just leave you with another car you are even further upside down on?

How much do you have in it? I'd figure it would fetch in the mid 20s - maybe more depending on what is done. Spring is here and cars start to move then.

I can understanding wanting something different, but I can't understand gutting an original low mile car like this (I assume it has the original block in it). Plus it's a convertible - I think those may be more valuable in the future because there weren't that many made.

But, doing that is good for the rest of us as they continue to become more rare.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.
 

cj428mach

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Wow going to destroy a Terminator for a 67 coupe? a coupe? is this real life? the Terminators already have more looks, performance, and value than a 67 coupe. This ranks right up there with a guy telling me he was going to pull the 428 SCJ out of his matching number 70 Twister Special Mach 1 to put in his pick up.

I wish we could vote to ban this guy.....Brad can we get a poll going?
 

BadAzztt

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The only part I think you are crazy about is why the 03-04 Cobra motor. Grand scheme of things it is crap. There are so many better/cheaper routes to go. It was nice 15 years ago but so many down sides to it compared to now a days. I still have all my stock 03 Cobra engine and parts I was going to put into something one day till I realized it would be a waste.

I think we agree there is better technology out there. The reason to do it though is I already have it, and it’s still far superior to a 67 289 motor.

As for the other comments around selling and buying another power train, do the math. As was pointed out I could potentially get mid 20’s for it. I have a Kenne Bell 2.2 running 19lbs of boost. It puts down 675 with meth and have a shot of nitrous as well. It has a twin disk clutch, a built rear, GeForce axles, coil overs, killer chiller, MGW shifter, return fuel system, meth setup, all new brakes, etc.

So even if I were to sell it, the cost of an entire suspensions system, front McPherson strut setup, brakes all around, built rear, trans with clutch and pedals and a 650hp power plant with proper fueling would cost well above what I could get for it. Believe it or not guys, it’s actually my most cost effective route. I have a shop modifying the front and rear frame so the IRS and front suspension bolt in, with mod motor mounts.

While the 03 cobra engine isn’t the best any longer, in a 3000lb 67 it should make for a fun ride. I priced out selling it and going coyote and once you add up all the parts I’m out twice as much. In this case the sum of the parts are worth more than the whole.

And for anyone who is interested, this won’t be a rolling chassis, just a shell. It will have no suspensions, rear, brakes, etc...
 

GodStang

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I think we agree there is better technology out there. The reason to do it though is I already have it, and it’s still far superior to a 67 289 motor.

As for the other comments around selling and buying another power train, do the math. As was pointed out I could potentially get mid 20’s for it. I have a Kenne Bell 2.2 running 19lbs of boost. It puts down 675 with meth and have a shot of nitrous as well. It has a twin disk clutch, a built rear, GeForce axles, coil overs, killer chiller, MGW shifter, return fuel system, meth setup, all new brakes, etc.

So even if I were to sell it, the cost of an entire suspensions system, front McPherson strut setup, brakes all around, built rear, trans with clutch and pedals and a 650hp power plant with proper fueling would cost well above what I could get for it. Believe it or not guys, it’s actually my most cost effective route. I have a shop modifying the front and rear frame so the IRS and front suspension bolt in, with mod motor mounts.

While the 03 cobra engine isn’t the best any longer, in a 3000lb 67 it should make for a fun ride. I priced out selling it and going coyote and once you add up all the parts I’m out twice as much. In this case the sum of the parts are worth more than the whole.

And for anyone who is interested, this won’t be a rolling chassis, just a shell. It will have no suspensions, rear, brakes, etc...

Ya but you could sell yours for mid $20ks. Buy a wrecked Coyote for sub $10k. Move over engine, seats, brakes, yadda yadda Yadda. Part out the rest. Buy a blower. Have more power and have $10K in your pocket, better gas mileage, better drivability.
 

Revvv

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I think we agree there is better technology out there. The reason to do it though is I already have it, and it’s still far superior to a 67 289 motor.

As for the other comments around selling and buying another power train, do the math. As was pointed out I could potentially get mid 20’s for it. I have a Kenne Bell 2.2 running 19lbs of boost. It puts down 675 with meth and have a shot of nitrous as well. It has a twin disk clutch, a built rear, GeForce axles, coil overs, killer chiller, MGW shifter, return fuel system, meth setup, all new brakes, etc.

So even if I were to sell it, the cost of an entire suspensions system, front McPherson strut setup, brakes all around, built rear, trans with clutch and pedals and a 650hp power plant with proper fueling would cost well above what I could get for it. Believe it or not guys, it’s actually my most cost effective route. I have a shop modifying the front and rear frame so the IRS and front suspension bolt in, with mod motor mounts.

While the 03 cobra engine isn’t the best any longer, in a 3000lb 67 it should make for a fun ride. I priced out selling it and going coyote and once you add up all the parts I’m out twice as much. In this case the sum of the parts are worth more than the whole.

And for anyone who is interested, this won’t be a rolling chassis, just a shell. It will have no suspensions, rear, brakes, etc...
Any photos?

Sent from my [mind] using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

lemosley01

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The more I think about it, the more I don't get it. Why take a good car that is pretty rare and cut it up?

Sell it, take your 67 and put a modern drivetrain in it with modern everything else. If the Cobra drivetrain is still so shitty compared to everything else, you're still going to be the 'slow guy', only now in a 50 year old shell. I refuse to believe a 650 HP Cobra is the 'slow guy', and frankly, who cares? Is this how you make your living? Fact is that any good drag racer on a 1000CC higher sportbike will make you and everyone else with < 100K into the build the 'slow guy at the track' - and they'll do it for than 20K or less, and that includes the cost of the bike.

I just don't get it, and in 20 years, you're going to wonder why you didn't get it.

Sell the car to someone that will love it.

Or not and make my car more valuable.
 

BadAzztt

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I appreciate the feedback guys, but I think you all are underestimating the cost of a coyote swap. I have a 2017 coyote twin turbo and 1000cc sport bikes aren’t an issue (I have one of those too). The point of the 67 isn’t to be faster but at least more fun to drive and turn heads. If it’s going to be slower it will at least be more unique. I don’t care the 03 is underpowered compared to the more modern cars but don’t have the urge to drive it that I did, it just sits.

Besides the coyote engine I would still need an entire fuel system, power adder, built rear end, transmission, radiator, brake system, k-member, steering, wheels, tune, etc...the cost is far more to buy all that then using what I have. I know because I bought it all for this car. By the time all the parts are compiled it’s easily 30-40K, I’ve priced it multiple different ways. So if I sell for mid to low 20’s I’m way in the hole to buy the rest.

I don’t have pics of the car disassembled yet, starting on it soon but am trying to figure how far down to strip it. If there is interest in the shell I’ll leave it whole, if not i’ll take the body apart for parts. Again, I understand the angst around doing this, but have done the research for the better part of the last year.
 

Wings65288

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I bet you'd regret it either way. It's a classic, just hang onto it. Nothing wrong with a 650HP vert. You don't part out a Terminator lmao
 

ccq8le

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This is just a downer thread to read at the end of the day....

Ultimately it is his car and he can do as he pleases with it, but I just feel for the car.

I say if you really want to build the 67 with terminator guts sell your car and buy a wrecked one or a salvaged title terminator and use those guts to swap over. Same running gear and insides just for much cheaper. It wouldn't kill a good car over a bad one. You can still swap your Kenne bell and other parts over to the 67 as well as come out $$$ ahead on your current Terminator for the project.

But.... Its your car and your money...

Hopefully the shell at least would go to a good home.
 

TK1299

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Wtf did I just read? Op, you’re going to take apart a decently low mileage Terminator for the hell of it? Man you need an intervention.
If you’re tired of the Cobra then sell it to someone who knows what it is and will keep it pure. Use the money and buy a built motor. You can spend 10-15k on a motor that will most definitely make that 67 coupe roll out.
tenor.gif


Oh, and in before SD, because this may need to be routed there so a proper exorcism can be performed.
 

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