What first?

Well just bought my first 04 terminator vert 86k miles it’s on a truck from North Carolina as we speak. Trying to make a list of first mods it’s stock besides a bassani catback. My main thing initially will be to address maintenance items and cooling before adding any power mods. Right now I’m thinking oil, trans, coolant, diff flushed. Head cooling mod, HE no fans, bigger reservoir, all new idlers, 170 tstat, catch cans, cfm breather. I know these cars have alternator and water pump issues but they should show signs of failing. Might enjoy it this way until winter then send it to steigmeir for a port since posi is retired. Then time for a pulley, intake, tune, off road pipe. Any other things I’m missing would appreciate feedback.

Also looking at buying some of these part from LFP or is that considered a lower quality brand like bbk?

I think you're confusing the water pump and intercooler pump. The water pumps aren't a known issue. I just swapped a buddies intercooler pump last weekend on his 60k mile car however.

I'd skip sending the blower out to be ported. Either look for a used ported blower or used aftermarket blower. I think everyone I know that thought they'd be happy with a ported blower either ended up going bigger or wanted to go bigger until they sold the car.

I'd go with Metco for pullies personally.

Ok, what pump you recommend like a Bosch. This may sound silly but I really miss a loud blower whine. I have had all my cars boosted, on my 11 gt500 went from a ported Eaton to TVS to Whipple crusher. Nothing screamed like that ported Eaton. I’ve had two boosted coyotes last one with a 2.3 Ford racing TVS. Made no whine at all, my current one has a gen3r. It does whine a little but nothing like the good old days. I know the rotor packs are more efficient but I’ve heard nothing like a ported Eaton.

If when you get your '04 Cobra you're happy with the whine, then consider skipping the porting option (or, buy a used ported Eaton later on) due to the expense. With the factory Eaton and a 2.80/2.76 upper pulley setup with a tune, you'll probably see around 460rwhp and 480rwtq depending on the tune. That is very decent power and might be all you need. Then down the road if you must have more power, don't get hung up on blower whine levels because you're then going be compromising on your power goals. My own '03 Cobra with the factory Eaton made 457rwhp and 480rwtq and was a blast to drive. Of course now we see Terminators routinely making over 700rwhp, but then you're looking at expensive supporting mods for that power level, like pumps, injectors, fuel system upgrades, etc.

So what I would recommend you do is drive your "new" Cobra for a week and get a good feel for its performance. More than likely you're going to want more power. But not necessary anything over 460rwhp or so. Then get a 2.80/2.76 upper pulley, 4-piece Metco idler set, an intake and a custom tune. With those basic mods you'll add almost 100hp at the wheels, again depending on the tune. You'll really notice the performance difference. Then drive your Cobra and have fun. When, and if, you absolutely want to swap on a ported Eaton, buy one used and save your money. But IMO the performance increase with a ported blower isn't going to be as much as you might be hoping for. Then consider a small earlier Gen Whipple or small earlier Gen VMP blower.

You probably have the factory shifter so you're likely going to want to upgrade it IF you aren't happy with the factory one. If you do buy a new shifter, order one my shifter gasket kits for a easier install and quieter shifter.

Enjoy your Cobra!!
Bob

Definitely like your idea of getting a HCM. I’d skip the dual pass HE unless you’re getting it purely for cosmetic. Speaking from experience, you don’t really see a difference in temp when switching to a dual pass unless you plan on dragging the car (it’s been debated time and time again on this site). Personally, the first thing I’d buy is a gauge like Aeroforce. I’d also think about getting a short throw like MGW or Steeda. Enjoy the car for a while and then go crazy with all of the other stuff would be my advice.


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NightRide said:

Ok, what pump you recommend like a Bosch. This may sound silly but I really miss a loud blower whine. I have had all my cars boosted, on my 11 gt500 went from a ported Eaton to TVS to Whipple crusher. Nothing screamed like that ported Eaton. I’ve had two boosted coyotes last one with a 2.3 Ford racing TVS. Made no whine at all, my current one has a gen3r. It does whine a little but nothing like the good old days. I know the rotor packs are more efficient but I’ve heard nothing like a ported Eaton.

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I think the bosch is the only option. Unless you upgrade to a different pump. I recently changed to a 13/14 pump, but I need to do a couple more things to really take advantage.

I get it about the blower whine. I miss my eaton whine. But I like the pull from my whipple a lot more. You'll have to decide if power or sound is more important.

My experience with my dual pass exchanger is the cruising temps didn't change, but how fast it recovered did. IMO it's still a worthwhile upgrade.

First thing I would do is change out the idlers....ask me how I know. As mentioned and wish I had listened skip the porting for a twin screw and save time and money. Congrats and Enjoy!

I’m surprised you guys are saying the port isn’t worth it I’ll just stick with an upper. I would like to do the HE and pump I don’t think the fans are worth double the price but the stocker must be small. Is the bumper fairly easy to remove and install? On my s550 it was a pain, the clips are part of the fender and always break. Then you have to glue it or use a quick latch, one of my gt500 clips broke also but at least they were smart enough to put them on the frame so an easy fix.

Nowadays a port can cost $2000+. One guy posted his bill and it was $2200. I've seen used 2.3's for $2000-$2500. The bang for the buck just isn't there.

IMO the heat exchanger with fans is only worth it if you're drag racing and need the cool down. I installed one of those in a buddies car and he said driving around didn't change. But he noticed a difference when stuck in traffic.

The bosch pump isn't an upgrade. It's just something to keep an eye on as they randomly go out. Get the Aeroforce like mentioned earlier and keep an eye on your charge temps.

I've never pulled my bumper, but my son swapped bumpers on his old GT. He could have the bumper off in 10 minutes I think.

Hey OP, havent seen you post in awhile.......

I've had the following combos on 93. Car came with the ported Eaton. I went whip, than VMP and never looked back. The hit was great and the whine in cold air was on par with a ported Eaton.

2.3 Whipple w/ 4# lower
2.9 Whipple
VMP Gen 1 2.3
Stegmier Stage 4 Ported Eaton

Idlers must do!
Compression Check

I honestly never did an aftermarket H/E or Head cooling mod. I didn't have issues. But now I
think anything cooling is for sure a benefit.

Your gonna find out that an 03/04 can suck up your cash just like any car but not as bad as a Shelby. Unless your gonna run e85, dont expect it to have Shelby like power

Stifflers or GW full length subframe....not very exciting mod..but a must have first mod.

Good advice posted from you folks!!

shurur said:

Stifflers or GW full length subframe....not very exciting mod..but a must have first mod.

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Without a doubt the SINGLE most important mod on a convertible are weld in full length sub frame connectors along with a strut brace. Second get an IRS brace to protect you pumpkin.

COBRA_ESQ said:

Without a doubt the SINGLE most important mod on a convertible are weld in full length sub frame connectors along with a strut brace. Second get an IRS brace to protect you pumpkin.

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Thanks for all the input would you mind posting some links to those specific parts you recommend. I'm not to familiar with those just did a bmr cradle lockout on my s550 and all was good.

Hey kona, yeah it's been a while I've had a couple coyotes the past few years and been working on them. This forum is pretty much dead on those cars.

First thing I'll do is a compression test and mod from there. I'm not looking for a street killer in this car just a 450-500 whp I can mess with some bolt on coyote cars.

Jesus, I think I paid posi 700 for a port back in 2012. 2k would be ridiculous

Mine's a pulley, tuned, exhaust, intake modded 04 and on the street its a lot of fun. I said from the very beginning that when my Eaton comes off its going to be a bigger blower. Not impressed with the cost VS power gained with porting over what I'm already getting over an un ported blower. Definitely stiffen up the chassis with it being a vert. I put down 483/517 with the above mentioned mods on 93 octane.

NightRide said:

Thanks for all the input would you mind posting some links to those specific parts you recommend. I'm not to familiar with those just did a bmr cradle lockout on my s550 and all was good.

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You should google and search this site to see what is out there and what is considered the "best." I had a Maximum Motorsports subframe connectors and a Billet Flow IRS brace installed 25 years ago and bought the car with the strut brace of unknown make.

MM XL Full Length Connectors

IRS Brace

COBRA_ESQ said:

Without a doubt the SINGLE most important mod on a convertible are weld in full length sub frame connectors along with a strut brace. Second get an IRS brace to protect you pumpkin.

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Amen brother! That is an absolute must!

One other important mod for the Terminator are lowering springs to get rid of the horrendous factory 4X4 stance.

Looked up the stifflers fit system and the MM tower brace. If I did the Ford racing diff cover when I change the fluid would that negate the need for the IRS brace?