FYI THIS IS A LONG READ, BUT HOPEFULLY AN INTERESTING ONE FOR MOST.
Just like the title states I decided to start a build thread for my 2003 Tenth anniversary cobra. This will most likely be a little bit of a long read, but for those of you who care to take the time I greatly appreciate it. Also, I do not claim to be extremely knowledgeable in the automotive field, but I do know a little (enough to get me by id say).
Well, a little background on me: I'm 23 years old and live in Manlius, NY(suburb of Syracuse). I live with my parents for the time being because I attend Le Moyne College full-time while paying my way by working as many hours as possible at Napa auto parts. I actually work at the Syracuse Distribution center so if any of you live around Syracuse and get parts from Napa, I'm most likely the one that loads them onto the trucks. I've bounced around at a few schools but finally settled at Le Moyne and I love it. I'm an electrical engineer major(newly) and hope to work in the automotive field with that major once I graduate.
I have always done all my own work on my cars, my 1998 grand Cherokee 5.9l was my first real project. and I've done a little bit of motor work on that and also my 2000 Cherokee which I sold. I'm new to the mustang game but I've always wanted one since I saw my first cobra.
Back to the car: Since I am a full-time college student and do pay all my own bills, this build will absolutely be on a budget, but that doesn't mean ill be taking the cheap way out (all the time). I bought this car on august 2nd 2013. Like some of you know it does have a rebuilt title because the car was stolen and a lot of the parts were stripped. This car has had a full restoration with all Ford OEM parts from the dealership. The gentleman I bought it from was extremely forward with everything and documented the build along the way, he built this car how he wanted it and did not intend to sell it. He built it for his wife and him and unfortunately his wife passed away before they could enjoy it much so he just wanted to part ways with it. After a year of looking for a cobra in good shape in my budget, I nearly gave up until I stumbled across this car on a Michigan craigslist. After about 3 weeks of exchanging emails and talking on the phone, I took a train and a bus 14 hours total to get to East Lansing, Michigan where he picked me up from the train station and drove me to his shop where I saw the car in person for the first time, it was just as he described it and it looked immaculate. Dave, the guy I bought it from, was such a nice guy to deal with and my heart goes out to him 100%. I started the car and looked over every inch of it, its extremely clean and only had 12K on the clock. He took me to the secretary of state where we got temporary plates for the car then I drove it the 8 hours back to Syracuse.
Some details on the car:
-2003 10th anniversary
-Full bassani exhaust: shorty headers, O/R x
-Built solid 8.8" ( not sure what axle shafts but I know they aren't stock I havnt had a chance to pull them and see)
-14K miles now
-It has FRPP 4.10 gears now because he never drove it on the highway and just wanted low end, which it has...I have a set of 3.73 on order because its too tall of a gear ratio for my liking but everything else is great.
I have big plans for this car but like I said it will be on a budget and likely a slower build process than most of yours. Also, most of the work will be done by me or my friends who know a lot about these cars but some stuff I will pay someone to do, like the gear swap(also buying the install kit with all new bearings and seals). Another reason why I joined this forum because I know a lot of you are EXTREMELY knowledgeable with these cars and any input it GREATLY appreciated. I lowered the car about an inch already because it sat way too tall for me, also my friend who has a 2004 screaming yellow cobra is selling me a few of his "going turbo" parts. Im getting a set of 18/9, 18/10 black chrome fr500s wrapped in 275 front 295 rear nitto 555r from him. Also his 2.8 pulley, belt and a K&N filter kit. Hes giving me a good price so I couldn't really pass it up since I already want more power, and get no traction with my current stock size tires.
I plan on lowering the car more, im getting darker tails and prob 20% tint all the way around. I want to do an EGR delete if I can figure it out by myself, also once I get the parts on im getting an SCT tuner from lethal with one of their preloaded tunes simply because I cant afford a dyno tune and there really isn't a good once around here. That's it for now ill throw some pictures up in a few. Thanks to all who read this and any help along the way will be a godsend. :beer:
