99 Cobra - Build thread

[v8stang289]

So back in December I started talking to a guy on Marketplace about a 99 Cobra he had had listed for 6+ months. Cosmetically it had some issues, but ran good and was solid overall with no rust, etc. and a few mods.

After waiting for his bank to get the title, I picked it up from him in January for $6k
It was a reasonable price I thought, maybe a bit high for condition, but I've always wanted one. After delving in a bit, it has a few more issues than I thought, but it's still ok and I love the car.
Kid was a Marine that didn't know anything about cars or what he was getting into. So I was very limited in what info I could get from him.

Wife took this pic following me home.

Once I got it home

I should have realized right away that it was an Iron block. I've been a Mustang guy for 25+ years and overlooked that detail until I got it home.
I did make sure the brakes, IRS, and all the other Cobra stuff was still there.
I sourced a 96 Cobra long block for the crank and block to eventually get back to an aluminum block.

The car had an O/R X-pipe and Borlas, but I'm not a fan of either. So I swapped to a catted H I had from my buddies old Mach-1, and a Flowmaster Cat-back, selling the X and Borlas to recoupe some money.
I also added a JLT CAI, and ordered machined 03 Cobra wheels to replace the chrome that were on it.

 

[v8stang289]

The front left fender was tweaked, and there was a bad dent in the driver door.
I got lucky and found a rio red 99 cobra fender locally for $50
The door I fixed with a stud welder, some time, and body filler.

 

[v8stang289]

I also replaced the front control arms, pads, rotors, wheel bearings, and sway bar links, and installed a bumpsteer kit, and Bilstein B8's to go with the Kenny Brown springs that were already installed.

 

[v8stang289]

I'm in the process of installing Stiffler's jacking rails, and removing all the trim to prep for paint.
I'm off for the next 10 days, and I am hoping to get the car painted and back together so I can begin enjoying driving it.

After that I'll be accumulating parts to build the IRS with gears and FTBR bushings, and then focusing on building the Teksid block I picked up.

 

[v8stang289]

For anyone curious, my screen name is one I've used across multiple forums for 20+ years, and is from my 66 Mustang in my avatar.
Factory it was a 66 C-code 289 automatic coupe. Now it's a roller 306 with ported Iron GT40 heads, TFS1 cam, Scorpion rockers, Performer RPM intake, Holley 570 Carb, T5 trans, 3.80 gears, a bunch of suspension mods and most importantly, A/C, lol.
Fun car that I built/painted myself and love. It and the Cobra are my dream cars.

 

[bird_dog0347]

Nice find man, glad you're gonna save it!

 

[slowgreycobra]

Looks like you are making progress!

 

[Roots-type]

Love these New Edge builds. Go bro!

 

[v8stang289]

Spent yesterday prepping, and got color sprayed today. Have a few runs but it laid down pretty good. Ready to see it in the sun.
Next a bunch of wet sanding and polishing...

 

[01yellercobra]

I wish I had the patience for body work.

 

[v8stang289]

I wish I had the patience for body work.

I know just enough to be dangerous, lol.
I'm no professional by any stretch, I hate body work with a passion but I do it out of necessity.
Most painters/body shops around only want to do wreck repair and insurance jobs. The one restoration guy is wayyy out of my budget. So I learned what I could to get by and fix my own stuff.

 

[01yellercobra]

I know just enough to be dangerous, lol.
I'm no professional by any stretch, I hate body work with a passion but I do it out of necessity.
Most painters/body shops around only want to do wreck repair and insurance jobs. The one restoration guy is wayyy out of my budget. So I learned what I could to get by and fix my own stuff.

That's actually similar to the problem I have. The one local shop that's done some work on my car in the past isn't working on cars this "old" anymore. The last time I talked to them they didn't want to quote it. Most don't want to deal with this paint. And the one guy I really want to spray my car is on the other side of the country.

 

[v8stang289]

Spent yesterday sanding and polishing. Got most of the runs out, still a few little areas that need some touch up. It's a solid 20 footer anyway.

 

[v8stang289]

Got up this morning and started reassembly.
Everything went together really smoothly, just got it all together and took it for a test drive. Looks like a clutch replacement is going to be next... it's slipping a bit under high load.
I still have to install the Bilstein's and new brakes and lines on the rear as well.

 

[v8stang289]

Also just realized I never showed interior pics.
It's Medium Parchment, in good shape overall. Back seat has a few cig burns, and there is a crack in the instrument bezel surround, but pretty clean overall.
Steering wheel was missing a chunk at the top middle, so I repaired it and did a stitch on cover. Couldn't find a color to match factory so I went with black.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

heck of an improvement!

 

[Badaz01]

I built an 01 cobra and still have it today. There are days when I think to myself man I could’ve bought a brand new gt premium or really low mileage 03/04 terminator. But at the end of the day I have one Badaz01 Cobra. Can’t wait to see your progression looking good to this point. Are you gonna stay NA or ?

 

[v8stang289]

I also bought a set of original tail lights for the Cobra. Got them for WAY less than the going rate because they're missing the harness and have a messed up mounting stud. Not a big deal to me as I have a GT harness and I'll modify to make work.
I'm stoked about these.

 

[v8stang289]

I built an 01 cobra and still have it today. There are days when I think to myself man I could’ve bought a brand new gt premium or really low mileage 03/04 terminator. But at the end of the day I have one Badaz01 Cobra. Can’t wait to see your progression looking good to this point. Are you gonna stay NA or ?View attachment 1879503

I know I'll be upside down in this one when I'm done, especially once I build the Teksid block. But I'll know exactly what I have and I enjoy the build process.

 

[ccq8le]

Congrats on the car and nice work. I really enjoy these kind of threads and to me sometimes the build is more of the fun than just the drive. Especially when it's done yourself and can enjoy both.

Keep it up!

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