Restoring a Unicorn - Nate's 2004 Competition Orange Cobra

fitforspeed

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Not yet. There is one on eBay that looks to be in really good shape for the "low" price of 1700 bucks. It is going to be difficult to track down a nice set.

I just saw a full set pop up a week or so ago locally, but of course they are sold already.

I have a set of the light gray 03 seats if your not opposed to those.


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biminiLX

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Not yet. There is one on eBay that looks to be in really good shape for the "low" price of 1700 bucks. It is going to be difficult to track down a nice set.

I just saw a full set pop up a week or so ago locally, but of course they are sold already.
I have a set of take off not perfect but good dark charcoal seat covers and OEM chrome wheels in great shape.
Could be useful for an SVTP build like this.
Great find on a rare Cobra.
-J
 

NateDogg

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So I think I found out why it’s been sitting for 3 years.

It gets hot. Oil looks good. No vapor from the tail pipes.

But, fan does not kick on.

I just wanted to get it to operating temp to hear it run. I’ll do the leak down tonight after my son’s baseball practice . That should tell me more. If that checks out I’ll have to chase down some cooling issue.

Also the car does not like reverse. I kind of figured that as I found a post from the previous owner that he had issues getting it in to reverse back in 2017.

Motor sounds smooth and idles pretty good. The exhaust set up is super quiet.

The car looks good in daylight. Interior is musty so a complete overhaul is gonna be needed inside as well.

I might end up with a brand new car when I’m all done with this.

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NateDogg

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I have a set of take off not perfect but good dark charcoal seat covers and OEM chrome wheels in great shape.
Could be useful for an SVTP build like this.
Great find on a rare Cobra.
-J

I’d be interested in those for sure. Just let me know your price.


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NateDogg

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Deceptive

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Did it come with a bottle of Missouri’s finest Barleywine?

Asking for JJG Esquire


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NateDogg

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Did a compression check tonight. Overall pretty encouraging. I have a harbor freight tester so I’m not too hung up on the actual numbers but they are pretty consistent.

Bank 1 is 135 across the board. Bank 2 high 135 low 122.

Like I said I don’t think these are actually correct, but they are steady so I’m good with it. Each cylinder held compression for at least 2-3 minutes until I release them in between tests.

Unable to do the leak down because my TDC whistle would not thread. It’s getting late so it’ll have to be done another day. I guess I won’t know the true health of the motor until I do the leak down.

Plugs look like ass. The plug threads were all oil covered. Hopefully that’s just bad valve covers or something simple.

The transmission is going to be replaced. Reverse is very difficult to get in and it grinds until it eventually pops in. Likely a magnum incoming. I’ll have to do some research tomorrow.

I feel confident enough with the motor to move forward with some large purchases, so I’m excited. I’ll be developing a plan on how I want to hand this build now that my biggest worry is behind me.

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FleeMan

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Spark plugs have oil on them but they look more so if the tune was running pig rich. Better than lean but still just a tune and nothing serious. Oil on the spark plugs is just the rubber grommet that goes along the hole of the spark plugs needs to be replaced. Perfect time to check out the valve train as well. Can’t wait to see this turn into something great.
 

P49Y-CY

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does it have a firewall adjuster? in my experience problems in 1st and reverse can be a symptom of the cable being too loose. i'd try tightening it way up to see if it makes any difference. another good test is to try putting it into reverse with key on/engine off. if a trans problem it should still show the same difficulty

congrats on the cool find, and enjoy!
 

03cobra#694

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Spark plugs have oil on them but they look more so if the tune was running pig rich. Better than lean but still just a tune and nothing serious. Oil on the spark plugs is just the rubber grommet that goes along the hole of the spark plugs needs to be replaced. Perfect time to check out the valve train as well. Can’t wait to see this turn into something great.
Bingo, that's what it looks like to me.
 

NateDogg

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does it have a firewall adjuster? in my experience problems in 1st and reverse can be a symptom of the cable being too loose. i'd try tightening it way up to see if it makes any difference. another good test is to try putting it into reverse with key on/engine off. if a trans problem it should still show the same difficulty

congrats on the cool find, and enjoy!
No fire wall adjuster. I ordered one yesterday along with a billet quadrant.

The trans is not particularly smooth when the car is off. It seems to struggle going into multiple gears. I'm going to check some small stuff and see if there is something easy that just needs adjusted.
 

FleeMan

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No fire wall adjuster. I ordered one yesterday along with a billet quadrant.

The trans is not particularly smooth when the car is off. It seems to struggle going into multiple gears. I'm going to check some small stuff and see if there is something easy that just needs adjusted.
Or it’s as simple as it being low on fluid or the wrong fluid.
 

NateDogg

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Or it’s as simple as it being low on fluid or the wrong fluid.

I've purchased a firewall adjuster, new quadrant, new bronze shifter cup bushing and fluid. We'll see if we can get it ironed out before dropping the money on a magnum. The previous owner mentioned it had a Mcleod twin disk and a 26spline input shaft.

A magnum is def in the plans at some point. It would be nice to shift that to the future so I can concentrate on all the other stuff first.
 

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