Restoring a Unicorn - Nate's 2004 Competition Orange Cobra

[NateDogg]

This is how I did it last time. Not a fan.

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[PC03GT]

Linemen?

Just wanted to say thanks again. I checked and I have the standard coupler. Placed an order last night for the upgraded carbon coupler.

Ya

 

[NateDogg]

Ya

Props to you sir. I couldn't do it. I would hate to be in the extreme weather working my ass off LOL

 

[SsnakeSVT03]

Linemen?

Just wanted to say thanks again. I checked and I have the standard coupler. Placed an order last night for the upgraded carbon coupler.

No problem brother. It was one of things “while you’re in there”

I took mine apart to polish the snout and discovered there was a minor crack so ended up replacing it with a carbon coupler.

 

[LS WUT]

Living vicariously thru this man. Gives me motivation to look at your thread and avoid my dumpster fire. So thanks for that

 

[SsnakeSVT03]

Living vicariously thru this man. Gives me motivation to look at your thread and avoid my dumpster fire. So thanks for that

Get on it bro. I’m waiting for your own thread to follow ……

 

[03cobra#694]

Living vicariously thru this man. Gives me motivation to look at your thread and avoid my dumpster fire. So thanks for that

Finally fixing that driveway Dan?

 

[NateDogg]

Made some progress yesterday. As a temporary fix, I cleaned the lower intake manifold as good as I could. I also plugged the PCV port at the bottom. I'll be running breathers in the valve covers.

I swapped out the fuel rails that had rust spots on them. Luckily I had the rails I took off my old Sonic blue car. 20k miles and look like new.

Installed the J2FAB modded IC and went ahead and put new O-rings on the flow tubes. Torqued the IC to to blower and the blower to the manifold. Its ready to go back on the motor.

The previous owner told me the AC clutch was fried, so I replaced that. I wanted to light the car on fire after pissin around with that for a couple hours. The pulley was a pain to get off. Then when putting it back together it was a pain to get it on.....and then I didn't have the AC clutch tool...Very frustrating repair with the compressor in place.

I think I have found where I want to mount the EMP pump. The pump I bought came with this bracket and it fits pretty good under the bumper bar mount. Just enough clearance to plumb the hoses pretty easily. Hopefully the bumper cover fits with out issues (It should) and the pump is low enough to be gravitiy fed.

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[sam92lx]

Made some progress yesterday. As a temporary fix, I cleaned the lower intake manifold as good as I could. I also plugged the PCV port at the bottom. I'll be running breathers in the valve covers.

I swapped out the fuel rails that had rust spots on them. Luckily I had the rails I took off my old Sonic blue car. 20k miles and look like new.

Installed the J2FAB modded IC and went ahead and put new O-rings on the flow tubes. Torqued the IC to to blower and the blower to the manifold. Its ready to go back on the motor.

The previous owner told me the AC clutch was fried, so I replaced that. I wanted to light the car on fire after pissin around with that for a couple hours. The pulley was a pain to get off. Then when putting it back together it was a pain to get it on.....and then I didn't have the AC clutch tool...Very frustrating repair with the compressor in place.

I think I have found where I want to mount the EMP pump. The pump I bought came with this bracket and it fits pretty good under the bumper bar mount. Just enough clearance to plumb the hoses pretty easily. Hopefully the bumper cover fits with out issues (It should) and the pump is low enough to be gravitiy fed.

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You better than me with the AC clutch. I'd done just bought a whole new compressor When I pull my blower, I want to powder coat the lower crinkle black to match blower.

 

[NateDogg]

You better than me with the AC clutch. I'd done just bought a whole new compressor When I pull my blower, I want to powder coat the lower crinkle black to match blower.

I snapped the stud off. Not a happy camper right now.

I may be buying a new compressor after all lmao


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[sam92lx]

The one on my 98gt gave me trouble. After fighting to get in to engage, I just bought new and swore from that day forward, it wasn't worth the fighting lol

 

[NateDogg]

The one on my 98gt gave me trouble. After fighting to get in to engage, I just bought new and swore from that day forward, it wasn't worth the fighting lol

I'm going to try to use a extractor bit to see if I can get it out, if not I'll just get a new set up. Probably wouldnt hurt anyway since the car has 125k miles.

 

[NateDogg]

Crisis adverted!!

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[NateDogg]

Made some progress over the last coupe of days. Put the blower/lower intake assembly all back on the motor.

Installed all the Metco pulleys and the Whipple adjustable idler. This stuff is top notch. I always run Metco stuff on my cars. Best in the buisness.

I went with the on3 crossover delete for this car. Driver side fitting was great, but the passenger side I had issues with. I can not get the -10AN to 1/2 NPT fitting to thread very far. Wouldn't be a huge deal if I didn't have huge 1inch lines for the J2FAB set up. Because of those lines the fitting is just too tall to make it look clean. Ordered some new fittings in hopes I can thread it in further and sneak a 90* fitting under the 1 inch hose.

Routed all the 1inch hose lines and mocked up the Harpell tank to make sure there are no kinks. As I'm typing this, I just realized I never test fit the bumper before cutting the lines. Hopefully everything fits LOL

Also received the final gauge of my set up. Hoping to have this car buttoned up in the next day or two so I can start the tuning process.

I will say, I can't wait to fully tear this thing down and powder coat everything. It will look so much better.

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[NateDogg]

I'm to the point of starting it up. Only thing left is to wire the EMP (had to order some electrical connectors) and wire the Speedhut Voltage gauge.

Borla catback was installed with all new exhaust hanger. I cleaned up the gas tank cover while I was there

The instrument cluster dual gauge pod is no good. I bought it used and I'm not sure if it was warped like this when I bought it or if it had warped when I painted it and left it in the sun. Regardless I'm looking for another one. Hoping to find a carbon fiber version, but those are hard to come by. I'm going to hit it with a heat gun tonight and see if I can mold it back to form.

The vent dual gauge pod is pretty neat. I wish it was a little more snug, but I love the look of it.

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[Fastback]

Great progress! The next thing on my list is the Inner Accessory belt and Metco Inner Idlers.

 

[GMann00]

What's your plan for the steering wheel? Mine has similar minor cracking/flaking. Was planning on scuffing and shooting with LMR dark charcoal rattle can to make it marginally better.

 

[sam92lx]

Great progress! The next thing on my list is the Inner Accessory belt and Metco Inner Idlers.

Nice pieces, I had to replace the inner tensioner, so I changed all the inners idlers.

 

[sam92lx]

What's your plan for the steering wheel? Mine has similar minor cracking/flaking. Was planning on scuffing and shooting with LMR dark charcoal rattle can to make it marginally better.

I'm curious as well even though mine has 28k miles and stays in the garage unless I'm driving it and even driving it, I try not to be grabbing all over the wheel lol. I tinted my windshield to help but ultimately, I want to keep my stock wheel.

 

[CobraVenom01]

AZA auto for the steering wheel. LMR is a pos

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