Here are the two fuel tanks side by side. The 99 Cobra tank is on the left, the 03 Cobra tank is on the right:
Note that there are several differences between the two fuel tanks.
The first one pointed out is a revision on the 03 Cobra fuel tank. A "Y" fitting is installed onto the canister line. On the 03 Cobra, this "Y" fitting connects to an additional canister line that connects to the fuel tank filler neck. It is not present on the 99 Cobra.
This part of the "Y" connector received a 3/8" end cap and a hose clamp. See below for comparison:
The next difference between the 03 Cobra fuel tank and the 99+ fuel tank is noted below. The 03 tank is on the left, the 99 is on the right.
Note that the 99 fuel tank has an additional side-mounted bulkhead and hose. This is not present on the 03 Cobra fuel tank. The additional hose on the 99 Cobra leads from the fuel tank filler neck tube. This hose on the filler neck can be cut and capped.
See pic below for tank comparison:
The next difference is in the canister electrical connector. The 99 tank is on the left, the 03 Cobra tank is on the right.
Note the difference in the connector shape. The 99-style has a larger, more square-shaped connector. The 03 Cobra's is a bit smaller, and more rectangular in shape. If you are lucky enough to receive the wiring harness with your 03 Cobra fuel tank/pump assembly, this will not be an issue. However, if you are using the 99 electrical connectors with the 03 Cobra canister sensor, note the differences.
The main wiring connector from the fuel tank to the body is the same on both tanks.
See below for picture:
One of the advantages of the 03 Cobra fuel tank is that it is sumped FROM THE FACTORY. Gotta love quality stock parts. Note the picture below. This is a shot of the inside of the 03 Cobra tank, with the fuel pump assembly removed:
Here is the 03 Cobra fuel pump assembly. There are two pumps in the assy, and they are wired in parallel. They both operate at the same time, in lieu of previous secondary pump arrangements from Ford:
Here is the 99 fuel tank with the hat removed. Note that there is a yellow/orange canister in the tank. Also note that the fuel pump assembly is separate from the hat. A single fuel pump resides in the canister.
The white in-line device that the hose connects to is a check valve. It is commonly referred to as a "PPRV". This prevents fuel from flowing in a backwards direction when the engine is turned off, and keeps the fuel line pressurized. This lets the car startup faster, as fuel pressure in the line will be maintained while the car is not running.
Some racers remove the PPRV, as it is present in all returnless-style fuel system arrangements. The PPRV is a restrictive device, and has been linked to hesitation between shifts.
It is common to add a higher flowing pump in replacement of the stock 99 pump. However, the canister that the single fuel pump resides in can be "sucked dry" by the fuel pump. This is where the sumped 03 Cobra tank is beneficial over the stock 99 tank.
See pic:
Here is a picture of the stock canister removed from the tank. You can see that the hat is separate from the canister:
Note that there are several differences between the two fuel tanks.
The first one pointed out is a revision on the 03 Cobra fuel tank. A "Y" fitting is installed onto the canister line. On the 03 Cobra, this "Y" fitting connects to an additional canister line that connects to the fuel tank filler neck. It is not present on the 99 Cobra.
This part of the "Y" connector received a 3/8" end cap and a hose clamp. See below for comparison:
The next difference between the 03 Cobra fuel tank and the 99+ fuel tank is noted below. The 03 tank is on the left, the 99 is on the right.
Note that the 99 fuel tank has an additional side-mounted bulkhead and hose. This is not present on the 03 Cobra fuel tank. The additional hose on the 99 Cobra leads from the fuel tank filler neck tube. This hose on the filler neck can be cut and capped.
See pic below for tank comparison:
The next difference is in the canister electrical connector. The 99 tank is on the left, the 03 Cobra tank is on the right.
Note the difference in the connector shape. The 99-style has a larger, more square-shaped connector. The 03 Cobra's is a bit smaller, and more rectangular in shape. If you are lucky enough to receive the wiring harness with your 03 Cobra fuel tank/pump assembly, this will not be an issue. However, if you are using the 99 electrical connectors with the 03 Cobra canister sensor, note the differences.
The main wiring connector from the fuel tank to the body is the same on both tanks.
See below for picture:
One of the advantages of the 03 Cobra fuel tank is that it is sumped FROM THE FACTORY. Gotta love quality stock parts. Note the picture below. This is a shot of the inside of the 03 Cobra tank, with the fuel pump assembly removed:
Here is the 03 Cobra fuel pump assembly. There are two pumps in the assy, and they are wired in parallel. They both operate at the same time, in lieu of previous secondary pump arrangements from Ford:
Here is the 99 fuel tank with the hat removed. Note that there is a yellow/orange canister in the tank. Also note that the fuel pump assembly is separate from the hat. A single fuel pump resides in the canister.
The white in-line device that the hose connects to is a check valve. It is commonly referred to as a "PPRV". This prevents fuel from flowing in a backwards direction when the engine is turned off, and keeps the fuel line pressurized. This lets the car startup faster, as fuel pressure in the line will be maintained while the car is not running.
Some racers remove the PPRV, as it is present in all returnless-style fuel system arrangements. The PPRV is a restrictive device, and has been linked to hesitation between shifts.
It is common to add a higher flowing pump in replacement of the stock 99 pump. However, the canister that the single fuel pump resides in can be "sucked dry" by the fuel pump. This is where the sumped 03 Cobra tank is beneficial over the stock 99 tank.
See pic:
Here is a picture of the stock canister removed from the tank. You can see that the hat is separate from the canister:
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