Just Got My First COBRA. First Upgrades???

[ShipFaced22]

Hello everyone.
I am new to the Cobra world, so please bare with me...I'm learning.

Basically bought a 'barn find' 1999 SVT Cobra with 50,000 miles, 100% original, and in near-perfect condition from my ol lady's uncle in Chicago...then drove it down to FL.

From what I understand...Cold Air Intake and Exhaust are the first things to upgrade.
I am also looking at lowering it 1.5inches and MAYBE getting a tuning kit for it.

So......with that said.... am I on target with this? What brands should I go with/stay away from? Tips/Tricks/Input?

Again, I'm new and sort of on a budget. I want to do it right but not kill myself financially.

Thanks in advance!!!

*You Can See The City Of Chicago In The Background!

 

[01yellercobra]

I'd say do the suspension and exhaust first. Then look into gears. I remember doing a CAI on my 01 and there not being any big difference. At least the suspension will help with handling and the exhaust makes driving a little more enjoyable.

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[03cobra#694]

That’s a good looking car.

 

[apex svt]

Lower it for sure, as far as exhaust you have to decide on the sound you want. Deep, raspy, loud, Super loud. There are a lot of good brands out there.
The picture is really cool, congrats on the buy!

 

[OETKB]

That's a beautiful car right there. Call me stodgy, but I'd bolt on a cat-back exhaust, and drive it.

 

[Snk-Byet01]

My $.02 FWIW:
Cat-Back, the stock system gets restrictive (circumference is reduced) right before the muffler. Read about any drone noise you may get on what you are looking for. After some long drives it can become annoying. Read up on how to simply hook-up the audio speed sensor, it helps.
Lowering springs (different rates between a coupe and a convertible). I went with Vogtland after my Eibachs snapped (front). The choice is up to you.
Caster-Camber plates (MM).
Short throw shifter (MGW).
Clutch cable firewall adjuster and quadrant. I went with Fiore. I think Lethal Performance sells them now.
A scanner would be nice but not necessary.
After that, anything you can afford. YMMV.

BTW: Very nice and clean looking vehicle.

 

[BigFatMatt]

No one has said full length sub frame connectors yet... on a vert they make a huge difference. First mod I did to my 99 cobra and damn I could feel the improvement as soon as I drove out of the neighborhood. Seems dumb to get shocks and springs but no sub frames. Car looks great btw.

 

[Snk-Byet01]

No one has said full length sub frame connectors yet... on a vert they make a huge difference. First mod I did to my 99 cobra and damn I could feel the improvement as soon as I drove out of the neighborhood. Seems dumb to get shocks and springs but no sub frames. Car looks great btw.

Hah. I didn't mention them because I don't have them. But your analysis and recommendation is spot on. Next for me since I also have a vert.

 

[TK1299]

The relatively cheap basics are CAI-exhaust. Lowering springs and caster camber plates. That should help you enjoy the car more.

 

[01yellercobra]

I wouldn't bother with the firewall adjuster and quadrant unless it's an aftermarket clutch. Buddy of mine has 190k on his stock quadrant.

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[DarkRattle]

Wow that looks EXACTLY like my Cobra (minus the styling bar that I sadly don't have). What I'd recommend is some decently sticky summer tires (Nitto 555s work great for me) and 4.30 gears, this alone will get you moving much more than any other mod combined if you're on a budget.

 

[Ironmancuck]

I wouldn’t fool around with exhaust and intake if it was my car. If you drive the car on the freeway than 4:30 gears would be a mistake. Magnum T56 is nice if you are in the mood to spend money.

Convertibles are noisy cars so I would add more sound deadning material. Subframe conectors (global west or Maximum Motorsports ) are a must. The 99 cobra seats suck so if you can afford them, go with Recaro.

245 tires are too narrow. Upgrade to 275/40/17 in front and 315/35/17 in the rear. Upgrade the springs and shocks and suspension bushings too but don’t get too carried away or else you will ruin the ride quality and generate a ton of noise.



The stock stereo is not the best so I would upgrade it.

 

[TimKonaGT500]

Beautiful car!

First get the maintenance stuff checked out and done...
- Brakes
- Fluid changes (rear end, trans, brake, coolant, oil)
- Plugs
ETC... make sure its solid if it has been sitting

I would do 4.10s and an aftermarket shifter first - completely changes the feel and experience. If you have the budget, an aluminum driveshaft will help it wind up.

Exhaust next, as much for the noise as the HP I have Magnaflow Catted X pipe and cat back and love the sound. Loud enough, but not overly obnoxious.

Subframe connectors are important for a convertible. I am getting the Maximum Motorsports full-length ones installed in the next week or two. I had them on my old Fox vert, and it was night and day in the rigidity of the body.

From there you can look at the suspension. How much you do is going to depend on the condition the stuff you have is in. Lowering springs will give you the look, but if the shocks and/or bushings are shot, that will create more work/budget.

I got my 01 with 56K on it in June. I have done the exhaust, gears, driveshaft, CAI and some visual stuff (hood, tinted tail lights, painting interior trim, etc.) It had a Steeda shifter on it when I bought it.

This winter I am doing the full suspension.... Full tilt boogie treatment on the IRS bushings and such, then shocks, struts, etc with some new wheels/tires.

Do what makes you happy... and I sure think the 99-01 Cobra is a fun car to drive!!

 

[Brutal Metal]

Off road H pipe, catback,lowering springs, MM caster camber plates, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter are perfect mods. And nowadays you can pick up a Diablo Predator hand held for dirt cheap. Back 10 years ago when I was N/A I had one to adjust spark advance and fuel richment as well as datalogging. FYI I still have the stock clutch, flywheel,quadrant and 3.27 gears in my Cobra with 550rwhp.

 

[Brutal Metal]

Also what's the roof color on your new vert purchase? If black Stupid Rare there was only 2 made, if white Ultra Rare 38, if tan parchment Very rare 349?

 

[Brutal Metal]

245 tires are too narrow. Upgrade to 275/40/17 in front and 315/35/17 in the rear. Upgrade the springs and shocks and suspension bushings too but don’t get too carried away or else you will ruin the ride quality and generate a ton of noise.
.

Running a 315 tire on the oem 17X8 rim is a NO GO, you'll need a 10.5 aftermarket.

 

[DarkRattle]

Also what's the roof color on your new vert purchase? If black Stupid Rare there was only 2 made, if white Ultra Rare 38, if tan parchment Very rare 349?

This is mine you're kidding lol?

 

[Brutal Metal]

View attachment 1441512


This is mine you're kidding lol?

Is that the factory oem roof liner? And your interior is tan parchment? If so your car is 1 of only 2 produced in this color combo in the year 1999.

 

[98 svt]

CAI is a waste of money. Buy a drop-in K&N and get the same benefit.

My first mods would be Max Motorsports subframe connectors and 4.10s, followed by some H&R super sport springs. The sfc are a must with a vert.
Another early mod would be a new shifter. The MGW is very nice.

 

[TK1299]

Another mod the 99-01 cobra guys like is to swap thier tail lights for Terminator tails. I'll swap mine out for yours, just so you're happy with your car