First Cobra! 2003 DSG Vert - What mods next?

03SVTDSGVert

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Winnipeg
Hello Everyone,

I recently had the opportunity to pick up a 2003 DSG Vert Cobra, love the car! I'm in Canada and unfortunately the driving season is pretty much over. I figured I would take the next few months, by few I mean 6 months at least lol, to do some research on what mods should be next. The car has the following mods/parts not installed:

26 spline trans input shaft
Spec stage 3 clutch
Bbk long tube headders
Bbk o/r x pipe
Magnaflow cat back
4:10 gears
2.93 lightning pulley
Metco billet idlers
K&N air filter
Kenne bell BAP
AEM Wideband
SCT X4 tuner
H&R race springs
MGW shifter
XXR 521 18x10 wheels

Not installed:

Ported Eaton M112 (unaware of what port is done)
Ported elbow
BBK twin 65mm throttlebody
60lb injectors
Mafia

I was thinking of adding the following:

Steeda Subframe Connector
MM IRS subframe bushings
MM Caster/Camber plates
Hilton 16 boost overlay
JLT RAI (picked it up from the seller and painted the tub DSG)

Any input or suggestions on what direction I should go would be greatly appreciated. I don't plan on tracking the car at the moment but want to have a solid street machine.


Thank you in advance!
 

roy_1031

roy1031
Established Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
4,796
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Agreed with the above post. Skip the ported blower. I’d also go back to the factory gears as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

03SVTDSGVert

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Winnipeg
Thank you for the replies!

If I were to sell the ported blower what could you get for it these days?

roy_1031 - why would you go back to the stock gears out of curiosity? It definitely pulls with the 4:10s.

Black Gold 380R - Will look into the McLeod clutch. Believe the Spec Stage 3 is fairly new, it has taken some getting used to.
 

roy_1031

roy1031
Established Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
4,796
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Thank you for the replies!

If I were to sell the ported blower what could you get for it these days?

roy_1031 - why would you go back to the stock gears out of curiosity? It definitely pulls with the 4:10s.

Depending who ported it anywhere from $500-1000. Home ports would probably end on the lower end of the spectrum while a posi port would be at the top.

If you stay with the eaton it’s probably ok but if you go to any 2.3+ sized blower, you’ll be knocking on 600+ hp at the wheels on pump gas and 700+ on e85. 4.10s are too aggressive and you’ll be fighting for traction. 3.55’s are the sweet spot between cruising and racing, best of both worlds. 3.76 gears would be better also. Rock what you have and see how you like, clutch included. Congrats on the purchase, these cars are a blast. Post up a pic if you haven’t already.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

olympic

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
3,511
Location
Canada
@03SVTDSGVert Welcome to SVT! I'm next door is SK and recently upgraded my blower and injectors so I have a polished 2.3L Whipple and matching Siemans 60lb injectors I could sell. PM me if interested.
 

03SVTDSGVert

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Winnipeg
Thanks for all the info @roy_1031 ! I did some looking around and found a couple pinned posts that I'll definitely be going over so my apologies for not seeing those prior to posting, got a little excited lol

Here are a few quick pictures I have of it. Not perfect but gets me into the game :D I have added some Trackspec hood vents as the previous owner was unsuccessful at modding the factory ones.

@olympic Thank you! Nice seeing someone so close. Sending a PM shortly.


20191013_201434.jpg
20190909_212828.jpg
 

NateDogg

Terminator
Established Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
2,577
Location
Wesley Chapel, FL
I would enjoy it as is for a season before making any significant changes. I've found that when you open the mod gate it can spiral out of control.

I would do small things like you mentioned, JLT, MM cc plates, suspension stuff ect.. Enjoy the car for the first year and then use the following winter to take it to the next level.

No sense in changing that clutch unless its going out. Its a heavy clutch, but it did well when I had one.

I do agree with skipping the ported blower phase, as you will most certainly want more almost immediately. 2.3 TVS blower can be had for relatively cheap these days.

**Edit**

Your proposed list of winter modifications is great. I would do those and figure out the rest later.
 

nxhappy

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
10,031
Location
AZ
I would start with the fluids and a VERY complete inspection. It's an old car at this point.
 

03SVTDSGVert

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Winnipeg
All great info! Much appreciated guys.

Will start with all the smaller mods that I stated and maybe a couple other cheap ones if I find some in the pinned posts/suggestions. Maybe try to dig up more information on the port done to the blower and sell it along with the elbow and throttle body.

Luckily it was purchased from a friend, is a local car, know the history of it since it landed in the showroom. My friend changed all the fluids this spring since he didn't plan on selling it but another local 03 cobra became available in his dream color.
 

brigs

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
May 28, 2019
Messages
179
Location
US
I agree with the below...take some time to drive and inspect it first, then replace what actually needs it and what bothers you. I have the same clutch and it's fine.


I would enjoy it as is for a season before making any significant changes. I've found that when you open the mod gate it can spiral out of control.

I would do small things like you mentioned, JLT, MM cc plates, suspension stuff ect.. Enjoy the car for the first year and then use the following winter to take it to the next level.

No sense in changing that clutch unless its going out. Its a heavy clutch, but it did well when I had one.

I do agree with skipping the ported blower phase, as you will most certainly want more almost immediately. 2.3 TVS blower can be had for relatively cheap these days.

**Edit**

Your proposed list of winter modifications is great. I would do those and figure out the rest later.
 

TerminatoRS

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Party Liquor Posse
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Messages
2,378
Location
Wisconsin
Welcome to the community, ey! Bold choice on the convertible in your climate.

Most have already touched on the things I noticed, but I at least wanted to comment on the few items that hit home.

My car had 4.10's in it when I bought it. Made 457whp then and yours is probably about the same now. I hated the gears so much that I paid a shop to put 3.55's back in it. All I ever did was shift and traction was awful until third gear even on 315 R888's. 3.55's are much more comfortable all around. Unless you're tracking the car, trying to spool turbos faster, or rev to 7500+, I'd steer clear. But, everyone's got their own flavor.

I've also got a Spec 3+. I opted for the lighter pedal effort pressure plate and have to admit that it's much nicer than the factory hog. However, first gear and reverse require some added feathering (as you touched on) especially once you've got some heat in it. Could be my own fault for doing their billet flywheel too, but once this one lets go, I don't see myself getting the same one. Nothing puckers my b-hole like being in line at a car event with people all over, cars behind me, and having to stop/start on a hill.

Subframe connectors are a staple. Everyone here will support that. Consider some beefier struts/shocks to complement the H&R springs. Many will suggest HD versions of the stock Bilstein's. I run the B8's with the same springs.

Enjoy it as is, but don't bother with the ported blower if you eventually decide you want more oomph. Consider the bang for the buck coefficient carefully. You've already got bigger injectors available and a boost-a-pump installed. Sell the blower, TB/plenum, and get on your way to a nice used KB/Whipple/TVS...etc. Based on the mods you've got and the parts that I assume may have come with the car(?), I get the feeling the previous owner came to the same crossroads.
 

1Kona_Venom

US Army (Ret)
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2010
Messages
4,938
Location
Savannah, Ga
I would enjoy it as is for a season before making any significant changes. I've found that when you open the mod gate it can spiral out of control.

I would do small things like you mentioned, JLT, MM cc plates, suspension stuff ect.. Enjoy the car for the first year and then use the following winter to take it to the next level.

No sense in changing that clutch unless its going out. Its a heavy clutch, but it did well when I had one.

I do agree with skipping the ported blower phase, as you will most certainly want more almost immediately. 2.3 TVS blower can be had for relatively cheap these days.

**Edit**

Your proposed list of winter modifications is great. I would do those and figure out the rest later.


I agree with all of this.
 

Zedeater

Good from far
Established Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
352
Location
Oh Canada!
Luckily it was purchased from a friend, is a local car, know the history of it since it landed in the showroom. My friend changed all the fluids this spring since he didn't plan on selling it but another local 03 cobra became available in his dream color.

Congrats on scoring a clean car with known history. Although I’m sure they are out there somewhere, it’s pretty rare to see a Terminator around the ‘Peg these days.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top