New owner of a well-modded '96 Mystic Looking for a little feedback

Osiris

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Greetings all, I recently came across a really nice example of a well modified Cobra that I had to snap up. The car has 43k original miles and comes with an entire laundry list of options:

Exhaust:
Bassani SS Optimum length headers
SS X pipe with high-flow cats
SS catback with Bassani mufflers

Driveline:
McCloud Billet Aluminum flywheel
Centerforce dual friction clutch
Pro 5.0 STS
Driveshaft loop
Steeda SS clutch cable and adjustment
Precision Shaft Technologies CF driveshaft
Superior 31 spline axles
4:10 gears
Aluminum rear diff cover (Trickflow)

Suspension:
Eibach lowering springs
Tokico Illumina Adjustable front shocks
Tokico rear sport shocks
Steeda rear sway bar
Maximum Motorsports LCAs
Steeda UCAs
Kenny Brown SFCs (welded)

Ignition:
MSD Ignition
Diablosport Flip Chip
Taylor 409 racing plug wires
Denso Iridium plugs

Power:
Vortech V2 with power cooler (pulley size unknown at the moment)
Steeda CAI
BBK 65 mm TB

Misc:
Be Kool aluminum radiator
HID headlights
Custom gas cap cover with remote release and new Ford style fill up port (no cap, spring loaded port)
BBS RK wheels in staggered fitment (18X8 up front 18X10 in rear)


Some of the the things I've noticed that I'm going to have to address:

- CEL - I haven't tried to pull the code yet, the car runs perfectly so I'm thinking this is tune related
- Low coolant light - I'll check the fluid level, but this is my first experience with Vortech aftercoolers, the car does not run hot whatsoever, so it could also be a sensor
- ABS light - It was on solidly last night when I moved it into the garage, but wasn't on before. I'm also wondering if this is tune-related before I dig deeper

The condition of the body/paint/interior is probably around 8-9/10, this was a well cared-for car. I'm also apparently the second owner. I'm hoping the few sensors turn out to be minor things.

Any insight on the flip chip would be greatly appreciated. This switch is hanging in the glove box along with another box, looks like something maybe to control the shift light (from Accel)

I'm also interested in getting the car tuned with something more modern, maybe even converting to E85. The car will be a very limited-use toy for me, joining my two other Mustangs ('16 GT350, '04 Mystichrome Conv)

Thanks in advance! I'll post pix soon...
 

DSG2003Mach1

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1) the vortech setup has nothing to do with your low coolant light, it's a separate system
2) go to autozone and get them to scan your codes
3) for the switch youd have to follow it and see where it goes - if its to the chip you have multiple tunes but who knows what the hell they are at this point. I don't think Id change in case it's more aggressive for 100 octane or something
4) ya, Id recommend getting a dyno tune using a new handheld (which is handy to have anyway so you can data log, scan codes etec...)
5) depending on pulley size the car is probably already making about as much power as you want to on the stock guts
 

Osiris

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Thanks for the feedback, DSG. The car came with a dyno sheet in the packet of paperwork, looks like it puts down about 475 at the wheels. I'll be looking to keep the tune conservative, as I'm not trying to make this thing be anything other than what it is and remain as a toy for me. In fact, I'll very likely swap that gearset out for 3:73's first once I sort the tuning.

Do you know if a Predator unit will be able to read the codes? I have one for my '04 Cobra...My GT350 has an ngauge as well.

Of course, I've already asked the dealer if they wouldn't mind reaching out to the original owner for me and ask if he wouldn't mind me speaking to him about the car in general.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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Thanks for the feedback, DSG. The car came with a dyno sheet in the packet of paperwork, looks like it puts down about 475 at the wheels. I'll be looking to keep the tune conservative, as I'm not trying to make this thing be anything other than what it is and remain as a toy for me. In fact, I'll very likely swap that gearset out for 3:73's first once I sort the tuning.

Do you know if a Predator unit will be able to read the codes? I have one for my '04 Cobra...My GT350 has an ngauge as well.

Of course, I've already asked the dealer if they wouldn't mind reaching out to the original owner for me and ask if he wouldn't mind me speaking to him about the car in general.

the predator should work to check codes as far as I know, cant hurt to try.

475 is pretty healthy on the stock block, I'd leave it be. I could see doing a re-tune just so you have control over it/know exactly whats going on vs the old chip but don't think the fuel system upgrades to run E85 would be worthwhile.
 

xblitzkriegx

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Keep the 4.10s. 3.73s will work but you want the gearing to get the car in the powerband quickly since centris build their boost higher in the Rev range.

For a tune, I'd prolly detune it to around 400-430whp to give yourself extra insurance and longevity if you don't plan on budgeting for a new bottom end soon. 475whp is beyond what most would consider safe on stock internals. Either that Dyno was happy or you should consider detuning it for longevity.

Also, pics!
 

Osiris

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the predator should work to check codes as far as I know, cant hurt to try.

475 is pretty healthy on the stock block, I'd leave it be. I could see doing a re-tune just so you have control over it/know exactly whats going on vs the old chip but don't think the fuel system upgrades to run E85 would be worthwhile.
Very good point, I know E85 is all the rage these days, lol...
I know its old tech, but tinkering with this one will probably keep my urge to mess with the virtually stock terminator, lol.

I'm definitely going to look into a more modern tuning solution....
 

Osiris

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Keep the 4.10s. 3.73s will work but you want the gearing to get the car in the powerband quickly since centris build their boost higher in the Rev range.

For a tune, I'd prolly detune it to around 400-430whp to give yourself extra insurance and longevity if you don't plan on budgeting for a new bottom end soon. 475whp is beyond what most would consider safe on stock internals. Either that Dyno was happy or you should consider detuning it for longevity.

Also, pics!

Agreed, I won't even get into boost with this car until I know a little more about the tuning and all, and a built bottom end isn't out of the question for me either, I'm just not in any hurry to do it, lol.
 

Osiris

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Here are a few. Lol forgot how to do this with forums...
 

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98 Saleen Cobra

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Wow that thing is clean, but you need to do some fuel upgrades before a tune.. FMU is such old technology.. Delete the FMU, get some 60lb injectors, and weldon intake fuel pump and maybe a inline pump depending on what intake pump you decide to go with..
 

CobraBob

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That's a good looking Mystic. Nicely modded, too! I predict you're going to enjoy it for many years. Thanks for posting the pics!
 

scottydsntknow

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Upgrade fuel or it's going to go lean at some point. Not if, when. Get a re-tune and de-tune it like others have said. ABS is probably a sensor, coolant... might just be low coolant. CEL is likely tune related. Don't take the car to autozone, don't let those asshats near the car, you should have your own scanner, hell the handheld you have with the car should have one.

Gears... 3.73s are tweener gears. Stick with the 4.10s or if you want hard pulls on the highway go with 3.27s or 3.55s but understand it might take a minute to get into the powerband.

Don't see any caster camber plates listed... unless I'm stupid and missed it. Get some MM cc plates asap. Might also consider going IRS if its a street car. I will never, NEVER own another one of these 04-down cars without one unless its setup for drag only and actually goes to the track.
 

Osiris

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It
Upgrade fuel or it's going to go lean at some point. Not if, when. Get a re-tune and de-tune it like others have said. ABS is probably a sensor, coolant... might just be low coolant. CEL is likely tune related. Don't take the car to autozone, don't let those asshats near the car, you should have your own scanner, hell the handheld you have with the car should have one.

Gears... 3.73s are tweener gears. Stick with the 4.10s or if you want hard pulls on the highway go with 3.27s or 3.55s but understand it might take a minute to get into the powerband.

Don't see any caster camber plates listed... unless I'm stupid and missed it. Get some MM cc plates asap. Might also consider going IRS if its a street car. I will never, NEVER own another one of these 04-down cars without one unless its setup for drag only and actually goes to the track.
The car does have the plates.

I used my old Predator from my '04 to read the codes and clear them. So far, strangely, the light came back on but the unit now says no codes.

The coolant light comes on here and there and then it goes away. The temp needle never goes above the O in NORM, usually it stays between N and O. a new tune is a given. I think I might have found the original owner who added all of these mods, if I get the chance to speak to him I'll find out everything there is to know about it. Until then, I don't plan on driving it hard at all, might never even see boost, or if so, nothing over 4 or 5 psi.

I keep hunting for a 6th gear, lol....I'm gonna have to swap to a T56 at some point. I'll keep the gears but this thing won't be doing much long distance cruising like this lol
 

98 svt

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Check the connection at the coolant sensor on the overflow tank. It's most likely either loose or just has a bad connection due to corrosion.
I went through that before.
 
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Osiris

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Check the connection at the coolant sensor on the overflow tank. It most likely either loose or just has a bad connection due to corrosion.
I went through that before.
will do! Thanks! I sometimes forget how finicky these older Fords can be, Surprising considering I also have an '03 F150 with 182k miles
 

mysteed

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That is a CLEAN mystic! I will echo what @98SaleenCobra said and some 60lb injectors with an upgraded fuel pump should be your next mods. Do that plus a retune and that motor should last for years.
 

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