Guys,
I have decided to begin working on a 2003 Cobra FAQ. I will make this publicly available so that (hopefully) all of the common questions can be answered in one place. I am looking for feedback and contributors. I know enough about cars to be dangerous, but I am no where near an expert on mechanical issues. I will put the FAQ together, host it, and keep it updated, but I need help with the content. If you would like to help out (either by answering some of the Q's I already have in the FAQ or adding your own), please reply to this thread. I will list you by screen name as a contributor in the FAQ. If you want your real name listed as well, just post it
OK, here's what I have so far:
2003 Cobra “Terminator” FAQ
1. About this FAQ
1.1. Disclaimer
1.2. Version Info
1.3. Authors and Contributors
1.4. Notification of Copyright
1.5. Contact Information
2. General Questions
2.1. Basic Questions
2.1.1. Where do I find a 2003 Cobra?
2.1.2. Pricing?
2.1.3. How many will be made?
2.1.4. What about the SVT Anniversary Edition?
2.1.5. When will I get my SVTOA membership kit?
2.1.6. When will I get my Certificate?
2.1.7. Where do I get the build documentation?
2.1.8. How many miles should a “new” Cobra have?
2.1.9. What things should I check for when buying a 2003 Cobra?
2.1.10. What colors are available?
2.1.11. What options are available?
2.1.12. Does the stereo play MP3’s?
2.1.13. Should I remove the yellow stickers?
2.1.14. What are some good web sites for 2003 Cobra information?
2.1.15. What kind of gas mileage should I expect?
2.2. Technical Questions
2.2.1. General Specifications
2.2.2. What do 2003 Cobra’s typically dyno at stock?
2.2.3. What are the differences in the “runs”?
2.2.4. What are the differences between the 2003 Cobra and the 2001 Cobra?
2.2.5. What are the differences between the Cobra’s engine and the Lightning’s engine?
2.2.6. How do I properly break the car in?
2.2.7. What are the specifications of the 2003 Cobra engine?
2.2.8. How does the supercharger work?
2.2.9. What transmission does the Cobra use?
2.2.10. What are the specifications for the Cobra’s IRS?
2.2.11. What are the specifications of the Cobra’s suspension components?
2.2.12. What are the specifications of the Cobra’s brakes?
2.2.13. What fluids should I use in my Cobra?
2.2.14. How does the rev limiter work?
2.2.15. Will “bouncing” off of the limiter hurt the engine?
3. Modifications
3.1. What are the common “bolt-on” mods?
3.2. What does a Cobra with “XYZ” mods dyno at?
3.3. Do mods void the warranty?
3.4. Is a chip needed with a pulley swap?
3.5. What is the difference between upper and lower blower pulleys?
3.6. How much boost will a Cobra make with “XYZ” pulley?
3.7. What size belt should I use with a pulley mod?
3.8. What is the difference between dyno tuning and road tuning?
3.9. Are “mail order” chips safe?
3.10. What spark plugs are best with a pulley mod?
3.11. What exhausts are available for the 2003 Cobra?
3.12. Should I get a “catted” X pipe?
3.13. What headers are available for the 2003 Cobra?
3.14. Do you lose torque with a 3” exhaust?
3.15. What CAI is best?
3.16. What are the “free” mods?
3.16.1. Hood Mod
3.16.2. Snorkel Mod
3.16.3. Free CAI
3.16.4. Shifter Mods
3.16.5. Weight Reduction
3.16.6. Boost Gauge Mod
3.16.7. Removing the “Pony” on the grill
3.16.8. Boost Bypass Mod
3.16.9. Fan Mod
3.17. What do the various throttle bodies available for the Cobra flow?
3.18. What size wheels and tires will fit in the rear without rubbing/scraping?
3.19. How do I get rid of wheel hop?
3.20. Is anyone using nitrous with a 2003 Cobra?
3.21. Can the T-56 be replaced with an automatic?
3.22. Can a live axle be installed in a 2003 Cobra?
3.23. Are there any aftermarket superchargers for the 2003 Cobra?
3.24. Are you over spinning the Eaton blower with a smaller pulley?
3.25. How much boost can the Cobra’s internals take?
3.26. How do I check for detonation?
3.27. Does running higher octane gas help?
3.28. Are there any intercooler upgrades?
3.29. Are there any handling upgrades?
3.30. Are there any braking upgrades?
3.31. How do I remove the governor?
3.32. How do I improve the Cobra’s aerodynamics?
3.33. How do I get the traction control to stay off?
3.34. What are the difference in dynos?
3.35. What correction factor should I use for my dynos?
3.36. How do I change the RPM the stock shift light engages at?
3.37. If I raise the rev limiter with a chip, what is the maximum “safe” limit?
3.38. What are the limits of the Cobra’s stock fuel system?
3.39. Why does my boost fluctuate with the pulley mod?
3.40. What wheels are available for the Cobra?
3.41. What drag radials are best?
3.42. What is the difference between DRs and slicks?
3.43. Are there any 160 thermostats available for the Cobra?
3.44. Are there any “beyond bolt-on” mods available for the Cobra?
4. Drag Racing the Cobra
4.1. What RPM is best to launch at?
4.2. What should I do if I have wheel hop?
4.3. What “tricks” will get me better times?
4.4. What do stock Cobra’s run in the 1/4 and 1/8 mile?
4.5. Should I do a burnout?
4.6. How do I do a burnout?
4.7. What is a “good” 60’ time?
4.8. Should I powershift?
4.9. Why do I keep missing gears?
4.10. What is the best 1/4-mile time and trap speed so far for a modded 2003 Cobra?
5. Glitches and Quality Issues
5.1. The “pull” issue
5.2. The “vibe” issue
5.3. The “clunk” issue
5.4. The “stall” issue
5.5. Paint problems
5.6. Fitment problems
5.7. Hard starts
5.8. Window squeal
5.9. Loose hoses
5.10. Clogged Cats
5.11. Pedals Cracking
5.12. Grinding gears
5.13. Noisy shifter
5.14. Clutch pedal vibration
5.15. Dirty rear brakes
5.16. Loose lug nuts
5.17. Ultra-firm seats
5.18. Poor clutch adjustment
I have decided to begin working on a 2003 Cobra FAQ. I will make this publicly available so that (hopefully) all of the common questions can be answered in one place. I am looking for feedback and contributors. I know enough about cars to be dangerous, but I am no where near an expert on mechanical issues. I will put the FAQ together, host it, and keep it updated, but I need help with the content. If you would like to help out (either by answering some of the Q's I already have in the FAQ or adding your own), please reply to this thread. I will list you by screen name as a contributor in the FAQ. If you want your real name listed as well, just post it
OK, here's what I have so far:
2003 Cobra “Terminator” FAQ
1. About this FAQ
1.1. Disclaimer
1.2. Version Info
1.3. Authors and Contributors
1.4. Notification of Copyright
1.5. Contact Information
2. General Questions
2.1. Basic Questions
2.1.1. Where do I find a 2003 Cobra?
2.1.2. Pricing?
2.1.3. How many will be made?
2.1.4. What about the SVT Anniversary Edition?
2.1.5. When will I get my SVTOA membership kit?
2.1.6. When will I get my Certificate?
2.1.7. Where do I get the build documentation?
2.1.8. How many miles should a “new” Cobra have?
2.1.9. What things should I check for when buying a 2003 Cobra?
2.1.10. What colors are available?
2.1.11. What options are available?
2.1.12. Does the stereo play MP3’s?
2.1.13. Should I remove the yellow stickers?
2.1.14. What are some good web sites for 2003 Cobra information?
2.1.15. What kind of gas mileage should I expect?
2.2. Technical Questions
2.2.1. General Specifications
2.2.2. What do 2003 Cobra’s typically dyno at stock?
2.2.3. What are the differences in the “runs”?
2.2.4. What are the differences between the 2003 Cobra and the 2001 Cobra?
2.2.5. What are the differences between the Cobra’s engine and the Lightning’s engine?
2.2.6. How do I properly break the car in?
2.2.7. What are the specifications of the 2003 Cobra engine?
2.2.8. How does the supercharger work?
2.2.9. What transmission does the Cobra use?
2.2.10. What are the specifications for the Cobra’s IRS?
2.2.11. What are the specifications of the Cobra’s suspension components?
2.2.12. What are the specifications of the Cobra’s brakes?
2.2.13. What fluids should I use in my Cobra?
2.2.14. How does the rev limiter work?
2.2.15. Will “bouncing” off of the limiter hurt the engine?
3. Modifications
3.1. What are the common “bolt-on” mods?
3.2. What does a Cobra with “XYZ” mods dyno at?
3.3. Do mods void the warranty?
3.4. Is a chip needed with a pulley swap?
3.5. What is the difference between upper and lower blower pulleys?
3.6. How much boost will a Cobra make with “XYZ” pulley?
3.7. What size belt should I use with a pulley mod?
3.8. What is the difference between dyno tuning and road tuning?
3.9. Are “mail order” chips safe?
3.10. What spark plugs are best with a pulley mod?
3.11. What exhausts are available for the 2003 Cobra?
3.12. Should I get a “catted” X pipe?
3.13. What headers are available for the 2003 Cobra?
3.14. Do you lose torque with a 3” exhaust?
3.15. What CAI is best?
3.16. What are the “free” mods?
3.16.1. Hood Mod
3.16.2. Snorkel Mod
3.16.3. Free CAI
3.16.4. Shifter Mods
3.16.5. Weight Reduction
3.16.6. Boost Gauge Mod
3.16.7. Removing the “Pony” on the grill
3.16.8. Boost Bypass Mod
3.16.9. Fan Mod
3.17. What do the various throttle bodies available for the Cobra flow?
3.18. What size wheels and tires will fit in the rear without rubbing/scraping?
3.19. How do I get rid of wheel hop?
3.20. Is anyone using nitrous with a 2003 Cobra?
3.21. Can the T-56 be replaced with an automatic?
3.22. Can a live axle be installed in a 2003 Cobra?
3.23. Are there any aftermarket superchargers for the 2003 Cobra?
3.24. Are you over spinning the Eaton blower with a smaller pulley?
3.25. How much boost can the Cobra’s internals take?
3.26. How do I check for detonation?
3.27. Does running higher octane gas help?
3.28. Are there any intercooler upgrades?
3.29. Are there any handling upgrades?
3.30. Are there any braking upgrades?
3.31. How do I remove the governor?
3.32. How do I improve the Cobra’s aerodynamics?
3.33. How do I get the traction control to stay off?
3.34. What are the difference in dynos?
3.35. What correction factor should I use for my dynos?
3.36. How do I change the RPM the stock shift light engages at?
3.37. If I raise the rev limiter with a chip, what is the maximum “safe” limit?
3.38. What are the limits of the Cobra’s stock fuel system?
3.39. Why does my boost fluctuate with the pulley mod?
3.40. What wheels are available for the Cobra?
3.41. What drag radials are best?
3.42. What is the difference between DRs and slicks?
3.43. Are there any 160 thermostats available for the Cobra?
3.44. Are there any “beyond bolt-on” mods available for the Cobra?
4. Drag Racing the Cobra
4.1. What RPM is best to launch at?
4.2. What should I do if I have wheel hop?
4.3. What “tricks” will get me better times?
4.4. What do stock Cobra’s run in the 1/4 and 1/8 mile?
4.5. Should I do a burnout?
4.6. How do I do a burnout?
4.7. What is a “good” 60’ time?
4.8. Should I powershift?
4.9. Why do I keep missing gears?
4.10. What is the best 1/4-mile time and trap speed so far for a modded 2003 Cobra?
5. Glitches and Quality Issues
5.1. The “pull” issue
5.2. The “vibe” issue
5.3. The “clunk” issue
5.4. The “stall” issue
5.5. Paint problems
5.6. Fitment problems
5.7. Hard starts
5.8. Window squeal
5.9. Loose hoses
5.10. Clogged Cats
5.11. Pedals Cracking
5.12. Grinding gears
5.13. Noisy shifter
5.14. Clutch pedal vibration
5.15. Dirty rear brakes
5.16. Loose lug nuts
5.17. Ultra-firm seats
5.18. Poor clutch adjustment
