I just bought my 1997 Cobra Conv. I am curious on what you guys that have the SVTs like/dislike, etc. It is snowing outside, so I can't go and drive it ... but I can enjoy staring at it in the garage.
Also, any of you done any Mods ... the Cobra seem great thus far (only drove it 3 times before the weather changed).
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Joined: 1/8/2005 From: Northern Jersey Status: offline
I had a 98 cobra but sold it a while back. i did a flowmaster catback and it sounded really good. If i were to do it again i would also go with an x-pipe. i remember snow and cobras do not mix.
Thanks for the suggestion ... I will look into the X pipes ... an exhaust upgrade is definatly on the list. Also, I think I will add sub frame connectors as well.
No, this Cobra will not be going out into the snow ... that is what the pontiac is for ... lol.
ORIGINAL: mysticsvtcobra96 firsts things first..go get you a steeda tri ax short throw shifter so when you can go out and play..you can hit 3rd gear pretty easily
How does that compare to the MGW? I head the steeda tri make a clinking sound???
Congratulations on the cobra purchase!!! I personally think gears (no less than 4.10's) and a shifter should be the first mods on these cars, it really wakes them up and improves driveability. I would also recommend changing out the coil packs if you have the stock ones, a few of us have had problems with them and I think they are junk.
DO NOT TRY DRIVING IN THE SNOW IF YOU AREN'T VERY EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR, the only place I would recommend would be an empty parking lot to get the hang of things and have a little fun.
My opinion is 4.10's or better and I would definitely put them up against 3:73's or 3.55's on two otherwise stock cobras. To get the push back in the seat and better quarter mile times in NA form with a cobra you want 4.10's or better in my opinion. If you are going to super or turbo charge your cobra in the future the 3.73's might be a better choice. And you won't just SPIN the tires with 4.10's as long as you can drive, ask anyone who has them, they are the way to go. Later (not calling you other guys out, just better stating my opinion.)
thanks man the only reason i said 3:73s is i have a 97 cobra with a k&n air filter and flowmaster and from a 15 mph roll i spin through first and half way through second from a stop spin through both thats why i think 4:10s would make you just spin
DO NOT TRY DRIVING IN THE SNOW IF YOU AREN'T VERY EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR, the only place I would recommend would be an empty parking lot to get the hang of things and have a little fun.
Good Luck and keep the questions coming.
TheAntiRice,
(BWT ... great name ... hate rice). Good advice on the snow! I wouldn't dream of it, since I know how they handle (or don't in this case) ... I grew up around high horsepower cars ... no very snow worth. Still good advice for those who will read the forum. Yeah, my cobra gets grounded in the snow ... no reason to turn it @ss backwards into a curb or car or anything ... not my Cobra. :)
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Joined: 9/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline
anyone who puts 3.73's on a 4.6 Cobra isn't playing with a full deck. sorry dude but thats a big waste. you don't just get the benefits of gears in first gear, it affects all gears.
Okay ... sounds like there is no clear answer on the gearing question, go figure . Well, since I have only had the car out a handful of times when weather permits (still driving me crazy ... hehehe) ... I have noticed that their is a boost of power around 3.25 or 3.5 rpms when running through first gear. I do know that is partly from the 4.6 engine. Is there a way to lower that 'engagement' point of the power below 3 rpms? Without too much compromise? I will unlikely ever drag the car. I may (some day) do some autocrossing, but not without some modifications, but that will be later. Anyways, I's like to work on that 'engagement' point a little without killing gas milage and normal usability (for those rare occasions when I don't want to be the first off the line).
So, based on that, what do you think would be a better choice for me? I'm not a gearing expert ... but I will be learning as much as possible to try to figure out which would fit me best.
I think 4.30s are a little to high, as I have no plans to drag the car (and if I do, I will think on those then). I believe the stock Cobras come with a 3.27 for my year. All thoughts are welcome. Thanks.
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Joined: 9/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline
If your skeered of 4.30's then go with 4.10's - everyone's opinions are different but I can tell you I've driven 3.27's, 3.73's, 4.10's, and 4.30's - what about the other guys
If your skeered of 4.30's then go with 4.10's - everyone's opinions are different but I can tell you I've driven 3.27's, 3.73's, 4.10's, and 4.30's - what about the other guys
Good ... you know the differences in them. Can you tell me what you have noticed in differences? How it drives? Where that power band engages? etc? (besides the 4.30s are faster ... hehehe) Unfortunatly, I don't have the ability to swap all of these in and out of the Cobra to decide ... so hence why I'm asking ya.
Posts: 8826
Joined: 9/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Well, gears won't change your powerband, but they will get you into your powerband faster and give your more torque to the wheels in each gear. Gas mileage won't be a concern with any gear you choose unless you do alot of highway driving, around town mileage won't change - you just may find yourself using 4th gear where you used to cruise in 3rd.
Best thing I can tell you is that 90% of folks that put 3.73's in on a 4.6 GT will be disappointed - and you've got a Cobra with a 1k higher redline! Trust me, if your going through the trouble of a gear swap - don't waste it on 3.73's. I promise you if whitesnake drove a Cobra with 4.10's or 4.30's he would cream his pants and wish he went that way.
Good ... that helps. Like I said, new at this gear stuff. Since you are running 4.30s (I assume) ... can you tell me at what speed you normally redline? I think with my Cobra it is around 55 in first ... 77 in 2nd or so.
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1997 Cobra Recommendations/Thoughts/etc. ??? - 
before the weather changed). 
. Well, since I have only had the car out a handful of times when weather permits (still driving me crazy ... hehehe) ... I have noticed that their is a boost of power around 3.25 or 3.5 rpms when running through first gear. I do know that is partly from the 4.6 engine. Is there a way to lower that 'engagement' point of the power below 3 rpms? Without too much compromise? I will unlikely ever drag the car. I may (some day) do some autocrossing, but not without some modifications, but that will be later. Anyways, I's like to work on that 'engagement' point a little without killing gas milage and normal usability (for those rare occasions when I don't want to be the first off the line). 
Thanks. 
