03-04 Cobra repair knowlage from the interwebz

[Ruthless]

Ok who else had had enough of these "I read it on the internet so its true. Even thought I never had the problem I will preach what I read and argue it to death." I swear every time I try to look something up I spend days digging around worthless info and today it just made me laugh. So I wanted to post this and sum it all up in one thread.

So far here is what I would know about the 03-04 Cobras from just reading the net.
1. As soon as the engine over heats it melts into a puddle and the heads come flying off.
2. Any cooling system/ overheating issues mean you have air in the system. Nothing else would ever cause this.
3. Everyone can get 700 on 93. (Found this in for sale section and the next line was...new engine installed and only 100miles on it. :lol:
4. Never leave hard with an IRS or it will snap like a toothpick. Even on stock tires!!
5. All Cobras need to run drag slicks, even in the snow.
6. The hesitation between shifts is a tuning issue and not the PPRV.
7. Cams are just for noise and don’t help with HP.
8. You need to replace you alternator before a long road trip because they ALL go bad.
9. After you fix something with everyone’s help, never and I mean never post up what fixed the issue. Let the next guy have as much fun as you did tracking the issue down.

*. EVOs can out run street bikes. (Thought I would just put that in. LOL)

I am sure I will come up with more but that’s a good start. :lol:

[cwh19]

LOL sounds like good stuff.

Did you know that a 4" intake pipe is absolutely useless even if you have a 90mm throttle body and a 90mm MAF? Its just to look shiny in the engine bay :fear:

[95riosnake]

LOL sounds like good stuff.

Did you know that a 4" intake pipe is absolutely useless even if you have a 90mm throttle body and a 90mm MAF? Its just to look shiny in the engine bay :fear:

Haha I read that one on Corral too :rolleyes:

[Ruthless]

Would have helped if I spelled knowledge right. :humble:

Thats what happens when you are busy and typing at work.

[Rodeheavers]

thats funny stuff.. Keep it coming!!!

[police4.6]

you know what the worse part is about all of that stuff... people believe it and their $$$$ gets messed up. thats so bad.

[Ruthless]

I just remembered something that happened way back when. (Man that makes me feel old!) We had a post come up about porting an intake and the OP wanted to know the fastest way to accomplish the project without taking anything apart. Well someone jokingly said the quickest way would be to dump sand into the intake but said it wasn’t the smartest thing to do.

Would you believe the OP did it and came back on saying that the car wasn’t running right and wanted to know how to fix it? He thought maybe he didnt use enough sand. I felt bad for the kid but at the same time couldn't stop shaking my head.

[95riosnake]

Are you sure that was a terminator? I've heard (and read) the same thing about an Audi owner

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80267

[Ruthless]

I think it was for the Talon TSI AWD I had and that was years ago. Unless its a joke that keeps poping up on the net now.

What about the guy that went into 7-11 and bought to bottles of NOS and poured it into his bikes gas tank. I guess he rode for a few miles before the bike stopped running. LOL I am sure you can all guess what he did.

[95riosnake]

I think it was for the Talon TSI AWD I had and that was years ago. Unless its a joke that keeps poping up on the net now.

What about the guy that went into 7-11 and bought to bottles of NOS and poured it into his bikes gas tank. I guess he rode for a few miles before the bike stopped running. LOL I am sure you can all guess what he did.

Haha I do remember that one. The first few pages they weren't sure if he bought the NOS fuel additive or the energy drink, then I think someone posted pictures of both and he realized he poured energy drink into his tank, LOL...

[Ruthless]

Boy I took this off topic. lol

10. All exhaust smoke is caused by bad valve guides so replace your heads if you have any and ignor the holes in the pistons. Those are speed oiling holes
11. Any engine noise is "The tick" no matter where it is coming from.
12. If you have the early run 3 thread sparkplug hole heads make sure to tighten the plugs down extra tight so they dont blow out.
13. Dont EVER use nitrous because it will instantly cause a car fire.

[03 svt cobra vert]

Any cooling system/ overheating issues mean you have A BLOWN HEAD GASKET!!!! Never fails! :crazy:

[03 svt cobra vert]

*. EVOs can out run street bikes. : Squid's on street bikes... :doh:

[03 svt cobra vert]

9. After you fix something with everyone’s help, never and I mean never post up what fixed the issue. Let the next guy have as much fun as you did tracking the issue down: 100% true!! LOL

[Rodeheavers]

10. All exhaust smoke is caused by bad valve guides so replace your heads if you have any and ignor the holes in the pistons. Those are speed oiling holes

thats a classic!!!! I heard that one before...

[Ruthless]

14. Never and I mean never do a 2nd gear burnout because it will fry the clutch. This is because of the 3.55 gears and not because your factory clutch is going bad.

[Mach1Mush]

I see these posts been up here for a while but i just read them. Sand in you intake?maybe he didnt use enough? I pray that no one is that "SMART" to do that. Its a good story tho.

[Ruthless]

15. These things always overheat. The hose clamps from Ford stink and you're better off replacing them with screw type clamps.

[Ruthless]

Well I had my first coolant mishap and thank god I pulled the engine and replaced the head gaskets like those interwebz people told me because that cap on the res flowing coolant when I was putting it in the burp hole would have nothing to do with my problem. :thumb: So much for a 16psi cap. It was at 0psi or piss for short. lol

The funny part was that I didnt see it and I kept putting fluid in and more and more and it never filled up any higher in the tube. LOL

I smashed the cap to get it apart and from what I can tell it was the round gasket that seals the cap to the res. I think the new cap took car of the problem after the cobra cooling system burp fest. If it leaks again I am going for a pfab res and I am calling it a day.

BTW If it was a headgasket and my cap wasnt sealing at all I am sure I would have had all my coolant shooting everywere and I only lost about a quart.

[Ruthless]

HOT OFF THE SVTP PRESS!!!

16: Leave that PCV line hooked up. A breather on the intake side is ok, but that little film of oil from the crankcase vent will do wonders for your blower life.