Specifications
Common Problems
Common Modifications
(most of this was borrowed from the Ford brochure)
| Configuration | 90/degree V-8 |
| Bore x Stroke | 4.00 X 3.00 in. |
| Displacement | 5.0 L / 302 cu. In. |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Horsepower (SAE net) | 240 hp @ 4800 RPM |
| Torque | 285 lbs./ft. @ 4800 RPM |
| Fuel system | Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection EEC-IV |
| Throttle Body | Single Bore, Large Diameter- 60mm |
| Camshaft | Revised, Lobe Lift 0.2822 in. (Intake and Exhaust) |
| Intake valves | 1 per cylinder, diameter 1.84 in. |
| Exhaust valves | 1 per cylinder, diameter 1.54 in. |
| Pulleys | Modified to Slow Drive of Accessories |
| Rocker Arms | Ford/Crane Roller Rocker Arms |
| Flywheel | Lightened by 2.7 lbs. |
| Pistons | Cast Aluminum Alloy |
| Cylinder Block | Cast Iron |
| Cylinder Heads | GT-40 Design, Cast Iron |
| Intake Manifold | Cast Aluminum Upper, Cast Aluminum Lower |
| Exhaust Headers | Tubular Stainless Steel |
| Exhaust System | Dual Stainless Steel |
| Driveshaft | Steel with hardened yoke |
| Rear axle | 8.8 in. limited-slip differential |
| Transmission | Borg-Warner T5 5-speed overdrive manual |
| Gear | Ratio |
| 1st | 3.35 |
| 2nd | 1.99 |
| 3rd | 1.33 |
| 4th | 1.00 |
| 5th | 0.68 |
| Reverse | 3.15 |
| Final drive | 3.08 |
| Front | Modified MacPherson strut type, 400 lbs./in. linear rate coil springs, 25mm anti-roll bar |
| Rear | Rigid axle four bar links, 160 lbs./in. linear rate coil springs, 27mm anti-roll bar, vertical shock absorbers and horizontal axle dampeners |
| Type | Power, rack and pinion, constant ratio |
| Gear ratio | 14.7:1 |
| Front | 13.0 in. (330mm) vented disc PBR twin-piston caliper with embossed "COBRA" lettering |
| Rear | 11.65 in (296mm) vented disc single piston caliper |
| ABS | Bosch, three-channel, four sensor system |
| Wheels | Cast aluminum, five-spoke, 17 x 8 in. |
| Tires | Goodyear Eagle GS-C P255/45ZR-17 |
High-Altitude Principal Use
Leather Seating Surfaces
Group 3 - Remote Keyless Illuminated Entry
Mach 460 Electronic AM/FM Stereo Cassette
Compact Disc Player (Requires Mach 460 Cassette Radio)
| Exterior | Crystal White, Black Clearcoat, Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat |
| Interior | Black Cloth, Saddle Cloth, Black Leather, Saddle Leather |
| Exterior | Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat |
| Interior | Saddle Leather w Indianapolis Embroidery on Front Seats |
| Convertible Top | Saddle |
| Wheelbase | 101.3 in. |
| Length | 181.5 in. |
| Height | 53.4 in. (Coupe) / 53.3 in. (Conv.) |
| Width | 71.8 in. |
| Track f/r | 60.0 in./58.7 in. |
| Head room | 38.2 in. (Coupe) / 38.1 (Conv.) |
| Leg room | 42.6 in. |
| Curb weight | 3,365 lbs. (Coupe) / 3567 lbs. (Conv.) |
| Fuel tank | 15.4 gal. |
| 0-60 | 6.3 seconds (Coupe) / 6.7 (Conv.) |
| Top speed | 140 mph |
White-faced Instrument Panel
"COBRA" Embossed Steering Wheel Center Cover
Clear Headlight Lenses
Cobra Badges on Front Fenders
Cobra Specific Rear Spoiler
Cobra Specific Front Fascia w Round Fog Lights
3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
New "SN-95" body style
Parking Brake Gap Hider (TSB 96-25-3)
The rubber dust "gasket" that the parking brake handle extends through has a tendency to tear. A replacement part was available after 6/1/96.
Shifter
An aftermarket shifter is one of the first modifications most Cobra owners make. An aftermarket shifter provides a shorter throw, better shift feel, pre-loads the 2-3 shift to eliminate missed shifts, and provides adjustable positive shift stops to protect the shift forks. Some people have pointed out that the transmission noise level increases after this modification, but most people agree that it is worth a little extra noise to gain the benefits it provides. Listed below are some of the popular aftermarket shifters:
B&M Ripper
Hurst
Pro 5.0
Steeda Tri-Ax
Subframe Connectors
Subframe connectors are also a popular modification. These add strength by connecting the front and rear subframes with a solid piece of round or square tubing. It is generally accepted that these must be welded on for them to be of any value. One thing to consider is that subframes are illegal in several SCCA autocross classes (but they are legal in the new Street Modified class).
Exhaust H or X Pipe
The factory catalytic converters are very restrictive, so replacing the stock "H" pipe with an aftermarket pipe with high flow cats is a fairly easy way to gain horsepower. A 10-15 HP gain on an otherwise stock Cobra is pretty common.
One of the more popular brands is Bassani, who manufactures a very nice stainless steel "X" pipe.