Specifications
Common Problems
Common Modifications
(most of this was borrowed from the Ford brochure)
| Configuration | Longitudinally mounted, 90-degree V8, cast aluminum block and heads, iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged crankshaft |
| Bore x Stroke | 90.2mm x 90.0mm |
| Displacement | 4,601cc/280cid |
| Compression ratio | 9:85:1 |
| Horsepower (SAE net) | 305 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 300 lb./ft. @ 4,800 rpm |
| Redline | 6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off at 7,000 rpm) |
| Main bearing caps | Nodular iron 6-bolt (cross-bolted) |
| Pistons | Hypereutectic cast alloy shallow skirt with friction reducing coating on sliding surfaces. |
| Rods | Sinter-forged alloy, fracture-split big ends |
| Crankshaft | Forged by Gerlach-Werke in Homburg-Saar Germany |
| Flywheel | Nodular iron |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead cams, chain drive to exhaust cams, secondary chains from exhaust to intake cams, roller finger followers with hydraulic lash adjustment, ovate-wire beehive-shaped valve springs, four valves per cylinder |
| Intake valves | 2 per cylinder, 37mm head diameter |
| Exhaust valves | 2 per cylinder, 30mm head diameter |
| Ignition system | Distributorless |
| Fuel system | Sequential electronic fuel injection |
| Intake manifold | Equal length thin-wall cast aluminum runners, cast aluminum plenum chamber |
| Air-mass sensor | 80mm diameter |
| Port throttles | Electronically actuated 34mm port throttles open to secondary intake valves at 3,250 rpm |
| Exhaust manifolds | Cast high-silicon, molybdenum iron, manifold type, stud and nut attachment |
| Exhaust system | Dual, stainless steel, 2.25 in. diameter tubes |
| Assembly | Assembled at Ford's Romeo, Michigan engine plant on a dedicated niche engine line staffed by 12 two-person teams who sign the engine when it is completed |
| Rear axle | 8.8 in. limited-slip differential |
| Driveshaft | Steel, with hardened yoke |
| Transmission | Borg-Warner T45 5-speed manual; integral clutch housing |
| Gear | Ratio | Speed |
| 1st | 3.37 | 45 |
| 2nd | 1.99 | 77 |
| 3rd | 1.33 | 115 |
| 4th | 1.00 | 152 |
| 5th | 0.67 | |
| Reverse | 3.22 | |
| Final drive | 3.27 |
| Front | Modified MacPherson strut, with separate spring on lower arm, 400/505 lbs./in. variable rate coil springs, 29mm stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Rigid axle, upper and lower trailing arms, two leading hydraulic links, 165-265 lbs./in. variable-rate coil springs, shock absorbers, 27mm stabilizer bar |
| Type | Power assist, rack and pinion |
| Gear ratio | 14.7:1 (on center) |
| Turns, lock to lock | 2.38 |
| Turning diameter | 40.8 feet |
| 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, diamond-cut surface, five-spoke, 17 x 8 in. |
| Tires | BFGoodrich Comp T/A ZR, 245/45ZR-17, unidirectional tread pattern |
Supplemental restraint system: Driver- and passenger-side (air bag)
Anti-Lock Brake System
Articulated sport seats (four-way power for driver) with cloth/vinyl trim, cloth head restraint, and power lumbar support
Premium electronic AM/FM stereo cassette
Power Equipment Group: Dual electric remote control mirrors, power side windows, power door locks, power deck lid release
Rear window defroster
Air-conditioning/manual control
Speed control
Front floor mats
Dual illuminated visor mirrors
Remote keyless illuminated entry
Preferred Equipment Package, consisting of: Leather seating surfaces; Mach 460 electronic AM/FM stereo/cassette; Compact disc player; Total Anti-Theft System (TATS)
California emissions system
High-altitude principal use
| Exterior | Crystal White, Black Clearcoat, Rio Red, Pacific Green |
| Interior | Black Cloth, Saddle Cloth, Black Leather, Saddle Leather |
| Convertible Tops | Black or Saddle |
| Wheelbase | 101.3 in. |
| Length | 181.5 in. |
| Height | 53.4 in. |
| Width | 71.8 in. |
| Track f/r | 60.0 in./58.7 in. |
| Head room | 38.2 in. |
| Leg room | 42.5 in. |
| Curb weight | 3,446 lbs. |
| Fuel tank | 15.4 gal. |
| Weight distribution f/r % | 57/43 |
| 0-50 | 4.7 seconds |
| 0-55 | 5.4 seconds |
| 0-60 | 5.9 seconds |
| Quarter mile | 13.99 seconds @ 101.6 mph |
| Top speed | 152 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 127 ft. |
| Braking, 80-0 mph | 227 ft. |
| 80 ft. slalom | 52.1 mph |
| 100 ft. skidpad | 0.89g |
White-faced Instrument Panel
"COBRA" Embossed Steering Wheel Center Cover
Clear Headlight Lenses
Cobra Badges on Front Fenders
SVT Emblem on Left Rear
"COBRA" Embossed on Rear Facia
3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
Includes improved cooling system from the factory
Underhood light deleted
Honeycomb grill insert deleted
Accessory Drive Belt (TSB 98-20-18)
1997 Cobras have problems with the front-end accessory drive belt (serpentine belt) either making a loud squealing or ticking sound, or coming off.
There have been several TSBs issued in an attempt to solve this problem, most of them consisting of replacement belt tensioners and/or pulleys.
The latest solution consists of replacing the tensioner with a 99 Cobra part.
Parking Brake Gap Hider (TSB 96-25-3)
The rubber dust "gasket" that the parking brake handle extends through has a tendency to tear.
T45 Transmission Troubles
The T45 is notoriously weak when coupled to the powerful Cobra engine.
The shift forks tend to bend easily when the transmission is shifted hard, especially when speed shifted. Installing an aftermarket shifter with positive shift stops should be the first modification on any Cobra to protect the shift forks.
Also the syncros are prone to wearing out, causing grinding when shifting at high rpms. Typically the 1-2 shift is the first to exhibit this.
Sometime in 1998, Tremec acquired the rights to manufacture the T45, and supposedly beefed up some of the internals to make it stronger.
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
Gears
Changing the rear-end gear ratio is one of the most popular modifications. The factory 3.27:1 gears are generally considered to be inadequate for most applications. Switching to a lower (numerically higher) gear ratio will really wake up the 32V motor. 3.73, 4:10, and 4:30 gears seem to be the most popular choices.
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.
Underdrive Pulleys
Underdrive pulleys are another easy bolt-on that adds a few horsepower. These free up power that is otherwise used powering the engine accessories (such as the alternator, compressor, water and power steering pumps.) However, proper installation is critical as some owners have reported crankshaft damage after installing underdrive pulleys. Also, make sure you get pulleys that include a replacement crankshaft dampener instead of the type that bolt a new pulley over the existing dampener as these have been reported to work much better.
One of the most popular manufacturers for underdrive pulleys is ASP.