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) | 320 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 317 lb./ft. @ 4,750 rpm |
| Redline | 6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off occurs 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 coil-on-plug |
| Fuel system | Sequential electronic fuel injection |
| Intake manifold | Cast aluminum, tuned equal length runners |
| Throtle body | 57mm twin bore |
| Air-mass sensor | 80mm diameter |
| Exhaust manifolds | Cast iron |
| Exhaust system | Dual, stainless steel, 2.25 in. diameter, 3.0-inch polished exhaust tips |
| 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. ring gear with 3.27:1 limited-slip differential, aluminum case |
| Driveshaft | Steel, with hardened yoke |
| Transmission | Tremec T45 5-speed manual |
| Clutch | 11.0 in. single-plate |
| Gear | Ratio | Speed |
| 1st | 3.37 | 45 mph (72 kph) |
| 2nd | 1.99 | 77 |
| 3rd | 1.33 | 115 |
| 4th | 1.00 | 150 |
| 5th | 0.67 | |
| Reverse | 3.22 | |
| Final drive | 3.27 |
Accomplished by engine ignition timing, cylinder cut-off, brake application. Linked to ABS module and engine control module. Driver-controller on-off switch
| Front | Modified gas-charged MacPherson strut, with separate 500 lb/in spring on lower arm, 28mm stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Multi-link independent, steel upper control arm, aluminum lower control arm, fixed toe-control tie rod, aluminum spndle, gas chaged tubular shock absorber, 470 lb/in coil spring, 26mm tubular stabilizer bar |
| Type | Power assist, rack and pinion |
| Gear ratio | 15.0:1 |
| Turns, lock to lock | 2.5 |
| Turning diameter | 37.9 ft. |
| Front | 13.0 in. (330mm) vented Brembo, disc PBR twin-piston caliper with embossed "COBRA" lettering |
| Rear | 11.65 in (296mm) vented disc single piston caliper |
| ABS | Four channel, four sensor system. Linked to all-speed traction control |
| Wheels | 17 x 8 in., five spoke, forged aluminum-alloy, painted surface, exposed lugs |
| Tires | BFGoodrich Comp T/A ZR, 245/45ZR-17 |
Supplemental restraint system: Driver and passenger airbags.
Independent rear suspension (IRS)
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Articulated front sport seats (standard six-way power for driver) with leather seating surfaces and power lumbar support
Tilt steering wheel
MACH 460, electronic AM/FM stereo cassette and CD player.
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 | Ultra White Clearcoat, Ebony Clearcoat, Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat, Electric Green Clearcoat Metallic |
| Interior | Dark Charcoal, Medium Parchment |
| Wheelbase | 101.3 in./2,573mm |
| Length | 183.5 in./4,661mm |
| Height | 53.2 in. (53.5in.)/1,351mm (1,359mm) |
| Width | 73.1 in./1,857mm |
| Track f/r | 59.9 in.; 59.9 in./968mm; 901mm |
| Head room | 38.1 in.; 35.5 in/968mm; 901mm |
| Leg room | 41.8 in./29.9; 1,062mm/759mm |
| Curb weight | 3430 lbs. (3,560 lbs.)/ 1,557 kg (1,617 kg) |
| Fuel tank | 15.7 gal./59.4 liters |
| Weight distribution | 55.55/44.55 (f/r) |
| (Numbers in parentheses are for Convertible) | |
| 0-60 | 5.4 seconds |
| 0-100 kph | 5.6 seconds |
| Quarter mile | 13.8 seconds @ 102 mph |
| Top speed | 150 |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 127 ft. |
| 100 ft. skidpad | 0.90g |
White-faced Instrument Panel
"COBRA" Embossed Steering Wheel Center Cover
Clear Headlight Lenses
Cobra Badges on Front Fenders
SVT "COBRA" Emblem on Left Rear
3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
New body style
Independent rear suspension
More power and torque advertised
Traction control
Brembo front brake rotors
New 5-spoke 17 x 8 wheels
New intake manifold
Coil-on-plug ignition
Power Output
Many 1999 Cobras do not make the amount of power advertised from the factory.
The cause has been blamed on excessive casting flash in the intake manifold, and overly restrictive mufflers.
Ford has introduced a "fix" kit to address this problem that consists of:
- New lower intake manifold
- New cat-back exhaust
- Computer reprogramming
All 1999 Cobras are eligible for the "fix", and SVT will be contacting owners to schedule an appointment with an SVT dealer.
Preliminary results indicate that the fix is successful at restoring power output to the expected levels, however some owners who have had the fix are not seeing the level of power that is expected. Also, it has been reported that the replacement mufflers are significantly louder than the original ones.
Driveline Vibration
Many 1999 owners have reported a driveline vibration that generally occurs between 55-70 mph in any gear.
Ford has introduced a "fix kit" for this problem that consists of a matched set of driveline components.
IRS "Wheel Hop"
The 1999 Cobra's independent rear suspension (IRS) has a tendency for wheel hop (or shudder) under hard launches.
Kenny Brown Performance has recently released a kit that is supposed to "dramatically cut down on wheel hop and tire shake".
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.