gtrag94
08-04-2022, 10:03 PM
Hi all, I’ve tried searching and haven’t found anything definitive. I’m still researching to determine the best path toward a build and wondered about the subject line here. I’d be for sure ordering a complete kit but while waiting, a 94-95 Cobra would be a fun car to drive and then pull the driveline from.
1) Rear Axle/rear brakes: From my searches, the 8.8” rear from these years is preferred on the coupe because it’s wider and you can get away with no spacers. This is due to longer axleshafts, not wider axle housing. It of course already comes as 5 lug too. Do we have data on how much hp/torque the factory axles can take? Of course if you have to upgrade them anyway then any ol’ Fox or SN95 8.8” rear should work. These Cobras would have come with 3.08 gears and it sounds like pretty much everyone recommends 3.55 for the Coupes.
2) transmission: it sounds like the Cobra was rated slightly higher at 310-335 lb-ft (vs the GT’s 300 lb-ft rating) depending on where you read. Haven’t seen anything that suggests it has different gear ratios. The car only made 240 hp/285 lb-ft and the GT made 215 hp/285 lb-ft so no crazy differences.
3) engine: I think I read a long time ago that you couldn’t use the 94-95 intake manifold (assuming you stay EFI, etc. because of that bend right by the throttle body (compared to the Fox intakes) but I’m pretty sure this was Roadster info. Has anyone used a 94-95 5.0 intake on a Coupe?
4) wheels/tires: seems like these are 17x8 with a 30mm offset and FR500 wheels are 17x9F and 17x10.5R with a 24 and 27mm offset respectively. Many Cobras have aftermarket wheels and one I’m looking at has Saleen wheels which are 18x10 with a 22mm offset. Seem like maybe a cheap way to get rolling and then go for looks and more perfect fit later?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom imparted! :)
1) Rear Axle/rear brakes: From my searches, the 8.8” rear from these years is preferred on the coupe because it’s wider and you can get away with no spacers. This is due to longer axleshafts, not wider axle housing. It of course already comes as 5 lug too. Do we have data on how much hp/torque the factory axles can take? Of course if you have to upgrade them anyway then any ol’ Fox or SN95 8.8” rear should work. These Cobras would have come with 3.08 gears and it sounds like pretty much everyone recommends 3.55 for the Coupes.
2) transmission: it sounds like the Cobra was rated slightly higher at 310-335 lb-ft (vs the GT’s 300 lb-ft rating) depending on where you read. Haven’t seen anything that suggests it has different gear ratios. The car only made 240 hp/285 lb-ft and the GT made 215 hp/285 lb-ft so no crazy differences.
3) engine: I think I read a long time ago that you couldn’t use the 94-95 intake manifold (assuming you stay EFI, etc. because of that bend right by the throttle body (compared to the Fox intakes) but I’m pretty sure this was Roadster info. Has anyone used a 94-95 5.0 intake on a Coupe?
4) wheels/tires: seems like these are 17x8 with a 30mm offset and FR500 wheels are 17x9F and 17x10.5R with a 24 and 27mm offset respectively. Many Cobras have aftermarket wheels and one I’m looking at has Saleen wheels which are 18x10 with a 22mm offset. Seem like maybe a cheap way to get rolling and then go for looks and more perfect fit later?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom imparted! :)