[KingChronic]

99/01 Cobra, and 03/04 Mach 1 facts, and mod's thread.

Let me start off by saying this is one of my first "tech" writeups, and my spelling/grammar isnt absolutely the best.

The 99/01 "New Edge" Cobra, and the 03/04 Mach 1 are pretty similar when it comes to modding.

The Mach 1 is rated at 305 HP and 320 TQ, and is said to be under rated.
The cobra is rated at 320 HP and 320 TQ despite having as less adequate engine than the mach.

They both feature the same intake manifold, and the same DOHC. That is where the difference's turn.

We'll start off with the cobra

The cobra doesn't not have the "Improved" flow heads like the mach does, but they are still not too far behind on flow. the engine is a 9.85:1 CR ratio, and have a forged crank, but weak powdered rods, and weak pistons. the 99/01 cobra is said to have slightly better camshafts than the mach. The cobra uses 24LBS injectors, as well as the mach. they both also use aluminum 4.6 blocks.

The cobra has a IRS (independent rear suspension) with 3:27 gear's. the 99 cobra has slightly weaker half shafts than the 01, and also has a 28 spline Trac lock differential. the 2001 uses a 31 spline differential the same as used in the 03 cobra, and is a great differential that can handle upwards of 700RWHP with ease. the half shafts are still pretty weak but the 01 does have the capability of easily swapping 03's in to have a half shaft good to about 550RWHP.

99, and 01 also use different transmissions as well, the 99 uses a T45, and the 01 uses a T3650, both made by tremec. the T45 is believed to be slightly stronger than the 01's T3650.

Interior is also different, they use the same gauge cluster, but the 99 has plain leather seats while the 01 has leather seats with suede inserts with a cobra stitched in them, very similar to the 03's seats. the 99 has a 2 piece single CD, and then head unit, while the 01 has the 1 piece 6 CD changer. Both feature Mach 460 sound though. the consoles are also different, the 99's console has the drink holders further up, and the fog light switch in the rear. the 01 has a much better drink holder, with the holders farther back from the shifter, and the fog light switch below the radio with the traction control switch.

03/04 Mach 1.

the mach is very similar to the cobra in the engine bay. it uses the same tumble port C heads, but the newer improved version that is use on the 03/04 Terminator cobra.it uses a almost identical intake manifold, and 24 LBS/HR injectors just like the 99/01. also uses a aluminum blocks like the cobra. The mach has a high CR at 10.1:1, and is also believed to have better rods than the cobra. A automatic mach uses a cast crank, while the 5 speed version got a forged crank.

The mach uses a T3650 trans like the 01 cobra as well, after the engine and trans is when things go different.

Mach 1's use a solid axle with 3.55 gears. For suspension the mach gets lower springs than a GT does, and has tokico shocks all the way around. Unlike the GT the Mach uses pretty much the same brakes as a cobra.

For appearance on the outside, the mach gets different wheels, a shaker hood, mach 1 badges, a black wing, a grill delete like the cobra, and a front splitter.

On the inside the Mach uses the a 150MPH speedo like a GT, but is 'retro' styled. the mach also has a 6 CD Mach 460 sound. The make uses different seats from the cobra as well. the 5 speed mach's also got a billet shift knob.

[KingChronic]

Modding a 99/01 Cobra, and 03/04 Mach 1.

Modding these cars are pretty similiar.

For basic bolt on's, they are almost identical in how they are modded. Basic bolt on's would be:

CAI (Cold Air Intake)
Catback exhaust
Mid pipe (X, H, Prochamer, and with or without cats)
Under drive pullies
Gears
Shifter
Tuner

Those would pretty much be your basic bolt on mod's.

the 4V motors respond much better from mods than the 2V GT motors do.

Starting with the CAI, typical gains are 8-15 RWHP. When it comes to choosing a Brand, the #1 to go with is JLT, you can pick from their RAI, or their CAI, both give great power, and will add more power than any other brand. However ones like K&N, Steeda, and a couple others are ok too.

Catback Exhaust, this refers to the rear of the mid-pipe to the tail pipes. This pretty much comes down to preference, some people like flows, some people like SLP, some people like magnaflow, its all preference. i typically recommend going with Magnaflow, Borla, or SLP, they tend to be the highest quality, and sound great on a 4V. HP gain can be anywhere from 2-20RWHP

Mid-Pipe. This is what connects the manifolds to the catback. the stocker has 2 resonators up from, and 2 cats in the rear, uses a H design, 2 1/4" pipe, and is rather restrictive. there are bunch's of aftermarket options out there, and all of them are great. It's once again up to sound preference though, and sound also has a lot to do with that cat-back you combine it with. for flow designs, there are H, X, and Mac's "Prochamber" which is a combonation of a X, and a H. almost all of them are available with, or without cat's. For brands you really cant go wrong with any, but some are definently better then others, there is Bassani, Mac, UPR, Pypes, Magnaflow, SLP, aswell as several others, however those seem to be of the highest quality. A good flowing Mid-Pipe typically show's HP gains of 2-12RWHP

UDP's, or Under Drive Pullies: these are used to reduce rotating mass on the crank, and free up HP. it under drives the accessories (water pump, Alt, P/S) to free up the power. you ussually dont see a loss in cooling, or Power output with them. there are a few brands to choose from, however the best seems top be Steeda, and March. this will net 5-10RWHP, and also allow your engine to rev up faster.

Gears. While a 99/01 cobra need's them even more than a Mach because of their 3.27 ratio, both of them would benefit hugely from a set of gears. Gears are possibly the single best mod for these cars. Best sizes to go with are 3.90, 4.10, 4.30. depending on how much highway driving you do, and if you mind the louder exhaust note from cruising at high RPM's is the deciding factor. its generally a safe bet to just get 4.10's.

Short throw shifter. this is a great mod, really reduces missed shifts, and also gets rid of the long throw rubbery feeling of the stocker. MGW is pretty much the way to go, i recommend no other.

Tuner. its a good idea to get this as it will correct your speedo from your aftermarket gears, and also keep the miles from going on faster than they actually are with gears. a custom tune never hurts anything either.

Those are the "basic bolt on's" there will be a article following that will include more mods, or maybe even a modification to this article.

[KingChronic]

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[KingChronic]

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[KingChronic]

ok, guys, let me know what you think, i dont know how long ill be able to edit ti, i think you can only edit it so often. i can always modify it, and then have a mod redo it for me.

if you have any opnions on what i should add, please PM them to me, lets not tie up this thread too much. please leave feedback on yay, or nay in the thread though, thanks.

BTW, im going to get to work on a terminator tech thread in the mean time.

[weems]

nice work man covered a bunch of good points

[03 R Code]

It seems that we have our first contradiction of information. In this thread is says that the Mach's use a C tumble port head, but the write up I found lists those heads for use on vehicles other than the Mach. The Mach, Termi's, Aviators, and Marauders use a different head. It's simply referred to an '03 DOHC head...

[Goblin]

Good write up. Some of the info is incorrect. But 95% is good stuff. Nicely done.

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by 03 R Code It seems that we have our first contradiction of information. In this thread is says that the Mach's use a C tumble port head, but the write up I found lists those heads for use on vehicles other than the Mach. The Mach, Termi's, Aviators, and Marauders use a different head. It's simply referred to an '03 DOHC head...

could you please forward me a link or other info, the tumble port C head is what i had listed for use on 99/01's, and mach's, with the mach's being an improved flow like the 03/04's

[KingChronic]

argh, i cant edit, damn

[03 R Code]

Read in the thread titled 4v head info.

I found that with a google search for 4v aftermarket heads, it was copied and pasted onto some other forum by someone else. I don't know who the origional writer is.

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by 03 R Code Read in the thread titled 4v head info. I found that with a google search for 4v aftermarket heads, it was copied and pasted onto some other forum by someone else. I don't know who the origional writer is.

well i cant edit it now. maybe we can get these threads, and the heads thread you found stickied in our cool new forum.

how do i edit the posts though, the button is gone, im going to need to do this in the future to add/edit info.

[Goblin]

Also, to chime in... the Mach 1 has the better bump sticks compared the 99-01s. The Mach 1s share the same cams as the 03/04 Cobras.

Also, the T45 is not better than the T3650. The T45 is just an updated model of the T5. The T3650 is the updated version of the 3550. Both the 3550 and 3650 are plenty more capable than the T45.

Just trying to help out.

An excellent place to get GREAT info is Modularfords.com. Their forums are outstanding for good info and write ups. Thats where ive gotten alot of info.

[KingChronic]

the cams in the mach are not that same as in the term, they are more of a supercharger cam.

there seems to be alot less people breaking the T45 than compared to the T3650. the T45 is a pain to do a clutch in.

[Goblin]

Originally Posted by KingChronic the cams in the mach are not that same as in the term, they are more of a supercharger cam. there seems to be alot less people breaking the T45 than compared to the T3650. the T45 is a pain to do a clutch in.

Dude, im telling ya... i had this argument with like 20 other guys on a few different forums. The specs on the stock Mach 1 cams are the same as the terminators. Theres been alot of contraversy over it.. and alot of people have the wrong specs and info on them. Ive spoke with a few ford engineers, and even an SVT tech. They're the same cams.

People hardlly waste their time with T45s... because they know they cant handle alot of torque. That may be why you see less of them breaking. Who knows.

[03 R Code]

Yeah, I've always read that the Mach 1 cams are different than the Termi cams.

[Goblin]

Originally Posted by 03 R Code Yeah, I've always read that the Mach 1 cams are different than the Termi cams.

I thought that too, for 3 years.. until i got into a huge argument over it. I was proved wrong.

[KingChronic]

goblin, your a editor, does that mean you can edit my post for me?

or who would i talk to about editing my posts?

[swervo]

I've read that the mach's and termies share the same heads and cams.

[KingChronic]

well ill change it if i can figure out how to edit it