[Ryan Paymaster]

Sorry for the hacked up title, I like to be very thorough and specific with posts and titles as possible.

I have been throwing money into the performance of the car and holding out on buying Subframe connectors. I want to go full legth obviously and really like the Steeda ones. That and they are reasonably priced AND free shipping through AmericanMuscle.com.

However, I see that it says "NOTE: 1996-98 Cobras will require modifications to the transmission crossmember mounting flanges."

The connectors in question are located here:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/stfulesuco.html

How much work is involved in this modification? Is it fairly obvious? I won't be doing the installation, but luckily my father's profession is welding. I know sometimes the notes are just very small adjustments, but I don't know if I'm going to run into anything I couldn't handle.

Also, are there any better brands for full length? Steeda seems the best that I've seen. Maybe I'm missing some that don't require any modifications.

I just want to ensure my car stays straight. I really don't feel like having doors the mimmick a 79 Trans Am door after a year of use. Seems like a smart investment that I've been putting off for quite a long time.

Thanks!

[MustangMatt96GT]

Well I have no clue on what mods you will need, but do you know how to do subframes correctly? You have to have the car resting on its wheels. Other wise when you weld up the subframes they will not be helping you they will be helping ruin your car.

[Ryan Paymaster]

Alright, thanks for that tip. I'd pay someone to do it, but I'm going to have around 750 dollars wrapped up in my rear end alone by the time I'm done with the rear end. Hell, I'm feeling bored, I might as well order the aluminum driveshaft and put that up while I'm under there.

I have a FRPP 4.10A going in, the 8.8" Rear End Girdle & Stud Kit, Master Bearing Install kit with fluids, plus labor. Hopefully I did right going with that, I want to build the car for power. It runs extremely well now, and will only get quicker in the future. I just don't want to start breaking anything, staying as safe as possible.

Preventative maitanence is cheaper than repairing something I could have prevented. That's just how I feel about it, hence now going for connectors. Hell, I figure while it is off I might as well do everything I can within reason.

I got the gear for a good price, it was new in box from the Ford dealer here at the NMRA/NMCA show. $180, it is the 410A, I made sure of getting that one.

[MustangMatt96GT]

Yeah good luck! I dont know exactly about those particular subframes though!

[97Cobra]

96 eh i dont know about the sub conectors except for the fact that they hlp stiffin and prevent body flex. but what i can help you with is by telling you to change your cooling fan! the 96s had a slight problem with over heating. they corrected it in 97 (thank god!) lol a cooler engine is going to last longer and produce more hp. other than that Good Luck!

[Ryan Paymaster]

Well, that sounds like an easy, sensible modification to do. Where can I purchase this cooling fan at? I did notice on a website when looking at aftermarket radiators that it would say "Will work with 1996 Cobra with Cooling Upgrade" or something. Didn't give it too much of a thought since my car doesn't overheat. I do need to change my coolant, I have no idea if it has ever been changed. It's like a brown / dark pink pool of nasty. I for some reason have like 6 bottles of Prestone 50/50 so I have no reason not to do it other than the SVT Cobra seems to be a circus of a car to figure out flushing the cooling system properly.


It seems like 96-98 all had different quirks. For some reason 1998 are sometimes classified alone, 1996 is also a little different sometimes when looking for parts. You'd think all three years of this car were the same!

[97Cobra]

well its just lil things they change...like the cooling. lol but you can get the cooling upgrade at ford or just go to a junk yard to see if you can snatch one off of a 97-98 cobra...and yes the mustangs have a complicated cooling sys. best bet would be taking it to a shop that does it. because if you do it your self there could be some air pockets left and create hot spots n crack a head. so i was told.