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Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1993-2004
Successor	Shelby Mustang
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford Fox platform

The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was a pony car built by Ford Special Vehicle Team in 1980 as a prototype that was successful again and again from 1993 to 2004. It is a car that was produced in limited quantities. It is a high performance version of the Mustang built by Ford, sitting in the model range above the Mustang GT model. On rare occasion, Ford produces a higher-performance Cobra R variant.

1993

Fox Body Windsor SVT Mustang Cobra

Production	1993 5,100 produced
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Engine(s)	5.0 L Windsor V8
Wheelbase	100.5 in (2553 mm)
Length	179.6 in (4562 mm)
Width	68.3 in (1735 mm)
Height	52.1 in (1323 mm)
Curb weight	3,255 lb (1,476 kg)
Fuel capacity	15.4 US gal (58 L; 13 imp gal)

Under the newly established Ford SVT division, the 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was offered with the 302 CID V8 that produced 235 hp (175 kW) and 320 ft·lbf (380 N·m) of torque. Featuring more subdued styling than the GT, the Cobra used Ford's new GT-40 high performance engine equipment, which could send a Mustang through the 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds at just under 100 mph (160 km/h). The colors offered were red, black and teal.

1993 Cobra R

A Cobra R model was also produced in 1993 that used the same engine as the regular Cobra. It featured larger brakes, Koni shocks and struts, an engine oil cooler, a power steering cooler, and a factory rear seat delete. Since the Cobra R was race oriented, options such as air conditioning and a stereo system were not offered. Each of the 107 produced were offered in red only.

1994–1995

SN-95 Windsor SVT Mustang Cobra

Production	1994–1995 11,267 produced
Engine(s)	5.0 L Windsor V8 5.8 L Windsor V8(1995 R Model)
Transmission(s)	5-speed T-5 manual
Wheelbase	101.3 in (2573 mm)
Length	Cobra: 182.5 in (4636 mm)
Width	71.8 in (1824 mm)
Height	52.9 in (1344 mm) Convertible: 53.3 in (1354 mm)
Curb weight	Coupe: 3,354 lb (1,521 kg) Convertible: 3,524 lb (1,598 kg)

Ford re-introduced the Cobra in mid-1994 featuring the new styling as well as larger brakes, a revised suspension setup and wider wheels than the outgoing version, a "GT-40" lower intake and Cobra specific upper intake as well as GT-40 cast iron heads. Power was boosted to 240 hp (180 kW), though. New colors were introduced, Rio Red, Crystal White, and Black keeping the total palatte at three. Differences between GT and Cobra included the front bumper (Cobras feature round fog lights), Cobra-specific wheels, and in 1994 and 1995 the Cobra utilized the LX (V-6 3.8L)'MUSTANG' rear bumper, while the 'COBRA' rear bumper didn't appear until 1996. Unique for the 1995 Cobra was the removable hard top option. 499 were produced and were only available with the black exterior and tan leather interior. These models were essentially the same as the convertible Cobra but had several small provisions to accept the retaining mechanisms of the fiberglass top and dome/map light wiring.

1995 Cobra R

In the wake of the '93 R’s unexpected success, SVT engineers developed a more powerful R-model based on the 1995 Cobra. Top priority became addressing customer requests for a larger, more powerful engine and more fuel capacity. In response to those requests, SVT replaced the Cobra’s 5.0 L V8 with an SVT modified version of Ford’s 5.8 liter Windsor V8, re-engineered to produce 300 horsepower (220 kW) and installed a Kevlar 20 U.S. gallons (76 L) fuel tank. To handle the torque of the more powerful engine, a Tremec 3550 5 speed manual transmission was installed. Again, weight-savings was targeted, so there was no back seat, radio, power windows/seats or air-conditioning—not even fog lights, which were omitted to provide ducts for getting cool air onto the front disk brakes. Heavy-duty progressive-rate springs, thicker stabilizer bars and a front strut tower brace helped improve handling on the racetrack. Only 250 vehicles were built, available only in white with saddle cloth interior, each with a unique center-tiered fiberglass hood tall enough to clear the engine and induction system.

1996–1998

SN-95 Modular SVT Mustang Cobra

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1996–1998 28,706 produced
Engine(s)	4.6 L DOHC Modular V8
Transmission(s)	5-speed T-45 manual }side exhaust}
Wheelbase	101.3 in (2573 mm)
Length	Cobra: 182.5 in (4636 mm)
Width	71.8 in (1824 mm)
Height	52.9 in (1344 mm) Convertible: 53.2 in (1351 mm)
Curb weight	Coupe: 3,393 lb (1,539 kg) Convertible: 3,565 lb (1,617 kg)

For 1996, Ford finally did away with the aging 5.0 liter V8, replacing it with a new aluminum 4.6 liter, DOHC, "modular" unit that was smoother and had slightly better fuel economy. This engine produced 305 hp (227 kW) and 300 lbf·ft (410 N·m) of torque, making the new Cobra capable of high-13 second quarter miles. Early models were backed by the Borg Warner T-45 5-speed manual transmission. Late in 1998, Tremec bought production rights for the T-45, although it remained unchanged in terms of strength. In 1996 Ford also introduced the Mystic Cobra which featured color shifting paint manufactured by BASF. The paint was green based, and depending on the angle you looked at the car the colors shifted from green to purple to root beer to gold. The 1997 Cobra was the last year of the return style fuel system which was replaced with a newer returnless system in 1998. The 1998 Mustangs used the 1999 style bucket but retained the previous body style as they were a transition year.

1999/2001

With the introduction of the "new edge" Mustang in 1999, came a new SVT Cobra. All 1999-2004 Cobras featured independent rear suspension, unique to the Cobras. They also used a newer returnless fuel system which helped Ford meet tightening emission standards. The new Cobra had an upgraded 4.6L DOHC engine with 320 hp (239 kW) and 317 ft·lbf (429 N·m) of torque. The 4.6 L Cobra was not produced in 2000. Ford replaced the intake manifold, exhaust and computer components to produce 320 hp (240 kW). The Cobra came back in 2001 with the same power rating, slightly behind its GM competition, the Camaro SS and Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air WS6 package that produced 325 hp (242 kW).

While the 2001 Cobra shares almost all the same components of the 1999, some changes were made including:

• The engine block was changed from the Teksid block to the Windsor Aluminum Plant or WAP block. The WAP block is regarded to be weaker than the previous Teksid block. Some 2001s received the Teksid, either from the factory or as a replacement motor
• Revised cylinder heads.
• Cobra-specific seats with a combination of leather and alcantara [suede-like microfiber] inserts - 1999 Cobras had normal Mustang seats.
• A rear bumper that reads "COBRA", instead of "MUSTANG", as the 1999 Cobra had.
• A rear badge on the trunklid was changed to say "SVT" instead of "SVT Cobra" as the 1999 Cobra had.
• The wheels for the 1999 and 2001 are 17x8. The '99 & '01 were sold with silver powdercoated aluminum wheels. The 2001 had the option of polished wheels in the same style.
• The T-45 transmission in the 1999 model was replaced by the 3650 in the 2001 model.
• The axleshafts and differential were changed from 28 splines in 1999 to 31 splines in 2001.
• The spoiler was redesigned.
• The CD player was upgraded to a 6 disc unit.
• The center console and trim were redesigned.
• Adolfo Mejia aka AD smashed on many imports.
• The emergency brake was fitted with a 'boot' of leather to cover the hole in the console where it protrudes.
• The headlights were changed from a chrome background to a black background. The newer headlights are sometimes referred a "smoked" or "tinted" but this only refers to the black background. The actual lenses are clear and identical to that of the 1999.
• The color of the odometer digits and instrument cluster lighting was slightly changed.

A Teksid block

A Windsor Aluminum Plant block

In the pictures at left showing the two blocks of the SN-95 2 SVT Mustang Cobra, note the extra ribs designed to impart strength to the weaker WAP. Also, note the hatching in valley of the Teksid is square, while the WAP has diagonal hatching.

A similar Cobra model was produced in the US in 2002 for export to the Australian market.*

2000 Cobra R

In 2000, a special Cobra R came in limited production of 300 with a 5.4 L DOHC engine that was rated at 385 hp (287 kW) and 385 lbf·ft (522 N·m) of torque, although independent dyno tests have shown that it produced rear-wheel output that nearly matched both of those numbers, suggesting the ratings may have been substantially conservative. This model was street legal; however it lacked many of the comforts the base production line Cobra enjoyed. This model had no radio, no air conditioning, and no back seat. Each of the 300 produced featured a charcoal interior with Recaro buckets and a Performance Red exterior.

The limited edition 2000 Cobra R

The 2000 Cobra R had several distinguishing features that allow one to easily identify it as something more than a normal 1999 or 2001 Cobra. The "power dome" hood for instance, is taller than the normal Cobra hood, and has gills that can be cut out to reduce engine compartment temperatures. The rear spoiler is tall and wide, providing much needed down force at high speeds. The Cobra R is equipped with dual side exhausts, and a race-style fuel cell is clearly visible protruding under the V6-style rear diffuser. The front bumper is adorned with a low riding, removable front diffuser. The wheels are also uniquely styled five spoke 18-inch (460 mm) x 9.5-inch (240 mm) alloys. The engine employed special DOHC cylinder heads, a "Trumpet-style" intake manifold, more aggressive camshafts, short-tube headers, and a high flow exhaust system sporting 3 Borla Mufflers.

With its aggressive styling and harsh suspension, the 2000 Cobra R was a hard edge track day car.

2003–2004

SN-95 2 Modular SVT Mustang Cobra (Supercharged)

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	2003–2004 19,140 produced
Engine(s)	4.6 L supercharged DOHC Modular V8
Transmission(s)	6-speed T-56 manual
Wheelbase	101.3 in (2573 mm)
Length	183.5 in (4661 mm)
Width	73.1 in (1857 mm)
Height	Liftback: 53.2 in (1351 mm) SVT Cobra Coupe: 52.5 in (1334 mm) SVT Cobra Convertible: 52.9 in (1344 mm)
Curb weight	Coupe: 3,665 lb (1,662 kg) Convertible: 3,780 lb (1,715 kg)

Debuting in early 2002, the 2003 Cobra nicknamed the "Terminator" came with a supercharged 4.6 L DOHC engine. The motor was underrated at 390 bhp (291 kW) at 6000 rpm and 390 lbf·ft (530 N·m) of torque at 3500 rpm. The true output of the motor was closer to 430 bhp.^{[citation needed]} Numerous improvements were made to the powertrain and driveline to handle the increase from the previous model year. A cast iron block was used instead of aluminum, with stronger internals including forged Zolner pistons and Manley H-beam connecting rods that were modified with a wrist pin oiling hole by the SVT engine builders. These upgrades were critical in order to support the 8 psi (0.55 bar) of boost delivered from the stock Eaton M11Small Text2 roots supercharger. Other improvements include the use of an aluminium flywheel connected to a Tremec T-56 six-speed transmission, 3.55:1 rear axle ratio and stronger 31 spline half shafts with revised upper and lower control arms. These modifications launched the Cobra from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile in the high 12's at over 110 mph (180 km/h). Some have gone as low as 12.4 seconds with a professional driver and good conditions in stock form. Terminator Cobra vs. GT500

For 2003, SVT offered a limited-edition Tenth Anniversary Cobra which featured unique color paint scheme and red leather inserts in the seats.

A definitive history of this model and John Coletti's SVT operations was captured in the non-fiction book Iron Fist, Lead Foot by John Moriarty.

2003 Cobra engine

2007

Carroll Shelby lends his name to the 2007 Mustang, officially called the Shelby GT500. The 2007 GT500 brought back the Cobra (named after its Shelby badging, a coiled cobra snake) after a three year layoff. The new Cobra boasts 540 bhp (403 kW) from a new 5.4 liter 4V V8. The GT500's 5.4 is a DOHC model like previous Cobras but has Ford GT aluminum heads and specially tuned cams in order to flow the 9 pounds-force per square inch (62 kPa) of boost supplied by the completely revised supercharger. The driveline is strengthened with a hydraulic twin disc clutch, a sturdier, regeared Tremec T-6060 6 speed manual transmission, and a solid 31 spline rear axle. The independent rear suspension of the 99-04 Cobra is no longer available in the GT500. With the new model, Ford has catered to the drag racing crowd, whereas previous Cobras tilted to road racer. The GT500 is heavier than other models, owing largely to the iron 5.4 engine in place of the aluminum 4.6 engine in previous years (except for 2003-2004 which had the iron 4.6). The previous body's IRS package is generally considered weaker than the solid rear end which is thus better suited to drag racing abuse. On smooth pavement the solid rear end actually performs better than the IRS, which is mainly suited to uneven surfaces. The GT500 also has a larger set of 18" wheels, bigger brakes, and larger sway bars to accommodate the larger, heavier engine.

References

• SVTEnthusiast.com SVT Owners and Enthusiasts online community
• 1993Cobra.com 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Enthusiasts online community
• "Official site". Ford SVT. http://www.svt.ford.com/. Retrieved march 8, 2006. 
• "SVT Owner Registry". Ford SVT. http://www.svtregistry.com/. Retrieved march 8, 2006. 
• SVTPerformance.com SVT Owners and Enthusiasts online community
• CarandDriver.com Vehicle Performance Testing

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