I'm the original owner of a '93 Cobra. They came with 3.08 gears, 3.27s were optional only on 5.0/AOD Mustang GT/LX. They did NOT have a T5-Z, they had a special, Cobra-only T5 that had stock ratios (3:35 low) but with phosphate coated gears and a tapered roller input bearing. They had a special hardened front yoke on the otherwise regular 5 speed drive shaft. They had 65mm throttle body, 70mm mass air sensor but with a "bridge" that cut it down to about a 60 or so. Cam was developed for the Cobra, but Ford liked it enough to use it in the '93 Thunderbirds as well. It wasn't as aggressive by itself as a GT/LX cam, but the factory Crane roller 1:7s made it a little more so. Springs were regular 5.0 GT/LX in front, 4 cylinder LX hatch in rear - stock 5.0 rear sway bar and a thinner front bar. Shocks and struts were special with different valving. The idea was to get the
suspension to move a little more, and get a better ride while improving cornering at the same time with the (big deal at the time) 17" wheels. Brakes were 4 wheel disc - stock size in front but with special rotors with a taller hat for the wheels, which had more backspacing, rear axles and brakes from the '87-'88 T bird Turbo Coupe but without the ABS stuff. These T-bird axles were wider than Mustang, which is why Cobras have special wheels with deeper backspacing. Master cylinder, booster, and lines were special for the car. None of them had cruise control. They had special mufflers and a unique cat back system to clear the rear valence. The Cobra computer works fine, my car is blown and tuned without a chip, just an FMU, adjustable regulator, and a Pro-M mass air and it works fine. You hear all kinds of stuff about timing retard at certain speeds and that it doesn't like mods, but I've never had a problem with it. I even run a '93 Cobra computer, mass air, and 24s in a '65 Ranchero with no problems. There were smaller differences as well, like a special heater tube array without the nipple for coolant feed to the EGR spacer, as the Cobra intake had a built-in spacer and didn't need the coolant feed, totally unique body kit and rear spoiler, grille opening with horse, (the only Fox to have a running horse in the grille) and parts bin '84-'86 Mustang SVO taillights. The '93 Cobra was far and away the best Fox Mustang, it was a nicely engineered package that felt smoother and better in just about every way than a regular 5.0. Many '93 Cobras are still in great shape with low miles, as they were generally cared for a bit better than GTs and LXs, and if you can get one of these, you won't be disappointed. I say go for it - it's a rare, low volume, high performance car that will always have value in the marketplace, and it's fun to be in something a little different.
-P51C (C for Cobra)
