How to lower a 03 Cobra?

[BZ's_03_SVT]

I am looking to lower it buy about a inch all around, maybe a 1 1/2 in the rear. I dont plan on ever changing rims or tire size, and i dont plan on doing any other suspension mods. I just want to loose some of the gap between the top of the tire and the wheel well.

What kind of kits am i looking to buy...and what kinda mess am I going to get into if I do it? or should I let a local speed shop do it?

I hate taking it to someone because I like the idea of doing it yourself, you understand more about you car when your done, and i hate labor costs. But i also hate getting a tow truck to drag it to the shop so they can un-screw your screwups...lol

And are performance gains/losses noticable or is it just looks with these kits? and i guess while it is apart is there anything else i should think about doing while i have it torn apart?

tons of questions I know but better now than later i guess.

 

[32v svt]

I lowered my 01 cobra myself,almost identical to the 03.I used the eibach pro kit.With the pro kit you do not have to use camber/caster plates,and still get your car into alighnment.The front is very simple and easy,the rear is not bad but you will need a internal spring compressor.A friend and i droped mine in less than two hours with air tools and two jacks.I would also go with a set of tokico illiumnas,you will love them,but thats my opinion.

 

[GASCOOB]

when i did the raer on friends car i loosened the front bolts where lower control arms should be attach to body. took shocks loose check for wires being to short like the ABS sensors. take back bolts out where quad shocks normally bolt while supported with jack and lower the whole rear suspenion. was able to do without spring compresser on the front i drop the lower control from inside at k-member disconnet swaybar i don't even take tires off

 

[Friedchicken]

What I am going to do is have 12mm to 14mm IRS bolt swap, MM IRS bushings installed and then get Steeda super sports springs done while the IRS is down.

Steeda should lower the car 1 1/4" or a bit less. H&R sport springs will lower at least 1 1/2" and will be a pain on anything close to a daily driver.

This is not something I would do myself even for just springs, but I have very little patience when it comes to it.

 

[bobrammer]

Mods feedback.

What I am going to do is have 12mm to 14mm IRS bolt swap, MM IRS bushings installed and then get Steeda super sports springs done while the IRS is down.

Steeda should lower the car 1 1/4" or a bit less. H&R sport springs will lower at least 1 1/2" and will be a pain on anything close to a daily driver.

This is not something I would do myself even for just springs, but I have very little patience when it comes to it.

Hi: I've recently bought an 04 Cobra. I noticed you have some mods that I was considering. What do you think of the Bassani? Is it so loud that you become a cop magnet? What about the Predator? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, Bobrammer

 

[Friedchicken]

bobrammer, congrads on your new snake.

I only have the x-pipe with cats and it doesn't make the sound louder, but more tuned. It's a definiate with the 4v engines as for as mid pipe. I am going to be getting the borla stingers which I hear are loud when you get on it... but in a nice way I am also going with a new cold air intake --> http://www.modularfords.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9011

These 2 mods give you the most hp/$$ around right now.

I couldn't do without the Predator. Even the stock performance tune helped wake up the car. Plus it saved me from buying MILs and a traction control shutoff. It aslo cleared codes that my x-pipe was giving me and allows me to make simple changes to cooling fans, base idle and 100 other things.

Not to mention that when/if I go with an upgraded pulley, I don't need to send a chip away every time I make a new mod. It's more stealth than a chip cause it plugs right into the computer port under the dash instead of the PCM port on the EEC.

Anyway, drive that car easy till the second oil change to let the driveline and other components break in properly. Plan on taking the car in the odd time for little stuff that the dealership should take care of no hassle.

Cheers!

 

[Miklowcic]

...

I wouldn't do it because its already easy to bottom the car out pulling into any parking lot or driveway. You only scrape that front black piece but it looks like asssss once you do...

Also when I lowered my 01 GT the ride got harsh especially if I had a passenger. The 03 CObra is already a nice stiff ride. I would be afraid it would get real harsh if you comprimised the suspension...

I dont really know anything about it except for my experience with my 01.

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

I don't know what you guys used to drive, but the 03 Cobra feels soft to me.
It sits too high and sways too much.
Upgraded springs are a definite necessity....but that's just me...an old school import autocross guy.

Also, regarding the Predator......I would use one if you gave it to me!
That AFR is so whacked and timing numbers are so whacked I can't believe they call it "tuning".

 

[BZ's_03_SVT]

Even if it was just a rear drop to tighten up the ride and make it looked more "haunched". I just dont know what parts i need....i read all the mustang mags and see all kinds of suspention stuff but have no clue as to what setup does what....

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

WHOA WHOA WHOA!

I meant that I ~~WOULDN'T~~ use a Predator if you gave it to me.
phew.....

=o)

 

[Friedchicken]

There is nothing stopping you from having them change the stock performance tune to something that fits your cars specific setup.

Any chip could be "on" or "off" with respect to the tune of your car. No two cars are identical, why write off a product because it wasn't a perfect tune out of the box?

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

Apparrently Fried Chicken doesn't know me =o)

I would never have anyone do anything that I can do myself much more effectively.

 

[Friedchicken]

Apparrently Fried Chicken doesn't know me =o)

I would never have anyone do anything that I can do myself much more effectively.

True, I don't know your backend experience. But so does everyone new to the site reading your comments how you wouldn't use it if it was given to ya.

Not a flame, it was just a bit inflammatory

 

[grey03cobra]

Just thought I'd throw in my .02.

I have the STEEDA Competition springs which dropped my car about 1 inch up front and rear. I also had the bumpsteer kit and X-2 ball joint installed along with caster camber plates (you will need caster camber plates if you lower your Cobra, otherwise the inside of your front tires will wear faster than the outside). I have no issues with the car dragging (speedbumps can be a problem if they are overly tall, however I don't drag at all if I drive over them at an angle). You won't need the bumpsteer kit, I had to get that installed because the offset steering rack bushings would push my steering column into my headers, and I decided while Steeda had my car I let them go crazy on the suspension.

The X-2 ball joint is a good idea (along with the bumpsteer kit), but not neccesary. It helps put everything back in the right geometry after lowering the car.

Overall I am very pleased with how my car sits and drives. With the installation of the springs and polyeurethane bushings all around, I no longer have any wheel hop on my street tires.

Most shops only charge around $150 to install springs. It's worth it in my opinion, I don't have to deal with it, and they have a lift and all the right tools and besides, if it is a good shop they will back up their work.

Here is a picture of how my car sits with the springs.

 

[BZ's_03_SVT]

That is one sweet set-up you have there. Almost exactly what i want to do to mine. (only 1400 miles on it, not ready to void the warrenty yet though...lol.)

Thanks for the info, thats exactly what i needed to see and hear to know what direction to head-in.

Nice times and MPH too.... gonna try for the high 10 sec mark ?

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

...

True, I don't know your backend experience. But so does everyone new to the site reading your comments how you wouldn't use it if it was given to ya.

Not a flame, it was just a bit inflammatory

Inflammatory!
I love it!
I'll have to use that one...... =o)

What would I do with a predator.....hmmmmmm
That's a good question.
I think I would hang it off the shower head by it's programing cable and tell people it's my shower clock radio.....cuz it sure as hell wouldn't come within 1000FT of my car!

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

...

True, I don't know your backend experience. But so does everyone new to the site reading your comments how you wouldn't use it if it was given to ya.

Not a flame, it was just a bit inflammatory

Inflammatory!
I love it!
I'll have to use that one...... =o)

What would I do with a predator.....hmmmmmm
That's a good question.
I think I would hang it off the shower head by it's programing cable and tell people it's my shower clock radio.....cuz it sure as hell wouldn't come within 1000FT of my car!

 

[grey03cobra]

That is one sweet set-up you have there. Almost exactly what i want to do to mine. (only 1400 miles on it, not ready to void the warrenty yet though...lol.)

Thanks for the info, thats exactly what i needed to see and hear to know what direction to head-in.

Nice times and MPH too.... gonna try for the high 10 sec mark ?

I should be in the 10's by April, that is when I'm getting my Kenne-Bell installed.