76 Mustang Cobra

[tboshearz]

Hey everyone,

I owned a 5.0 mustang for about 6 months before selling it... and now im looking to buy a 76 Mustang Cobra...

This car is in nearly perfect condition except for the motor, it was being restored and they halted on the process and are selling it, (family friend).

My question is, it has a newly rebuilt carbed 289 in it... and it still needs to be put together some to run, as in hoses and the radiator...

Are these motors able to be beefed up fairly easy at all? What would I need to start looking for to get a little bit of pep out this motor.... if anyone has any suggestions or comments they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tyler

 

[6Stang7]

Well, the 289 is pretty much the same as a 5.0 motor (the 5.0 is efi with a roller cam and different web casting on the block, but still it is basiclly the same). A good place to start is a crab and intake swap. If it is a 2bbl set up, then stwiching over a 4bbl is a great place to start. Even if it is the stock cast iron 4bbl, getting a alum intake with an aftermarket carb will result in some more ponies. Headers and new exhuast is also another great place. If you can deal with more involved stuff, then a call to comp cams to talk about getting a new cam will give the most improvement.

 

[bnickel]

if you know anyone that has a good used 5.0 roller long block i'd go that route personally, could be built much stouter than the 289 unless it is a hi-po 289. also was that car an original v8 car? if not do they have all the correct v8 swap parts? there are a ton of different parts for the v8 specific cars, motor mounts, frame brackets, exhaust, starters all of the accessories, radiator, oil pan, exhaust manifolds or headers are all v8 specific to the mustang II. if they have all of the correct parts go or it those are wicked little cars when they're hopped up, they're light and the M II suspension in a M II is a great setup, i had a 78 coupe with just the 2.3, auto, ac, ps and that car could go around corners like nobody's business, it couldn't get out of it's own way on acceleration though since it was a 4 banger, but it was still about the most fun little car i've ever owned. whatever you decide good luck you might also want to check out the mustang II section of the forums, those guys know their stuff when it comes to the M II, they also have their own parts section too for all the hard to find stuff for those cars

 

[Mstng2]

The engines (302) in the mustang II can be beefed just as easy as in most other stangs. You just need to make sure you retain the factory V8 parts as mentioned in the above posts. Also do check out the Mustang II forum here at stang-net. Headers are a bit of a challenge but are available for the II as well. The Mustang II, especially Cobra's, are rapidly gaining popularity. I have seen them go for as high as $17,000.00 on e-bay. I consider them to be a very good investment and super fun. When you take em to the shows you get lots of compliments! These little cars can be as mild or WILD! as you want. I prefer WILD! best of luck and catch ya on the II board.

 

[tboshearz]

whoa, 17k??? i'm buying it for 1000 dollars because they don't really know anything about it and just want it out of their shed... are all the Mustang II's fairly valuable restored or is it mainly the cobras?

Thanks, Tyler

 

[Mstng2]

Mainly Cobras and King Cobras, The one that went for 17K was spotless top to bottom undercarriage and all. It was completly customized, roll cage engine etc. excellent stock or slighlty modded go from 3K to 14K. If its that good it's a steal at 1K, you could triple your money instantly on ebay, but why? Keep it and have a sweet ride!

PS If you dont get it could you please contact me? I would love to restore a second Cobra. "Please?" Thanks, John
[email protected]

 

[Mstng2]

Any updates? Did you buy it?
Oh and check this one out, 11K! follow this thread...
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=489796