Buying A 1997 Procharged Cobra

G

gvignoli

New Member

Jul 25, 2017

8

0

1

Jul 25, 2017

#1

• Jul 25, 2017

• #1

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums and I was looking for some help. I'm considering buying a 1997 cobra with around 100k miles. The seller says he bought it about from an older guy who had a procharger installed by roush. The car reportedly has a port and polish, 3.73 gears, new clutch and is tuned for 6-8 psi. The motor is also claimed to be "rebuit" but no documentation on what was actually done. The seller claims there is no records about the install. But. I am inclined to believe him because theres a sticker on the inside of the gas door saying "super charged, premium fuel only". Is there a way to look up roush installations. Also, in a worst case scenario if the engine was not built to handle the horsepower, is it a ticking time bomb? I took the car for a ride and it pulls really hard, it seems like a professional install as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the help!

 

robertsa

Well-Known Member

Apr 22, 2017

159

44

58

San Antonio

Jul 25, 2017

#2

• Jul 25, 2017

• #2

If there's no documentation, it didn't happen.

How much are they asking for it?

 

G

gvignoli

New Member

Jul 25, 2017

8

0

1

Jul 26, 2017

#3

• Jul 26, 2017

• #3

He wants $10,000 but I could probably negotiate s little.

 

robertsa

Well-Known Member

Apr 22, 2017

159

44

58

San Antonio

Jul 26, 2017

#4

• Jul 26, 2017

• #4

For $10k, I would buy a GT and then modify it. You don't know how much that one has been beat on. It's your money though; do as you see fit.

 

G

gvignoli

New Member

Jul 25, 2017

8

0

1

Jul 26, 2017

#5

• Jul 26, 2017

• #5

robertsa said:

For $10k, I would buy a GT and then modify it. You don't know how much that one has been beat on. It's your money though; do as you see fit.

Click to expand...

I agree that I don't know how much it was beat on. And honestly the guy sorta drives it like it's stolen. But I have considered just modifying a GT. But I have moved away from a garage and all my tools. So I was trying to get into something that didn't require a ton of work for now.

 

G

gvignoli

New Member

Jul 25, 2017

8

0

1

Jul 26, 2017

#6

• Jul 26, 2017

• #6

robertsa said:

For $10k, I would buy a GT and then modify it. You don't know how much that one has been beat on. It's your money though; do as you see fit.

Click to expand...

I agree that I don't know how much it was beat on. And honestly the guy sorta drives it like it's stolen. But I have considered just modifying a GT. But I have moved away from a garage and all my tools. So I was trying to get into something that didn't require a ton of work for now.

 

Neuron

5 Year Member

Nov 6, 2016

859

192

93

Jul 26, 2017

#7

• Jul 26, 2017

• #7

The main problem areas are the cracked rods of sintered metal and cast pistons, the crank is forged and the block is bullet proof Teksid. At that boost you should be OK as long as there is NO detonation and you keep the oil full and clean, cannot stress that enough. No guarantees though because most people will forge the engine before big power adders, for a street car that doesn't get beat on like racing does it isn't necessary but nice for peace of mind. I would start saving to forge it later on if there is no documentation of the rebuild, could get lucky and it was forged during the"rebuild". I would think Roush has records but probably under the sellers name.

 

B

blackgt460

Active Member

Jun 3, 2003

109

21

28

South East Pennsylvania

Jul 26, 2017

#8

• Jul 26, 2017

• #8

If 10K is your budget I'd buy the newest new edge you can that's in decent shape. Say 6K purchase and 4K into restoration, appearance, and performance mods. Or possibly a 99-01 Cobra? They can be had for around your budget.

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

2,266

364

164

Joplin, Missouri

Jul 26, 2017

#9

• Jul 26, 2017

• #9

Talk him down to 8k and drive it like you stole it.

 

G

gvignoli

New Member

Jul 25, 2017

8

0

1

Jul 27, 2017

#10

• Jul 27, 2017

• #10

squeak93 said:

Talk him down to 8k and drive it like you stole it.

Click to expand...

I was thinking this exact same thing.

I appreciate all the replies. And thanks Neuron for the tech info, that really helped. I have a stretch price of 15k that I would spend for a Terminator with probably around 100k miles. In your opinions, considering I will be buying either car with a small loan. Would you guys invest in a Terminator or spend less money to get a gt or older cobra knowing it won't bring the same money on resale?

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

2,266

364

164

Joplin, Missouri

Jul 27, 2017

#11

• Jul 27, 2017

• #11

Termi hands down.

 

Reactions: LarsD

LarsD

Founding Member

Jul 2, 2002

2,680

119

123

Texas

Jul 27, 2017

#12

• Jul 27, 2017

• #12

gvignoli said:

I was thinking this exact same thing.

I appreciate all the replies. And thanks Neuron for the tech info, that really helped. I have a stretch price of 15k that I would spend for a Terminator with probably around 100k miles. In your opinions, considering I will be buying either car with a small loan. Would you guys invest in a Terminator or spend less money to get a gt or older cobra knowing it won't bring the same money on resale?

Click to expand...

03/04 Cobra for sure.

 

B

blackgt460

Active Member

Jun 3, 2003

109

21

28

South East Pennsylvania

Jul 27, 2017

#13

• Jul 27, 2017

• #13

If your budget is allowing higher mileage terminators I'd go that route a million times over.

 

Neuron

5 Year Member

Nov 6, 2016

859

192

93

Jul 28, 2017

#14

• Jul 28, 2017

• #14

Terminator if your budget allows. You can even throw on a smaller pulley and get a tune and even more HP. Only two downsides(my brother owns one) over a '98 (he owned previously); more weight from cast iron block and supercharger etc and the turning circle was even larger(275-40 9" rims vs 245-45 8"rims). The leather is a little better quality and the IRS makes handling on the road(not drag strip) much, much better. I know NA cars can go 200K easily not sure of the Termi's. A lot of bang for the buck and it is all factory installed and proven.