Just got a 04 SVT...some questions

[kinzli]

Hey folks, I posted yesterday some questions about perhaps buying a new SVT Cobra. Well, we did buy one

Anyhow, I have some questions...

First, we drove two of them back to back at the dealer, a silver one and a redfire one. The silver one we drove first and loved it. It just felt good. Then we drove the redfire one and it felt as if something was lacking. My wife (It's her car, seriously) noticed it first and said something just didn't quite feel correct. Then I drove it and confirmed. The thing was, that no matter how hard you got on it, in any gear, the boost guage would only hit 2-3, whereas the silver one got up to 8 easily. The red car didn't feel like it had near as much power, either. Anyhow, that made the decision a lot easier and we're happy with the silver one.

Has anyone else noticed this much difference between cars? It was enough to notice a difference in power, so that's significant in my book.

Next, in first gear, when taking off from a stop, there's a "grinding" noise, for lack of a better term. I noticed in both cars, so I'm guessing it's normal. I seem to remember it in older mustangs I have driven as well (like '90's model year cars).

Lastly, the silver car that we picked had the little SVT team laminated page in it that said that some cars (this one) are tested by the SVT team for quality assurance. Do they put that in all the cars?

Anyhow, it's a fun car, and it really is for my wife's 36th birthday (today). She's worried that folks think she's having a mid-life crisis, but honestly I'm looking forward to driving the car some too

Thanks for the help...

 

[Uncle Meat]

Anyhow, I have some questions...

First, we drove two of them back to back at the dealer, a silver one and a redfire one. The silver one we drove first and loved it. It just felt good. Then we drove the redfire one and it felt as if something was lacking. My wife (It's her car, seriously) noticed it first and said something just didn't quite feel correct. Then I drove it and confirmed. The thing was, that no matter how hard you got on it, in any gear, the boost guage would only hit 2-3, whereas the silver one got up to 8 easily.

How many miles were on the Redfire Cobra? The computer in these cars restricts the amount of boost for the first 25 cycles of the key. It's very possible the Redfire was so new it hadn't cycled through a full 25 key cycles yet and was still running in "Restrictive" mode. Ford does this to prevent initial abuse... There may have been nothing wrong with that car...

Next, in first gear, when taking off from a stop, there's a "grinding" noise, for lack of a better term. I noticed in both cars, so I'm guessing it's normal. I seem to remember it in older mustangs I have driven as well (like '90's model year cars).

No grinding noise from my car when taking off from 1st gear. Can you be a little more descriptive about what you're hearing please?

Lastly, the silver car that we picked had the little SVT team laminated page in it that said that some cars (this one) are tested by the SVT team for quality assurance. Do they put that in all the cars?

No they don't! That means your Cobra was taken for a little "Test Drive" while still in Fords possession at the factory. They select a few cars out of the batch to take on test drives for quality control checks. This may be why the silver Cobra had more power than the Redfire... it had already made it though its "Restrictive" 25 key-cycles.

U.M.

 

[Viperone]

I agree. The cars are also mileage sensative with the boost. Its 25 or 30 key cycles or 45(I believe it is 45) miles on the Odometer whichever comes first. The grinding does not sound right so take it in and have it looked at. Enjoy your new car cuz I know I am.

 

[TheXman10]

The grinding your hearing while in first gear is probably transmission noise..........

 

[bunny_power]

no idea what the grinding may have been, but the boost/key thing is like everyone already mentioned.... since your car was "tested" just keep an eye on the rear end for any leaks, some people have found that their cars were "tested" pretty vigorously.

On a completely unrelated note, why do women love silver cars? My wife's car is silver, and just about every woman at her office has silver car too. Strangeness...

 

[Beetle6986]

I just purchased an 04 Cobra about a month ago. I have the grinding noise also in first gear. just let the clutch out a bit slower or take off a little easier and it wont do it. I have two mustang GTs and never hear them make the noise. After about 500 miles I dont hear the noise anymore. I think I've just adjusted to my driving to match the car better. Same thing with the jerking of the drive train while shifting. After about 500 miles I was used to driving the car and it didn't occur anymore.

By the way anybody looking for a Mustang GT. I'm selling a 97 with 18,XXX mile on it.

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

How many miles were on the Redfire Cobra? The computer in these cars restricts the amount of boost for the first 25 cycles of the key. It's very possible the Redfire was so new it hadn't cycled through a full 25 key cycles yet and was still running in "Restrictive" mode. Ford does this to prevent initial abuse... There may have been nothing wrong with that car...

No grinding noise from my car when taking off from 1st gear. Can you be a little more descriptive about what you're hearing please?

No they don't! That means your Cobra was taken for a little "Test Drive" while still in Fords possession at the factory. They select a few cars out of the batch to take on test drives for quality control checks. This may be why the silver Cobra had more power than the Redfire... it had already made it though its "Restrictive" 25 key-cycles.

U.M.

I agree with the key cycles. Drive the redfire for awhile and it will wake up.
My car was a dog for the first couple hundred mils and didn't really wake up untin 1,000 miles and it loosened up a little.

Maybe the grinding noise is the chattering sound all of these cars make while learning how to drive it from a dead stop? If you don't move your feet correctly, it will chatter....no big deal.

 

[Lawman85]

I think the grinding sound may be your synchro's in the transmission. Pretty common, all of my mustangs had that. It sounds like it's coming from under the shift boot and center console. That's my only guess.

 

[95GTS]

How many miles were on the Redfire Cobra? The computer in these cars restricts the amount of boost for the first 25 cycles of the key. It's very possible the Redfire was so new it hadn't cycled through a full 25 key cycles yet and was still running in "Restrictive" mode. Ford does this to prevent initial abuse... There may have been nothing wrong with that car...


U.M.

I test drove my Cobra with 3 miles on it and it hit full boost the first time I gunned it and every time since. I've also read on the net (we all know everything we read on the net is 100% true ) that the cycle time is BS. Maybe it's possible that 25 cycles were done in 3 miles on my car, I don't know. Not a big deal but maybe there was something more to the issues of that Redfire. Of course I've also read that Refire Cobra's are the slowest

 

[Snake03]

Of course I've also read that Refire Cobra's are the slowest

Oh, they sure are.....but only the 03's. The 04 Redfire coupes are the baddest of the bad.

 

[Vic_Ferrari]

I test drove my Cobra with 3 miles on it and it hit full boost the first time I gunned it and every time since. I've also read on the net (we all know everything we read on the net is 100% true ) that the cycle time is BS. Maybe it's possible that 25 cycles were done in 3 miles on my car, I don't know. Not a big deal but maybe there was something more to the issues of that Redfire. Of course I've also read that Refire Cobra's are the slowest

Local guy:
03 Redfire
Air filter, 2.8 upper, catback, aptens, superchips inc tune
11.40 @123
315 nitto drag radials, stock rims.

 

[Uncle Meat]

Maybe it's possible that 25 cycles were done in 3 miles on my car, I don't know.

Very possible... maybe the engine was started numerous times, but the car was never actually driven? I've seen lot rats do some strange things with new cars....

U.M.

 

[95GTS]

Local guy:
03 Redfire
Air filter, 2.8 upper, catback, aptens, superchips inc tune
11.40 @123
315 nitto drag radials, stock rims.

I hope you didn't think I was serious about the Redfire's Vic. Regardless, great times for the local Redfire guy.