I own a 96 Cobra. I'm fairly certain it needs a new radiator. If so, should I stick with aluminum? I'm quite familiar with Fluidyne, but they're a bit pricey. I've seen many ads for ones in the $200 range (e.g., Be Cool, Jegs). Am I safe with one of these (and Water Wetter or Purple Ice)? Also, are iridium spark-plugs worth the money? What's their advantage? How do they compare to platinum?
radiators and spark-plugs
- Thread starter therzl
- Start date
COBRA90GT
Mustang Master
How do you know that your cobra needs a new radiator? 
What is wrong with your cooling system? Is there a blockage in your radiator or does your radiator have a leak?
Did your '96 receive the cooling TSB/fix back in the day as well? 1996 cobras had a "cooling fix" issued - check to see if yours had "the fix."
If you do buy one of those "universal" fit radiators from Jegs (or whoever), make sure it is within dimension - or you may need to do some custom fab work to make it fit right.
The factory 03/04 radiator (if it will fit your application) might be a cost effective replacement as well??? But, it might only fit the 99-04 model though ??? Check that out before you buy one.
Also, Absolute Radiator had decent pricing on Fluidynes when I was price shopping for radiators a few years back - Absolute Radiator Home Page Give them a call and ask.
Regarding the sparkplug options, if you don't want to change out plugs very often, then you can install platinums. Platinum plugs aren't super pricey and their main advantage is low maintenance (which is why you see them as factory equipment on many cars nowadays - the owner doesn't have to change them out for "100,000" miles - generally speaking; although that guideline doesn't really apply to car enthusiasts - LOL).
I prefer copper plugs - very good performance at a low price. A quality copper plug will go a long ways - especially because changing plugs on our modular engines is a very easy task.
I'm not a big fan of the high dollar sparkplugs - many others swear by them and love them. As with anything, make sure you do your comparison shopping/research first.
I haven't personally seen any significant performance increases with Iridium/etc plugs over the tried and true copper plugs. If you find (objective) data that says otherwise, and your wallet can stand the price, then go ahead and splurge on the latest and greatest, state of the art sparkplugs.
With your '96 you may want to replace the plug wires as well btw - it's a fairly common culprit when others have experienced spark/ignition problems.
What is wrong with your cooling system? Is there a blockage in your radiator or does your radiator have a leak? Did your '96 receive the cooling TSB/fix back in the day as well? 1996 cobras had a "cooling fix" issued - check to see if yours had "the fix."
If you do buy one of those "universal" fit radiators from Jegs (or whoever), make sure it is within dimension - or you may need to do some custom fab work to make it fit right.
The factory 03/04 radiator (if it will fit your application) might be a cost effective replacement as well??? But, it might only fit the 99-04 model though ??? Check that out before you buy one.
Also, Absolute Radiator had decent pricing on Fluidynes when I was price shopping for radiators a few years back - Absolute Radiator Home Page Give them a call and ask.
Regarding the sparkplug options, if you don't want to change out plugs very often, then you can install platinums. Platinum plugs aren't super pricey and their main advantage is low maintenance (which is why you see them as factory equipment on many cars nowadays - the owner doesn't have to change them out for "100,000" miles - generally speaking; although that guideline doesn't really apply to car enthusiasts - LOL).
I prefer copper plugs - very good performance at a low price. A quality copper plug will go a long ways - especially because changing plugs on our modular engines is a very easy task.
I'm not a big fan of the high dollar sparkplugs - many others swear by them and love them. As with anything, make sure you do your comparison shopping/research first.
I haven't personally seen any significant performance increases with Iridium/etc plugs over the tried and true copper plugs. If you find (objective) data that says otherwise, and your wallet can stand the price, then go ahead and splurge on the latest and greatest, state of the art sparkplugs.
With your '96 you may want to replace the plug wires as well btw - it's a fairly common culprit when others have experienced spark/ignition problems.
I have a 96 with a custom built radiator from a local Mt. Clemens rad shop. They cloned it to the Steeda rad. It's been in there for 5 years. All aluminum core and tanks. My car has a blower and it still runs cool as hell. Don't go cheap on a rad. Get a Steeda or Fluidyne.
Spark plugs....get some Motorcrafts and call it a day. Don't waste your money on the fancy stuff.
Spark plugs....get some Motorcrafts and call it a day. Don't waste your money on the fancy stuff.
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