Should I swap my SVT Cobra for supercharged Fox?

traveller816 · Jul 18, 2010

Hi Guys,

A question that may test a few allegiences.... I'm in the UK and have a low miles, '96 Cobra, stock other than being 2 inch lower on eibach springs.... i've just been offered a 1990 Fox LX with a Vortec bolted on... spec is as below, i'd be interested in opinions, how much can the 302 handle with stock internals, can the trans. handle the power? I think they've got T5's in them right? The gear head in me gets a hard on when i hear words like supercharger etc etc and i'm sure I'm not the only one!!! Anyway email is below, opinions please, and thanks in advance:

Best wishes, Saul

Hi Saul,

The car was mostly modified in the States, and although i don't have a dyno sheet, i got the numbers from the paper work that came with the car.. but i can safely say that judging from the other cars i've been around it seems accurate, this is a very quick car.. paper work says 420hp/380lbs torque @4000rpm

Modification are..

Vortech V1 supercharger making 8psi boost
B303 Blower Cam shaft
76mm C&L Mass Air Flow/ 30 lbs injectors to match
67mm EGR spacer
High flow throttle body
JBA adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Hi flow in-tank fuel pump
GT-40 upper and lower Hi flow Intake Manifold
Roller Rockers
TFS Heads
JBA shorty Exhaust headers
Limited slip, 3.55:1 Gears with an LPW Ultimate 8.8 Brace Diff Cover
Hurst Shifter
Transmission is a 5 speed from a 92 mustang as they have stronger internals
Heavy duty Desert Cooler Rad
Eibach Sportline Springs

Mileage is 68000

CDQICKGT · Jul 18, 2010

traveller816 said:
Hi Guys,

A question that may test a few allegiences.... I'm in the UK and have a low miles, '96 Cobra, stock other than being 2 inch lower on eibach springs.... i've just been offered a 1990 Fox LX with a Vortec bolted on... spec is as below, i'd be interested in opinions, how much can the 302 handle with stock internals, can the trans. handle the power? I think they've got T5's in them right? The gear head in me gets a hard on when i hear words like supercharger etc etc and i'm sure I'm not the only one!!! Anyway email is below, opinions please, and thanks in advance:

Best wishes, Saul

Hi Saul,

The car was mostly modified in the States, and although i don't have a dyno sheet, i got the numbers from the paper work that came with the car.. but i can safely say that judging from the other cars i've been around it seems accurate, this is a very quick car.. paper work says 420hp/380lbs torque @4000rpm

Modification are..

Vortech V1 supercharger making 8psi boost
B303 Blower Cam shaft
76mm C&L Mass Air Flow/ 30 lbs injectors to match
67mm EGR spacer
High flow throttle body
JBA adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Hi flow in-tank fuel pump
GT-40 upper and lower Hi flow Intake Manifold
Roller Rockers
TFS Heads
JBA shorty Exhaust headers
Limited slip, 3.55:1 Gears with an LPW Ultimate 8.8 Brace Diff Cover
Hurst Shifter
Transmission is a 5 speed from a 92 mustang as they have stronger internals
Heavy duty Desert Cooler Rad
Eibach Sportline Springs

Mileage is 68000

old_blue · Jul 18, 2010

I would say no. I love foxes a but toss a sc on your cobra and be done with it. Not knowing anything than what he told you is on paper doesnt help you much either. If you really want it do all your homework and get the fox checked out by a mechanic. And the T5 does handle the abuse of a stock fox but a sc one then you may need to upgrade depending on your driving habits. Also is this a DD? some will argue but at 68000 and a ac you need to look at the up keep of a 20 yr old car with a sc.

95BlueStallion · Jul 18, 2010

I thought the E303 was more of a blower cam as far as the Ford letter cams went... Also, Ive never heard of the tranny from 1992 being any stronger than other T5's. The power numbers dont seem too far fetched, but I would guess that the B cam wouldnt quite make that much in such a combo. If it runs and drives well, I would trade him. Unless your Cobra is in show room condition with extremely low miles, then I might kick it around a bit longer.

Cobra912 · Jul 18, 2010

Let's see a pic of your car...........

traveller816 · Jul 19, 2010

pictures.... IF THIS WORKS

Two pics of my Cobra, it is quite hard to get a decent picture of it as the paint is so glossy so i've included one taken before i changed to the black rims. will add a couple now of the Fox I've been offered

traveller816 · Jul 19, 2010

and the Fox...

Unable to upload pics of the Fox as over my limit...

NIKwoaC · Jul 19, 2010

That's a damn good looking Cobra.

It is hard to say without seeing the Fox what I'd do... But regardless, what YOU do should be based solely on your OWN wants/needs.

BTW, a stock 5.0 shortblock will RELIABLY handle 450-500rwhp, assuming your tune is spot on and you don't have any vibration issues.

If that car is really making 420rwhp, (which is not unreasonable given the mods), the T5 won't last long if you run it hard.

traveller816 said:
Unable to upload pics of the Fox as over my limit...

Get a photobucket account and post a picture using their img code.

stykthyn · Jul 19, 2010

keep your cobra. Foxes are mechanics toys and being in the UK I can see parts costing you an arm and a leg.

Dino Dino Bambino · Jul 19, 2010

traveller816 said:
Two pics of my Cobra, it is quite hard to get a decent picture of it as the paint is so glossy so i've included one taken before i changed to the black rims. will add a couple now of the Fox I've been offered

You'd have to be stark raving mad to trade in that '96 Cobra for a Fox. Firstly, the 4.6L DOHC 4v engine in the Cobra has the super strong Teksid block that can handle 1000+hp. Secondly, the heads on that engine are arguably the best 4v heads on any Ford 4.6. Thirdly, the sound of that engine as it nears the 6800rpm redline (or indeed at any rpm) is to die for. Fourthly, you can gain a lot of HP by merely swapping out the stock exhaust for long tube headers, a catted midpipe, and catbacks. A handheld tuner will take care of the rest.
Finally, it's a Cobra and that in itself makes it a modern classic. If you don't want to keep it I'll take it off you.

Beasty306GT · Jul 19, 2010

keep the cobra

1987LXragtop · Jul 19, 2010

Keep the Cobra.

traveller816 · Jul 19, 2010

some pics of the Fox

Well thanks for the input and I have to say I agree with pretty much everything you guys are saying:

T5 is the weak link in the Fox's set up for sure, the whole reason Ford went to the T45 was because the T5 was already near it's torque limit with stock 5.0

with that power and 3.55 gears i doubt she'll hit 60 any quicker than 5sec, and probably won't handle as well as the cobra

the sound of the Cobra as she begins to scream betwen 5 & 6000 RPM is absolute to die for, no doubt about that

and ofcourse there are those Cobra badges, and yes that makes her an instant collectable.

Have to say, it was the picture of the engine bay and the thought of that supercharger that got me interested. anyway for those who'd like to see it here are some links...

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/traveller816/Supercharged Fox/fox2.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/traveller816/Supercharged Fox/fox3.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/traveller816/Supercharged Fox/fox5.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/traveller816/Supercharged Fox/fox.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/traveller816/Supercharged Fox/fox7.jpg

1987LXragtop · Jul 19, 2010

Thats a clean fox and the engine bay does make me . Curious about that Hurst badge on the back.Anyone enlighten me?
Unless that fox is something rare then I still say keep your Cobra.

traveller816 · Jul 19, 2010

It has a Hurst shifter, so I guess it's just a badge. I'm not aware of any special editions linked with hurst.... but maybe someone else does?

old_blue · Jul 19, 2010

fox "looks" clean and has a few things going for it. The intake especially seeing how it is a tubular gt40 not just a run of the mill explorer gt40. Shifter still looks a bit tall to be a short throw. I'd keep the cobra still

Mustang5L5 · Jul 19, 2010

Keep cobra

dgollem · Jul 19, 2010

Keep Cobra, Rob Bank, Buy Fox, have both

cenok is family · Jul 20, 2010

that's a clean fox, but keep the cobra.

you can always get another fox for cheap (a bit more for you, but still relatively cheap compared to many other cars).

Notchbck93 · Jul 20, 2010

Here's what I would suggest: Tahell with the rest of the comments.

Drive both cars back to back. This should be your ultimate decesion maker. Either you feel it or you don't; it doesn't get any easier than that.

Speculation and opinions = $0

All of the kings men could be behind you, but if you don't feel it...all the justification in the world won't ease your troubled mind.

Should I swap my SVT Cobra for supercharged Fox?

traveller816

New Member

CDQICKGT

New Member

old_blue

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself

Cobra912

Active Member

traveller816

New Member

Attachments

traveller816

New Member

NIKwoaC

中國製造

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

Dino Dino Bambino

Beasty306GT

Active Member

1987LXragtop

Member

traveller816

New Member

1987LXragtop

Member

traveller816

New Member

old_blue

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

dgollem

cenok is family

Notchbck93

New Member

Similar threads

Should I swap my SVT Cobra for supercharged Fox?

New Member

New Member

My assy trans to myself

Active Member

New Member

Attachments

New Member

中國製造

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

Active Member

Member

New Member

Member

New Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency