Total Newbie.. Need advice

virginCobra · 09-28-2003, 12:45 AM

OK, just bought my first car with more than 4 cylinders.. Seriously, no lie.. only owned small engine cars.. I just picked up a 2001 Cobra. Did a lot of research and this was the best looking / best power for the money.

Now I am absolutely infatuated. My car, however, is bone stock. After reading all the information on this site, I am very interested in some tweaking. (B/T/W the information here is somewhat priceless to a newbie)

My first guess is exhaust upgrade? But should I do it myself (fairly inclined with lots of tools)? What the hell one do I buy? I want GREAT SOUND + some additional horse..

What next.. I have 2 kids so money is not endless. I do, however, have some extra cash..

I always but the HAYES manual with all my cars and do most of the maintenance myself, but I haven't seen anything available for this car.. Any ideas here?

Basically, I need my starter kit.. I really appreciate any help anyone offers. My main goal with this car is to enjoy driving it.. I want a beefy sound with excellent looks (I am almost there now).. I have never been to a track but I think I will be soon :-)

Roar, I think I'll sleep in my pony tonight.

Later.. and thanx again..

the Neub

**97whitevert** · 09-28-2003, 09:22 AM

congrats on the car!!! You will find that people are more than willing to help here! ( just let them wake up first! )

**cobrabitn** · 09-28-2003, 10:57 AM

VirginCobra,

Congrats on the new purchase! Here is my advice to you as far as your new purchase goes.

A) New gears should be the first thing you do
B) New exhaust and underdrive pulleys
C)cold air kit
D) Join SCMC and get in on our annual group purchase from Houston Performance as well as go to events in your area.

You live in Albany and MA, is just a hop, skip and a jump from you. You can certainly make our shows, autocrosses, and meets with fellow New England members.

Enjoy the bulletin board!

Svt50Cobra · 10-06-2003, 11:06 PM

Congrats on the new purchase I hope you enjoy your 01 Cobra I am sure you will, and I am sure you will enjoy this site I am also a newbie here but everyone has been more than helpful. Eddie

2KWhiteSnake · 10-06-2003, 11:33 PM

I have an 01' also. My mods are below.

www.densecharger.com is where I got my CAI. It is extremely popular because it comes with a K&N filter and is functional, yet cheap.

My exhaust is extremely loud (in the sig below), but I picked up about 12hp from that combination alone.

Underdrive pulleys are a must.

As Tony said, gears are the biggest all around bang for the buck. Throw some 4:10's in that baby if you aren't planning on using it for open track duty. If that's the case, just throw some 3:73's in it.

I dyno'd 303rwhp/301tq with the mods I have below.

I have a diablo chip for sale for the 01's if you want to buy it. I'm going to get a custom dyno tune done soon and don't need it anymore.

Hope this helps....

Private message me any time if you have any other questions.

Welcome aboard!!!!!!!!

Craig

svtpower · 10-24-2003, 05:29 AM

wow i know how u feel i just purchased my 96 cobra two months ago and i love it. Def. my first purchase was a set of gears i put 3.73s in mine and runs real strong and is not to bad on gas.Everyone here at scmc is very eager to help so dont hessitate to ask any questiones because you will get help. oh and enjoy the cobra

rpalmer · 10-24-2003, 04:28 PM

I'll buck the trend and suggest the very first mod should be an aftermarket shifter, either Steeda Tri-Ax or Pro-5.0.

Gets rid of the slop and makes a world of difference. Much more positive shifting.

  -RP

Hazman · 10-24-2003, 05:16 PM

I with you RP!!
Pro 5.0 shifter - don't want to miss a shift
Rear gears - you won't believe the difference
under drive pullies - more ponies
off-road H pipe - more ponies more sound
MM full length subframes - you will feel these on the track open track that is!!

If you like to work on them your self you should be able to do everything except the gears (experts only) and maybe the subframe since it requires welding.

Good luck, be safe, have fun!!!

09-28-2003, 12:45 AM	#1
virginCobra Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 19	Total Newbie.. Need advice OK, just bought my first car with more than 4 cylinders.. Seriously, no lie.. only owned small engine cars.. I just picked up a 2001 Cobra. Did a lot of research and this was the best looking / best power for the money. Now I am absolutely infatuated. My car, however, is bone stock. After reading all the information on this site, I am very interested in some tweaking. (B/T/W the information here is somewhat priceless to a newbie) My first guess is exhaust upgrade? But should I do it myself (fairly inclined with lots of tools)? What the hell one do I buy? I want GREAT SOUND + some additional horse.. What next.. I have 2 kids so money is not endless. I do, however, have some extra cash.. I always but the HAYES manual with all my cars and do most of the maintenance myself, but I haven't seen anything available for this car.. Any ideas here? Basically, I need my starter kit.. I really appreciate any help anyone offers. My main goal with this car is to enjoy driving it.. I want a beefy sound with excellent looks (I am almost there now).. I have never been to a track but I think I will be soon :-) Roar, I think I'll sleep in my pony tonight. Later.. and thanx again.. the Neub

09-28-2003, 09:22 AM	#2
97whitevert well, maybe.... Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: anywhere, everywhere....NC Posts: 11,730	congrats on the car!!! You will find that people are more than willing to help here! ( just let them wake up first! ) __________________ Lisa 97 white convertible #99 Born on 1/28/97 03 sonic blue coupe #323 Born on 6/4/02 86 SVO Mustang track beast- The older brother of the SVT ! 99 green BAT 95 laser red F150 06 sonic blue Escape "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -- Mahatma Gandhi

09-28-2003, 10:57 AM	#3
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	VirginCobra, Congrats on the new purchase! Here is my advice to you as far as your new purchase goes. A) New gears should be the first thing you do B) New exhaust and underdrive pulleys C)cold air kit D) Join SCMC and get in on our annual group purchase from Houston Performance as well as go to events in your area. You live in Albany and MA, is just a hop, skip and a jump from you. You can certainly make our shows, autocrosses, and meets with fellow New England members. Enjoy the bulletin board! __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

10-06-2003, 11:06 PM	#4
Svt50Cobra Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 22	congrats Congrats on the new purchase I hope you enjoy your 01 Cobra I am sure you will, and I am sure you will enjoy this site I am also a newbie here but everyone has been more than helpful. Eddie __________________ Thanks Svt50Cobra 86 Gt Teal Supercharged 306 91 Gt Blue/Titanium 93 Coupe Teal 5.0 93 Gt Convertible Triple Black 93 Cobra Vibrant Red 93 Cobra Black 95 Rio Red Cobra Stock Build #1536 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra Build #6426

10-06-2003, 11:33 PM	#5
2KWhiteSnake Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lancaster, SC Posts: 588	I have an 01' also. My mods are below. www.densecharger.com is where I got my CAI. It is extremely popular because it comes with a K&N filter and is functional, yet cheap. My exhaust is extremely loud (in the sig below), but I picked up about 12hp from that combination alone. Underdrive pulleys are a must. As Tony said, gears are the biggest all around bang for the buck. Throw some 4:10's in that baby if you aren't planning on using it for open track duty. If that's the case, just throw some 3:73's in it. I dyno'd 303rwhp/301tq with the mods I have below. I have a diablo chip for sale for the 01's if you want to buy it. I'm going to get a custom dyno tune done soon and don't need it anymore. Hope this helps.... Private message me any time if you have any other questions. Welcome aboard!!!!!!!! Craig __________________ 2001 White Cobra Coupe 406RWHP/365tq with less than 5 miles on motor/ALL N/A!!! 5.0 Big Bore block by Modular Performance Engine built by Lester Lesneski at Performance Auto. FR500 Intake and Cams Every part Maximum Motorsports has to offer Setup/custom IRS changes by Lester Lesneski at Performance Automotive Banana Motorsports 4 Pt Cage and Subs 2008 Audi RS4 Daily Driver 420 HP N/A V8 with Quattro http://www.cbslimited.com/rs4.php

10-24-2003, 05:29 AM	#6
svtpower Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 10	congrats wow i know how u feel i just purchased my 96 cobra two months ago and i love it. Def. my first purchase was a set of gears i put 3.73s in mine and runs real strong and is not to bad on gas.Everyone here at scmc is very eager to help so dont hessitate to ask any questiones because you will get help. oh and enjoy the cobra

10-24-2003, 04:28 PM	#7
rpalmer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: North of Boston Posts: 67	I'll buck the trend and suggest the very first mod should be an aftermarket shifter, either Steeda Tri-Ax or Pro-5.0. Gets rid of the slop and makes a world of difference. Much more positive shifting.   -RP __________________ '99 Rio Red Red Red, Magnaflow cat back, C&L MAF, 4.10's

10-24-2003, 05:16 PM	#8
Hazman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Harriman, TN Posts: 823	I with you RP!! Pro 5.0 shifter - don't want to miss a shift Rear gears - you won't believe the difference under drive pullies - more ponies off-road H pipe - more ponies more sound MM full length subframes - you will feel these on the track open track that is!! If you like to work on them your self you should be able to do everything except the gears (experts only) and maybe the subframe since it requires welding. Good luck, be safe, have fun!!!

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