Advice, considering buying a cobra-->

[and1bbaii7]

Hi guys! Been awhile, out of the Mach game and not trying to get into a built cobra vert for a fun summer DD. Found one that I might pull the trigger on, but wanted opinions on using this car as a DD / price being on point -->

2003 Sonic Blue Convertible, 16k miles
Kenne Bell 2.8H blower w/ killer chiller
Comp Stage 2 cams/springs
Upgraded pistons
Longtubes back
J&E Vampire system...???? Not familiar with this one
+ misc suspension/fuel/supporting mods
Makes 670hp, Tuned by Jerry Wroblewski when he was with SCT
$25k

What do you guys think?

[311-420]

Have a reputable shop look it over, comp test it, and verify the tune and power on a dyno.

[DSG2003Mach1]

Originally Posted by 311-420

Have a reputable shop look it over, comp test it, and verify the tune and power on a dyno.

werd

the J&S Vampire is a pretty sweet deal, I have on to go on both my Lightning and Mach1. It ties into the knock sensor and coil packs, it listens for knock (sensitivity is adjustable), if it detects knock it is able to tell which coil fired last and will reduce timing to that cylinder only, each firing sequence it will feed timing back in a little at a time and keep doing so until it a) goes back to the commanded timing rate or b) knocks again.

They have gauges for it (depending on how new it is as to which setup it might have, or it might have none) it can even tell you which cylinder it thinks is knocking and the severity of the knock (how much timing its yanking).

Its a nice way to help protect the motor without completely killing performance. The Lightnings are more prone to detonation that our 4 valve heads and there are quite a few guys running them, its saved multiple motors (from everything from a bad tank of gas to a line coming off a fuel pump etc).
Theres a guy on LightningRodder running 21lbs of boost on a cogged blower setup on his stock block harley truck, with the vampire they ran his 91octane tuned truck on 87octane and beat the living hell out of it and the motor is still going

[shadowmaker]

I dont think I would want a 670 hp daily driver. Sounds like cool idea but I think it would get old.

[rich1]

Originally Posted by 311-420

Have a reputable shop look it over, comp test it, and verify the tune and power on a dyno.

Good advise !

[Mulldune]

compression check,car fax etc...and 23 to 24 k .....get it

[kiler be]

Originally Posted by shadowmaker

I dont think I would want a 670 hp daily driver. Sounds like cool idea but I think it would get old.

I agree. Sounds like a very nice Cobra, but a DD??????

[73mach03]

Originally Posted by kiler be

I agree. Sounds like a very nice Cobra, but a DD??????

I know gas mileage is not why we buy these cars, but 670 HP for a DD doesn't sound promising. Seems more like a track bully than a DD.

[and1bbaii7]

Funny thing is, with all the mods and power it is putting down, it still has the stock tires on it

With the KB 2.8H and the cams/LTs, I think I might get it tuned down if I purchase it to maybe closer to ~600, throw some 275 nitto 555Rs on it, and have a DD for the summer months.

Or I could just look for a low mileage pulley only cobra, since the fastest car I've ever driven is a C6Z (505 crank hp) which IMO is scary fast. The allure of a 2.8 is pretty strong though, especially for $24-25k and 16k miles. Not sure what to do!!!

[Mach828]

Too pricey. Cobra are selling in the teens now. I wouldn't buy it for anything over 20k. I personally wouldn't buy a Cobra unless it had an upgraded transmission and SRA and higher compression.

[311-420]

Originally Posted by LOOKnGO

OP, I really hope you reconsider. The Cobra guys are just an odd bunch. Here is a short vid, so you can take a look at the inside of the mind, of a Cobra Guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKEXq-0i2zA

I couldn't stomach much more than 3 minutes of that.....twilight zone??????????