Starting the Search for a 93 Cobra

svtrookie · Post by **svtrookie** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:56 pm

Hello everyone,

My name is Tom and I wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I ve searched this site for many years, but finally decided to join. I currently own a 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra and Trailblazer SS (daily driver).

At this point, I feel content with the modifications I made to the 03. It's tastefully modified and makes decent/reliable power. The car just turned 34k miles and I am getting the itch to add another car to the collection.

I always wanted a 93 Cobra before I bought the 03, but at the time the 03 was more appealing since it was newer. However, here I am still wanting to get a 93.

So I assume the general consensus is that the 93 Cobra is still a very desirable Mustang? Most of my friends are hung up on the new 5.0s/GT500s and Z06 Corvettes. I can't blame them...everything about the new generatoin of muscle cars is awesome, but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon. I think picking up a clean modified 93 Cobra would be interesting and rare. Do you still get attention on the road? It's not often you see a clean foxbody...especially a 93 Cobra.

I have been looking around the market and it seems extreme. On one end you have the cars that have very low miles that are bringing 20-25k and then you have real roaches that were abused for under 8k.

Does anyone use their 93 Cobra on a roadcourse? I would think this platform would do well with the right suspension components. I would like to start taking my car on the track if I did purchase one in the future.

I assume clean ones come around here and there, but it looks like the search will take some time to find the right one.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Tom

dbrennancobra · Post by **dbrennancobra** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:11 pm

willyB has a REALLY NICE teal/black combo (rarest combo)... just a thought for a all stock one! oh and welcome to the site, you will enjoy everyone here. well except a few...

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:15 pm

Welcome aboard Tom. Your 03' sounds nice.

You've pretty much summed it up in terms of what is out there. Pricing isn't really consistant and can be all over the board. It's a tough market, but still a buyers IMO with the newer cars out there offering so much. Because they aren't the run of the mill GT, many have pampered a bit more and not driven into the ground so you should be able to find some decent ones out there.

My cars still get attention, and I've been noticng as of late the younger generations taking notice and complementing me on the cars. The fact is, there just aren't that many nice Fox cars around, let alone a Fox Cobra.

Check the usual spots for a car, Ebay, forums, etc. Just be prepared to travel or ship the car to you. Many times the right car is 1000 miles away. Both of mine came from Florida.

Hang around here and post up. Small band of brothers, but a good group all around.

WillyB93 · Post by **WillyB93** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:32 pm

dbrennancobra wrote:willyB has a REALLY NICE teal/black combo (rarest combo)... just a thought for a all stock one! oh and welcome to the site, you will enjoy everyone here. well except a few...

Welcome to the site, really like the quote here "then you have real roaches that were abused for under 8k." Like DB said my car is for sale as of at the moment.

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:36 pm

Welcome! I think all on this site would agree that the 93 Cobra is a great car to own and drive and you definitely don't see many around. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw one on the road. I always get lots of attention when I drive mine, especially at gas stations and at car shows (especially when winning Best Of and First Place trophys!

)

However, you will find lots of differing opinions here re: stock vs. modified. I personally think a modded Cobra is the way to go. My Cobra has substantial mods and you can most definitely achieve nearly the same performance as many of the newer-gen muscle cars with the proper mods (i.e. brakes and suspension along with increased power). One major advantage the Fox-body has over the newer-gen cars is a much lighter curb weight and I assume you know how important power-to-weight is for acceleration and handling. While I have not had mine to a road course, this car would absolutely hold its own on the track.

There are numerous Cobras currently on the market, and I'd bet there will be many more available as these cars reach their 20th anniversary. With a little patience, you're likely to find what you're looking for. Good luck with your search.

svtrookie · Post by **svtrookie** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:58 pm

Thanks for the quick responses guys! I am excited to join the new community and learn more about the 93 Cobra.

WillyB93 I have been drooling over your car over the past few weeks! I will be ready to buy something this summer, but I am doing my homework right now. I can't believe your car hasnt sold! I am hoping to find a black one with no sunroof and cloth interior. I am not totally against modified cars since I eventually want this car to have a cam idle...On the other hand a stock one would be nice...ahhh I can't make up my mind.

Here are a few pics of my 03 and my best friend's 89 LX that I recently helped him bring back to life! Ive always been a foxbody fan! Let me know what you think!

Here is a quick mod list from what I can remember over the years:
BF 2.93 Upper Only Car
BF 4 Piece Idler Set
JLT Cold Air Intake
Kooks Long Tubes/Off road X/Mac Stainless Catback
Mcleod RXT Twin Disc Cluth/Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel
Full Tilt Boogie Rear End Bushings
BF IRS Brace
MM Subframe Connectors
MM Caster Camber Plates
MM Steering Shaft
MM Rack Bushings
H&R Race Springs
Cobra R Brembo Front Brake Kit/Brembo Slotted Rotors/Hawk Pads

I originally had the car custom tuned back in 06 by Jon Lund. This past July on a hot summer night I put the car on Revolution Automotive's dyno and it put down 478 rwhp and 485 ft lbs. Pretty decent for a non-ported Eaton!

[url=http://postimage.org/image/4i03qeqtv/]

[/URL]

[url=http://postimage.org/image/8btjzk85v/]

[/URL]

[url=http://postimage.org/image/oyb48n13n/]

[/URL]

[url=http://postimage.org/image/71vqkiedv/]

[/URL]

[url=http://postimage.org/image/z73legp5f/]

[/URL]

My friend's 1989 LX: The body has almost 200k on it. Just a quick run down---306, TF Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock Victor intake, Powerpipe, Ford Racing Z Cam, Mac Mufflers, bbk long tubes, Full MM suspension (coilovers torque arm etc.)

1989 Mustang 5.0 Sounds Amazing--Revolution Automotive - YouTube

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:24 pm

svtrookie wrote:I am not totally against modified cars since I eventually want this car to have a cam idle...On the other hand a stock one would be nice...ahhh I can't make up my mind.

Here's the solution ... buy a stock '93. You can always modify later. Although, based on the dyno numbers of your 03 (sweet ride, by the way), driving a stock 93 is gonna feel like its missing most of its cylinders.

My 93 has 389 RWHP and 397 RWTQ and it drives significantly better than stock. There will be an even bigger difference between a 93 and your 03.

drkhrse · Post by **drkhrse** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:31 pm

Welcome Tom! I have 2 93 Cobras, My summer street car is a moded Teal Cobra. It has a bone stock long block other than a ported intake. It has a dealer installed supercharger as well to give it a little get up and go. I drive it 40 miles a day in the summer to and from work getting 19-20 mpg (that is good with how I drive). I have showed it, autocrossed it, open tracked it and Drag raced it. It is my best all around car. With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle). My open track car is a Cobra R. I have re-done everything on it. There is a build thread on here. I drive it on the street now and then but it is not set up for it, pretty much a track only car. It does very well against cars with more power.

It wouldn’t be hard to build up a 93 with 400 rwhp and a MM suspension set up that would drive great and beat almost all of the new muscle cars being built in most auto events. I’ve always wanted a terminator but have focused on a house with a big a$$ shop to spend my money the past few years. I think a Term and a 93 Cobra are the perfect pair!

svtrookie · Post by **svtrookie** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:31 pm

Z282SLO: Very True...I have never bought a modified car so I am sure this is the route I will take.

I am afraid that I will miss the instant power of the 03. On the other hand, I drove my friends 89 this past weekend with the mods above and that car is a serious animal. It's light and makes close to 400 rwhp all motor. In all honesty I want to duplicate his car but in 93 Cobra form.

Don't get me wrong...the 03 is a fun beast and still has a raw feeling compared to newer muscle cars, but man that old 5.0 feels like a true muscle car...it even reminds me of a nascar I drove a few years ago.

drkhrse · Post by **drkhrse** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:36 pm

svtrookie wrote:Z282SLO: Very True...I have never bought a modified car so I am sure this is the route I will take.

I am afraid that I will miss the instant power of the 03. On the other hand, I drove my friends 89 this past weekend with the mods above and that car is a serious animal. It's light and makes close to 400 rwhp all motor. In all honesty I want to duplicate his car but in 93 Cobra form.

Don't get me wrong...the 03 is a fun beast and still has a raw feeling compared to newer muscle cars, but man that old 5.0 feels like a true muscle car...it even reminds me of a nascar I drove a few years ago.

My 93R is 365 rwhp 400 rwtq all natural, kick in the pants to drive!

svtrookie · Post by **svtrookie** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:42 pm

drkhrse wrote:Welcome Tom! I have 2 93 Cobras, My summer street car is a moded Teal Cobra. It has a bone stock long block other than a ported intake. It has a dealer installed supercharger as well to give it a little get up and go. I drive it 40 miles a day in the summer to and from work getting 19-20 mpg (that is good with how I drive). I have showed it, autocrossed it, open tracked it and Drag raced it. It is my best all around car. With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle). My open track car is a Cobra R. I have re-done everything on it. There is a build thread on here. I drive it on the street now and then but it is not set up for it, pretty much a track only car. It does very well against cars with more power.

It wouldn’t be hard to build up a 93 with 400 rwhp and a MM suspension set up that would drive great and beat almost all of the new muscle cars being built in most auto events. I’ve always wanted a terminator but have focused on a house with a big a$$ shop to spend my money the past few years. I think a Term and a 93 Cobra are the perfect pair!

I am glad you can relate to my situation! I already stalked your cars on this forum! Both are awesome! Yeah I just love the old school fox bodys. I am not that old (approaching 30), but late 80s early 90s mustangs were always my favorite growing up. My dad had a LX convertible that I grew up driving around in durnig the summer months. When I started looking for my first Mustang the 93 Cobra was at the top of my list, but the blower swayed me in the Terminator direction. Most guys my age where I grew up like new trendy cars (bmws, acuras, audis etc) so I always had my own niche when it came to the mustang hobby. I just always make sure my cars remain clean and not trashed. Sometimes I don't understand what goes through peoples heads when doing exterior mods to their mustangs........terrible.

You should definately get a 03 one day! They are a blast to drive and so easy to make fast.

It's funny you should mention your father-in-laws GT500. The fact that your modded 93 is still hanging with that car makes me want one even more. I just want basic reliable/fun horsepower. I feel like anything over 500 starts getting risky. There have been many times where I wanted to shoot for the 600-700 club in the 03, but all my friends that have cars with that amount of power are usually having issues or blowing motors!

I feel like a well built fox with decent suspension parts will provide enough fun for me on the street and on a roadrace track.

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:43 pm

drkhrse wrote:With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle).

I guess your father in law hasn't read the part of the 2013 owners manual regarding the launch control yet. Once he figures that feature out, you're in trouble.

drkhrse · Post by **drkhrse** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:49 pm

Z282SLO wrote:
drkhrse wrote:With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle).
I guess your father in law hasn't read the part of the 2013 owners manual regarding the launch control yet. Once he figures that feature out, you're in trouble.

I set it up for him! It still fries the tires even with it on. I put ~100 miles on the car before the weather turned. It drives really nice, the brakes are the best I have ever tired to lock up and the recaro seats are awesome. However so is the price tag! I'll stick with my 93's.

drkhrse · Post by **drkhrse** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:53 pm

svtrookie wrote:
drkhrse wrote:Welcome Tom! I have 2 93 Cobras, My summer street car is a moded Teal Cobra. It has a bone stock long block other than a ported intake. It has a dealer installed supercharger as well to give it a little get up and go. I drive it 40 miles a day in the summer to and from work getting 19-20 mpg (that is good with how I drive). I have showed it, autocrossed it, open tracked it and Drag raced it. It is my best all around car. With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle). My open track car is a Cobra R. I have re-done everything on it. There is a build thread on here. I drive it on the street now and then but it is not set up for it, pretty much a track only car. It does very well against cars with more power.

It wouldn’t be hard to build up a 93 with 400 rwhp and a MM suspension set up that would drive great and beat almost all of the new muscle cars being built in most auto events. I’ve always wanted a terminator but have focused on a house with a big a$$ shop to spend my money the past few years. I think a Term and a 93 Cobra are the perfect pair!
I am glad you can relate to my situation! I already stalked your cars on this forum! Both are awesome! Yeah I just love the old school fox bodys. I am not that old (approaching 30), but late 80s early 90s mustangs were always my favorite growing up. My dad had a LX convertible that I grew up driving around in durnig the summer months. When I started looking for my first Mustang the 93 Cobra was at the top of my list, but the blower swayed me in the Terminator direction. Most guys my age where I grew up like new trendy cars (bmws, acuras, audis etc) so I always had my own niche when it came to the mustang hobby. I just always make sure my cars remain clean and not trashed. Sometimes I don't understand what goes through peoples heads when doing exterior mods to their mustangs........terrible.

You should definately get a 03 one day! They are a blast to drive and so easy to make fast.

It's funny you should mention your father-in-laws GT500. The fact that your modded 93 is still hanging with that car makes me want one even more. I just want basic reliable/fun horsepower. I feel like anything over 500 starts getting risky. There have been many times where I wanted to shoot for the 600-700 club in the 03, but all my friends that have cars with that amount of power are usually having issues or blowing motors!

I feel like a well built fox with decent suspension parts will provide enough fun for me on the street and on a roadrace track.

Sounds like we speak the same lingo! I forgot to mention the stock 93's brakes, they can use some help. However, the 94+ cobra brakes make that easy and 93R quality. The only reason my street cars are still stock is I really like the stock wheels and modified them long before the 5 lug re-pops came out.

svtrookie · Post by **svtrookie** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:59 pm

drkhrse wrote:
svtrookie wrote:
drkhrse wrote:Welcome Tom! I have 2 93 Cobras, My summer street car is a moded Teal Cobra. It has a bone stock long block other than a ported intake. It has a dealer installed supercharger as well to give it a little get up and go. I drive it 40 miles a day in the summer to and from work getting 19-20 mpg (that is good with how I drive). I have showed it, autocrossed it, open tracked it and Drag raced it. It is my best all around car. With only 353 rwhp I can still beat my father in law in his 2010 GT500 due to the weight savings (he has a 2013 now as well, I can beat him for now as it has more power than he can handle). My open track car is a Cobra R. I have re-done everything on it. There is a build thread on here. I drive it on the street now and then but it is not set up for it, pretty much a track only car. It does very well against cars with more power.

It wouldn’t be hard to build up a 93 with 400 rwhp and a MM suspension set up that would drive great and beat almost all of the new muscle cars being built in most auto events. I’ve always wanted a terminator but have focused on a house with a big a$$ shop to spend my money the past few years. I think a Term and a 93 Cobra are the perfect pair!
I am glad you can relate to my situation! I already stalked your cars on this forum! Both are awesome! Yeah I just love the old school fox bodys. I am not that old (approaching 30), but late 80s early 90s mustangs were always my favorite growing up. My dad had a LX convertible that I grew up driving around in durnig the summer months. When I started looking for my first Mustang the 93 Cobra was at the top of my list, but the blower swayed me in the Terminator direction. Most guys my age where I grew up like new trendy cars (bmws, acuras, audis etc) so I always had my own niche when it came to the mustang hobby. I just always make sure my cars remain clean and not trashed. Sometimes I don't understand what goes through peoples heads when doing exterior mods to their mustangs........terrible.

You should definately get a 03 one day! They are a blast to drive and so easy to make fast.

It's funny you should mention your father-in-laws GT500. The fact that your modded 93 is still hanging with that car makes me want one even more. I just want basic reliable/fun horsepower. I feel like anything over 500 starts getting risky. There have been many times where I wanted to shoot for the 600-700 club in the 03, but all my friends that have cars with that amount of power are usually having issues or blowing motors!

I feel like a well built fox with decent suspension parts will provide enough fun for me on the street and on a roadrace track.
Sounds like we speak the same lingo! I forgot to mention the stock 93's brakes, they can use some help. However, the 94+ cobra brakes make that easy and 93R quality. The only reason my street cars are still stock is I really like the stock wheels and modified them long before the 5 lug re-pops came out.

Good deal! Luckily I have the front brakes off my 03 Cobra. I could always do a 5 lug swap to get some better braking power. Ive always been a sucker for a black 93 Cobra on 95 R or 98 Cobra wheels.

A guy on SVTperformance sold a car just like that a few years ago and I was hooked! I am basically looking for a car like this blower or no blower. Anyone on here now own this car?

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/co ... ra-va.html