rocket22

Previous was a 1992 Ford 5.0 convertible. After 200K I sold that and bought a C4 Corvette. (i know, booooo hissssss). The offer on the the table: 1994 Corvette Coupe with 134K in good shape, for a 1997 Cobra Convert. Is this engine as reliable as the 5.0? Will it make the death rattle as other OHC Ford Engines? Is the rear end solid or is it independent like the Corvette?

The Cobra has a slow start to it, would it be a worn starter or bad battery? It gets worse as engine is hot, so I am thinking I am already buying a starter. Plus the driver window motor is clicking when raised all the way. And there might be an issue with the power seat.

99GTvert

I know the rear end is not an IRS. It is a solid axle...8.8" I think. Not sure about the other stuff.

Gdgarman

94 corvette is a very nice car. I guess as long as the 97 cobra vert isn't a junker i would say the guy you're trading with is getting a good trade. The cobra will have 5 hp more, but a 5 speed and solid rear axle. Both have big bang for your buck in mods its really up to which one you wanna put time and money into.

uberstang1

Since when did 4.6 mod motors have a death rattle, never heard of that before. The 4.6 its worlds more reliable than a pushrod 5.0. Its a solid axle.

disposablehero27

Cobra motors are good to 500hp from what i read. Have a forged crank. Solid 8.8 with 3:27 gears stock.29 spline axles. Nothing on my car has rattled. Never started slowly. Let me know how changing that starter treats you lol. Good tip...swivel head, extensions, go from the front of the engine back. Your gunna love this.

uberstang1

A factory 96-01 cobra motor is only good for around 420rwhp, after that your really pushing the limits of the factory cast rods and pistons, the Teksid aluminum block from 96-98 is the highest handling modular block out there its just ford decided to put a forged crack in the motor without forged rods and pistons for whatever reasons.Factory is 28 spline.

Shampue

rocket22

Regarding the starter on the Cobra. Does the Cobra have headers by chance? When I put the 406 SBC in my 84 Monte SS (with headers) the heat from the headers caused the starter to seize. She'd start fine cold, but it was a flip of a coin if she'd start with hot headers. I ended up putting a mini-torque starter on the Monte and my issues went away.

Even if the Cobra doesn't have headers, a new starter is a relatively cheap replacement. Wouldn't hurt to do it anyways (personal opinion)

disposablehero27

Right uber 28spline. Phone typo.

rocket22

I am not planning on modding, the vette I traded was in a minor accident (not on car fax) and was in good drivable shape, but getting parts was starting to be an issue for availability, cost, and the car looked very dated. The design is 30 years old. Mustang parts are easy to get and less old electronics.

I think we each got what we wanted, but I think I have the better upside.

fastbackford351

Weak starting? How old is the battery?

As far as heat affecting the starter, I know that on my old Pontiacs I had to install the factory heat shield on the starter to keep the exhaust heat off of it. Never seen one for Fords though.