golden_eye

Let me just start off by saying I don't want to half-*** anything with this car. I learned that lesson the hard way several times with my truck . I also searched but couldn't find anything.

Anyway, I had a couple questions concerning potential cheap mods for my car. First is in regards to the timing advance that quite a few people do with their 5.0s and I was just curious if I was able to do this with my engine. I haven't checked the base timing at all, but I know the Cobras have a specific tune compared to the GT's that requires me to run premium gas from the factory. I'm wondering if advancing the timing any more than it is would cause problems (assuming it's set at 10 degrees like most 5.0s) or would the computer adjust for the increased timing?

I was also wondering if the strut tower brace that GTs came withfrom the factorywould fit on my car as the Cobras didn't come with one stock. I haven't had time or a 94/95 GT to take measurements with so I don't know if the Cobra intake sits higher than the GTs intake or not. The idea here would be rather than spend $150+on a new brace I may be able to find a wrecked GT with a brace in good condition for cheaper and just use that.

FivePointOhh

im pretty sure for the strut tower bar runs in front of your intake so i guess there wouldnt be clearance issues but go online and look at strut tower bars and see if there is a specific one for yours. that will tell you if it works or not. otherwise i know someone will chime in and confirm for you.

as for your timing see what your at now. most likely you can advance your timing to 12-14 without problems. but then you must run premium gas. and yes when you said youe base timing the comp adjust the rest.

golden_eye

Well my question was that I already have to run premium gas on whatever the stock timing is. The 5.0 Cobras have a different computer/tune than the GTs and can't run regular gas.

kweb288

I believe that is because of the compression ratio, the cobras (at least my 98) has a higher static compression then that of the gt making it run premium, this is also done to get the most performance out of the car since that is what it is for. You should have no problem advancing the timeinig, just make sure you dont go higher then 15 or so, the factory gives it a tune that will make sure if you get bad gas it wont mess the engine up to much (room to play)

golden_eye

That would make sense, seeing as the 5.0 Cobras have different heads than the GTs (Gt-40s vs E7s). I guess the only way to find out is to just give it a shot though.