I really like the terminators but I keep reading and hearing about the head cooling problems with the those engines. I also hear that 04s have revised heads that provide better cooling. Is this true? how significant is ths problem? was this problem eliminated in 04? I have heard about cooling mods as well so are they sufficient enough to take care of the problem? and can they handle all that power the cobra owners are feeding them, so are those 600-700hp kb cobras reliable, or is it just 10k mile of fun followed by a very expensive fix? I know the internals are froged, and I thought they used manley pistons and rods, but I also read that the pistons in the cobras are cheap and can melt. I am really considering buying one so eny help would be greatly appreciated.

 

There was an issue with the heads in 03. To the best of my knowledge it was 'addressed' for the 2004 production year, but it wasn't the solution. Now there is a revised head available through Ford that helps eliminate the head tick people have issues with.

A simple heat exchanger can help greatly at keeping temperatures down and help the valves & pistons survive a pulley swap.

Majority of the engine failures you see are tune related and/or ignorance related. Like a pulley swap smaller than a 3.10 without a heat exchanger.

 

so should I try to stay away from 03s all together?

 

I wouldn't go that far. I know people have had that problem fixed for their 03's. You may just have to check around and if you come across an 03 you like, ask the seller or try to find out if the problem has been taken care of.

 

I am on my second 03 cobra with no problems. My first one, an 03 vert had 8000 miles on here when I bought her. When I sold it, it had an upper/lower combo, exhaust, cai and a high flow h-pipe. The car had over 70,000 miles on it! The engine internals wer NEVER touched, The only upgrade I ever had to make was a clutch quadrant and a firewall adjuster, to keep the clutch in check. I had it for two years with plenty of action. Most of the early production run cobras that had the tick, have had the problem fixed through Ford. I believe you will be fine with an 03. I have been!! Wouldn't change a thing! Good luck on your search!!! You won't regret it!! Just ask the guys on here!!

 

Some 04's had the tick also.
Just go over the car well before buying.

 

My FAQ page shows the major differences between the '03 and '04. http://stangshiftergaskets.com/2003_...m#_Toc35092309

There were more issues with the '03s than the '04s, but that doesn't mean you should avoid an '03. Mine was an '03 and I never once had a problem with it. Best car I ever owned. What to really watch out for are Terminators ('03 or '04) what were abused/raced/driven hard. Check them out carefully. Generally they are one solid car, motor wise.