how hard is it to drop in a 4v cobra engine to a 1997 gt? i know the hood will have to be changed, but should'nt everything else pretty much bolt up? what about the ECU and harness, will they have to be re wired? the 96-98 2V just doens't have the power and potential so i dont wanna drop lots into to an engine with limited potential. i have found 1996-1998 even 1999-2001 cobra engine for less than $3000. any thoughts?

 

I am currently having a shop do the swap on my 98 GT. The shop has told me its a direct bolt on however you need to have a chip with the Cobra program. Since Im going to get a SC in the future I upgraded the internals. Im not too sure about the hood clearance issue as but I guess I will find out soon. Motor Pics

 

I'd go for it if you have the cash for it!

 

Just some additional info, I would attempt to get an 03/04 Lincoln Aviator Motor, or at least a 99/01 Cobra motor as the 96-98 B Head Cobra's aren't the best for N/A. If you were going Forced induction I would say the 96-98 was the way to go.

If you get an Aviator motor you need AT LEAST a 2.5" Cowl Hood.

The Aviator, late 99, and all 01 Cobra's blocks are good to ~500 hp. After that you'd need a Teksid block to handle the HP. But I doubt you'll ever need to surpass the stock capabilities of any motor.

Good luck with the swap, most 4V swap cars make a little more power then actual Cobra's of the same year. (chock that up to a fresh rebuild and tune.)

Philip K.

 

thanks for your help.... i do plan on going FI down the road, so i think the 96-96 Cobra is my best bet. and venom, i'm am LOVING your build by the way, representing the Sn-95's, a damn nice car! just f.y.i. i was reading around and saw the Cobra hood was designed to clear the Cobra's taller intake plenum, it's not a huge difference, but enough to make you buy a new hood. a new chip, huh? what exactly does this entail? also anyone know if the ECU and wiring harness, besides the chip, "bolt" right up?

 

Thanks, I already have a 4" hood pic . Hopefully I wont need to install it as I want to enjoy it once its done and not have to worry about getting whole car repainted. The wiring harness is the same but your computer is not setup for a 4v engine. This is ref 98 GT and Cobra not sure about 96-97 with all the fiasco with the returnless fuel system.

 

oh crap i forgot about the fuel system, that might have to be modified to, the Cobras had a return right?

 

It is my understanding that the 1998 GT and Cobra had this but not the other years.

 

any suggestions on how to go about this? retrofitting a 98 system or CObra system? could it be as easy as a junkyard score?

 

Are you talking about fuel system? If so I believe all cars up until 98 Had return style which is ideal. The 98's are kind of sketchy, kind of like a hybrid fuel system. Not familiar with the details, but regardless your car (97 right?) should be equipped with a return fuel system. All you may want to get is a bigger pump (255lph since your gonna buy one), and the 24 lb injectors will probably come with the motor you get.

I'm not sure if the fuel systems are the same though...so ask around a little more. Try Corral or stangnet etc.

Hope that helps,
Philip K.

 

thanks lightning

 

96-98 Cars were still a retun style. In 98 the was a change in the tank for emission reasons. Id keep the fuel system you already have and upgrade the pump. The 03/04 engines really are the best of the 4V world. Look at any Cobra from those years to see how well they work with forced induction.

 

true, but i dont have $5000 to blow

i was thinking of upgrading the pump to a 255-lph Holley pump. saw it was recommened for use on that particular motor, in the Sean Hyland 4.6 book

 

Check out www.carpart.com they usually have complete Aviator motors for under $2500. Except for the intake they are identical to a Mach 1 engine.

 

cool

i checked out www.motorcraft.com

and they sell Cobra longblocks, which is basically all i need right? or would i be better off putting the entire motor in?

 

http://www.cobrapoweredgt.com/
is a good link to this swap in case you have seen it yet.

I know in addtion to the long block you would need intake and exhaust manifolds and an alternator.

 

The only other difference between the Aviator and the Mach 1 blocks is that the Aviator doesn't utilize a Forged Crank like the Cobras.

And only Manual Transmission Mach 1's have the Forged Crank as well. Auto Mach1's have a 6 bolt cast iron crank.

Just something to think about in case you decide to go forced induction anytime following this swap.

Philip K.

 

thanks for all your help guys!

lightning PM sent

 

finally got this checked out, great site, too bad its under construction.....

now, i'm really strarting to get into this!

oh yeh my buddy's boosted Integra blew his engine on Friday so, he'll be doing the same thing, only sooner

 

just to help anyone else out, here are some rough price estimates I've found after hours of researching. . they all had pics, so these prices apply to good condition parts. all parts are slightly used unless noted otherwise.

Heads: '03 Cobra (complete with manifolds, cams) $900
'03 Cobra (no cams, no manifolds) $780
'01 Cobra (cams, but no manifolds) $300
'01 Cobra (complete with cams, manifolds) $650

Blocks: '97 Bare Block $355


Internals: Complete Forged Internal Set (5000 miles, everything!) $670
Forged Cobra Cranks $400-420
'97 Cobra Crank $130
NEW Steel Cobra Crank $680
Steel Cobra Crank $395

Entire Assembly (Re-manufactured): '01 Cobra $2450
'97 Cobra $2450
'03 Cobra $2700

Wrecked Engines: '97 Cobra $50!!!

Intake Maniofld: '01 Cobra Manifold $400


this is just a sample of the prices out there for people looking to swap. right now, to get the Stang running, this project is looking like it'll cost somewhere around $3500, maybe north of there.

anyone know about the price of that '03 Cobra engine? it was listed at $2700, but somehow i cant believe that, seems WAY too low.

 

Where did you find a price like that?? That seems really low.

 

a new 03 Cobra engine complete from Ford is like $12,000. Thats if they are still avaible. Karkraft sells 'new' longblocks for around $7700.

 

i thought that 03 price was insane, but the 97' cobra is a remanufactured engine from Greenleaf Auto Recyclers on eBay

ebay is primarily where i found most of my prices, and catalogs like Cj pony parts, etc.

 

more prices, here are two price breakdowns of the two options i see of doing this build. 1) you can buy a 96-98 Cobra, tear it down, sell the uneeded parts, and build from there (Lighting247's idea) 2) or you can build it from the ground up piece by piece.

OPTION ONE REBUILT 96-98 Cobra MOTOR:

$2100 - complete remanufactured motor
$900 - complete '03 Cobra heads (cams/manifolds)
$105 - 4.6 4V head changing kit
$400 - '01 Cobra intake manifold
$5 - intake manifold gasket kit
$320 - new throttle body
$350 - lightweight flywheel
$350 - heavy-duty clutch (threw this in to handle increased power)
$30 - throwout bearing
$150 - polyurethane engine mounts (also for increased power output)
$350 - larger fuel pump and regulator
$100 - lubrcants and accessories
$250 - "x" factor (unknown and unforseen problems)
minus roughly $800 from sale of uneeded parts
TOTAL: $4610

OPTION TWO BUILT FROM SCRATCH MOTOR:

$300 - 96-98 Cobra block
$100 - boil block
$400 - engine bolts (head studs, main cap bolts, etc.)
$1400 - new forged complete rotating assembly (www.propowerparts.com)
$900 - complete '03 Cobra heads
$100 - head changing kit
$400 - '01 Cobra intake manifold
$5 - intake manifold gasket
$320 - throttle body
$500 - new or remanufactured accesories (ps pump, water pump, alt.)
$350 - lightweight flywheel
$350 - new clutch
$30 - throwout bearing
$150 - poly engine mounts
$350 - fuel pump and regulator
$100 - lubricants and other misc. items
$250 - "x" factor
TOTAL: $6205

this prices are rough estimates and do not consider labor, if you plan to not built the motor yourself.

anyone have anything else important to add to the list? or is that pretty much everything required to swap? below are some options you can add to affect price and durability

larger injectors (not sure if needed) $350
'01 Cobra heads (cheaper) $300 (subtract $600 from price above)
porting heads $500? (dont know price yet)
tuner $400
throttle cable $50
cruise control junk $75 (dont have cc, so i have no idea here!)
different manifolds $300-800
fuel pressure gauge (if needed) $40
fibergalss hood (if needed to clearance new engine) $350

any input here would be great, i'm just trying to piece together as much ifo and prices as i can to help my build and others!

 

You might need a whole new ECU unit with the swap of engines. I would take your unforseen fund and quadruple it. There will be always be something that you missed.

 

OPTION 3:

Mongoose kit: $3,700 and no hassle

 

i know, whatever you estimate its always a helluva a lot more!

but after researching and calling around, i have found anyone saying a new ECU is needed, so far i've heard, 1) the harness will have to be adapted, 2) nothing will change, 3) dont know

the ECU is still up in the air, but even so i'm sure you could score a junkyarder or ebay one for under $100

 

explain....

 

everything you need for 350+ hp

http://modularpowerhouse.com/product...bf0069479739c0

 

very nice package, but i wanna go all motor first, and when i do s/c years from now, after the money comes along, i wanna go ProCharger.

i was told today , if i buy a complete forged rotating assembly with dished pistons (thinking about the future s/c), it will drastically hurt my motor if i run dished pistions with no boost! is this true? doesnt make any sense to me! i'd love to save the money and just buy the dished pistons to start with.