Hi All, I'm new to these forums so let me introduce myself. I'm Fred, I live in Daytona Beach, FL and have a maroon 03 Cobra. Previously I had a 97 GT with most of the bolt-ons. The only mods my cobra has currently are: Steeda Tri-Ax, KB subframes, Magnaflow catted x-pipe and catback.

Anyhow, I am looking in to doing the 2.80" pulley. I called Steeda up and they recommended a 2.80" pulley, their belt tensioner and cold air intake, and a Diablosport Predator tuner. They wanted about $1,100 out the door.

I called up another shop that is only about an hour away from me (as opposed to 3-4 hours away for Steeda) and they recommended the same thing with the addition of going to a colder plug like an IT20, but said the Predator tuners aren't all that great. This shop does actual dyno tuning and burns custom SCT chips. They specialize in modular Ford applications, and a buddy of mine took his Cougar to them and was very pleased with their service.

I think either shop is qualified to do the work, but I'm a little confused as to which is the better choice out of Diablosport and SCT. Any suggestions?

Also, my car made 376 rwhp last year with just the Magnaflow CB, and it runs 13.20s in it's present state. Any ideas as to what sort of HP/TQ numbers and ETs I can expect after the mods I proposed above?

Thanks for your help!

 

The pulley and tune sound like the logical next step. As for the tuning, you will be fine with either the Diablo or the SCT. Both systems are very capable, and can tune your car sucessfully. I think it is more important to find a tuner you trust because the person writing the tune is more important than the brand of tuning equipment. I have seen people around where I live gaining between 40-60 HP with a pulley and a tune.

 

Mike, thanks for the info. I assume the 40-60 hp # is with the 2.80 pulley. It seems kind of low (376 + 40-60hp = 416-436hp). I always see #s closer to 450ish from those mods. Are those #s inflated, or do people that don't get those #s just not post about it?

 

I would honestly go for the SCT tune WAY before I went with a Diablo. With the SCT tune, you can tune YOUR car as it needs to be on so many more parameters than the Diablo. Also, I think you can assume about 450-500 depending on the tune and pulley size, but it will be a tire scorcher for sure. I want one so bad, but I have to wait a while until I get a little older so insurance doesnt annihilate me. Good luck with your car man. Make sure you let us know what you decide on.

 

If it was me i would run a Filter Like K&N not a drop in just a total replacement of the stock filter. and then a pulley and SCT tune. with that you can go low 12's wif you can drive. My buddy down here goes 12.5's@113 with only a filter and gayass flowmaster catback. So with more power you should go faster.

 

Just also remember that power doesnt always equal times. Grab some drag radials and lower control arms to put the power to the ground. (I guess the IRS uses these???) If not I know that there are companies that make products that MAKE the IRS hook well at the track.

 

IRS doesnt have LOwer control arms the same way we do. But again i cant stress enough how a simple cheap filter upgrade, the kind that gets rid of the air box helps these things move. www.steeda.com also has a nice setup its chepa and adds good HP.

 

I would pick SCT for the tune. They have a enormous data base of tunes. The biggest problem you have with the 03-04 Cobra's is the IRS. They are hard to launch because of the power and rear suspension. If you want more power for the highway that's one thing. If you want to improve at the track then concentrate on suspension and tire upgrades. The Cobra can run 11's with no additional power added if set up correctly. I wish I had those problems.

 

Don't we all. :sign5:

 

Another vote for the SCT software. Get the mods and then get a dyno tune. You'll be in the mid 400's rwhp-wise. Those cars respond so well to mods. I have seen 25rwhp with the K/N filtercharger set-up alone! Anytime you use more boost or suck in more air its wise to get a dyno tune before standing on it. It will run a bit lean (fast..lol) but not worth the risk. Good luck and have fun!

Adam