Hey there people who will understand my situation,
I use these forums all the time to keep up to date with what is happening in the Mustang world and to glean knowledge from some of the tech posts.
I just thought that I would post my story about my Cobra - since that is about all I can do at this point because the car has no engine in it.
I bought the car in November of last year and knew that it was in need of some work but since it had a vortech s/c, suspension and exhaust upgrades and the price was right - I thought I would dive in and buy it. (I have always felt an empty place in my driving enthusiast heart since my 1988 Cobra was totaled by an soccer mom in a minivan 6 months after I bought it many years ago)
Never really got to enjoy the 01 Cobra because I knew that I needed to do some work on it. I had no idea. I thought that the oil in the intake what started to show up was from a fauly s/c impeller seal. So I sent the unit to Vortech and - despite some negative things I have heard, recieved great service on the minor rebuild. (Even though they charge you you first born child for some seals and bearings) I was happy when I finally recieved it back and put in in and then I was even more sad when I realized that it was not the problem in the first place.
Knowing now that I had spent the money and "fixed" the s/c but knowing that I had a big problem. (The funny thing was Vortech said that the problem was a warranty issue and they would have paid for it if I was the original owner and had the receipt) Besides the oil leaking issue the s/c was working fine - or so I thought.
I had plans of rebuilding the engine in the future which is why I bought it in the first place - I just didn't want it to be so soon. After, searching and struggling with inferior shops and unbeliveably inept dealer mechanics, I found a great shop who was willing to work with me on the rebuild.
The day finally came when we pulled the engine and after only 4 hours (which kinda blew my mind) had the engine out and totally apart - this is what we found: (see below)
3 pistons with holes! What a mess. This was not all together unexpected given the nature of the weak components in the 01 short block when a power adder is used. So here I sit waiting for parts to arrive and sharing my story with others who may be able to relate on some level. Since I know nobody around where I live, save my mechanic, who can sympathize. While it is exciting, it costs $$$ and so I sit - typing.
Estimated time of completion is the end of April - just in time for summer! Since the engine is out anyway - a few more goodies are being thrown in.
Hooker Long tubes
Eagle competition stroker rotating assembly
JE Pistons
B&M Ripper Shifter
New Tuning module
And of course a new dyno tune.
Added to the excisting Vortech SQ-2 (newly rebuilt) and the Eibach suspension I have high hopes for my pony.
So there it is - I never post, and when I do I write a novella! Just needed to get that down. We'll see what happens in a month or so.
Cheers and light'em up for me - until I can once again do the same.
2001 Cobra - Unexpected Engine Rebuild 
