how much abuse can a 2003 Mustang cobra take?

kens03cobra · 07-13-2008

i have a 03 cobra with intake xpipe exhaust with stock tires. i just ran it at the track i ran a 12.87 at 111mph its a convertable. how strong are the rears on these cars, can i run drag tires or slicks on the car? and do i need to do anything when i het the tuner and pulley?

**stlwagon** · 07-13-2008

The IRS can be a problem at the track. Axles have been known to snap but that's usually more on heavily modded cobras.

JD04COBRA · 07-13-2008

The stock IRS is definitly the weak point , as as far drag racing goes. But I agree most of the time the people who break axles or rear end housings are usually pretty heavily modded, but that is not always the case. If you are goiing to spend a great deal of time at the drag strip you may want to consider upgrading to level 5 axles from The Driveshaft Shop. That is what I am planning on doing myself.

RedSnake · 07-13-2008

You will have to beef up your rear end. It will also help with the wheel hop and spinning.

kens03cobra · 07-14-2008

will this item work BilletFlow Cobra IRS Brace?
the car isnt the modified it has 2.80 pulley, jlt intake, tune, exhaust, x pipe

2003turbocobra · 08-09-2008

or just ebay that poorly desinged irs and go with a built 8.8....one of the best things i have ever done to my 03....went with all the bolt ons/shafts/bushings, never got rid of the wheel hop. well i did when i yanked that heavy p.o.s. out and went to a live axle

younggun04 · 08-11-2008

The IRS isn't THAT weak. Most failure's with the irs occur because of driver error. Driving though wheel hop and hard launches with no IRS brace is the most common failures. A IRS brace is a must, OP if you go under your car you will already see the diff cover sweating. DR's will actually help keep your IRS from breaking since there is no wheelhop. Stage 5's are not nessicary especailly for the price. There are tons of terminators in the tens on stock halfshafts. The 5's have been known to break aswell. Plus you can find stock halfshafts for under 400 a pair so you can by 3 sets of stock halfshafts for one pair of stage 5's. Also whats the point of getting a SRA swap thats the main reason i bought my car was that it actually had a nice ride. That goes straight out the window with a SRA.

I have ran 500 rwhp all last year and i have much more than that now that i have the whipple. I have yet to have a single issue with my IRS. My car is DD and sees alot of track duty so it not a garage queen by any means either. Some DR's, IRS brace, and Save for a new clutch.. the stock one is good but it will probably be the first to go if your car sees alot of track time.

Mustang3GT07 · 08-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kens03cobra

will this item work BilletFlow Cobra IRS Brace?
the car isnt the modified it has 2.80 pulley, jlt intake, tune, exhaust, x pipe

Yes it will work. I have the samething and I love it! I can launch my car hard all the time now if I want.

2003turbocobra · 08-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by younggun04

The IRS isn't THAT weak. Most failure's with the irs occur because of driver error. Driving though wheel hop and hard launches with no IRS brace is the most common failures. A IRS brace is a must, OP if you go under your car you will already see the diff cover sweating. DR's will actually help keep your IRS from breaking since there is no wheelhop. Stage 5's are not nessicary especailly for the price. There are tons of terminators in the tens on stock halfshafts. The 5's have been known to break aswell. Plus you can find stock halfshafts for under 400 a pair so you can by 3 sets of stock halfshafts for one pair of stage 5's. Also whats the point of getting a SRA swap thats the main reason i bought my car was that it actually had a nice ride. That goes straight out the window with a SRA.

I have ran 500 rwhp all last year and i have much more than that now that i have the whipple. I have yet to have a single issue with my IRS. My car is DD and sees alot of track duty so it not a garage queen by any means either. Some DR's, IRS brace, and Save for a new clutch.. the stock one is good but it will probably be the first to go if your car sees alot of track time.

nice ride and mustang should never be in the same sentance....my nice ride come from the navigator. try launching a cobra with m/t drag radials @ 4500 rpm with stock shafts...my guess you will not clear the 60' light

younggun04 · 08-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003turbocobra

nice ride and mustang should never be in the same sentance....my nice ride come from the navigator. try launching a cobra with m/t drag radials @ 4500 rpm with stock shafts...my guess you will not clear the 60' light

I would have to disagree, The main reason the halfshafts break is cause of shocking the drivetrain by dumping the clutch and if your that type of driver then yes you will break parts. The safest way is to rev up to 5000 rpm ish, then let the clutch out a little slow until you feel it grab a little then let it out real fast. this loads the drivetrain and it doesn't shock it nearly as bad, Basically slip the clutch just a little. Make sure your tire pressure is around 15 PSI to help the tires break loose a little.

Dumping clutch + dead hook = breakage

2003turbocobra · 08-15-2008

i bet the 720 rwhp im making right now would last about 5 min even without dumping the clutch....even go with all the bandaids (bushings, springs, irs support bar) you still end up with a wheel hopping s.o.b. ....imo the read end swap was one of the single best thing ive done to my 03.

younggun04 · 08-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003turbocobra

i bet the 720 rwhp im making right now would last about 5 min even without dumping the clutch....even go with all the bandaids (bushings, springs, irs support bar) you still end up with a wheel hopping s.o.b. ....imo the read end swap was one of the single best thing ive done to my 03.

I would have to agree in your case you would have to do alot of work to the irs the make it hold together and a SRA is in your best interest.

But, All i'm saying is with proper driving the IRS holds together rather well even at 600 Hp. I drive my car quite hard and go to the track as much as i can. All I have is an IRS brace and subframes and have not had one issue in 2 years. 1 of the years with 500whp and 1 with 600+whp.

BTW: 720hp.... your cars a beast, If it had halfshafts i would feel sorry for them.

04Venom · 08-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kens03cobra

will this item work BilletFlow Cobra IRS Brace?
the car isnt the modified it has 2.80 pulley, jlt intake, tune, exhaust, x pipe

If you can do it, take the "Red Pill".

LEVEL 5 IRS or THE RED PILL - SVTPerformance

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