Run a compression test on the car. Then you'll know whats what.
The 03 Cobras had a cooling issue in the heads (particularly the back valves on the driver's side I believe) and this could result in premature failure of those valves. This would make it smoke, particularly if the exhaust valves are leaking from damaged seals.
Its important to figure out whether it needs just a valve job (pricey on a dohc car) or a complete overhaul (even more pricey).
I would suspect that it just needs a valve job, which of course would actually increase performance if some judicious porting and polishing is done at the same time. Good idea to look into solving the heat issue, too (they have a fix, if that is the problem) of course.
Best of luck - let us know how it turns out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTS 5.7  I've always been a 5.0 fan,but came across an '03 Cobra for $18K--Triple black W/33K miles---But it smokes...Rings??...and what else?--$24K if they fix B4 I buy---1st impression is stay away from it..You agree,or go for it????---right now building "95 GT-Cobra intake,F303 cam,AFR165 heads,etc... |
Came across 2003 Cobra but it smokes. could it be Rings or what else? 
Input... 
