NEED HELP! 1994 Carb 302 in a 1997 Cobra?!?!

6192 Views 21 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Mrwhitekoko, Nov 30, 2012

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2012

*This is my first post woot woot*
After hours and hours of searching Google, I haven't been able to find very much information so I decided I needed some help. A few months ago I purchased a 1997 Cobra, with a 1994 Gt Engine in it, and the Gt engine was converted from efi to carb. Before buying the car I read that the 5.0 was an easy engine to work on, and that it would be a good project that I could build up over time, but I think im in over my head. He left the ecu in the car to run the original fuel pump so there are wires everywhere and most of them go to nothing. I have tried to research it, but nothing I have found applies to me because almost no one swaps an older 5.0 into a Cobra, let alone a carbed one. But here is what I know, ANY help or sense of direction would be appreciated greatly.

Already done by previous owner
Edelbrock Carb ~ I think its 650?
HEI distributor
Weiand intake
BBK Shorty headers
Flowmaster exhaust with cat delete
Short throw shifter (I HATE it)
373 gears
Cam???
When I showed it to the mustang guys they said they were 99% sure it has an aftermarket cam in it based on the way it idles, and how it sounds.

I drove the car for about a month before putting it away for winter, and I think its pretty fast, but I want to keep on building it. Save up and add little bits at a time. I think that better flowing heads would be a good idea, but I dont know what to get to compliment the cam (if there is one).

Goals/Questions for the car:
1)Clean up all the wires, get rid of wires that are not needed, hide ones that are.
2)Make the car quicker, heads, cam, more bolt-ons, nitrous?
3)Add a choke to the Carb, right now the carb has a manual choke but it doesn't have anything that runs from the carb to the inside of the car
4)Its recently started leaking coolant, I don't know if the radiator is a 97 or a 94? What should I replace it with?

I would like a streetable, fun, reliable summer dd, that will run high 11's to mid 12's at the track. Any advice?

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

2Manystangs

· #2 · Nov 28, 2012

I'm sorry but reading this I can only think "WTF???"...talk about a square peg in a round hole
Nothing about the mod motor ECU will run the small block, esp if you decide to mod it, it will require custom tuning and that is where you will have problems
Honestly why not toss the small block and find the correct motor? They are not that expensive, a Cobra without a Cobra motor? So wrong...
Sorry I can't even begin to address the other areas, others may be able to help

YLDPONY

· #3 · Nov 28, 2012

Boy, +1. This is a strange bird. To start with, what computer does the car have? You're absolutely sure it's a 1997 Cobra, right?

As far as modding, I would start by finding out exactly what you have right now. What isn't stock on the engine, and what is the engine from. Aka, what block? Hydraulic roller camshaft, or flat tappet? Stock stroke, or stroker engine?

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 28, 2012

To tune it you just tune the carb right? Isnt that the point of getting rid of efi?

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 28, 2012 (Edited)

YLDPONY said:
Boy, +1. This is a strange bird. To start with, what computer does the car have? You're absolutely sure it's a 1997 Cobra, right?

As far as modding, I would start by finding out exactly what you have right now. What isn't stock on the engine, and what is the engine from. Aka, what block? Hydraulic roller camshaft, or flat tappet? Stock stroke, or stroker engine?

Im 100% sure that its a Cobra body. Title, vin, and brake calipers all point to Cobra. As far as figuring out whats in it, I dont know the difference between everything you listed, where can i learn more about the differences in camshafts? hydro, flat, etc? Where can I learn about lengthening/shortening the stroke? How can I tell if the the engine has stock parts when it comes to heads, pistons, cams, rods, rod bolts? I understand most things about how engines work, I just havent figured out the super in depth things yet. I need reliable info. Thank you so much for your help. :kooky:

Save

YLDPONY

· #6 · Nov 28, 2012

Imho, you should upload some pictures of the car itself and the engine compartment.

It's just a very strange combination. I'm pretty sure to swap a small block into a 96+ car requires a K-member change. Of course, the wiring is very different too.

Smurf stang

· #7 · Nov 28, 2012

Take a few pictures so we can see what is going on in there. If he kept the efi pump then you gotta have a regulator dropping the psi down to 4-6.

What is the firing order of your motor? How are the wires run?

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 29, 2012

I dont know how to delete posts, but I posted the same thing twice, pics on the way.

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 29, 2012

YLDPONY said:
Imho, you should upload some pictures of the car itself and the engine compartment.

It's just a very strange combination. I'm pretty sure to swap a small block into a 96+ car requires a K-member change. Of course, the wiring is very different too.

There is a K member, as far as pictures go, I will try and put some up later tonight :bigthumbsup

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 29, 2012

The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 going counter clockwise from start. And here are some pictures, hopefully they are what you want.

YLDPONY

· #11 · Nov 30, 2012

Alright, two things I can see from those pictures. First, it doesn't look like that K-member has been changed, and I'm almost sure the 4.6 and 5.0 K-members are not interchangeable. Second, that's not a 96-98 brake booster, it's a 94-95.

That is a 5.0 out of a 94-95 GT (judging from the accessory setup).

But at any rate, this thread is getting way sidetracked (sorry). The car is what it is... even though we aren't sure what that is.

Back to your original question, assuming the engine has stock heads right now, aftermarket heads would yield much more power. First, don't build an engine around a camshaft. Find out what it is first. If it's a good one, great. If it's a B303 and your ultimate goal is a 400 HP 347, it's the first thing that needs to go.

What are your ultimate goals, HP wise?

Smurf stang

· #12 · Nov 30, 2012

See if you can take a few pics of the kmember.

You said it runs and it is fast so I am assuming it is healthy at least.

That wiring is a birds nest and very shoddy at best. I would definitely clean that up and use good wire and connectors. Love the ground on the alt.

Worry about getting her road worthy and get the little maintenance things outta the way. Do plenty of homework and search here to hear about different heads and intakes also various combos to see what works.

And as always, budget is the major question.

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 30, 2012

YLDPONY said:
Alright, two things I can see from those pictures. First, it doesn't look like that K-member has been changed, and I'm almost sure the 4.6 and 5.0 K-members are not interchangeable. Second, that's not a 96-98 brake booster, it's a 94-95.

That is a 5.0 out of a 94-95 GT (judging from the accessory setup).

But at any rate, this thread is getting way sidetracked (sorry). The car is what it is... even though we aren't sure what that is.

Back to your original question, assuming the engine has stock heads right now, aftermarket heads would yield much more power. First, don't build an engine around a camshaft. Find out what it is first. If it's a good one, great. If it's a B303 and your ultimate goal is a 400 HP 347, it's the first thing that needs to go.

What are your ultimate goals, HP wise?

The previous owner said it was from a 94 GT, and as far as HP, Im not sure, If it has 300rwhp now, then I'd say 350rwhp. If it has 250rwhp, then I would say 300ish rwhp. Before this car I drove my buddies stock 97 cobra quite a bit and that has 305 ish hp. My car is much faster off the line than his, but I want more. Do you think dyno time would be a good investment, just to see where im at, then base a build off of that?

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 30, 2012

Smurf stang said:
See if you can take a few pics of the kmember.

You said it runs and it is fast so I am assuming it is healthy at least.

That wiring is a birds nest and very shoddy at best. I would definitely clean that up and use good wire and connectors. Love the ground on the alt.

Worry about getting her road worthy and get the little maintenance things outta the way. Do plenty of homework and search here to hear about different heads and intakes also various combos to see what works.

And as always, budget is the major question.

I will take some pictures of the K member when I get home tonight.

The wiring sucks, I want to get rid of everything I dont need, and hide everything I do need. And it wouldnt cost much I dont think, but I need to know what Im doing. Can you direct me to the specific forum where Im most likely to find reliable info? Should I be looking in 5.0 tech? or 4.6? I have a 5.0, but the wiring is originaly a 4.6.

As for budget, I want it to be a car that I can save up for a part, research the part while Im saving, then buy them, one at a time. So if something cost 100 bucks vs. 500, then the 500 $ part will just take longer for me to buy. I want cost effective gains, while retaining reliability (doesnt everyone?). Im totally fine with used parts too.

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 30, 2012

Thank you all for your replies, I know its not really that fun answering questions on forums, but I really appreciate your time.

cindys_sn95

· #16 · Nov 30, 2012

conner, just like rick said, get the little things figured out first. fix the wiring, clean it up, figure out exactly what you have. then worry about upgrades. :winks

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 30, 2012

cindys_sn95 said:
conner, just like rick said, get the little things figured out first. fix the wiring, clean it up, figure out exactly what you have. then worry about upgrades. :winks

Will do, Thank you.:winks

YLDPONY

· #18 · Nov 30, 2012

Mrwhitekoko said:
The previous owner said it was from a 94 GT, and as far as HP, Im not sure, If it has 300rwhp now, then I'd say 350rwhp. If it has 250rwhp, then I would say 300ish rwhp.

Those are reasonable goals. But, start with getting everything in order, like Mark said.

Do you think dyno time would be a good investment, just to see where im at, then base a build off of that?

Some will disagree, but I think it would be a good idea. Now don't go breaking the bank spending a couple hundred dollars on a dyno pull. Find a shop that offers a "dyno day" and you can make a couple pulls for $50 or so.

Thank you all for your replies, I know its not really that fun answering questions on forums, but I really appreciate your time.

Bull! If we didn't like answering questions, we wouldn't!

Smurf stang

· #19 · Nov 30, 2012

Just like Mark and Pete said.....get it all figured out first before dropping your wad....of cash that is on new shiny performance parts. Trust me there is plenty of time for everything.:bigthumbsup

Mrwhitekoko

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 30, 2012

Thank you all. I will work on cleaning up the wires over the winter, makin it look all pretty. I will check with local places that have a dyno. The lowest price I have found was 100 bucks. Again, thank you all for your input.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

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