1999 Cobra Information

Copyright © 1993-2000 SVT Cobra Owners  Association. All rights reserved.

Specifications

(most of this was borrowed from the Ford brochure)

Engine

Configuration

Longitudinally mounted, 90-degree V8, cast aluminum block and heads, iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged crankshaft

Bore x Stroke

90.2mm x 90.0mm

Displacement

4,601cc/280cid

Compression ratio

9:85:1

Horsepower (SAE net)

320 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Torque

317 lb./ft. @ 4,750 rpm

Redline

6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off occurs at 7,000 rpm)

Main bearing caps

Nodular iron 6-bolt (cross-bolted)

Pistons

Hypereutectic cast alloy shallow skirt with friction reducing coating on sliding surfaces.

Rods

Sinter-forged alloy, fracture-split big ends

Crankshaft

Forged by Gerlach-Werke in Homburg-Saar Germany

Flywheel

Nodular iron

Valvetrain

Double overhead cams, chain drive to exhaust cams, secondary chains from exhaust to intake cams, roller finger followers with hydraulic lash  adjustment, ovate-wire beehive-shaped valve springs, four valves per cylinder

Intake valves

2 per cylinder, 37mm head diameter

Exhaust valves

2 per cylinder, 30mm head diameter

Ignition System

Distributorless coil-on-plug

Fuel system

Sequential electronic fuel injection

Intake manifold

Cast aluminum, tuned equal length runners

Throtle body

57mm twin bore

Air-mass sensor

80mm diameter

Exhaust manifolds

Cast iron

Exhaust system

Dual, stainless steel, 2.25 in. diameter, 3.0-inch  polished exhaust tips

Assembly

Assembled at Ford's Romeo, Michigan engine plant on a      dedicated niche engine line staffed by 12 two-person teams who sign the engine when it is completed

Drivetrain

Rear axle

8.8 in. ring gear with 3.27:1 limited-slip differential, aluminum case

Driveshaft

Steel, with hardened yoke

Transmission

Tremec T45 5-speed manual

Clutch

11.0 in. single-plate

Gear

Ratio

Speed

1st

3.37

45 mph (72 kph)

2nd

1.99

77

3rd

1.33

115

4th

1.00

150

5th

0.67

Reverse

3.22

Final drive

3.27

Traction Control

Accomplished by engine ignition timing, cylinder cut-off, brake  application. Linked to ABS module and engine control module.  Driver-controller  on-off switch

Suspension

Front

Modified gas-charged MacPherson strut, with separate 500 lb/in spring on lower arm, 28mm stabilizer bar

Rear

Multi-link independent, steel upper control arm, aluminum lower control      arm, fixed toe-control tie rod, aluminum spndle, gas chaged tubular shock absorber, 470 lb/in coil spring, 26mm tubular stabilizer bar

Steering

Type

Power assist, rack and pinion

Gear ratio

15.0:1

Turns, lock to lock

2.5

Turning diameter

37.9 ft.

Brakes

13.0 in. (330mm) vented Brembo, disc PBR twin-piston caliper with embossed "COBRA" lettering

Front

Rear

11.65 in (296mm) vented disc       single piston caliper

ABS

Four channel, four sensor system.  Linked to all-speed traction control

Wheels and Tires

Wheels

17 x 8 in., five spoke, forged aluminum-alloy, painted surface, exposed lugs

Tires

BFGoodrich Comp T/A ZR, 245/45ZR-17

Cobra Includes

Supplemental restraint system: Driver and passenger airbags.

Independent rear suspension (IRS)

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

Articulated front sport seats (standard six-way power for driver)  with leather seating surfaces and power lumbar support

Tilt steering wheel

MACH 460, electronic AM/FM stereo cassette and CD player.

Power Equipment Group: Dual electric remote control mirrors, power  side windows, power door locks, power deck lid release

Rear window defroster

Air-conditioning (manual control)

Speed control

Front floor mats

Dual illuminated visor mirrors

Remote keyless illuminated entry

Options

Preferred Equipment Package, consisting of: Leather seating  surfaces; Mach 460 electronic AM/FM stereo/cassette; Compact disc player; Total Anti-Theft  System (TATS)

California emissions system

High-altitude principal use

Color and Trim

Exterior

Ultra White Clearcoat, Ebony Clearcoat, Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat, Electric Green Clearcoat Metallic

Interior

Dark Charcoal, Medium Parchment

Dimensions, Capacities

Wheelbase

101.3 in./2,573mm

Length

183.5 in./4,661mm

Height

53.2 in. (53.5in.)/1,351mm (1,359mm)

Width

73.1 in./1,857mm

Track f/r

59.9 in.; 59.9 in./968mm; 901mm

Head room

38.1 in.; 35.5 in/968mm; 901mm

Leg room

41.8 in./29.9; 1,062mm/759mm

Curb weight

3430 lbs. (3,560 lbs.)/ 1,557 kg (1,617 kg)

Fuel tank

15.7 gal./59.4 liters

Weight distribution

55.55/44.55 (f/r)

(Numbers in parentheses are for Convertible)

Performance

0-60

5.4 seconds

0-100 kph

5.6 seconds

Quarter mile

13.8 seconds @ 102 mph

Top speed

150

Braking, 60-0 mph

127 ft.

100 ft. skidpad

0.90g

Interior Styling Cues

White-faced Instrument Panel COBRA; Embossed Steering Wheel Center Cover

Exterior Styling Cues

Clear Headlight Lenses Cobra Badges on Front Fenders SVT COBRA; Emblem on Left Rear

Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty

Changes from 1998 Model Year

New body style   Independent rear suspension   More power and torque advertised   Traction control   Brembo front brake rotors   New 5-spoke 17 x 8 wheels   New intake manifold   Coil-on-plug ignition

Common Problems

Power Output

Many 1999 Cobras do not make the amount of power advertised from the    factory.

The cause has been blamed on excessive casting flash in the intake    manifold, and overly restrictive mufflers.

Ford has introduced a fix; kit to address this problem  that consists of:

New lower intake manifold New cat-back exhaust Computer reprogrammin

All 1999 Cobras are eligible for the fix and SVT will be contacting owners to schedule an appointment with an SVT dealer.

Preliminary results indicate that the fix is successful at restoring power output to the expected levels, however some owners who have had the fix are not  seeing the level of power that is expected. Also, it has been reported that the  replacement mufflers are significantly louder than the original ones.

Driveline Vibration

Many 1999 owners have reported a driveline vibration that generally  occurs between 55-70 mph in any gear.

Ford has introduced a fix for this problem that consists of a matched set of driveline components.

IRS Wheel Hop;

The 1999 Cobra's independent rear suspension (IRS) has a tendency    for wheel hop (or shudder) under hard launches.