Suspension/Brakes:
Front springs used on the 1993 Cobra were progressive springs rated at 425-530 lb/in and had the tag code of "BO". General part number is E5ZZ-5310-J. Rear springs were linear and the same rate as those used on the 4 cylinder Mustangs at 160 lb/in with a tag code of "HH". General part number is D9BZ-5560-M.
The sway bar in front of the Cobra was also smaller than the one used in the regular 5.0L measuring in at 1.125" or 28.5mm. The rear sway bar is the same as other 5.0L measuring in at 0.83" or 21mm.
The 93 Cobra got specific durometer bushings in the upper control arms and in the front lower control arms. The paint mark on the control arms is yellow.
Shocks and struts were valved specifically for the 93 Cobra and were manufactured by Tokico. Part number for the struts is F3ZZ-18124-A and the shocks are part number F3ZZ-18125-A.
The front brakes were near identical to the regular 5.0L except for the front rotors which carried part number F3ZZ-1102-A. The rotor "hat" or the area where the wheel sat on the hub was 3/4" thicker if laid side by side to a regular 5.0 rotor. The wheels had a different offset because of the wider rear differential so this is how Ford solved the problem. I personally think just manufacturing axle brake brackets would have been cheaper especially since they were already being produced by Ford Motorsports but I'm not a bean counter for Ford. Not to mention rear wheel disc brake conversions for regular Mustangs would have been super easy.
Rear brakes were the same as the ones used on the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Axles were 3/4 longer on each side and required special offset wheels. Axle part numbers are F3ZZ-4234-A. Rotors in the rear measured 10.07" in diameter and were 0.945" thick. Part number is F3ZZ-2C026-A. Calipers in the rear were manufactured by Varga for Ford and were a single piston design. Part number is F3ZZ-2552-A (RH) and F3ZZ-2553-A (LH). Parking brake cables were changed for 1993 and the 93 Cobra also had specific parking brake cables for the rear disc. Part number is F3ZZ-2A635-A for both left and right sides.
Other specific 93 Cobra brake items were the power brake booster part number F3ZZ-2005-A and a 2 port master cylinder part number F3ZZ-2140-A. Regular 5.0L Mustangs got a smaller brake booster and a 3 port master cylinder which actually gave more brake pressure. The proportioning valve was also recalibrated as rear disc brakes require more pressure than drum brakes do.
Exterior:
The exterior of the Cobra got some cosmetic upgrades. As we start from the front, the bumper cover in front is identical to the GT except for the cutout in the grille opening with a running horse emblem where the Ford oval once was on the GT. Part number for the insert is F3ZZ-8200-A and could also be ordered from the dealer in the correct color by changing the last letter to: B for red, C for teal and D for black.
The ground effects were also changed and eliminated the air scoops in the front and rear. This gave the car a more subtle look and combined with the new rear bumper cover which was slightly shorter than the GT to allow the tips to show and the rear spoiler, gave the Cobra a unique look and most copied style by other Mustang owners. Cobra's also got snake emblems where the 5.0 would normally be and the "COBRA" emblem was also installed on the drivers rear corner of the hatch.
The wheels are a 7 spoke design and are highly sought after. They measure 17 x 7.5 and are directional meaning there is a part number for the left and right wheels. Part numbers are F3ZZ-1007-A (RH) and F3ZZ-1007-B (LH). These wheels also used a stainless steel center cap that was specific to this car under part number F3ZZ-1130-A. The wheel offset was different to allow the use of the 1.5" wider rear disc brake differential.
Other:
Other specific 93 Cobra items include the floor mats part number F3ZZ-6113086-AAG (gray) and F3ZZ-6113086-AAH (black) and the lack of cruise control for weight savings (how much though is not known). The Cobra also got a different EEC to make it work with the 24# injectors and reduced the total timing to 25 degrees and gave a limiter of sorts. At 85 mph, the computer would add more fuel to protect the motor and there was no timing retard between shifts as rumored. This began in 1994 Mustangs.
Stats:
235 hp @ 4600 rpm and 280 lb/ft @ 4000 rpm
9.0:1 compression ratio
6000 rpm redline
0-60 in 5.7 seconds
top speed 140 mph
17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
Curb weight: 3255 lbs.
Stats as reported in Feb 1993 Car and Driver:
1/4 mile: 14.3 seconds @ 98 mph
Braking 70-0 mph in 181 ft
0.85 g in 300 ft skidpad
0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds