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Senior Member
Alittle background info of the 94-98 SVT Cobras
With the debut of a redesigned Mustang for 1994, SVT applied its unique blend of performance, substance, exclusivity and value to the SN-95 platform and introduced a new, more potent Cobra. The restyled Mustang body abandoned the Fox-based car?s sharp edges in favor of a more sculpted look that better interpreted classic Mustang design cues. The interior was also revamped, featuring a driver-oriented ?twin-cockpit? design and white-faced gauges. The 1994 Cobra?s 5.0-liter V8 delivered 25 more horsepower than the mainstream Mustang GT, thanks to modifications to the cylinder heads, roller rockers, valve springs and upper intake manifold to increase the engine?s ?breathing? ability. Other performance enhancements were made to improve handling, ride and braking, including the addition of 17x8-inch wheels and 13-inch front disc brakes. Later in 1994, the first SVT Mustang Cobra Convertible was offered. Available only in red, it was selected as the Official Pace Car for the 1994 Indianapolis 500.
By 1995 the Ford Special Vehicle Team and its products were an unqualified success, so to further develop the Ford performance brand, all SVT models now wore special ?SVT? exterior badging. This was the final year for Mustang?s venerable 5.0-liter V8 ? long the preferred choice of Ford performance enthusiasts. Coupe versions of the Cobra were offered in Black, Red and White. To enhance the exclusivity of the Cobra convertible, which was available only in black, a removable hardtop option was offered. As the one and only year of the convertible hardtop experiment and with only 499 of the 1,003 droptops built leaving the factory with the optional hardtop, those cars are considered by some collectors to be among the most desirable SVT Cobras ever made.
ENGINE
Type 90? V-8
Bore x stroke 4.0 in. x 3.0 in.
Displacement: 5.0 liter/302 cid
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Horsepower: 240 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque: 285 lbs.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
SUSPENSION
FRONT: Modified MacPherson strut type with separate spring on lower arm, 400 lbs./in. linear-rate coil springs, 25mm stabilizer bar
REAR: Rigid axle, four trailing links, two leading hydraulic links, 160 lbs./in. linear-rate coil springs, 27mm stabilizer bar
BRAKES
FRONT: 13 in. vented disc
REAR: 11.65 in. vented disc
ABS: Power assist, four-wheel brakes with anti-lock
WHEELS AND TIRES
WHEELS: 17 x 8 in. 5-spoke cast aluminum
TIRES: Goodyear? Eagle GS-C, P255/45ZR-17
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Top Speed: 140 mph
1994 PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Cobra Coupe: Black 1795; White 1306; Red 1908; TOTAL: 5009
Cobra Convertible: TOTAL: 1000
1995 PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Cobra Coupe: Black 1433; White 1125; Red 1447; TOTAL: 4005
Cobra Convertible: TOTAL: 1003
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Senior Member
The major change for the 1996 SVT Mustang Cobra was the move to a brand-new, unique powertrain ? a hand-assembled, all-aluminum dual overhead cam (DOHC) 4.6-liter V8 rated at 305 horsepower. With its high-revving characteristics, the ?Modular? engine was worlds apart from the venerable 5.0 small-block and ushered the SVT Cobra into a new era of modern performance. The engine change brought about a 65-hp increase over the previous year, good for a 0-60 mph time in 5.9 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.9 and a top speed of 152 mph. To enhance the exclusivity of the Cobra Coupe, a unique high-tech, color-shifting paint dubbed "Mystic" was offered, with a one-time run of just 1,999 "Mystic" Coupes produced.
Demand for the 305-horspower SVT Cobra remained high in 1997, especially for convertibles, so SVT shifted more of its build mix toward the Cobra droptop ? with production now topping 3,000 units. Pacific Green was added as a color option. As a running mid-year change, the Cobra's engine signature sticker was replaced with a more durable metallic plate, with signatures of the two-man engine assembly team die-stamped onto the SVT engine plate.
The 1998 SVT Mustang Cobra debuted with minor cosmetic changes over the previous year. A new, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheel design, similar to the popular 1995 Cobra R style, better exposed the Cobra's 13.0-inch vented front disc brakes. Two mid-year color options were added: Bright Atlantic Blue and Canary Yellow Clearcoat. The clock pad was removed from the dashboard, and dual cupholders were included for added convenience.
ENGINE
Type 90? V-8
Bore x stroke 90.2mm x 90mm
Displacement: 4.6 liter/280 cid
Compression ratio: 9.85:1
Horsepower: 305 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 300 lbs.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
SUSPENSION
FRONT: Modified MacPherson strut, with separate spring on lower arm, 400/505 lbs./in. variable-rate coil springs, 29mm stabilizer bar
REAR: Rigid axle, upper and lower trailing arms, two leading hydraulic links, 165-265 lbs./in. variable-rate coil springs, shock absorbers, 27mm stabilizer bar
BRAKES
FRONT: 13 in. vented disc PBR? twin-piston caliper
REAR: 11.65 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper
ABS: Bosch?, three channel, four-sensor system
WHEELS AND TIRES
WHEELS: 17 x 8 in. 5-spoke cast aluminum
TIRES: BFGoodrich? Comp T/A 245/45ZR-17
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Top Speed: 152 mph
1996 PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Cobra Coupe: Black 2124; White 1429; Laser Red 1940; Mystic 2000; TOTAL: 7493
Cobra Convertible: Black 1054; Laser Red 962; White 494; TOTAL: 2510
1997 PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Cobra Coupe: Black 2369; White 1543; Rio Red 1994; Green 1055; TOTAL: 6961
Cobra Convertible: Black 1180; Red 925; White 606; Green 377; TOTAL: 3088
1998 PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Cobra Coupe: Black 1708; Red 1236; White 958; Yellow 709; Blue 563 ; TOTAL: 5174
Cobra Convertible: Black 1256; Red 842; White 578; Yellow 555; Blue 249; TOTAL: 3480
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