recklessOP

not sure if it's a problem or not, but here goes... btw, the stang is the first stick shift car i've owned, and the first stick shift car i've had the chance to really mess around with, so i'm a manual transmission n00b... for starters, i've drag raced the car quite a bit during the summer at the strip, slipping the clutch a bit to get me off the line better, and the car sees plenty of stop and go driving around town. the clutch is a factory original piece, and i've put 14,000 miles on the car since it was new... anyways, here's my "problem." when i slowly let the clutch out and start moving forward, the car doesn't get going very smoothly. if i let up on the pedal enough to get the car moving a bit without completely letting up, the car hops forward, like the clutch is biting and slipping over and over again. the clutch also seems to slip a bit under hard driving, but i'm not sure. the hopping problem seems to get better as i drive the car a bit, but it's starting to bother me. it's been doing this for quite a while too. i'm not sure if i just trashed the clutch, it's supposed to do this, or something else is wrong. btw, my car already received a new transmission tailshaft under warranty after problems with the rear seal and driveshaft yoke, so i wouldn't rule out bigger drivetrain problems. that was before i started driving the car hard, btw... i just want to get any problems ironed out while the car is still under warranty. i've already had the midpipes, a seatbelt, and the radio replaced under warranty. the car is a bit of a lemon, but i do like it, and the dealer has been pretty good about fixing any problems i've had. one other thing. another concern is the tranny itself, and this is probably nothing. whenever i downshift into 1st, and i mean from any speed, be it 30 or 5 mph, i get a TON of gear whine from the transmission, with the pedal pushed in. i don't have much experience with mustangs, or their transmissions, so i'm not sure what to make of it. is this normal? it only does this in 1st gear. it's done this since i bought the car new, so if something is wrong i want to get it fixed. any thoughts? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks... [ 08. January 2003, 02:04 AM: Message edited by: recklessOP ]

i thought those batteries were supposed to be more tolerant of cold weather...

are unmarked cars legal in this state? or can they just call you in?

here's the web site for anyone that's curious... http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/03Cobra.htm i'm going to call my local ford parts department tomorrow and see what they usually cost over the counter... as far as the prices on that page, they don't suprise me that much. for a 2003 cobra spec T56 6 speed, they want 4000 dollars... some of the prices are good, some aren't... [ 12 December 2002, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: recklessOP ]

here's a pic of them off the web site... http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/dsc_466.jpg as far as them being the same part, that's what i was thinking. hell, they're even labeled as bilsteins too... and the price, FOR A PAIR, $130 OEM vs. $400 aftermarket... anyone know a place around here where i can get them revalved? [ 12 December 2002, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: recklessOP ]

here's the thing though. i am not looking at aftermarket bilsteins. i was looking at OEM replacement struts for a 2003 cobra, which bilstein manufactures. a pair of these for my car would cost 130 dollars for the front struts. aftermarket bilsteins usually run about 400 dollars for the front struts. my main question is, would it be a smart idea to go ahead and use 2003 cobra front struts, valved the way i want them, or save up more money and buy aftermarket struts... i realize they're ford spec parts, but they are manufactured by bilstein, and i would assume they are the same design with ford specified valving. am i crazy?

any ideas as far as price for the KYB hardware, so i can compare... i was also considering the adjustable KYB twin tube shocks and struts... decisions, decisions...

i've been looking into to reworking the suspension on my mustang lately, and today i was digging around looking at shocks and springs, when i came across something interesting... found a web site online, that sells OEM parts for fords. i was digging through the mustang sections, checking prices on a new front bumper cover ( ) when i ran across another page. seems they had a parts list of some of the different parts used on the 2003 cobra and mach 1. anyways, i knew the new cobras come standard with bilstein struts and shocks, so i decided to take a closer look. they have a small package deal, which includes a pair of 03 cobra front struts and a pair of bullitt or mach 1 tokico rear shocks, for 190 bucks. they sell the struts individually, coupe or convertible spec, for 65 dollars. i was looking at aftermarket bilsteins for my car online, and front struts are like 200 dollars each. here's the question. since these are stockpiled OEM replacement parts, they're nice and cheap, exactly what i'm looking for. would cobra struts be a nice performance upgrade for my car's suspension? i realize they have ford specified valving, but are these basically the same bilstein design struts they sell in bilstein boxes online for 200 bucks? how much to revalve them to the exact specs i need? right now, i'm going for maximum bang for the buck, and i would think these units would complement a pair of stiffer lowering springs quite nicely. i'm counting on some open track events and autocrossing next year, but the car has to be daily driveable... any thoughts? they also have bullitt and mach 1 spec tokico struts, as well as rear shocks. too bad cobra bilstein shocks won't fit my rear suspension. think these might be the way to go, or should i keep my eyes set on aftermarket pieces? right now i'm looking for good performance and value, not all out performance.

how about the electromagnetic camshafts they were talking about in Formula 1, that were supposed to add another 10,000 rpm to the engines' rev range... i'm not sure how much i like this stuff though. cams are already expensive for my car... i imagine stuff like this would push the price through the roof... would be interesting though.

that'd be a tuneup every week if i had one...

i'll definitely keep that in mind... car is going down for the winter soon, so i have plenty of time. no rush to get them on at this point. i have a whole list of stuff to do this winter to get it prepped for some open track and autocross events next spring... i also have another car back home that needs a cage, so i'll let you know...

i've been beating on my car way too hard since i bought it and i think it's time i finally get around to installing a set of subframe connectors... for general reference, i drive a 2002 ford mustang GT coupe with a 5 speed manual. the car is pretty much bone stock as of now... just looking for recommendations with subframe connectors. i tried a set of BBK connectors, and the mounting tabs were welded on crooked. no way in hell they would ever fit. i've tried a pair of ford motorsport connectors as well, which i think we simply repackaged low end kenny brown connectors... i'm looking for something rather beefy, but doesn't kill ground clearance. right now i'm looking at the entire Kenny Brown super sub package, Steeda steel connectors with cross braces, or Maximum Motorsports standard connectors... anyone have experience with these companies and their subframe connectors? proper fit is a big concern after the last two tries. weld on connectors are a given. any suggestions? i'm open to just about anything... let me know, and thanks in advance...

it's all too complicated, i'm going to carbs... tongue.gif you guys have to admit a set of 4 sidedraft webers would look nicer than lots of wires...

anyone know of any good software or piggyback that lets you write your own programs for this car? i've seen a few things, but as i remember they were for the earlier gen computers, and not the modular engines... any suggestions?

probably not going to attempt anything too crazy in the near future, but thanks for the help regardless. at this point, a custom chip is what i'm looking at. still looking at a stand alone or something for my corvette though... as far as the mustang goes, i have no desire, nor the money, to completely replace the original shortblock right now, as well as the transmission and rear end... right now i'm going to keep my plans around the 450 hp level to insure i don't have to make any MAJOR shortblock or fuel system changes, and with some work, the tranny and rear end should at least survive for a while... i do happen to have a friend or two that could help me out with this motor though, so we'll see what i can cook up by next spring. perhaps doritos will be on the menu after all... thanks for all your help guys!

with a new chip, can i ditch the speed limiter and that rough ass factory rev limiter too? 155 mph just isn't fast enough for me...

i've considered something like that... i would love to switch to an aftermarket ECU, but how much are we talking price wise? and can i just switch out the ECU and rewire the engine, instead of buying a whole new engine harness and sensor package? anybody out there have experience with aftermarket computers? piggyback computer perhaps... i know a ton of mustang owner supercharge their cars on factory computers, so i'm still considering a new program for the factory ECU. if i can pull off an aftermarket ECU or piggyback computer though for somewhat cheap, i'd be more than happy to make the switch. anyone price this stuff? and anyone know how to tune an aftermarket ECU? i'm looking for a decent boost in power without blowing up the motor, nothing crazy... HELP!!!

i might be looking at doing some major engine mods this winter. it's up in the air right now, but i'm looking at turbocharging, head work, new cams, and things of that nature... anyways, i'm worried about how the ECU is going to handle this, especially something as extreme as turbocharging or new cams. i decided it would be smarter to look into this before rather than after i've reworked the top half of the engine... does anyone on here have any suggestions as to what i should do about the ECU, and does anyone on here have experience with tuning like this, and maybe be willing to help me out? anybody know someone or a shop that specializes in this? any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated... i'm certainly not asking for any free help, but any project this winter is going to strain my wallet. thanks...

just a quick question for anyone out there with experience with ford modular engines... what motor oil would you recommend? i've been using the factory manual recommended 5W20 semi synthetic... this stuff looks like water, and i've heard some not so good things about it. any recommendations as to what i should use? the car always sees plenty of RPM. i do like my engine, but i don't want to spend an arm and a leg on motor oil... thanks for any help...

don't they also recommend breaking in new pads on a good set of used rotors... did you get new rotors too?

you gonna change the bird over to a manual?

it needs nitrous...

i want a silver one!!! you just gonna bring them out to the meets?

i want a silver one!!! you just gonna bring them out to the meets?

they still have any left? i'd like to get one or two...