1996 Cobra

I am buying a 1996 Cobra. It is $4,000 but has a rod knocking. Car is in very good condition and has Nitrous injection. Am I paying to much for this car?
There is another engine I can get (both are 4.6 V-8 Dual overhead cams) That has a stroker kit with all parts to go back together except for Gaskets. 12:1 Compression ratio but is another $3,000. Please help, I have been a Mechanic all My life so putting it together is not a problem, I am wondering if I am getting in to deep money wise if I had to recoup it.
Can Anyone advise??

Stroker engine has steel crank, and rods with clevite Bearings. Man says he has 3900 in engine. Heads have been ported and polished.
Car has a couple of minor nicks, driver seat has normal leather cracks but rest of car looks like no one has sat in it.
114,000 miles and lowering sprins on front the rears are in the trunk. Please advise

Go with the one that only needs the rear springs installed and cosmetic issues....trust me! I did the same thing that you're thinking of doing with the lesser expensive car and I'm still throwing good money after bad. Just my opinion... Welcome to the club BTW!!!

Are you sure it is a Rod? the cam chain guides are notorious for going bad on the DOHC.
I would be ok paying $4000 for a 96 Cobra. The engines alone are still going for 2K to 4k. And 3k for a stroker seems pretty good also but remember with the 12:1 comp you might have to run Racing gas

It is the same car both ways. I either am going to have to tear down the engine in it or go with the new enging with the stroker kit and pistons. I can do it either way just need to know the BEST way

with 40 pound injectors in the stroker I should be able to run E85 which is about 105 octane

Knock is down low and seems to be crankshaft speed so I think it is a Rod or a spun bearing

yeah go buy that motor and for 7g's u'll have a bad a$$ cobra! not to mention you can replace the bearings and sell the other motor...

Thank You Joey, That is what I was thinking. If I rebuild the old motor I can recoup some of My money by selling engine out of car

Didn't think about rebuilding the old motor... you could probably recoup about as much as you pay for the car by doing that. Then you could have a sick Cobra for dirt cheap!

yeah cuz u can replace the bearings and while you have it broke down bore it, hone it and have the deck resurfaced and you can prlly sell it for about 4g's or so...how many miles are on the "bad bearing" motor. How much will u sell "as is"?

It has 114,500 on Motor and also has Nitrous injection. Probably why it is knocking LOL.
It would be nothing for Me to rebuild to someone's specs If they wanted a Hotty!
I have been in the business for 40 years and Used to do a lot of drag raceing in so. Cal at Irwindale and Lions with Don Nicholson. Had A new 1968 Cobra Jet 427 ci 425 hp. Wow, Wish I still had that one LOL
I would rather fix the old engine right And Maybe sell the New motor. Will put pics and specs on asap. I am thinking around $6,000 but I still have parts to buy like $400 worth of head bolts. will let everyone know asap

hey i have a 98 cobra chassis in need of engine how much do u want for the broken one ill even come and pick it up

I hate to sell an engine that I know has a problem I have gotten in trouble by doing that before. I will fix engine RIGHT and sell for $4500.
Crank kit cross bore hone new rins and brgs. W/ valve job. I think That would be a fair deal. I would Show all reciepts from Machine shop. I also get arts from Machine shop.
Would be willing to build engine to Your specs. if You wanted to go that way. I know that the 2 stage cams are about $1200 and 40 pound injectors are a little over $300. Could build low compression for blowe or turbo or a stroker W/ 12.5 to 1 Comp. for Nitro Injection. I would have to have to get at least $3500 fo engine as is and You would have to sign a statement that the engine has a knock in it.. I would rather rebuild for My sake and Yours

WORD! C-Y-A!

I have had the engine bored and cross honed, the line bore checked and Magnafluxed to check for cracks. Have new clevite bearings and the rods were not too bad and the machine shop recommended reconditioning so that is what I did. Already have bought all new bolts, gaskest's, and timing set. New melling oil pump and Mahle piston's 20 over and the crank is 20 under. So far I have $2,000 in engine plus the heads are still at machine shop and will be another $500 which will put Me at $2500 in the engine plus My labor. After I bought the car and got the title My Nephew told Me that he had the Stroker engine on the internet for sale for $4,000 so I got the shaft on IT. I do know where there is a Cobra engine with 150,000 miles on it for $3800 if someone is interested. I do want to sell this car when it is fiished. I will post pics asap, car is like New and will have the completely rebuilt engine in it. 114,000 miles on car. Has new lowering springs, cold air intake, headers and new exhaust and Nitrous injection tuned to car with computer control module. Will come up with asking price when done.
If anyone is interested I would be wiling to put new H beam rods in it and new cams of Your choice. I would go with the stage 3 comp cams if I were going to keep it. I also would have put Mahle pistons in it. If interested send Me an e-mail to russchessnut@aol.com with title 1996 Cobra. Heads will be ready next week so let Me know so I can make changes while it is still easy. would be willing to make this a 500 hp plus engine and sell car for $12,500. Or will sell engine and get another to build. I have been a mechanic for 45 years and I do check everything. I have checked each main Journal and will do the same wit rods whichare next. I will give warranty on car and engine. e-mail if intersted. Thank You Russ

even @ 500 hp your not going to get $12500 for a 96 Cobra

BraMas wrote:even @ 500 hp your not going to get $12500 for a 96 Cobra

unfortunately this is true

If this car is as nice as I claim what do You think I can get out of it? I know the engine is worth $5000 to $6000 alone!!! It also has Nitrous injection which cost $1,000. They want $3800 for a complete engine with 150,000 miles on it. Plus the headers and lowering sprins which are brand new. I could part it out for almost that much. Please, I do apprecieate Your input. Also at $12,500 it would have 500 to 550 HP with the XER Stage 3 cams and springs with ported heads..

My '96 is as nice as Your 2000, prettier because of the paint color I think. Mine is almost a Candy Aple Red.

I dont want to make you made with how much I would pay for you car without seeing it so I wont answer that.
But a good way to gauge what people are asking is go to eBay and you will see a few low mile Cobra that are Supercharged for alot less than you want to ask.
Here is an example a 96 Mystic is probably one of the most desised/Collectable Cobra's and they only want $8200 w/ 59,600m
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-1996-Mystic-Cobra-Low-Miles-Low-Price-/220694262202?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item33626731ba#ht_527wt_950

not hear to throw any punches either, im on lots of forums and things are not selling like they used to... svtperformance.com, corral.net are a few that get great traffic but they will tear prices apart. might wanna try a local sale 1st to see if you can get a buyer for that price range?

in the v6world i would say that people are getting a 50% return on engine/mods so if you engine is worth 6k then most likely you can find a buyer that is willing to pay 3k for it.. Tim would be a better person to ask about the v8 ballgame, again im in the v6 3.8l-4.3l stuff :p

COLE wrote:hey i have a 98 cobra chassis in need of engine how much do u want for the broken one ill even come and pick it up

Cole, I do know where there is a complete 4.6 cobra engine with 130,000 miles on it. Bessler's auto salvage in Wilder, Ky. They want $3800 for it which I don't think is too much for a complete engine. If interested I can get You thier Phone #

I do understand what You are all saying. You won't make Me mad, I know You are giving Me You honest opinion. I am going by what they are asking for long blocks and that is without all the intake and other parts. I do know that anything is only worth what You can sell it for. To be honest I did not know that there was going to be so much damage to the lower end of engine and was hopeing that it would not have to be bored. I am only haveing the heads done because it is the right thing to do. I want to get as much as I can but I also want it to be built the right way. I guess I should have bought the used engine I found for $3800 with 130,000 on it and stuck it in the car and got rid of it as it only shows 114,500 miles on it but I could not have done that to anyone. I am to honest to a fault LOL.

I do thak You all for Your input and If I can help any of You in any way I would be more then happy to do so. Like parts that are here in the Greater Cincinnati area. As I posted to Cole that needs an engine there is one at Bessler's auto salvage in Wilder, Ky for $3800 with 130,000 + miles on it but it is complete. Thanks again, Russ

russchessnut wrote:

COLE wrote:hey i have a 98 cobra chassis in need of engine how much do u want for the broken one ill even come and pick it up

Cole, I do know where there is a complete 4.6 cobra engine with 130,000 miles on it. Bessler's auto salvage in Wilder, Ky. They want $3800 for it which I don't think is too much for a complete engine. If interested I can get You thier Phone #

ill let J know about this. thanks!