Where to start? 99 cobra

Ok so i just bought a 1999 cobra, its got some work to do on it, the previous owner sort of neglected it. Just minor things like needs new stereo some maintanence.. anyway i want to start pulling more power out of the pony, and im looking for some suggestions of where to start.. i already have longtube headers, short shifter, 4.30's...? Ideas?

wow, if you really have 4.30's then you better have some sticky ass tires. Buy a K&N and change your mufflers if you haven't. Underdrive pulleys are nice and a bigger throttle body would help. If you wanna go forced induction, there are some people in here that can help, but you would have to step down to 3.73's. Welcome to the mustang forum.

What are your plans to do with the car?

The factory suspension leaves a lot to be desired in our cars but it sounds like you aren’t really concerned with this. If you are let me know I can give you a few links to checkout

I wouldn’t just drop a K&N in there or even go with the FIPK. I have a Amazon Racing stage 1 intake it’s basically the same as the Steeda kit other than its made of black plastic. As far as exhaust goes if you don’t already have more than longtubes look in to Bassani is the only way to go on a 4V. Cams and ported heads or FR500 heads would make a big improvement. Our NA 4V don’t exactly breath all that well. I am thinking about going to forged internals and upping the compression to 11.0:1 but I plan to stay NA. There is a guy on SVTperformance that has 400hp out of his 01 NA with all bolt ons and FR500 heads and intake but I am not sure what cams he is running.

I'm more of a 5.0 guy so correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the 4.6 (both engines) loved the higher rpm's. So I would leave the 4.30's in, unless you are having problems getting it to hook. The quicker you get that engine in its power band (higher rpms) the better. I know this is an insult to the Mustang/Cobra to compare these two cars but if the 4.6 DOHC is like the 3.0 DOHC Taurus, I know the 3.0 hits the power about 3500 rpm's. Anything lower than that like off the line until 3500 rpm's I think to myself "come on let's go". But once it's up there it screams. I know, I know, I should be shot for comparing the two but I've never been in a 4.6 Cobra, I know they're both DOHC engines that like the higher revs. I only know that about the 4.6 from what I've read so like I said forgive me and correct me if I am wrong. But I would keep the 4.30's.
OK now this is when Skyline will come in and say go with the 3.73's. That's only because he's paying $7.00 per gallon for gas. Can't blame him I guess. Just messin with ya Sky!

Yes the 4.6DOHC loves the higher RPMs but it is at 3k rpm is where they start to pin you in the seat. The only real problem is the half shafts. I happen to love the IRS but then again I am one of the few Cobra owners that prefer open track to the 1/4 mile. Most of the people that strictly run the 1/4 mile swap out the IRS for a live axle out of a GT. It is difficult to launch an IRS Cobra because if you try to launch at 3k rpm you will blow a half shaft even in a stock Cobra.

I've heard about the problems w/ the IRS and guys swapping them out for drag or leaving them in for road course. Since you have one and race it, do you think this guy should take out the 4.30's and use 3.73's? Or should he leave the 4.30's like I suggested?

Well yes and no. If his plans ever include even running a road course or sticking with minor upgrades to the IRS I would say 373's. If going to a live axle out of a GT 430's should be ok. Now if he plans on keeping both the IRS and the 430's then stronger half shafts should be added as well as other things to limit wheel hop.

355's and 373's are great for road courses becuse most tracks have a few hills or at least they do here in TX. Even with 373's you can run it to trouble on some hills this is where 355's would be better. Also with some long straights 410's or higher will also force you to go in to fifth gear.

I know the 4.10's and 4.30's are too much for the road course, but I figure they'd be great for 1/4 mile racing in the Cobra, I know they are in the 5.0. If he plans on doing both (drag/road course) I think I'd go w/ 3.73's. DID I JUST SAY THAT? But if he plans on just drag, I'd leave the 4.30's. But then again he might want to swap in stronger shafts or just switch to the 8.8 rear from a GT. I THINK I'LL STICK W/ FOX BODY MUSTANGS.....less crap to think about and easier to work on!

On a 99 or an 01 a 03 IRS cross member, steeda IRS Subframe Brackets, good sprins (I use H&R race springs), matched shocks (Cobra R), and some wider rims 9" or 10" (with the correct offset) are a good start for both. Upgraded half shafts are really only needed for the 1/4.

well i just just put new wheels on it 18x9 in front and 18x11.5 in the back... and im haveing a basani exhaust installed from the headers back along with steedas cold air intake..What do yall think about 373 and nitrous not a big shot but a lil somthing...Ill prolly just use the car on the street or the drag strip no tracks for me its also my daily driver

Bassani is the best you will love the sound. I would go a head and remove the baffles right after you get it. They can be a PIA to take out after they get burned in. You may want to crawl under the car and make sure you have plenty of clearance between the tires and the exhaust. 11.5 is really wide and if the offset isn't right your rims will eat in to the exhaust. 373s will be great but it will seem a little more sluggish with them but remember you have more of a top end now. If you start to get wheel hop look in to some of the parts I listed above.

I don’t really know anything about running nitrous in the 4v's but from what I have heard they love it.