The Ford SVT Mustang Cobra (also known as "SVT Mustang Cobra, SVT Cobra," or simply as "Cobra") is a pony car that was built by American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company's Special Vehicle Team division (or SVT) for the 1993 to 2004 model years.
The SVT Cobra was a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang and was considered the top-of-the-line variant, being positioned above the Mustang GT and Mach 1 models during its production run. On three occasions, the race-ready, street-legal SVT Cobra R variant was produced in limited numbers.
The SVT Cobra was succeeded by the Mustang Shelby GT500 which was introduced for the 2007 model year.
1993: Fox-Body small block Cobra
1993
The 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was launched during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. It was the premier vehicle of Ford's newly established SVT division, designed to showcase SVT's hallmarks of performance, substance, exclusivity, and value. The exterior of the 1993 SVT Cobra was similar to that year's GT model with differences explained below.
The upgrades featured a "5.0" V8 engine, rated at a power output of at 4,600 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. According to Road & Track, the Mustang Cobra could complete a 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds at a trap speed of . Acceleration from zero to took 5.9 seconds. The drivetrain received an upgraded transmission, rear disc brakes, and for the first time on a factory Mustang, 17-inch unidirectional wheels. Cobra models received a softer, more compliant ride compared to the GT model. This was done by using model-specific springs and sway bars.
Engine
The 1993 SVT Cobra's short block (cylinder block, crankshaft, rods, and pistons) was carried over from the GT model. SVT engineers added the following performance items:
Cylinder Heads — The GT-40 "High Flow" Cast Iron heads were installed. They were milled for 62.5 cc combustion chambers. The valves measured at the intake, and at the exhaust. The valves are actuated by Cobra-specific 1.7 ratio roller rockers, constructed of aluminum, and produced for Ford by Crane Cams. Intake Manifold — The Cobra upper manifold was unique to the 1993 Cobra and had a diameter round throttle body opening, diverting air into (8) round staggered ports, each in diameter. The lower manifold was identical to the GT-40 manifold used by Ford Racing; it redirects airflow to a rectangular port configuration as needed by the cylinder heads. Camshaft — The cam is of the hydraulic roller type (same as the GT). However, the Cobra cam has unique specifications of intake/exhaust lift, (209°/209°) duration at , and a lobe separation of 118.3° Air/Fuel Delivery — The increased airflow and fuel consumption of the Cobra required these upgraded components: Larger (compared to the GT) 24 lb/hr fuel injectors, MAF meter, throttle body, and matching EGR plate handle the increased air-intake of the motor. A specially calibrated X3Z EEC-IV engine control unit runs the system. Accessories — The crankshaft pulley diameter decreased by 14% (as compared to the GT) in order to under-drive the alternator, air-conditioner, and smog pump, all to increase the power output. The water pump pulley was also decreased in diameter by the same amount in order to preserve the ratio of the pump's speed, and thus coolant flow. These smaller accessory pulleys necessitated a shorter serpentine belt. Exhaust — To extract the maximum amount of power from the Cobra's powerplant, Ford engineers used tuned mufflers with lower restriction (as compared to the GT). While the factory headers and H-pipe remained the same, the tailpipes were similar to that of a Mustang LX 5.0 L (Sport) model in that they had straight stainless steel tips (instead of turn-down tips on the GT). This is because the Cobra had a revised rear fascia, allowing (unlike the GT) for an exposed dual exhaust.
Drivetrain
The Borg-Warner World Class T-5 transmission received an internal upgrade compared to the standard World Class T-5. This consisted of custom gearing for the first to third gears (which were reduced by 10% and hardened) while the fourth and fifth (hardened) gear was the same as standard T-5s found in the LX/GTs. The holding capacity of the Cobra's clutch was increased by way of a higher clamping force pressure plate using the same 10-inch diameter as the GT/LX.
Suspension
Shocks/Struts — The Cobra shocks and struts were sourced from Tokico and specifically valved for the car.
Exterior Styling
The Cobra featured a more subdued styling than the GT.