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This 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra convertible was my first collector car. I bought it as a low-kilometer,
5-year-old, all-stock Cobra, in 2003, and owned it through 2004. I mildly modified the car with performance and
appearance items (see "Mods"). It won awards in both "Concours" and "Modified" classes, at Mustang events,
receiving high points from Mustang judges for its appearance and flawless condition (see "Awards").

Specifications are from a Ford brochure printed August, 1997:
"Product Changes: Following publication of this data, certain changes in standard equipment, options, prices and the like,
or product delays, may have occurred which would not be included in these pages. Your Ford Dealer reserves the right
to change product specifications at any time without incurring obligations."

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph - 5.9 seconds
Quarter mile - 13.99 seconds @ 101.6 mph
Top speed - 152 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph - 127 ft.
Braking, 80-0 mph - 227 ft.
80 ft. slalom - 52.1 mph
100 ft. skidpad - 0.89g
(All performance numbers were generated under closed-course conditions on a test track.)

ENGINE
Configuration - Longitudinally mounted, 90-degree V8, cast aluminum block and heads, iron cylinder liners,
fully counterweighted forged crankshaft
Bore & Stroke - 90.2mm x 90.0mm
Displacement - 4,601cc/280cid
Compression ratio - 9.85:1
Horsepower (SAE net) - 305 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque - 300 lb./ft. @ 4,800 rpm
Redline - 6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off at 7,000 rpm)
Valvetrain - Double overhead cams (hollow camshafts), chain drive to exhaust cams, secondary chain
from exhaust to intake cams, roller finger followers with hydraulic lash adjustment, ovate-wire beehive
valve springs, four valves per cylinder
Intake valves - 2 per cylinder, 37mm head diameter
Exhaust valves - 2 per cylinder, 30mm head diameter
Fuel system - Sequential electronic fuel injection
Intake manifold - Tuned length thin-wall cast aluminum runners, cast aluminum plenum chamber
Throttle body - Twin 57mm bore throttle body, simultaneously opening
Air-mass sensor - 80mm diameter
Port throttles - Electronically actuated 34mm port throttles open to secondary intake valves at 3,250 rpm
Exhaust manifolds - Cast high-silicon, molybdenum iron, manifold type, stud and nut attachment
Exhaust system - Dual, stainless steel, 2.25 in. diameter tubes

DRIVETRAIN
Rear axle - 8.8 in. limited-slip differential
Driveshaft - Steel, with hardened yoke
Transmission - Borg-Warner T45 5-speed manual; integral clutch housing
Gear / Ratio / Speed
1st / 3.37 / 45 mph (72 kph)
2nd / 1.99 / 77 (124)
3rd / 1.33 / 115 (185)
4th / 1.00 / 152 (245)
5th / 0.67
Reverse / 3.22
Final drive / 3.27

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, 26mm stabilizer bar

STEERING
Type - Power assist, rack and pinion
Gear ratio - 14.7:1 (on center)
Turns, lock to lock - 2.38
Turning diameter - 40.8 feet

BRAKES
Front - 13.0 in. (330mm) vented disc, PBR twin-piston caliper
Rear - 11.65 in. (296mm) vented disc, single-piston caliper
ABS - Three-channel, four-sensor system

WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheels - Cast alloy, painted surface, five-spoke, 17 x 8 in.
Tires - BFGoodrich Comp T/A ZR, 245/45ZR-17, unidirectional tread pattern

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Wheelbase - 101.3 in./2,573mm
Length - 182.5 in./4,636mm
Height - 53.2 in.(53.3 in.)/1,351mm(1,354mm)
Width - 71.8 in./1,824mm
Track, F/R - 60.0 in./58.7 in.; 1,524mm/1,491mm
Head Room - 38.2 in.(38.1 in.)/970mm(968mm)
Leg Room - 41.9 in./1,064mm
Curb Weight - 3,391 lbs.(3,531 lbs.)/1,541kg(1,605kg)
Fuel Tank - 15.4 gal./58 liters
Weight Dist., F/R, % - 57/43
(Numbers in parentheses are for Convertible)

COLOR AND TRIM
Exterior - Crystal White Clearcoat, Black Clearcoat, Laser Red Tinted Clearcoat,
Bright Atlantic Blue Clearcoat (black interior only).
Late availability of Canary Yellow Clearcoat (black interior only)
Interior - Black Cloth, Saddle Cloth, Black Leather, Saddle Leather

COBRA INCLUDES
Supplemental restraint system: Driver- and passenger-side (air bag).
Always wear your safety belt, and secure children in the rear seat.
Tilt steering wheel
Anti-lock brake system
Articulated sport seats (four-way power for driver) with cloth/vinyl trim, cloth head restraint,
and power lumbar support (leather only)
Premium electronic AM/FM stereo cassette
Compact disc player
Power Group: Power side windows, power door locks, power deck lid release,
dual electric remote control mirrors
Rear window defroster
Air-conditioning/manual control
Speed control
Front floor mats
Dual illuminated visor mirrors
Remote keyless illuminated entry
SecuriLock anti-theft system

AVAILABLE OPTIONS
Electronics and Leather Trim Group, consisting of: Leather seating surfaces; Sport buckets with
power lumbar support; Mach 460 electronic AM/FM stereo/cassette; Total Anti-Theft System (TATS)
Rear deck spoiler
California emissions system
High-altitude principal use

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