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Ride of the Month - August 2008

Scott (smbstyle) 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

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Owner: Scott Bartlett
Age: 22
Vehicle: 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Location: Tampa, FL

Engine | Suspension | Exterior | Interior | I.C.E. | Pictures | Interview

Engine/Performance:
Kenne Bell 2.2L "Blowzilla" Supercharger @ 19lbs of boost
Accufab Big Oval throttle body
Billetflow 3.10" upper pulley
Billetflow 4 piece Idler Pullies
LFP 2lb lower crank pulley kit
K&N FIPK Intake
Oil Seperator kit
Bassani off-road X pipe
Bassani SS Catback
Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump
60lb Injectors
AFCO Heat Exchanger
Diablosport MAFia
GT500 Coil Covers
NGK TR6's gapped at .032
MGW Short Throw Shifter
Spec Stage 3+ Clutch
Spec Flywheel
Liberty 26 spline input shaft
Lethal Performance Throw out Bearing retainer sleeve
LDC Head Cooling mod
Redline Tuning Hood Struts

Suspension & Wheels:
H&R Super Sport Lowering Springs
Maximum Motorsports Caster/Camber plates
Steeda Subframe Connectors
Billetflow IRS brace
18x9 and 18x10.5 AFS Cobra Replica Wheels
BFG GForce KDW2 Tires (265/35R18 and 295/35R18)
16X8 Cragar soft 8 wheels (drag wheels)
M/T E.T. Streets (drag tires)

Exterior:

Cobra front grille emblem
8" shorty antenna
Black COBRA bumper inserts
 

Interior:

20% window tinting
Hilton Boost Overlay
Speed of sound twin gauge pod w/ raptor claw
Speed hut custom boost/vac gauge "SVT"
Speed hut custom oil pressure gauge "SVT"
Raptor shift light - red
Custom stitched "COBRA" in headrests

I.C.E.:

Pioneer Avic D1 w/ NAV/Sirius/Ipod
JL Audio component speakers front
JL Audio rear speakers
Red ambient lighting in door handles
MGW door handles

Interview:

MDSS: How did hear about MDSS?
smbstyle: Well, I'm sure some of you remember the white 03 Cobra that was on here (and won ROTM as well). He actually referred me to the site a few years ago, and have been lurking and posting ever since.

MDSS: When and why did you purchase the vehicle you have?
smbstyle: Ha... I've been trying to get an 03/04 Cobra since I was 17. I still even have the print-outs from back in 2003 and 2004 from Autotrader! It wasn't until this past May in which it was more "practical" for me to purchase it due to having a full time job now and lower insurance rates, and it was an incredible feeling after waiting for 5 years.

MDSS: What kind of condition was it in?
smbstyle: It was in fairly good condition, the previous owner had a few knicks and scratches on it, so I've been getting most of them out since I do detailing on the side.

MDSS: Daily, Weekend, show, or race car?
smbstyle: When I originally purchased it, it was just a weekend car. I just got done a 1000 mile trip, which took me 17 hours, down to my new home in Tampa, FL. For the first two weeks down here, it was my daily driver, which was awful. I was averaging about 12mpg 50/50 city/highway, but it drove great other than that. I was finally able to get a beater, and is now just a weekend car again. I primarily race it at the track, but have considered going to a few shows. There's a Mustang show coming up down here that I will most likely enter into.

MDSS: What modification on your vehicle to you like the most?
smbstyle: The blower!!!!! There is nothing like the scream of a Kenne Bell blower, and the feeling of it pulling like a freight train. I had a friend describe the sound to me.... "that blower sounds like god is coming down with his finger to wipe sh*t off the planet".

MDSS: What is the most expensive part on your car?
smbstyle: I'd say the blower, and it really isn't that expensive (about $2000-$2500 for a used or rebuilt). Really, the car is completely bolt-on mods other than that.

MDSS: What was the last modification you installed on your vehicle?
smbstyle: That would be the SCT 4 bank tune selector, which is incredible. I am able to go from a bad-gas tune which will make 548rwhp, to the 608rwhp torco tune, literally with the flip of a switch. It was also one of the cheapest parts as well, only $30.

MDSS: What has given you the most headache working on your car? (Part, experience, shop)
smbstyle: Myself. I over-analyze and scrutinize every single part of the car. I think I am border-line OCD with making sure the car runs and looks perfect. If I hear an odd sound, or a single drop of any fluid, I'll be under the car messing around with it for hours.

MDSS: How much of the work have you gotten your hands dirty with versus outsourcing to a shop?
smbstyle: Well basically the car came to me with the ported blower on it and some other bolt ons, so the serious work such as big installs (blower, dropping fuel tank, differential re-seal and tuning) I have had the shops do. The other small stuff, (fluid changes, tune up, misc. bolt on stuff) I do at work or home.

MDSS: Are there any future plans for this vehicle?
smbstyle: Oh yeah... Solid rear w/ 3.73 gears, 31spline axles with a Eaton diff., Completely strip the interior, Corbeau seats w/ 5 pt harness, 10pt. cage, C4 Auto Trans, Kenne Bell 2.8H Mammoth Blower, Nitrous Express Wet Kit (75 shot), built motor w/ P&P heads, cams, and one hell of a fuel system to handle it.

That whole list isn't anything for the near future, those are long term goals. I'd like to see 1,000 rwhp out of it. Also, a brake upgrade to be able to do some threshold braking from 150mph.

MDSS: How long have you been working on this vehicle?
smbstyle: Since May 22nd, 2008.

MDSS: Are you into the show or race scene? Or both?
smbstyle: RACE, although am planning on entering into a Mustang show around here soon, we'll see how that goes...

MDSS: Do have any sponsors?
smbstyle: Nope, but would like some once I plan on getting into serious drag racing with it.

MDSS: Are you a part of a local car crew?
smbstyle: I'm trying to get in with the whole scene down here in Tampa which is HUGE, the Mafia Motorsports crew, Need2Speed guys, and some of the local mustang clubs.

Shout outs:
HUGE thanks to Jason at Competition Speed and Sound for helping me out and dealing with late nights wrenching on this thing, and giving me excellent deals and great service. Also, I must thank Hermann at Horsepower by Hermann for the unbelievable tuning he did on this car. He spent two full days and 110% into making this a well balanced, high horsepower car. 608rwhp in 95* temps during July, and a conservative and reliable tune is just incredible!!
 

Pictures:

Engine | Suspension | Exterior | Interior | I.C.E. | Pictures | Interview

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