2003 Mustang cobra fuel help

SlayerLegend · 05-20-2008

Hey, I just bought a cobra through ebay and this is what it has for upgrades...

H&R 25mm spacers on the rear -H&R Race springs -Billetflow IRS brace -2.3L Whipple-(3.5" upper pulley & 4lb lower Metco) 19psi -Accufab throttle body -KB boost-a-pump -60lb Siemens injectors -K&N FIPK -Fluidine heat exchanger -LFP I/C reservoir -Sct-xcal2 (set up for 93 octane) -Sct-BA2400 MAF -Catless x-pipe -Magnaflow SS catback -Complete Idler set-up -Raptor performance shift light -Clutch quadrant adjustment kit.

The cars new home is in Alberta Canada and we are limited to the high octane fuel with a max of 91. With the high altitude around the rocky mountains (Not in the Rocky Mountains) is it gonna be safe to fuel my car with 91 octane and leave the chip setting at 93 or am i going to have to de-tune the car? It does not have headers on the car, I am wondering why it was tuned professionally without? Pros vs Cons with headers?

yellowcobra · 05-22-2008

I would imagine that due to those modifications if you do not run the minimum octane, you will risk detonantion.

If that happens, you will seriously damage (if not destroy) the engine.

I wouldn't trust just detuning it unless you are able to take it to a shop and have all the usual suspects adjusted correctly.

Here in CA we too are limited to 91, but thank goodness for the local 76 which sells race fuel.

Other than that, when I had this problem with an Audi TT, i always kept a can of turbo 108 on hand. I was able to pick it up at my local SCK store. The litre can was good for about 40-gallons as I recall...this was handy to have.

Can't say for certain, but I am pretty positive you would be ok just under general driving conditions, but under any harsh acceleration or load, you woudl most certainly do damage.

Good luck!

Post some pics if you can...always happy to look at another terminator!

SlayerLegend · 05-23-2008

ok, here is my car...he said it was professionally dyno tuned to 592 rwhp ~~

younggun04 · 05-23-2008

I would get the tune checked in calgary just to be safe. That will determine if you need to retune it for 91. I run 91 on my whipple cobra and it runs fine and makes great power. If you are unsure as to where to take it. I would recommend Matt @ The Mustang Shop if you have SCT tuner. Also check your Fuel pump duty cycles to see how hard the stock pumps are running. I had a BAP and stock pumps and I maxed them out at 16#'s of boost on the dyno in calgary. Now I will be running Ford GT pumps and a stage 2 modified FPDM.

BTW, Clean car!! If you are interested in joining a local forum with Lots mustang guys check out www.wolfpackcc.com there is about 6 03/04 cobras and a couple of other fast mustangs on there. Lots of guys on there are very knowledgeable when it comes to your car.

-Tyler

SlayerLegend · 06-03-2008

Alright thanks alot, i did fine 92 octane here,but still dont know if it is enough. The car also seems to be running a little rich as it shoots out black smoke when i start it and give it some peddle. Could this be because of the lower octane? I have also been adding octane boost hoping it will help a little.

mysteed · 06-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayerLegend

Alright thanks alot, i did fine 92 octane here,but still dont know if it is enough. The car also seems to be running a little rich as it shoots out black smoke when i start it and give it some peddle. Could this be because of the lower octane? I have also been adding octane boost hoping it will help a little.

Sadly octane booster won't do much (if anything) when added to your current gas. Get it retuned to run on 91 octane. I also recommend having the fuel pumps upgraded from the stock units to the Ford GT pumps. That plus the 60lb injectors will ensure that the motor won't be starved of fuel.

It's normal for the car to run a little rich, but I wouldn't be getting on the throttle at all till the motor has had ample time to warm up. BTW, congrats on the awesome looking Terminator!

Jon00GT · 06-05-2008

You probably need a retune with a couple degrees less timing.

The reason it has a dyno tune is because it has a non-factory supercharger pumping out a LOT more boost.

SlayerLegend · 06-05-2008

Ya i think i will get it tuned to 91 octane at 17 lbs boost, and get the ford gt fuel pump. While i am doing this, what else would be a good upgrade for now? Also the car was tuned in a low altitude area, and now driven at a higher altitude, would this have anything to do with it running rich?