We always keep a keen eye out for interesting builds, and one of the most unique is the home made V10 Viper/Mustang merger being assembled by user "CobraScott" on TurboForums.com. Like many others -- this enthusiast is building one bad 1995 Mustang Cobra in his Des Moines, Iowa home garage, with one exception.
Unlike hundreds of Mustang enthusiasts looking to upgrade their small-block Ford, or perhaps swap in a Mod Motor, Cobra Scott is shoe-horning (and we use that term literally) in a twin-turbocharged V10 Viper engine. And, after covering the entire step by step build, he's about ready for the dyno.
The 488 cubic inch engine is out of a factory Viper, and Scott plans no major internal parts updates. Dodge went with good engine parts when the Viper motor was built at the factory, so as long as he keeps the boost levels conservative he should be in good shape.
The entire build is covered on TurboForums.com
on this thread.
For power adders, Scott selected Precision Turbo 67mm units working with dual 50mm TIAL blow off valves, as well as twin 44mm JGS wastegates. A factory spec Tremec 6-speed T-56 transmission will be used to transfer power to the rear wheels.
Scott had to do some extensive work to the SN-95 engine bay to fit the V-10 engine. The firewall was moved back 10 inches and he had to fabricate a custom radiator support. That radiator is substantially bigger then the old 5.0L radiator. Scott selected a 2 core aluminum GM Performance Parts unit that’s typically recommended for their 572 crate engine, Keeping things cool are twin Spal 10" fans mounted on the backside of the radiator. For efficiency, the radiator is laid back 15 degrees giving more surface area for the incoming air to make contact with.
Suspension updates include a home built tubular front chromoly K-member and control arms. A tubular front K-member is the best choice for an install like this. Reason number 1, It removes weight. Reason number 2, it frees up a lot of extra room to route turbo, exhaust and intercooler plumbing. Further suspension updates include a Tokico Illumina coil-over suspension that makes the front ride height adjustable and easy to tune. For braking up front Scott installed Alcon 4 piston calipers with 14" rotors. Rolling stock consists of Forgeline SSP3 rims wrapped in BFG G-force KDW Tires
For added chassis strength a roll cage was installed. The basic cage is a 10 point drag car style with updated “road race style” double door bars for a road race feel. It's all 1 3/4" tubing with 1 1/4" kicker bars. To help insulate the mustang cabin Scott plans to install a layer of "Cool-It" thermo blocker covered by Dynamat sound deadener.
For an exhaust system, the builder went with a side exit set-up routed through the rear body panels. Dual 3" pipes come through the fabricated 14 gauge aluminum trim piece. Stainless torx head bolts attach the trim piece to the sheetmetal. To run this set-up, the floor underneath the rear seat was cut out. The exhaust system does a bend up and over the frame rails and down and out of the body panel. Once the exhaust system is complete a new raised floor section will be fabbed.
Cobra Scott is still working on finishing up the car. We can't wait till he starts to tune on it and it hits the dyno.
We will keep you in the loop!
Linear Mode
