1979 Mustang Cobra Sports a Host of Go-Fast Upgrades
Generally speaking, the Mustang has had its up and down models over the years. For this slideshow in particular, we’re going to look at a 1979 “Cobra” which, at best, could be described as a “trim package”. But Mustang enthusiast John Maguire had different ideas for his particular model, modifying his model considerably over the years, and turning it into something that today is turning heads.
A nice, clean look on the outside
Maguire’s ’79 Cobra is rolling on a set of front 17×8 Ford Bullitt wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S 255/45R17 tires. The rears are 17×9 Bullitt wheels from LMR mounted on 275/40R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S tires. The car’s original color was bright blue and matte black and following a poor paint job, Maguire decided to have the whole thing resprayed back to its original color combination. Ford enthusiasts will note that Maguire’s Cobra features a super rare Ford Performance adjustable rear spoiler. At the front is an LMR fiberglass cowl induction hood, which takes place of the car’s original steel unit.
Let’s take a look under the hood
When the Mustang Cobra rolled out the Ford manufacturing facilities back in 1979, it was available with either a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine or a 5.0L V8 engine. Maguire’s current engine in the Cobra is a Ford Racing 347Z crate version. It’s outfitted with a Boss four-bolt main block, which is fitted with 9.7:1 forged pistons, forged rods, and a forged crankshaft for an unbelievable amount of power. The engine’s heads are Ford Racing aluminum Z cylinder heads, complete with two-inch intake, and one-and-a-half inch exhaust valves. On the top end, there’s a single-plane Victor Jr. intake manifold. Along with headers and a 650-cfm Holley carburetor, this super customized engine can produce 450HP at 6,000 rpm.
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Better induction means more power
450HP is nice, but how do we get above 500HP? At least, that’s the question Maguire was asking himself while working on this car. His solution – update the induction system. His Cobra is now outfitted with a FiTech Go EFI 8 Power Adder Plus 1,200hp fuel-injection system and a ProCharger P-1SC-1 supercharger with an air-to-air intercooler. The result? More HP at the rear wheels. More specifically, we’re looking at 532 hp at 6,500 rpm with 8 pounds of boost.
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What’s supporting all this power?
While working on the underside of the Cobra, Maguire opted to add a set of Chassis Engineering frame connectors, and when upgrading the suspension, he went with UPR upper and lower adjustable control arms, Maximum Motorsports caster and camber plates, and a strut tower brace. In terms of springs, specifically, the rear springs, Maguire chose the always reliable Ford Performance B-Springs with Strange 10-way adjustable shocks. And looking at the front, Maguire went with Ford Performance B-Springs with Koni Sport Yellow adjustable shocks. Bringing everything to a (near) instant stop comes from the Cobra R five-lug disc brake conversion work he did at all four corners of the car.
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And of course, the car looks great on the inside too
The car’s original interior was blue. As you can tell by the photo, Maguire opted to update the inside to black, a project he completed over twenty years ago. He sourced the front seats from a 1993 Mustang which, along with the rear seats, were reskinned in 2003 SVT Cobra Sport Seat upholstery in a stunning black and tan suede and vinyl combination.
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