The all-new 2016 Cobra Jet is one hell of a purpose-built, turnkey racecar from the factory. Though the CJ technically isn’t street legal due to a lack of a having proper VIN number, it is still nevertheless one of the fastest vehicles Ford Performance has ever built, and for good reason.
Ford Performance recruited some of the best companies in the drag racing industry to help aide in the production of the ’16 Cobra Jet. Companies like Watson Racing, Strange Engineering, Whipple Superchargers, American Racing Headers, and Dynotech Engineering (just to name a few) all produce and provide specific components for the all-new Cobra Jet during the assembly process. Talk about having a winning combination for this eight-second capable beast.
After covering part one from Ford Performance last week, part two commences with the power-plant behind the all-new drag prepped Mustang. The Cobra Jet uses a modified version of the current production Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter DOHC Coyote V8. Performance Assembly Solutions based out of Livonia, Michigan provides assistance in building and assembling the modified Coyote. Once the engine arrives strapped tightly on a pallet, Watson Racing handles fitting the modified Coyote engine with a new 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger, along with a set of Cobra Jet specific components such as a Ford Racing engineered front engine accessory drive, Cobra Jet specific camshafts, and a set of Ford Performance Cobra Jet valve covers.
Ford Performance technicians then fit the supercharged 5.0-liter power-plant with another Cobra Jet specific component; a set of American Racing Headers’ long tube headers, a new flywheel, and a and transmission.
Albeit the previous Cobra Jet models use a Joel’s On Joy built and prepped automatic transmission specifically engineered for the Cobra Jet, this ’16 Cobra Jet uses a new-for-2016 C3 automatic transmission prepped by the same company.
Ford Performance technicians then proceed to prep the engine for installation, loading the assembled Cobra Jet engine and transmission unit onto a retractable stand in order to assemble the remaining components which make up the front-end. This is where components such as the lower engine cradle, the steering rack, and the lower control arms are assembled, after which technicians assemble the K-member, front spindles, and add the drag struts. Strange Engineering provides all fifty 2016 Cobra Jet models with a full set of lightweight brake components. The Cobra Jet utilizes the company’s brake rotors and two-piston calipers. Strange Engineering also provides additional Cobra Jet specific components like their nine-inch rear-axle. The company builds the units in-house at the it’s main location and ships them to Ford Performance as a complete ready-to-install unit. The Cobra Jet uses a specific 3.89 rear-end gear ratio.
After the engine and transmission as a unit have been installed by marrying the unit to the Cobra Jet body, everything is torqued to spec at the engine cradle, transmission crossmember, and frame mounting locations.
Technicians then lift the rear-end assembly to be married to the Cobra Jet body as well, installing the upper and lower control arms and tightening them to spec along the way.
Ford Performance enhances the performance of the rear-end with a unique set of Cobra Jet specific tubular control arms that use rubber bushings. After the technicians install the coilover shocks and panhard bar, ensuring the rear suspension is completed, technicians then install a Dynotech Engineering one-piece aluminum driveshaft specifically designed for the Cobra Jet application. The Dynotech one-piece driveshaft was chosen for its ability to handle repeated 7,000 RPM launches, according to Ford Performance.
As part of the final assembly process of the Cobra Jet, technicians finalize the car by installing another unique Cobra Jet specific component, a set of Weld Racing RT-S wheels measuring 15×3-inches in the front. Hoosier supplies the tires on all four corners for the Cobra Jet. The rear tires measuring in at 30x9x15-inches. K&N Filters provides the blown Cobra Jet with another Cobra Jet specific component which is a massive air filter feeding the 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger.
From there, the all-new Cobra Jet is subjected to quality checks, such as an alignment and a full systems check. The systems check enables technicians to verify all of the gauges work, monitoring them for accuracy and timing. Technicians also fire up the blown 5-liter Cobra Jet for sound checks.
After the quality checks are verified, the Cobra Jet is then pushed to the decal application center where the cars receive their signature liveries. According to Ford Performance, when they visited the location where the Cobra Jet cars are built, technicians were averaging about three to four Cobra Jet models per day, and will eventually total 50 cars for this year.
Impressive to say the least, but knowing Ford Performance and the all of the companies involved with building the Cobra Jet, we’d expect nothing less than an eight-second capable turnkey factory-built drag car that’s built with reliability in mind. Check out Ford Performance’s website for more details on the assembly process of the 2016 Cobra Jet.