Buying a BARNFIND 03 Terminator Cobra Mustang! Abandoned Time Capsule | Part 1

I have wanted a 2003/4 Cobra since High School. It's the one Mustang that always interested me. Luckily one just popped up on Facebook marketplace.. you know I had to get it! We also figure out if this beast will give us a first start up. It isn't in great shape as of now.. actually it's really bad. However, this abandoned cobra mustang will get a full rebuild and bring this supercharged snake back to life! Cannot wait to get this project going!

[@ericcarr1648]

That's awesome you are keeping it a 4.6 they are really cool cars.

[@poeticalvision]

The 4.6 was a damn good motor

[@MirrorMan2167]

Honestly cars like this are getting way more attention on you tube and from a financial stand point and build content potential i love seeing these cars rebuilt to their former glory it shows the potential and rarity of these cars finding the cool parts and its a lot more interesting to much than just buying a clean one and putting mods on it. Even though this car is still prolly worth every but of 10k even with a blown motor and yes this color is a very rare color fo these.

[@JrodsGarage]

I agree, pretty much every car i own was a story like this. I try and buy things that need some love, and a bare canvas to start with.

[@sarahdell4042]

Wow. This makes me feel so old! I bought one of these new and remember the days of heavily modding mine. It was one of the “faster cars” way back in the day running low 10s. These days you can find cars that come stock doing that. 😢

[@JrodsGarage]

These cars 20 years ago killed the ls cars and most imports with out a little money in them. The two years these were made, made them a really special car

[@midnight347]

Yea but the cars that come stock going low 10s cost a hell of alot more than a terminator did even with the mods added. It's all relative and 10s is still fast make no mistake

[@sarahdell4042]

@@midnight347 Things are definitely more expensive now, and I agree. 10s are still insanely fast, but not to the younger crowd who are modding and racing cars like I was when coming up. I bought one of these new and the selling priced still seemed like a lot for a mustang back then. The dealer had a 200 mile 2000 Cobra R as well, I almost bought that but a friend talked me out of it. Glad I went with the 04 cobra. Lots of good memories

[@brandenjones192]

@@JrodsGaragethey did not kill the LS cars😂 I’ve never witnessed a cobra beating an LS

[@brandenjones192]

@@JrodsGarageand don’t even get me started on DSMs😂

[@peteartussee1202]

Beautiful Cobra. I almost bought a 93 Cobra when i was stationed at Ft. Hood. It sold 2 days before I could get, so i bought a 88 GT instead. Amazing cars

[@mikej9932]

I got a "barn" find my 04 cobra has been in my garage since 2013. Great find!!!

[@SC68170]

Same. Except I got my 03 in a storage unit.

[@whatsupryan]

I have an 01 SC Saleen so I love to see this! I would love a Cobra one day too

[@justin.c_svt]

The hood vents are stock, but they have been modified. Someone cut out every other vent grill to open it up for “more airflow”. It’s an old school cheap way to mod. It’s doubtful it does anything.

[@ARluvr1]

Those cars were super easy to make 500 HP. Absolutely love the terminator cars.

[@whipple03cobra48]

3:41 Looks like an N2MB WOT Box !!! I have one in my 03

[@frostyb16]

for sure what it is, i have one kicking around somewhere that i pulled from a gti i had for a little while. my favorite thing to do with the wot box is get the no lift shift to kick on but then let of the throttle an shift normal for the big fire ball shifts. if you've never done it, 100% recommend giving it a try. also works with tuned ecus that have no lift shift.

[@Sandhills_Coyote]

I seen this on marketplace myself!! So glad you picked it up! I can’t wait to see the progress!

[@michaelclaude1760]

Can’t believe I didn’t see this

[@garrymelnyk8084]

Nice find. I'm a big Mustang fan and this generation of Cobra Mustang is a favorite.

[@JrodsGarage]

It’s my favorite mustang ever. And I am not much of a mustang guy. But I am going to fall in love with this car

[@carterwatson981]

Zinc yellow, best color

[@LawLow86]

I'm a chevy guy but my brother has the exact termi as this one but with the 5 star chrome wheels and I absolutely love that car, and for what they are it's the best bang for the buck! Love it guys!

[@thomasfelts2857]

Rebuild the motor that way it stays number matching. Just cause it's seized up doesn't mean the motor can't be rebuilt. Beautiful car , beautiful!!!!!!!

[@justin.c_svt]

There’s no such thing as numbers matching on these engines. All the engines were hand made in bulk, and then put in the cars.

[@thomasfelts2857]

I think most know what I mean, it's the original motor and I think it should stay with the car if it's rebuidable. Not like a early Chevelle SS numbers matching but it's the original motor that was put in the car coming down the line. And yes it was hand built and signed. Lol

[@justin.c_svt]

@@thomasfelts2857 He also mentioned it has the T56 magnum in it so the transmission is already changed out too so no reason to continue down the road of rebuilding that engine. With a blown head gasket the cylinders are gonna look like cans of chili anyway. It’s time for an aluminum Teksid block to make it better, stonger,and lighter. Since the engine needs to be rebuilt, then there goes the whole hand built signed plaque on the valve cover. I’d leave it in the valve covers but it’s no longer an SVT built engine. And yes, I know all about it, I own 2 of these terminator cobras.

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

I agree. Lose the cast iron block for either a Teksid or Aluminator block, and build it up from there. It will drop 100lbs off of the front of the car, and less weight only does good things. Going to a chromemoly K-member snd A-arms will drop even more weight still. Consider full-length chromoly steel subframe connectors mandatory.

[@agentwade]

@@justin.c_svt They came with the T56 6 speed in them.

[@beardeduberog]

This is my buddy’s old Cobra. Glad to see it’s getting the love it needs and excited to watch the video.

[@AMCguy]

Whats the story on why its locked uo?

[@frogman7874]

So excited for this build bro 👍

[@LMBC6Brian]

Let me give you some facts. Thats an 03 Zinc yellow with 10th anny wheels. The real 10th anny cars were black with red leather inserts in the seats. The blue box in the glovebox is a N2M WOT box. Basically a 2 step for drag racing that someone added. The rear decklid brake light being broken is common and from the rear deck being slammed shut, not pushed in.

[@tclark5253]

Have you heard of a saleen cobra? Like it’s a cobra but sent to saleen to get the saleen look? Don’t know if saleen made it more powerful but there’s a saleen cobra.

[@JrodsGarage]

I grew up in this era. I remember them well

[@midnight347]

​@tclark5253 Saleen didn't do anything to the engines on any Saleen cobra terminator or otherwise. They had cobra interior and gauges and driveline with Saleen looks, suspension and brakes cobra emblems

[@CheesusSVT]

Looks just like mine. ☺️👍 Love these cars.

[@jakel3424]

Amazing find.

[@kidsandcars956]

Awesome terminator congrats on the find

[@nomienoman9232]

great pickup man. Sucks that its locked, but im sure it will end up being an amazing build.

[@gbaileyo7]

New sub! I want to see this car back to its former glory! Terminator cobras changed the car world as we know it!

[@JrodsGarage]

Thanks, we already have the motor out. Funny stuff, just wait lol

[@gbaileyo7]

@JrodsGarage I don't want to but I will! :)

[@Kalypso93_Hatch]

Beautiful car, great find I have a torch red ‘03 🐍

[@5.0_meatballmarinara]

I’m going to follow to see the build. I recently sold mine kinda miss it. Good luck with it they are fun just a different feeling from today’s stuff.

[@JrodsGarage]

Thanks! My first mustang. So I am excited

[@MustangLifestyleTV]

I see Terminator and I hit like!

[@user-ln8fm9ww7h]

0304 those cars dominated the street and as many of them still in the road today that I still dominating the street

[@JrodsGarage]

Not sure dominate is the word, they for sure had a strong presence. Basic mods, this car did very well for the time.

[@jbnnm657]

Picked up a really nice 10th anniversary recently. Interior is flawless but the paint is shot. Torch red one. Was sitting since 2015 basically. I'm restoring it slowly too. Side note yours has 10th anniversary wheels for whatever reason. Can sell those off make some money and put stock oem wheels back on. Those floor mats are also extremely rare. Several hundred dollar floor mats.

[@JrodsGarage]

Awesome to know!

[@TrevorShrier]

So sick! Time to do mustang things

[@sm70911]

❤The license plate frame is genius,

[@Nolifegaming]

saw one of these in Owasso yesterday, same year and color sounded so good. was hoping it might be this one but the one i saw was way to clean, no disrespect to this hidden gem at all! good luck with the build i will be following! commented before the end of the video, unfortunate the motor is seized as part of the stang gang i hate to see the way it was treated but respect you truly taking care of it

[@JrodsGarage]

All good. We got plans that are already in motion. Motor is out

[@Nolifegaming]

@@JrodsGarage love to hear that and cant wait to see that terminator ripping up the streets

[@SVTZee]

Always been my dream car. Coyote swapping mine with a gen 2. Can't wait to see yours on the road again.

[@midnight347]

I assume you have an na cobra? I think terminator and gt500s should retain their original engine they come with badass motors but I can understand swapping an earlier cobra I have a 97 myself I'm going to coyote swap. I want a 500 rwhp all motor 8000 rpm capable setup and it's alot easier to get there with a coyote. It can be done with a built high compression 4v with aftermarket ecu to Rev above 7k but it'd be alot easier with the coyote. If I just wanted a 700 rwhp boosted setup like alot of guys od just to rods and pistons in the 4v and throw boost at it.

[@keystonekrawler6242]

That blue box in the glove box is called a “WOT box”. It’s made by “N2MB Racing”. It’s for “no lift shifts” and is also a 2 step. My Mach 1 has one. Handy little units.

[@JrodsGarage]

Thanks

[@jasonpitts8395]

Nice. I just bought a 03 Sonic Blue that was in a large barn find in Alabama. Mine is mint with 5K miles.

[@EfJuanFitty_Eco_Beast_518]

These were the "hellcat" of its era. A neighbor had a mystichrome termi, which i drooled over in my teens, and it is still my forever dream car.

[@MegaRetr]

Nice find ))) I am a big Mustang fan thanks a lot

[@CurtisDTV813]

Cool find

[@steelwheels327]

Nice find !!! for sure !

[@JrodsGarage]

I think so too!

[@darrenharris2978]

Awesome content watching from Louisville, Kentucky

[@JrodsGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Keep it stock, these are beasts !

[@whatta7793]

Was just looking at some of these online like a week ago. Awesome units IMO. I think I'd much rather have a Terminator instead of a new Mustang GT. The Terminators seem to be a little cheaper from what I have seen online, and they're already boosted. Pulley, tune, and you're making more power than a new GT.

[@phillipjohnson8241]

I had a 2003 convertible. I loved that car

[@otisgoree5711]

Keep working that engine. It's probably still good back-and-forth diesel oil mystery oil. Mine works fine no smoking

[@TheModAddict]

One of my Top 3 dream cars

[@kilkill84]

I would of put some PB blaster/wd 40 in the spark plug holes for several days then change the oil and tried to crank it. if it's just some rust on the rings you'd be surprised. Good luck/looking forward to seeing how this goes! always loved the terminators

[@JrodsGarage]

I soaked it with ATF and Marvel Mystery Oil for three days or so. Still didn’t budge

[@letmevibe8318]

New to the channel! Good content I love cobras

[@JrodsGarage]

Appreciate it. Hope you stick around

[@Blackhorseturbo]

Great Vid Jrod!

[@JrodsGarage]

Appreciate it

[@JrodsGarage]

Appreciate it

[@peterthornton2396]

You want to be doing a full rebuild on that engine mate. Fully forged, ported heads etc. Go big.

[@JrodsGarage]

We are. It’s already out

[@jrodohio]

Pretty cool.

[@DerelictDieselDegenerates]

I would never wash a car of that caliber at a public car wash LOL you got some balls

[@JrodsGarage]

i normally would not ever either, but this thing was shot. check the next video, the paint is turning out ok

[@matthewhenry2512]

The one weakness with the terminator motors is poor coolant flow to the back of the drivers side head causing the famous head tick and lower compression in those cylinders. All you need is a coolant bridge mod that runs behind the motor from the passenger head to the driver head.

[@Justin_in_NC]

What a find

[@eliverstonadams4]

I just want that year cobra. I have a 2012 boss 302 .I still love that old cobra .I dove the saleen supercharged convertible love the blower sound

[@ILOVEBACONBOY2018]

Used to want one of those cars so bad.

[@JrodsGarage]

Same!

[@svtcobra.]

It’s the wrong Yellow, but you’re going to love this car. Nice pickup 🙂

[@JrodsGarage]

Ha. I like the zinc

[@DoctorRickSanchez]

7:24 _My stomach dropped when I seen that brush touch the car, but the paint is shot anyways lol._

[@JrodsGarage]

You should see it now. I just picked it up from detail, and looks great

[@raitshots]

Good car 👍😎

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

I know of a place that has at least 10 first-gen Fox body Cobras, all with 0 miles on them, still with the plastic on the seats. There is also a Terminator and some newer and brand-new Shelbys. I call it The Snake Pit.

[@samlipsit517]

I owned a 94 1/2 Cobra Convertible , wish I still had it !

[@felipemanriquez5442]

wow nice find…..i had 2004 mystic chrome terminater back in the day a wrecked it actually totaled it 😢

[@JrodsGarage]

man, that is rough

[@riotsquadgaming7460]

this reminds me of that 03 (i think) mach 1 i detailed back when i worked at a ford dealership. same fuckin color and everything. NICE.

[@shalenboy]

Should be a great project. Subbed. FYI, my 03 made close to 500rwhp with a 2.93 upper, 4lb lower and Lund tune. Guessing that car made at least that if it has a lower pulley also....

[@JrodsGarage]

Good to know!

[@matthewhenry2512]

No, with that 2.76 which is the smallest pulley you can safely run on that Eaton and if it has a lower crank pulley and is the that maf and wot box it was probably tuned my guess power wise it was high 400’s before it cooked cylinder 8.

[@Final_Boss_Racing]

Cannot believe you used dirty car wash brush on such a pristine clear coat lol

[@JrodsGarage]

Hahaha right

[@Harleydiesel18]

That’s so funny at first it’s been sitting 6-7 years then only 3 years then 2 years lol

[@time55k28]

not only are they cool this is around the years 03 04 cars changed big time, it was fairly cheap and actually respectable to just have a pulley, now you have to drop your car off to a shop have a 40k build and put it on market place with a comforting add that says moving on.

[@slotripper]

Add it to the bucket list.....🤔

[@sigvision4189]

Love the yellow, I would of done the same thing hitting the car wash on the way home

[@JrodsGarage]

Had to know what it looked like under all that dust

[@Lethal_Venom]

with a 2.76 upper pulley its making on the higher end of 400 to the wheels.

[@Cola64]

Ford kicked off the SuperCharger Craze,, 390 HP from the factory so Pully and exhaust with a tune easy 450 hp to the wheels

[@1967mrzigzag]

Cool 😎

[@themrfabio2459]

12 k is such a steal. Damn

[@KK-zm9lr]

12K man!!!

[@M.Arbogast]

What length of time determines the term “ barn find”. It’s only been parked for 3 years I bet that car fires right up

[@DeadPedalMotors]

You got anymore of that barn dust?!?! Cool find!

[@JrodsGarage]

Man I try lol Have several cars in the stable we came across like this

[@DeadPedalMotors]

jealous!@@JrodsGarage

[@newedgestang5.040]

Man I wished I could of bought one new when it first came out but I couldn’t since I was still in elementary school

[@JrodsGarage]

I was in high school and remember hearing one rip down the road

[@LMBC6Brian]

Oh and if you want to keep it period correct, do the Kenne Bell 2.8L and it will absolutely SCREAM both in sound and power. The Kenne Bell was much more popular than the Whipple at that time. If you must go whipple, then do the 2.9L.

[@JrodsGarage]

More have I have looked into things. I may go kinda silly. And try and drag race this thing with a stick. Maybe the new gen5 whipple

[@midnight347]

​@JrodsGarage keep the stick please don't swap an auto into it. You should do a gen3r and push that's limits alot of guys do 3 liter whipples you don't see gen3r pushed too much they're very capable and have badass torque. 😎

[@cbsxdeathbullet8992]

i know a place in payden oklahoma called signs and wonders i dont know if u thought about getting wraps done on it or even decals done on it. that where me and my family go to do those things.

[@JrodsGarage]

Just down the road from me. Luther is where we live

[@motaz1975]

still a cool car, had one myself.

[@Kdog-q3g]

My 3rd brake light was cracked when I bought it brand new on 1/21/05. Mine was screaming yellow 04

[@JrodsGarage]

Must be a mustang thing lol for the most part the car is pretty clean

[@bosteele6000]

I have a zinc yellow listed right now on offer up 2.3 Whipple straight axle convert long list runs strong 609 hp ready to roll . Needs a wash and some rear tires..

[@bosteele6000]

For sale shed find located in nc

[@whatsupryan]

@@bosteele6000how much you asking ?

[@bosteele6000]

30 runs drives 3 tunes

[@bosteele6000]

On offer up laural park nc

[@Wrathracing]

My friend has 04 cobra super clean 34k miles

[@TRMN8R03]

Its not a barn find if you found it online for sale

[@theman.6396]

Imo, these cars are incredibly fun and driveable at 500 hp. Past that its just too much. 8-900.. your gonna have to put a lot of money everywhere else and at that point its just not what it is anymore.

[@mstarn00]

Wot box and Diablo maf translator (I believe that's what it was called) ... old school tech

[@silverback8183]

So how long do you guys think it will take for this rare original car to get hacked up? I give it 4 to 5 months.

[@JrodsGarage]

Depends what your definition of hacked up is. If its a built motor, fresh paint, larger blower and fuel system. Then yea, HACKED up!

[@silverback8183]

@@JrodsGarage yeah,we'll see. You'll go fast, then wanna go faster and faster still. Then you won't have a solid original car anymore, just another modded mustang in a sea of me too cars.

[@matthewhenry2512]

That thing in the glove box is a wot box if you get it running guarantee it just slam the gas and brakes

[@armandopatane5343]

Love it = save this babbie ❤

[@98gtblue]

had an OX white 03 cobra with 2.2 KB blower, should of never sold it........that whine 😊

[@Rob-tl9md]

8 is early. That's cute. lol

[@JrodsGarage]

Lol

[@daviswayne1601]

I've got A 02 g t. It Is zinc yellow I'm doing a gen one coyote swap. and manual swap.

[@JrodsGarage]

Sounds sweet!

[@PaintitBlackRs3]

“Barnfind” lol

[@GusP-rv8yn]

Hopefully it’s just a rod bearing or something that can be swapped out using the original block and heads

[@JrodsGarage]

I plan to keep the oem block

[@GusP-rv8yn]

@@JrodsGarage if you can’t fix it will send it to Pakistan where they fix broken cranks and blocks lol

[@jamesj5469]

I feel like the only way to get a cobra is to get one that needs work. I'm not mad about but this seems to be the case correct me if I am wrong. Had to subscribe to see it get fixed

[@JrodsGarage]

Thanks!

[@paulmoss7940]

Terminator is the most desirable mustang to me, outside of a new A10. And I'm a vette guy.

[@JrodsGarage]

93 calypso green cobra 03/04 termi 67gt500 That’s my list

[@antn8387]

I would buy that zinc yellow SVT

[@paul3444]

Yamalube ring free is amazing stuff to unstuck an engine

[@JrodsGarage]

Good to know!!

[@arhodehamel2615]

12k for a terminator with a smoked motor ? …that seems like a rip. I saw the ad briefly in the beginning of the video but I must be missing something

[@JrodsGarage]

Seeing how rollers are selling for 10-15k I think it was a decent deal

[@midnight347]

That thing is in good shape im gonna assume you got it for a steal. Mind revealing how much you paid? Just curious

[@JrodsGarage]

I posted the FB add in the video, i got it for that price.

[@thunderbizcuitj5.018]

If your looking to sell that stock blower setup, let me know I’d love to have it on my zinc yellow 03 Mach 1

[@JrodsGarage]

I will be

[@thunderbizcuitj5.018]

@@JrodsGarage definitely keep me in mind, highly interested!

[@codybertram6122]

That’s a wot box for 2step and shootin flames

[@codybertram6122]

No lift shifts

[@JrodsGarage]

🔥