It's a myth as far as I have heard. There was one guy saying he had one but refused to put up pictures to prove it. I think most just get it wrong because they can't understand that the 98 is a hybrid fuel system and unlike the 96-97 and 99+ cars. Also, I've never seen any EEC catch codes that have the returnless fuel system controls on a 98.

 

Okay, maybe we are talking about the hybrid system. What is supposed to be hybrid? I've never seen a 98 with anything different, and that would not allow a swap with 96-97 fuel parts. And I know that the literature from steeda, and maybe another, distinctly says "some" in the disclaimer.

 

It just dawned on me that this might mean the 98 PCM has a primitive kind of boost-a-pump built in, is that possible? It would explain something I noticed years ago, although there is nothing physically different on mine that won't swap with a 97, I know that for sure.

 

Wow, thanks island, searching hybrid instead of returnless made one heck of a difference.

So if I understand it, the 98 has one little difference, and that is the PCM actuates a relay at 3250 to allow the full 12v to the pump?

Aside of course from the different basket configuration, I guess i was overlooking that as a difference related to this.

Do you know if there is any o2 feedback that modifies this relay switching? Or is it just a 9v/12v two-voltage pump based solely on static rpm and that is pretty much all the difference?

 

In very simple terms the 98 uses a returnless style pump and basket but still is a return style system, only the 98's came like this and they can easily be converted back to the old style, but it just depends on what you are tring to do and how much power you wish to make.

MMR

 

My best guess is that a 98 returnless Cobra is a 99 Cobra that was built at the end of 98.

My 98 Cobra was actually built at the end of 97 for what it's worth.

MMR, I could really use information on the tank conversion. Do you have any details? I'm picking up a spare 98 Tank. I plan on modify the hat to support two fuel pumps and I'm trying to research what modifications need to be done to the tank internally to avoid fuel slosh and make room for dual pumps on the hat. The goal being support 650ish rwhp and keep the fuel pumps internal.

 

When I was looking to do my fuel system, I remember a guy who modified a '99 plastic fuel basket and installed another pump. He just drilled a big hole in the top. I had a pic somewhere. But he ended up going to a whole other set-up. Since it was a returnless, he may have had issues with the FPDM's also. Who knows. But it was an interesting mod.

 

This is interesting. I have often wondered why Aeromotive sells one fuel system for 96-98.5 Cobras and a different one for 98.5-04 Cobras: http://www.aeromotiveinc.com/products.php?cat=3&catsub=4

 

Yeah, the '98 tank looks very much line the '99-'04 tanks. But like MMR said, they are hybrid because they have a returnless pump and basket set-up but return style. Mustang Matt: It would depend on what kind of baffle is in the bottom of the '98 tank. If there is none to speak of, you would have to run 1/4 tank of gas at all times. I went to an '04 Cobra because of the baffle set-up. I haven't really looked into my '98 tank to see what kind of baffling is in there. If there is a decent baffle, you could always go with dual pick-up tubes and external pumps. If you went with two pumps, you would definitely need to ditch the plastic basket. I would imagine there is no decent baffling since the basket serves that purpose.

 

I'll get some pics of the inside of a 98 tank this week hopefully.

I think I'm going to attempt to install a baffle like the 03 tank has.

 

I'll get some pics of the inside of a 98 tank this week hopefully.

I think I'm going to attempt to install a baffle like the 03 tank has.

 

Mine is a late 97 build and has a basket, so maybe there really are two fuel systems on the 98s? Makes sense, in a Ford way, LOL!