S/C my GT , GT500, or 03/04 cobra?

[bolivianpimp]

Ok so I am in a bit of a confusion state about what direction to take for my car, mainly because of the desire to go fast. This car right now is my DD, even though I only drive 1-2 miles in the morning and back home. I have been considering the following 3 options: 1) buying a s/c for my car right now $6k 2) selling off most mods and my car and buying a stockfish (bolt on if possible) GT500 $35k 3) selling off most mods and my car and buying a modded (s/c swap) cobra. $25k There are many variables in this decision mainly being A) cost (not just NOW, but maybe resell in future in case $$ is needed to go back to school), B) speed and C) Looks of the car. The simplest choice right now would be to buy a $3,500 used s/c from the forums, install myself with buddies and buy the supporting mods as I go along ( driveshaft $500, shocks $500, other suspension $400 gauges $500, used long tubes $600, already have spec 3 clutch). This route will end up costing me about $6 k , but my tranny and engine are at risk with the new power. If I buy a GT500, I will loose a lot of $ in the mods I already have on the car, although I can probably sell a lot and get ~3-4k. Also, I would probably be able to get ~ $20k for my 08 GTwith 20k miles which would include the GT500 KR CF hood, welded hood pins, flowmasters, CF dash kit, JBL 6x8 speakers, FFRP 4.10s, pro-kit springs, other stuff I am forgetting. and all other mods I would probably sell off. With the GT500, I would put pulley, intake, tune, and full exhaust. Not sure how good the suspension is, but I know they also have upgraded brakes so that’s a +. Then add gauges (~$500) and wheels. However, with the GT500 I have a built engine (done right from the factory) and a tranny to hold the power. Also, both cobras wouldn’t depreciate as much- its important in case I don’t have enough $ to go back to school and have to sell car off. With a 03/04 cobra, I could sell mine right now and only be a few $ within being able to purchase one that already has ~550rwhp or so with a swapped blower. The main thing is I like the s197 style a lot more , and this 03/04 would be older and perhaps less reliable on the street? Don’t know. A big plus on the 03/04 is they are much cheaper then GT500 and I probably wouldn’t be looking at much $ to upgrade, but the body styling is < S197 IMO. Also, there seems to be much more aftermarket parts (used ones too) since they have been out longer. My main question is, what is the REAL cost of a s/c GT versus a GT500? Other than the motor, tranny, and brakes, what other parts does the GT500 have that I would have to otherwise upgrade in my GT? Seeing as building my GT motor is ~$4k, I don’t want to get to the point where I have ~20k dumped into my GT and I could have very well been in a GT500. Comment away!

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[MELLOWYELLOW06]

Ideally option B would be the best but the most reasonable would be go with A and even do a front end swap to match the power you added. Good luck whichever route you take.

[CutterWolf]

Well of course upgrading your power on yout GT is going to be the cheapest route to go. Next would be to get a nice 03-04 Cobra which make sick power with very little work and are very cool looking too. The GT500 will cost you more since you will most likely want to up the stock power on it plus mod its looks too all of which is going to run you lots of cash. So if your willing to take a little time to do the work on your GT you can add on a S/C and then start buy each upgrade you need after that to get to the power level you want.

[05 Mustang]

your GT is only capable of so much, without getting into the motor & driveline....trust me, you can MOD the mess out of your car all you want but you're only going to be able to get so much out of it....around 500hp at the crank "being conservative" to be exact, any more and it will only be a matter of time before something happens.

an 03/04 Cobra is awesome, you just have to make sure that what ever you're buying has been treated well, because we all know why people buy them....they definitely have lots of potential, the chapter director of my club has one. but the one thing that I have noticed is that you have to spend alot of money upgrading the body connectors of the car and the suspension. with those cars, the more power you add, the more wheel hop and flex you get....and those bushings, if you are going to pay someone to do, can get very expensive, and even if you do swap the ones out that you are capable of doing yourself, the ones that you will have to get done professionally (because the complete IRS has to be dropped) are gonna cost you.

I sold my GT and bought a 2008 GT500 Covertible for around $42K. it base-lined (on a Mustang Dyno) at 418rwhp. I spent around $1,900 and now have 532rwhp/514rwtq...and my motor is capable of much more. the piece holding me back right now is only the stock S/C...but for around $2,500 - $3,000, I could upgrade to a Whipple and the HP would increase to somewhere between 750rwhp - 800rwhp and it would be now worries.

it's definitely a tough decision to make and I wish you the best.

edit: the only down fall to the GT500 is buying wheels....unless you have endless funds, which I don't have, it just flat out sucks!

[bolivianpimp]

Originally Posted by MELLOWYELLOW06

Ideally option B would be the best but the most reasonable would be go with A and even do a front end swap to match the power you added. Good luck whichever route you take.

I seen one the other day for $200 with no lights or anything else. I almost bought it except i had to buy the clutch n stuff lol.

Originally Posted by CutterWolf

So if your willing to take a little time to do the work on your GT you can add on a S/C and then start buy each upgrade you need after that to get to the power level you want.

Yeah, thats the good thing with the GT is that i can just add things as i go and take my time. I already have it looking the way i like it. Only thing is how long will the power level hold up before any kaboom?

Originally Posted by 05 Mustang

your GT is only capable of so much, without getting into the motor & driveline....trust me, you can MOD the mess out of your car all you want but you're only going to be able to get so much out of it....around 500hp at the crank "being conservative" to be exact, any more and it will only be a matter of time before something happens.


edit: the only down fall to the GT500 is buying wheels....unless you have endless funds, which I don't have, it just flat out sucks!

Well you had a s/c GT and now the GT500 so you must know the dilema. Reliability and room for improvement is a factor to consider. Also, being able to drop $3-4k and add another 150rwp with a whipple sounds likie enough room to grow! I think 750rwhp is about as much as i would ever need for a DD/Show car/ strip combo!

[Boozshey]

First get the Cobra out of your head... Ask any one that "really" knows motors and they will tell you the 3v>4v. It just can't compete with it.

Second the GT500 you are getting a hell of a car let alone the 5.4L.

Third a S/C GT is something that will keep up with most other sports cars and would be your cheapest route.

If you are worried about money for the future, then why not keep the GT, blow it, if you hurt the motor you can pick up a new motor for $1500-$2000, swap it out. Not that big of a deal and while you have it out you can build the bottom end.

If money was no object I would have a GT500, but it is so I have a GT which I have purchased a S/C for.

Bottom line, no one on the forum knows your entire situation future life long plans, so you need to do what you know you need to do and not ask a bunch of strangers how to spend your money.

If you are merely asking which is better, then your answer would be obvious, GT500, GT S/C (build bottom end later), old Cobra...

[05 Mustang]

Originally Posted by bolivianpimp

I seen one the other day for $200 with no lights or anything else. I almost bought it except i had to buy the clutch n stuff lol.

you won't run across that too often..

Originally Posted by bolivianpimp

Yeah, thats the good thing with the GT is that i can just add things as i go and take my time. I already have it looking the way i like it. Only thing is how long will the power level hold up before any kaboom?

that's correct.
as far as how long...everyone's driving style is different, as well as the person that did the install/tune....honestly, it's just common sense, the harder you are on the car, the more likely something is going to happen sooner than if you took it easy with the occassional fun. ...and the drag strip, well, now you really pushing how long things are going to stay together in one piece.

Originally Posted by bolivianpimp

Well you had a s/c GT and now the GT500 so you must know the dilema. Reliability and room for improvement is a factor to consider. Also, being able to drop $3-4k and add another 150rwp with a whipple sounds likie enough room to grow! I think 750rwhp is about as much as i would ever need for a DD/Show car/ strip combo!

That's correct.

Do I miss my 05 Mustang GT, heck yeah! I'd get struck by lightning if I said I didn't. The guy that bought that car really got a wonderful car. I put ALOT of time into getting it to where it was and keeping it in prestine condition...and that's why I was able to sell it for $6K over book value...but I definitely lost with all the adders I had in it. For me, I came to want something new, a Convertible GT500, and was able to take advantage of the economy by buying a GT500 for $12.5K-$13K under what the sticker was. I then did my thing by doing a few upgrades and can honestly say that I am very happy with the choices I have made. I just wish they made these cars in redfire and that there were more rim choices than there are!!!

Am I going to upgrade to the Whipple, not anytime in the near future. I am very content with what I have got at the moment. I can't imagine having that much more HP at the rear wheels unless all you're going to do is race...particularly in a daily driver, that's how some get hurt (and even worse, killed).

But once again, good luck with your decision, it's a tough one.

[cheftjpeck]

I know where you can get a gt500 2008 with 12,000 miles 545 rwhp 547 torque... Kr short throw shifter....new clutch and rebuilt tranny per ford tsb...frpp suspension upgrade including uca, lca, panhard bar etc.. Includes all stock parts as well...Shelby engine caps... Never seen a race track.... Below book value at $39,500 or best offer ... Pm me if interested

[Boozshey]

It isn't your car is it?

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by Boozshey

It isn't your car is it?

You never know....