blackstang14

Hi guys, I am not new to mustangs but I definitely have a lot of learning to do about the cobra generations. I am looking to purchase one that will serve as our 3rd car and would not be needed as a daily driver. With that being said, I am not a track junky but would like to have some extra power with the usual bolt on's/power adder. I would be happy around 450 rwhp.

So far it seems that the terminator's dont have a problem with that number. I know that many of the 99-01's had aluminum instead of iron blocks, also I wondering about the internals. Would the goal of 450 rwhp be any issue with the older models or would it need be strengthened internally. Would there be any other weaknesses (transmission, etc) along the way that would need to be addressed.

Thanks for all of you help and answers in advance. Sorry for the basic questions, I tried searching and a lot of the threads didn't quite answer what I was looking for.

my94pony

how much are you looking to spend?

jshertx

I would stick to the 94-99 model cobras. These models have the Teksid aluminum block which is stronger that the 2001 WAP aluminum block. The 94/95 have the old 5.0 cast iron block which would be good for supercharging up to the hp you want. If you got the dough, grab a 03/04 termi, however these two year models are highly collectible and I would not do to many mods on them. They are factory supercharged and put down around 390hp to the rear wheels. If I wanted a Cobra to put down 450 ponies, I would find a 98. These have the modern 4.6 with Teksid block and live axle without the traction control.

hot sauce

find you a nice 03/04 cobra most of them are already pullied and putting down the hp you want if not more. if they are stock.a pulley,tune,cai,exhaust maybe 1500 dollars for all mods and you have 450-490rwhp that you can drive to the track and drive home with the a/c on max. no another cobra can get to those numbers for the 1500.

my94pony

but for the 20k it costs you you could probably buy a 96-98 cobra and make it faster

hot sauce

my 04 cobra cost 17k . i could take a focus and make it fast with enough money, but at the end of the day i still drive a focus.

blackstang14

I see both points of view. Do I pay 20+ grand for a 03/04 but I dont have to put much into it afterwards, or do I spend 10K on 96-01 +/- and use the rest of the cash for mods. I guess my question is with the older cobra's to reach the hp goal I have in mind would have to upgrade the internals. I would like to avoid that step until I actually blow my own engine at some point down the road or I decide to become more ambitious. This could be an expensive step since I don't have the knowledge or the garage to upgrade them myself.

This is a tough choice though, on one hand the Termis would seem to be a complete package right from the lot, but I do like the idea of doing a lot of my own upgrading. Thanks for your advice so far.

SVTeeshirt

but thats not the same at all.... because with a 96-98 you're still driving a sexy RWD car, a focus is a meh FWD not nearly as much fun car.... At the end of the day you're still driving a mustang...


There are tons of 96-01 cobras running anywhere from 400-450whp, allthough i would be h esistant to push more than 420whp on stock internals ( i feel thats a safe number) i've met someone pushing 465 on stock GT internals... which is the same as the Cobra(96-01) but with a weaker crank, but thats the last thing to go. As long as you have a spot on tune there is no problem with running 450whp, but i'd imagine you'd be content in the 420-430 range with some piece of mind. So ask yourself if 20whp is worth a few thousand dollars to you. Which bodystyle do you like better? look through some pics before you make your decision.

Hlistr_07RR

Kirk has it right, which body style do you like better? 450 rwhp will be pushing it a little with anything but the 03/04 on stock internals, but you would be able to run 420-430 safe with all of them. How much are you looking to spend?

blackstang14

[QUOTE=SVTeeshirt;6549559There are tons of 96-01 cobras running anywhere from 400-450whp, allthough i would be h esistant to push more than 420whp on stock internals ( i feel thats a safe number) i've met someone pushing 465 on stock GT internals... which is the same as the Cobra(96-01) but with a weaker crank, but thats the last thing to go. As long as you have a spot on tune there is no problem with running 450whp, but i'd imagine you'd be content in the 420-430 range with some piece of mind. So ask yourself if 20whp is worth a few thousand dollars to you. Which bodystyle do you like better? look through some pics before you make your decision.[/QUOTE]

That's the direction I was looking for and a target number. You're right, I am not going to miss 20-30 hp on the butt-dyno. I'd would rather spend more time enjoying my ride rather than fixing it. I have to say I like the new edge styling a little better (my wife likes the 96-98). That decision will be left to me, but it will have to be a vert (that is the only way I can convince the wife to let me do this

Overall though I think I will go with what would be the best deal on a stock or lightly modded car. Not knowing what was really done to the car makes me a little nervous though.