IMHO, since you don't know a lot about this, i would just slap on a blower on your current setup. It'll be fast, cheaper, and easier.

 

2V= two valves per cylinder(one intake and one exhaust), 4V= four valves per cylinder(two intake and two exhaust). The 4V engines produce more power due to the increased flow of both intake and exhaust, and due to their setup relative to that increased flow are capable of making more power (when modded) than a modded 2V engine. The 4V engines are also stronger internally from the factory (crankshaft, rods, pistons etc.), meaning that they will stand up to abuse a little better than a 2V. Although if one plans on making big power with either engine (lots of boost with a supercharger or turbo, or nitrous), it is typically recommended to rebuild with forged internals; but it is even more crucial to do so with the 2V's. That's not to say you can't put a supercharger on a stock 2V, you just don't want to give it too much boost if you want the engine to last.

Basically, engine/car choice all depends on your intentions and needs for the car (and financial means, as well). A GT Mustang provides a great platform to build a fast, powerful car; and a Cobra or Mach 1 provides an even better platform with greater potential. It's easier (and less expensive) to make a car with a 4V engine reach 500 h.p. than it is to do so with a 2V car. I'm sure others will throw in their own $0.02 at this and either add to or correct on what I just said, but I hope this help answer some of your questions.

 

thanks a bunch z28 that helped a lot, all i know really is how to change my oil, but im wanting to learn so im trying to pick something thats pretty much going to force me to almost build a car, im going to have an older mustang project in the future, i just want to work on a newer mustang first, for no particular reason.

sorry but let me clarify what your saying, would i be doing more work on a 2v engine? you mentioned needing to upgrade parts in your engine and elsewhere, it sounds to me like you would be changing out a lot more parts than if i just stuck a cobra engine in my gt.

do you know of any articles off the top of your head with good information on decking your car out? if i just posted threads on here asking about every part im going to have to upgrade there would be a lot of stupid threads.

 

i would highly suggest using the search function. 99% of the time anything you want to do to your car has already been done (joys of a mustang forum but also sucks cuz its hard to do something original lol) but if you dont know much about cars, i would look into a 04 Mustang (im a fan of getting the last year of any model for the kinks to be worked out from the factory)

ive owned thunderbirds and a lincoln mark 8 and the mustang is SO easy to work on compared to those. i would look for a manual (if thats what you want) then put money into it and get used to driving a rear wheel drive V8.

along the way learn the limits of your driving ability and modify it as time goes on and through changing parts you will learn more and more about cars. reading things will only get you so far, DOING them will only help more.

parts are plentiful and so is information on them. so read up on any things you are interested in and can answer most of anything you want to know about without even posting. the more you read the more you will see how involved a Cobra swap would be and then you can decide if you want to. but again to take on that task you should get your hands dirty first with simple mods to learn the car.

GOODLUCK!

 

How much money do you have to build this car??(seriously)
How much power are you looking to make?
<450 = buy a GT and get a blower for it
>450 = Buy a cobra and pulley down or get a GT and spend 8G's on a new forged motor

Yes, more work and money due to it not being forged from the factory like the 03-04 cobra motor

 

Spend an extra couple gs and buy a cobra or mach 1.

 

thank you so much guys, yeah ill probably romp around in it quite a bit before i start making it haul ***.

ill keep you guys posted on my first mustang!


also this is gonna be done over time, money isnt an issue, im gonna be makin 10,000 a month at my new job here soon so i just want basically replace every part on my car.

 

hWell here's my 2 cents if it matters...
Considering where you stand knowledge wise and I mean no disrespect in saying this, you may want to reevaluate what you want to do...but first consider these things: capabilities, budget, and final desire for the project.
Capabilities: I understand that you want to use this as a platform in forcing you to learn, but I see this ending in problems. Learning in this manner is just asking for mistakes and frustration will lead to the project just sitting or being a huge money pit. You don't just want to keep replacing expensive items and the damage doing things wrong can add up fast financially. It costs more than double to have something replaced by a professional.
You're best bet is to take some classes, find a friend who's good engines, and buy a good book...even then I suggest hitting up junkyards for used engine and tearing one down. At least you'll be familiar and it won't cost much.
Budget: If you're budget is sky high then do whatever, but this will decide your starting platform, your mods, and of course your final product.
Final Desire: What do you want from the car...nitrous, supercharger, turbo, or some sick combo of the three. Do you want a particular trim level, Cobra, GT, V6 sleeper, convertible, Roush, Saleen or something else. Then research as you are now on what it will take to get there...and then find a starting spot and set up a financial schedule and time limit.
Now, here's one thing to remember, in general it will cost less to buy something already modded how you like than do it yourself...exhaust, rims, and even higher performance mods have a way of being difficult to include in resell value, many times those expensive parts the cause for owners needs to get rid of a car for fairly cheap.
You might be good to find a car without an engine...or maybe, if power levels deem necessary, take a working engine and swap out for a new shortblock. Sometimes it's cheaper and easier to just sell swap a shortblock out than to rebuild an existing engine. Currently, I'm gettijg my 01 Cobra rebuilt forged...it was roughly the same price, but I preferred this method.
Also, to clear some things up...99 and 01 Cobras do not have forged rods, and pistons, just the crank, but they are 4 valves, they also do not have dished pistons as they weren't supercharged, so they had a higher compression ratio. 99s had Teksid blocks, which are pretty strong really for a light aluminum block, but most 01s have Windsor Aluminum Plants, which are lighter but aren't as strong. Automatic Mach 1s also do not have forged internals, but the manuals do have forged cranks...the Mach 1s are also 4 valves. Newer 05-up are 3 valves and do not have forged internals on the GTs. The 03-04 cobras have an iron block, all forged internals, and of course dished pistons for lower compression ratio, as they're designed for supercharged engines. Do not supercharge a non forged engine if you plan on high boost, high horsepower, and especially if your tuner sucks. If they detonate even a little, those hyperpuectic pistons will blow easily. Also, it'll cost probably $600, but get a reputable tuner, thats the most important part of the equation.

 

sorry about the lack of paragraphing, i posted on my mobile phone and somehow it got messed up...ill fix it when i get home tonight sorry again

 

wow, that was a lot of info, thanks for that.


when i posted for the first time my title was haynes manual ftw, so yeah, i plan on using that as well as the internet before i do any installing...im not just gonna bust my car open and start tearin it apart before i figure out what im gonna do.

im gonna start out with just driving my gt around and pushing its limits power wise, then when im comfortable im gonna deck it out, forged internals, turbo, bitchin suspension, brakes, tires, pretty much anything i can find to make it better im gonna do it.

i guess im kinda goin for a roush mustang, one that handles like a dream and gets me to work in 3 minutes, thanks for the replies everyone, its nice to post on a forum where people are helpful and polite.