What makes a Cobra, a Cobra?
11-03-2006, 06:28 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 194
What makes a Cobra, a Cobra?
I have a 2006 Mustang GT and I love it. However, I cream at the sight of a Cobra, SVT, or Saleen mustang that sounds like the devil coming down the road. So my question is this.....What are the differences between Cobras and regular GT's aside from the obvious supercharger, turbo, whatever.
11-03-2006, 06:58 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 1,541
RE: What makes a Cobra, a Cobra?
depends...
the basics: all cobras come with the best of interior and exterior equipment for the year of the car unless otherwise specified, and they are always stick shifts
96-98 cobras recieved *awesome* aluminum engine blocks, dual over head cam cyliner heads, and a solid axle
99, 01 cobras recieved the first forms of the IRS (01 is slightly better) and a few other changes
Cobra-specific seats with a combination of leather and suede-like microfiber inserts - 1999 Cobras had normal Mustang seats.
A rear bumper that reads "COBRA", instead of "MUSTANG", as the 1999 Cobra had.
A rear badge on the trunklid was changed to say "SVT" instead of "SVT Cobra" as the 1999 Cobra had.
The option to order polished wheels from the factory.
The T-45 transmission in the 1999 model was replaced by the 3650 in the 2001 model.
The IRS halfshafts were changed from 28 spline in 1999 to 31 spline in 2001.
The spoiler was redesigned.
The emergency brake was fitted with a 'boot' of leather to cover the hole in the console where it protrudes.
The headlights were changed to a tinted design.
The color of the odometer digits was slightly changed, and the color of the instrument cluster lighting was slightly changed as well.
^^ from wikipedia
2002 took a break and all cobras went to austrailia where they recieved 2 extra fog lights in the front bumper
2003-2004 - this is the first year of forced induction, with a supercharger (by eaton), the block went back to iron (disputes between durability and cost wage) and it recieved completly forged internals (previous years recieved just a forged crank,gt's had a nodular iron crank).
93, 95 and 2000 cobras are articles in themselves...theres plenty more indepth info out on the web...but thats the basics
other than that, its just the name
the basics: all cobras come with the best of interior and exterior equipment for the year of the car unless otherwise specified, and they are always stick shifts
96-98 cobras recieved *awesome* aluminum engine blocks, dual over head cam cyliner heads, and a solid axle
99, 01 cobras recieved the first forms of the IRS (01 is slightly better) and a few other changes
Cobra-specific seats with a combination of leather and suede-like microfiber inserts - 1999 Cobras had normal Mustang seats.
A rear bumper that reads "COBRA", instead of "MUSTANG", as the 1999 Cobra had.
A rear badge on the trunklid was changed to say "SVT" instead of "SVT Cobra" as the 1999 Cobra had.
The option to order polished wheels from the factory.
The T-45 transmission in the 1999 model was replaced by the 3650 in the 2001 model.
The IRS halfshafts were changed from 28 spline in 1999 to 31 spline in 2001.
The spoiler was redesigned.
The emergency brake was fitted with a 'boot' of leather to cover the hole in the console where it protrudes.
The headlights were changed to a tinted design.
The color of the odometer digits was slightly changed, and the color of the instrument cluster lighting was slightly changed as well.
^^ from wikipedia
2002 took a break and all cobras went to austrailia where they recieved 2 extra fog lights in the front bumper
2003-2004 - this is the first year of forced induction, with a supercharger (by eaton), the block went back to iron (disputes between durability and cost wage) and it recieved completly forged internals (previous years recieved just a forged crank,gt's had a nodular iron crank).
93, 95 and 2000 cobras are articles in themselves...theres plenty more indepth info out on the web...but thats the basics
other than that, its just the name
11-03-2006, 08:19 PM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
RE: What makes a Cobra, a Cobra?
with the excepttion that it has the same displacement size the motor is actully completly diffrent from a gt. Ive also noticed that it seems to be a common misconception that ALL cobras have a supercharger. This is not the case only the 03 and 04 came with them. The other big thing no one has mension is the suspension upgrades over the GT. its also the little things. the white faced gauges diffrent hoods and oh i almost forgot the 4 piston 13 in(??) front breaks.
11-03-2006, 09:22 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location:
Posts: 951
11-05-2006, 11:48 AM
#10
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 103
RE: What makes a Cobra, a Cobra?
Well, everyone pretty much covered the physical differences between the two. Here are few other facts, The Cobra's are limited edition and numbered, some years are more rare than others because of production numbers/colors in any given year. They have thier own VIN# and are considered a stand alone model by DMV's and Insurance co. not just a package option. The engine from 96-04 is handbuilt and signed by the builders, not sure about other model years. Oh and just a little side note, there is usually a no holds barred Cobra R version built for each model redesign. The 2000 Cobra R being my dream car. 5.4 liter Supercharged. even bigger brakes. Mean as Hell. Oh by the way Does anyone no if that R engine would fit in the standard cobra? I've heard of Cobra owners doing the R brake sawp. But I have yet to see the engine swap. Just wondering.
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