I'm never said a stock 96-98 Cobra is even close to comparable in performance. But it can be built to be equal or surpass a stock termie for much less than a termie cost. I could build and turbo or SC a 96-98 and be pushing 700-800hp for under 10k. I could also swap the rear to anIRS and swap the tranny and still come out lower than 22K and runcircles around a stock termie. Now, I'm not saying termies aren't better cars, but I'mstrictly talking about money. And I assume that most people that racedo most of their own work. Especially people on a budget do their own work. That's all I saying.Yes termies are newer, more comfortable, nicer, look better, etc. But for me, Iwouldn't want to race a nice car, I want to build a car. This is nothing more than an opinion, but I wouldn't want to hack into a termie, they're still too nice and too new to start messing with them.What I'm saying is that I would hate to see a termie hacked up with a cage in it, only a drivers seat, etc. It would make me cringe to see such a nice car like that. On the other hand, a 96-98, that's justfine. They're old cars ready to be hacked.

 

I agree about the hacking of a nice car but, it is your money buy what you want.
I can also say that you cant tubro a 96-98 and get 700 hp on a stock bottom end and make it last. Didyou read the thread I posteda few back? look at it. Here it is again http://www.svtsnake.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23430

"I could build and turbo or SC a 96-98 and be pushing 700-800hp for under 10k." then you need the 98 cobra for 8k IRS and the transmission to handle it plusdo all the work your self.

here is one post . 500hp and you will be driving on borrowed time!

"No 98 cobras do not have factory forged pistons. or a reciporating assembly. they do respond to boost quite well, but be carefull , because if you get carried away, the ringlands or a piston will go booommm"

4-5k $ to build the bottom end of a 96-98 motor to handle 700-800 hp. Have you ever done it? thats a lot of power it would last a month on a stock fresh motor! The pistons and rodsare not even forged your dreaming thinkingit will handle 700-800 hp
Installing a tubro is not easy for most.

Every single person here that has a budget for a track car etc... starts out thinking they can build the car theywant on the budget they have mapped out and I am saying it always goes over. And in this case it will go over to the point that you should have just bought the termie and taken it to the track the way it is.

I thought this on a 90gt drag car I am building I thought that I was gona have a 11 sec with $12k then I looked, way more $$ for a 11 sec car. Then when I started looking into it more I didnt want a 11 sec( my termie can pull a high 11s/low 12smy drag car better be faster than my 03 cobra)car I want a 10 sec car. Thats $25k + the engine only is $12-15k $2800 trans, $2500 rear end, $2500 chassis ,upgrades $1500 wheels and slicks etc.. I could go on and on

I should have got a mach 1 put a turbo on it and raced it. It would have been cheaper!

No disrespect but I have looked in to all of this in great detail, the only way its worth it is if you really want that year body style or want to do the work to learn.
peace!

 

Who said anything about a stock bottom end. I know they are weak and that is why I said "build with forged parts". Stock is only good for 400hp.

 

If you go on basic costs, when you start looking at what's cheaper... The SN95 Cobra isn't. You have 8-10k for the car, 5-10k for turbo/blower, 5k for a built motor, 2k for the suspension, and another 2k for a tranny... and you have a great track car, but it's a weekend warrior... not very comfortable to drive those everyday... and it's a tad bit more then 10k

On the other side the Terminator with 500rwhp running safely, is still a very nice daily driver - Just expensive on tires

For the Mach 1/SN95 Cobra debate- you can really make the same arguement... both cars you can gear, build suspension, throw a small blower on it and run VERY good times... the pro for the Mach is the forged crank, newer car, and overall build quality. THe transmission while hit or miss is much better...


But, my advice for anyone that wants a pure race car... go buy a v6 chasis and build whatever you want... motor, suspension and drivetrain... anything you want! And it'd be cheaper then almost any option you have.

 

bottom line if you want a bang for the buck track/ DD the termie is unbeatable you can not build an older cobra/gt into one for less no way please someone step up that has done it?
it is not worth it a 700hp motor cost 12-15k and up

I think most of the posters on this site are very young and have no idea what it really takes to get 700-800 hp in a car you just cant build a motor put it in a stock mustang and have no problems a 700 hp is a $35k+ car, There is one guy here that spent $12k just installing a turbo in his car
dont post if you dont know

xxkazp3rxx is one that has done his home work or owned enough of these cars to know what he is talking about I beat you are not 18 like most on here

who was the jack *** that posted " have you ever heard of cast iron blocks" LOL where have you been for the last 100 years claimed to be a F1 driver please!

oh well I hope someone here read all the posts and got something out of it

 

+1 limp

I have actually owned V6, GT, Mach 1 and a Terminator, lol...

 

4v all the way man. they scream top end. i just stayed right next to an 07 with spray in my buddy's 01 cobra with lt's x pipe and flows. and killed him motor to motor. thats untuned with llongtubes and X pipe. i love em. i want one. kinda wanna trade my pushrod power for modular lol

Id go terminator by far. the ease of building is awsome. pulley tune and exhaust you got 500+rwhp. and your done on that end. then all you gotta do is suspension and whatever else.

 

dont discount the push rod motor they still are (to me more trust worthly than the " cammer" motor for some reason maybe it cause I know more about them)bad *** motors with an after market block like an iron eagle dart. These dohc motors are nothing new they had them back in the 20s in dusenburgs(spelling?)supercharged. I dont know of anybody running 8sec drag car with these motors or have not seen them. They are more money to build thats for sure. But yes they are cool motors I smile everytime I pop the hood it looks like a big block because of the head size

 

i lovew my pushrod. its quick revving. feels crisp and tight when i get on it. but that 4v mod motor im in love with. the ease of making power is awesome. and they LOVEBOOST where the older 5 liter pushrod motors like to self destruct with boost.

 

5.0 not good for much over 400 hp, u must go to an after market block, I have a sour taste in my mouth over the bad rod bearings in the 96-98 4v mod motors and head ticks in 03-04