[SaleenR3]

Here's the deal, I currently own a 2008 GT 5 spd which I have up for sale. I am considering buying a cobra/mach/something somewhere in the 5-50k miles range with the intentions of slapping on a kenne bell or possibly a turbo kit at my local speed shop that I trust. I want to keep the cost of the car at 20k or less so no new 5.0 suggestions please.

With that said I am really looking for a good platform meaning a good motor to handle the extra power, a strong rear end, strong trans, upgraded brakes would be a bonus. Clearly I know I will have to make some of these adjustments on my own dime, I know that part.

My question is which one carries the best value to buy and start a 600-700hp project with??

1999 Cobra
2001 Cobra
03-04 Cobra
03-04 Mach 1

It appears the 01 may be the best option given I would plan to blower swap an 03-04 anyhow if I bought that - what do you think?

[Venomus]

I vote 03-04 cobra... Terminator can handle the most power out of those choices. IDK what you want to build it into, but SRA swap would be fitting on a 700rwhp termi or keep the IRS, brace it, and pray.

so my vote is terminator with kenne bell + supporting mods.... but with your parameters (5-50k miles and total cost under $20k i doubt this is possible)... so Mach 1?

[SaleenR3]

well i was trying to budget $20k for the car plus on a guess $10-12k for shop time/parts ... in theory i could go higher up into the budget if necessary but would like to avoid getting 50 deep into a mustang haha

[Venomus]

Originally Posted by SaleenR3 well i was trying to budget $20k for the car plus on a guess $10-12k for shop time/parts ... in theory i could go higher up into the budget if necessary but would like to avoid getting 50 deep into a mustang haha

Terminator

[Mach Boy]

The Terminator is going to be the best buy. If you take into account the motor rebuild and transmission swap/rebuild (to make it on par with a Termi) you're going to make up the difference really quick. You can swap with another Mustang owner for their SRA at probably no cost to you except some time.

[zigbigadoru]

^ummmm no to what these guys said. a motor rebuild depending on what you do to it can cost as little as 1k and if you start with 10-15k of a car and get an aluminum engine i would have to say that the cheaper route is better....

if youre going to build it yourself then the internals dont really matter as much as much as the quality of the block. iron<aluminum in almost EVERY case

also with the 99/01 cobras you also get SRA which is better for drag racing and can just handle more power without breaking.

basically, buy the car that has the best of what you ARENT replacing because everything else doesnt matter.

[rk_2000_Z/28]

Originally Posted by zigbigadoru ^ummmm no to what these guys said. a motor rebuild depending on what you do to it can cost as little as 1k and if you start with 10-15k of a car and get an aluminum engine i would have to say that the cheaper route is better.... if youre going to build it yourself then the internals dont really matter as much as much as the quality of the block. iron<aluminum in almost EVERY case also with the 99/01 cobras you also get SRA which is better for drag racing and can just handle more power without breaking. basically, buy the car that has the best of what you ARENT replacing because everything else doesnt matter.

The 99/01 Cobras came with IRS, not a solid.

And I really don't see how you can build a 99/01 motor up to hold 700 horsepower for $1,000.

The price of 03/04 Cobras are dropping drastically. 04's with decent miles are showing up with asking prices of $18K and less.

[Mach Boy]

Originally Posted by zigbigadoru ^ummmm no to what these guys said. a motor rebuild depending on what you do to it can cost as little as 1k and if you start with 10-15k of a car and get an aluminum engine i would have to say that the cheaper route is better.... if youre going to build it yourself then the internals dont really matter as much as much as the quality of the block. iron<aluminum in almost EVERY case also with the 99/01 cobras you also get SRA which is better for drag racing and can just handle more power without breaking. basically, buy the car that has the best of what you ARENT replacing because everything else doesnt matter.

Are you kidding? The guy wants to put down probably 500+rwhp and you're saying that you'd be more concerned with the block than the internals? And to your other point, that's only if he can build the block himself and do all of the machining/balancing ect ect. You'd still have to get a tranny that could hold the power.

[SaleenR3]

Originally Posted by rk_2000_Z/28 The 99/01 Cobras came with IRS, not a solid. And I really don't see how you can build a 99/01 motor up to hold 700 horsepower for $1,000. The price of 03/04 Cobras are dropping drastically. 04's with decent miles are showing up with asking prices of $18K and less.

please take note, i said i had a budget of 10,000 to 12,000 to allow for parts and labor at the shop...

[SaleenR3]

Originally Posted by Mach Boy Are you kidding? The guy wants to put down probably 500+rwhp and you're saying that you'd be more concerned with the block than the internals? And to your other point, that's only if he can build the block himself and do all of the machining/balancing ect ect. You'd still have to get a tranny that could hold the power.

yes i want at least 500rhp and no i definitely would not be doing any labor myself so I want to aim for least time consuming route all together with cost of car plus modification/rebuild expense.

[zigbigadoru]

Originally Posted by Mach Boy Are you kidding? The guy wants to put down probably 500+rwhp and you're saying that you'd be more concerned with the block than the internals? And to your other point, that's only if he can build the block himself and do all of the machining/balancing ect ect. You'd still have to get a tranny that could hold the power.

yea...i WOULD be more concerned about the block because the internals arent going to matter if hes replacing them anyway, so as i said in my original post aluminum>iron.

sorry i thought the 99/01 was SRA my bad. guess thats only 96-98

[808svt]

Buy an 93/04 Cobra, slap a Whipple on it and call it a day.

[gragra73]

I would think a MACH 1 would be the best bet since you are going to slap on a new super or turbocharger. Isn't the engine in the MACH 1 the same engine minus the eaton as is in the 03/04 cobra?

[DickH]

Id say get an auto mach, then swap in a forged rotating assembly for a turbo. The auto will take a lot of power, you start with a solid rear, and you should be able to do the rotating assembly for less than the difference between the mach and termie. If you wanted an easy 400-500 id say go with a termie, but because you are talking about doing a 600-700 turbo car a mach isnt a bad choice.

[Scott2001GT]

for 700hp I wouldn't worry about iron or alum b/c both will hold it fine. Alum is nice b/c it's lighter.

[drazga97]

its scary how much misinformation there is about the different models. thanks rk and machboy for clearing it up lol

[Scott2001GT]

Originally Posted by gragra73 I would think a MACH 1 would be the best bet since you are going to slap on a new super or turbocharger. Isn't the engine in the MACH 1 the same engine minus the eaton as is in the 03/04 cobra?

the compression it higher on the Mach1

[Scott2001GT]

Originally Posted by drazga97 its scary how much misinformation there is about the different models. thanks rk and machboy for clearing it up lol

[rk_2000_Z/28]

Originally Posted by Scott2001GT the compression it higher on the Mach1

Not to mention the rods aren't nearly as strong in the Mach1. I don't think I've ever seen a Mach make more than 500 rwhp and last very long on the stock bottem end. Not saying it can't be done but it's an everyday thing for Terminators to make that kind of power.

Also, Mach1's have an alluminum block and solid axle. So a lighter platform.

[rk_2000_Z/28]

Originally Posted by SaleenR3 please take note, i said i had a budget of 10,000 to 12,000 to allow for parts and labor at the shop...

Right. After reading your second post I took it that you have $20k to spend on the car itself and $10-12k on parts in labour. That's why I say get the Cobra for 18 and if you plan on dropping $12k on a Terminator you're going to have a pretty nasty ride.

And either way, if you get a Mach1 or a Cobra, you better plan on upgrading at least the rear end if you are aiming for 700hp.