[new2mustangs]

Who can tell me what is the difference between 03&04 mach1 and cobra engines besides the supercharger? The reason I ask is next year I will be selling my 02 gt and replacing it with a Mach1 or Cobra. Since the Mach1 can be a little bit cheaper making the note a bit lower I could sell my gt outright and put a kenne bell on it. If i can't get about the same from the Mach1 motor I will just trade my GT in for Cobra.

[BML99]

I couldn't tell you exactly. One has stronger rods, one has a stronger shortblock and a lot of other stuff iirc. Someone will chime in with what they really are.

A significant amount of differences though

[rk_2000_Z/28]

Mach1 has an aluminum block, 03-04 Cobra has an iron block. Manual Mach1 has a forged crank like the Cobra, but auto Mach1 does not. Cobra has much stronger Manley rods.

[WickedSnake00]

Vehicle:......Mach 1.................03/04 Cobra
Block:....WAP Aluminum............Iron Romeo
Rods:........Sintered................Manley Forged
Crank:.....Cast (auto)................Forged
.............Forged (5spd)
CR:............~10:1.....................8.5:1


They also have a completely different timing cover and FEAD (front engine accessory drive). I also imagine they use different injectors. 39lb/hr is stock on the 03/04 Cobra.

Also the 99/01 Cobra is not the same as the 03/04. The 99/01 is like the Mach 1 motor, but with a forged crank and 9.85:1 CR.

The 03/04 Cobra motor is the tits though.

[stal94gt]

03-04 cobra
4v c heads just like the 99-01 cobra heads and the mach 1's
-18cc zolner pistons (crap) stronger than stock but high silocone content and to tight of bore specs (very little piston to wall clearence .001 or less).
manley forged H beam rods (900 hp rated)
forged crank (never seen one break other than the snout from metco o/d sc pulleys)

03-04 cobra motors are significantly stronger and will handle alot of power as long as the heat stays off the pistons.

[PsnSnake_19]

buy an 03/04 cobra and you will be a very happy person, lol does that answer your question.

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by PsnSnake_19 buy an 03/04 cobra and you will be a very happy person, lol does that answer your question.

Lies.

[PsnSnake_19]

Originally Posted by WickedSnake00 Lies.

lmao that is the truth we all know it

[stal94gt]

shop around for good deals on 03-04 cobras cause they are out there. in the long run it maybe cheaper to build. if you like driving high powered manuals there is alot of advantages with a cobra. they have a much better fuel system (baffled gas tank dual pumps). a stronger 31 spline irs compaired to 99-01 cobra's having 28 spline and smaller half shafts. the trans is a t56 which for a little money can be upgraded to 26 spline and handle lots of power compaired to the 3650/t45. much nicer interier that holds a very high market value. and then the motor of course is the topper.

[new2mustangs]

Thanks fellas I believe I will stick to my original plan and go with the cobra. You are right stal94gt there are a few good deals out there. I appreciate all the info very helpful.

[NeverEnuff]

So much misinformation in this thread.

99/01 Cobra heads are C heads...but not the same as Mach 1 or 03/04 Cobras. At all. Some info is true in here about the 03/04 mach vs 03/04 cobra as in block material and the bottom end of the cobra being better...but past that...its all crap. Period.

Put it this way... NO rod, Mach 1, GT or Cobra (save for the 03/04 or 00 R) came with better rods or bottom end than any other. They ONLY one thing Cobras or Manual Machs got better than a GT or Auto mach was the crank being Forged. And to some...that was a waste and ate up more power in rotating mass being the Forged version is heavier.

Basically is goes like this.

03/04 Machs and Cobras share the same EXACT heads...so much the same that 03 Machs/Cobra got the 4 thread heads, and 04 Machs/Cobras got 9 thread heads. 03/04 Cobras, had steel romeo blocks...while Machs got Alum WAP blocks. Much like the 99/01 Cobras...even tho some 99 Cobras got the Teksid.

Now....03/04 Machs, 99/01 Cobras, 96-04 GTs and pretty much EVERY other modular out there got the exact same connecting rods (excluding the difference between romeo and windsor being pressed rods and full floating) that are powdered, cracked cap design. Only ones that MIGHT be a hint stronger are what came in the 5.4 trucks and Ls....

Also to be noted, 03/04/05 Aviators share the EXACT same longblock as the Mach 1 auto...same block, rotating assembly, heads, and cams...which is the same cams the 03/04 Cobra runs as well.

What else...oh yeah.

THere are C head differences... For example.

99/01 Cobra heads are just that.
03/04 Cobra, Mach1 and Aviators are better
Navigator heads are worse and better...but still a 'C' design. Intake is HUGE, but exhaust ports suck at best.
Then there are FR500...still a 'C' head.
Also GT 500/00 R/GT heads. Still a C head...just differences in the intake bolt pattern and valvetrain stuff...

Im sure there is more I am forgetting, but its 4am...and ive had a few beers and just remembering off the top of my head after a 13hr day with this stupid inspection at work...gotta love the USAF and all the 'compliance' instead of just fighting and winning. lol.

Edit...hope this helped more than just confused you or anyone else...I can break it down more if needed.

[stal94gt]

You made it really long. Btw windsor truck rods that came in 99-01 cobras/gt's are slightly stronger cause they are larger by 1 gram.

[zigbigadoru]

why would the 00R heads be classified as "c" heads? because there is NO similarities in head design that i can remember in the 00R heads, the gt500 heads (also the ford gt), and the actual "C" heads.

[NeverEnuff]

Originally Posted by stal94gt You made it really long. Btw windsor truck rods that came in 99-01 cobras/gt's are slightly stronger cause they are larger by 1 gram.

So...they can handle 1 more HP? You are serious? You have to be kidding.

You know the main difference in the rod?

we could sit here and pick and pick at each other all day and night...what good is it doing. He wanted facts on differences...I gave him that...what have you helped with the OP...other than being wrong on the 99/01 heads, saying they are the same as 03/04 heads...

along with your rating on the Manley rods...Manley does NOT rate them at 900hp. lol. Are they underrated from Manley. Sure...but they are NOT rated at 900hp.

Either way. you can keep bitching and talking crap...when all Im trying to do is help.

[NeverEnuff]

Originally Posted by zigbigadoru why would the 00R heads be classified as "c" heads? because there is NO similarities in head design that i can remember in the 00R heads, the gt500 heads (also the ford gt), and the actual "C" heads.

Sure there are. They are a 'c' head. Not a B head. Therefore, they have similarities...there is no 'D' head....so...guess what.

You can figure it out....

[na svt]

Originally Posted by NeverEnuff So much misinformation in this thread.

I couldn't agree more.

[stal94gt]

Originally Posted by NeverEnuff So...they can handle 1 more HP? You are serious? You have to be kidding. You know the main difference in the rod? we could sit here and pick and pick at each other all day and night...what good is it doing. He wanted facts on differences...I gave him that...what have you helped with the OP...other than being wrong on the 99/01 heads, saying they are the same as 03/04 heads... along with your rating on the Manley rods...Manley does NOT rate them at 900hp. lol. Are they underrated from Manley. Sure...but they are NOT rated at 900hp. Either way. you can keep bitching and talking crap...when all Im trying to do is help.

i wasnt here to get in a pissing match, sorry for being wrong with the heads. as it goes for the rods in a 03-04 cobra, they are the same style of H beam that mmr, mod max, and dss use in their 900 hp rated motors. if im wrong on this you can call them cause everyone of those companys told me to ship them the rods so they can re-use them to save on cost and yes it will still hold 900hp with better rod bolts. 03-04 cobras are more limited on power due to pistons than they are with the crank and rods.

[8URSRT]

Originally Posted by WickedSnake00 Vehicle:......Mach 1.................03/04 Cobra Block:....WAP Aluminum............Iron Romeo Rods:........Sintered................Manley Forged Crank:.....Cast (auto)................Forged .............Forged (5spd) CR:............~10:1.....................8.5:1 They also have a completely different timing cover and FEAD (front engine accessory drive). I also imagine they use different injectors. 39lb/hr is stock on the 03/04 Cobra. Also the 99/01 Cobra is not the same as the 03/04. The 99/01 is like the Mach 1 motor, but with a forged crank and 9.85:1 CR. The 03/04 Cobra motor is the tits though.

03/04 Machs are 24 lb injectors.

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by 8URSRT 03/04 Machs are 24 lb injectors.

Well there ya go.

[NeverEnuff]

Originally Posted by stal94gt i wasnt here to get in a pissing match, sorry for being wrong with the heads. as it goes for the rods in a 03-04 cobra, they are the same style of H beam that mmr, mod max, and dss use in their 900 hp rated motors. if im wrong on this you can call them cause everyone of those companys told me to ship them the rods so they can re-use them to save on cost and yes it will still hold 900hp with better rod bolts. 03-04 cobras are more limited on power due to pistons than they are with the crank and rods.

Yeah, lol. Ill give them a ring. Sure they would like that.

Rated or not...my point is they aren't rated at 900hp. Manleys are NOT...which is what came in the 03/04 Cobra. and MMR (junk) and DSS and Mod Max, might use the 'same style' of H beam, but far from the Manley. Manly pays for QA and makes sure their rods are true out of every batch. The reason you can get all those 'other' H beams cheaper...is cause of QA...(Quality Assurance) Will they work. Sure. But does that mean they hold as much or are as of nice of quality? No. Remember. YOu get what you pay for.