[horsewithnoname]

New to the thread. Long story but here goes...

I own of a 96 GT that I have put a ton of cash and several years into. It was my first car that I bought myself and can never see myself selling it. Due to a few things (intake cracked, needs new tires, transmission needs work, but mostly because I’ve been lazy and low on cash) I haven’t driven it for over a year.

Now that I have the time and have a great paying job I want to start a project. I’ve been reading up on it and would like to swap in a 4v, build it up correctly and in about a year or so add a power adder probably a s/c.

I have come across a 98 Cobra that was wrecked. The seller is asking $5,000 but I am confident that I can get it for about $4,000 maybe less... I believe she has about 130,000 miles. Now to some questions..

Does this sound like a good deal? I plan on removing anything I can use in my GT and maybe get some cash for whatever is left over. As well as selling my old engine.

Besides the engine, tranny and brakes are there any other parts compatible and/or worth swapping into my car?

I know everyone asks this but what kind of numbers can I expect from 1) a well built engine with normal boltons and 2) with a s/c?

Like I mentioned before, all I have is time and don’t mind spending money on quality parts. I plan on driving it on weekends and taking it down to the strip every now and then. This is the first forum I've joined and will soon post some pics of my car and mod list. Any opinions and advise from anyone that has done this before would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Doc8224]

First off welcome.


Sounds like a decent project. Building a strong motor and a getting a tranny to back it up would be top priority. The 4v's can make a ton of power and although the 98 cobra's don't have the best heads, a good P&P job on em will make them flow enough to satisfy. I would get the cobra and build the motor will all forged internals, P&P the heads, get a nice set of blower cams, get the 5 speed beefed up, swap the cobra brakes in, and go from there. As for power that depends on your plans and at what point you will have what power. If you are going boost later you will have to build the motor around that (i.e lower compression than a N/A build) and that will cause you to not have as much power now, as a N/A build would. If you want just a strong N/A street car, then do a nice high compression build with bolt ons, head work and cams you will be over 400 to the wheels.

[Ryan Paymaster]

That's a rough deal to think about, I'm not sure on how I feel about it yet.

You can find a high mileage SN-95 Cobra in decent shape for $3,000-$5,000 in one piece and could be seriously cleaned up to be worth more. People let these cars go, a well kept one is still holding @ $10,000. Hell, there are some decent deals on engine and trans take-outs on eBay sometimes with less mileage.

I honestly don't know what you'd be looking at when wanting to buy just a 96-98 motor without the car. If you really want a project buy an aluminum block and build from there, you'll make a monster. You said you wanted to eventually go F/I so you'll be stripping that Cobra down to the pistons to have forged internals, cams, better valve seals, etc. Why not just skip the price of the trashed car and go from there? Aside from the heads and block most of that engine will be replaced with stronger part.

I dunno, I could be totally wrong. $5,000 asking price just feels high depending on how wrecked the car is and what's really needed is how much is done to / how clean is your GT and maybe you should look into buying a Cobra that runs as a project car.

[futureMACH1racer]

I say it sounds like decent deal. You're not stealing thew car by any means try to either talk the guy down or consider another option. I'm sure that you could buy a termie for $5k, so if you're going to spend that muc buy the baddest you can buy. IMHO

[Doc8224]

Originally Posted by futureMACH1racer I say it sounds like decent deal. You're not stealing thew car by any means try to either talk the guy down or consider another option. I'm sure that you could buy a termie for $5k, so if you're going to spend that muc buy the baddest you can buy. IMHO

a termi for $5k? where?

[ReverendDexter]

don't worry about the transmission, the '98 Cobra has the same T-45 that's in the GT. Really you're looking at motor, wiring harness, ecu, and brakes.

[ECUSVT31]

i dunno, i got my 99 cobra never in any accidents for $5,500.. u could probaly find better deals

[Ryan Paymaster]

Originally Posted by ECUSVT31 i dunno, i got my 99 cobra never in any accidents for $5,500.. u could probaly find better deals

You stole that from Stevie Wonder. He's never going to find a '99 Cobra for that price.

[futureMACH1racer]

termie, meaning the engine alone. Doc they're not that hard to locate I just could've bought a Mach 1 engine about 4 months ago with 20k for $1500.00, that was slighty warm if ya know what I mean. I don't need the problems so I passed.

[1StockGT]

Look on craigslist.com I just found two in my area that are both right around $7000. I'm sure that both owners can be talked down with cash in hand. I agree that $4000-$5000 for a totaled sn95 is a little expensive.

96 svt mustang cobra poss trade for 4 door sports car

95 Mustang Cobra SVT **NEW PICS** 105k miles

[EThompson6]

a 95 cobra has a 302 in it.

[1StockGT]

Originally Posted by EThompson6 a 95 cobra has a 302 in it.

Sure does.

[EThompson6]

so why did you post a link to one?

[ECUSVT31]

Originally Posted by Ryan Paymaster You stole that from Stevie Wonder. He's never going to find a '99 Cobra for that price.

haha i know he wont, thought id just rub it in a little