[blurredmotion]

What's up everyone, this is my first post and looking forward to many more.

Here's the deal. I've got a 97 GT Convertible that just hit 120k miles and I've got a few questions and I wanted to get some answers from real Mustang fanatics. Here's a list of the mods performed so far: BBK CAI, BBK H-Pipe, 2 chamber 40 series flowmasters, lowering springs, chrome 18" cobra r wheels, Superchips programmer, Steeda pulley's, throttle body spacer, and Ford Racing 9mm wires.

The fastest I've ran in the 1/8th is 9.5 and that's w/o the programmer. There are two of my friends that I just can't seem to keep up with and its killing me. One has a 95 automatic z28 with a shift kit and the other has a 95 civic w/ an H22 swap.

My question is, is it worth putting more money into this engine (and if so then what parts should I look into getting) or should I just do a motor swap. I'm leaning more towards the motor swap just because of the car's mileage already (120k). One thing I have to take into consideration is that it's a daily driver and I drive 30 miles each way to work everyday, but I don't mind about the gas mileage b/c I just love driving her so much, lol.

Can't seem to find the right answer yet, so I figured this was the best place to come. Looking forward to hearing some responses!!!

[lemon]

nothing like a mustang wearing a gt badge with a cobra engine

[blurredmotion]

Would it have to be a the same body style and year as mine or would a newer 03/04 Cobra work? I just found this one on eBay and I'm curious to see how much the bidding goes up to but I would rather spend the extra money and get it rather than the 96 or 97.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[yellow02gt]

An 03/04 cobra motor will work and would be a great addition. The 03 motors are have forged internals and can handle 600rwhp as is. They are great motors.

[blurredmotion]

That was exactly what I was wanting to hear. Of course I'll need the motor, tranny, and ecu from the cobra but would there be a need for any other parts like the axles or anything that would need to be replaced also? Also are there any good websites or places I can look for a motor at besides eBay?

[Drgnracin72]

THE 03-04 COBRA MOTORS CAN HANDLE WELL OVER 600 HP. YEAH STICK YA A COBRA MOTOR OR BUY A BUILT SHORTBLOCK AND GET SOME 4V HEADS AND CAMS WITH A BLOWER. THAT OUGHTA DO YA JUST FINE!!!

[blurredmotion]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. Just got all my debt paid off and i figured i had two choices; a bike or dump some money in "molly" so i think i've made my decision. Can anybody give me some price estimates on what something like what we're talking about would cost?

[Drgnracin72]

A BUILT MOTOR = 2000-5000, HEADS AND CAMS(4V)= 2500, AND + WHATEVER SUPERCHARGER. I AM RIGHT NOW BUILDING A STROKER MOTOR WITH 4V HEADS AND CAMS WITH A S/C AND WILL BE GOING TURBO IN A YEAR OR SO!! I SHOULD MAKE 800 RWHP FAIRLY EASILY! OR JUST BUY A CRATE TERMINATOR ENGINE FOR I THINK AROUN 8000-9000 BUT DONT QUOTE ME ON THAT!

[99mustang232]

interesting article about using an 03/04 cobra setup with hellion turbo kit making 847.51hp/789.17lb-ft at the wheels.

[Drgnracin72]

yeah. that turbo is badass. when i go turbo i will probably go with a hellion setup!

[orangeRcode]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04...QQcmdZViewItem

[thor mills]

all i can sayis holy **** my boy has a 04 cobra and i love it but hes alway s breakin **** s/c housing pulleys ect i have a 03 gt chip full custo m piping hand built h pipe series 3 flowmasters no cats aem intake slamm ed on its nutts the right way camber plates because i dont like the origin al ride too much body roll i rather bounce than flip over ive looked into a tt setup but that much hp and my balls will get me killed im p robably sittin at 300 hp if im lucky and half of my boys wont ride with me they call it the rocketship and im only doing 8.6 in the 1/8 i wan t to know what my base hp is with my mods and i have a hopping probl em when i launch i looks like a candy game board and what does a tt s etup cost the guy that programmed my chip told me 3000 because im a fr iend but he told me the same hp numbers i would really appreciate the help , imported muscle

[Drgnracin72]

wow! the make a period(.) for a reason. just kidding but a twin turbo setup isnt cheap. they run anywhere from about 5000-8000 for a good setup. and if youve got aforged motor, you can crank up the boost and make some good power!!

[173speed]

I would say keep ure motor but built it up with some good internals get 4v head and twin turbo it

[FastDreamZ06]

Originally Posted by yellow02gt An 03/04 cobra motor will work and would be a great addition. The 03 motors are have forged internals and can handle 600rwhp as is. They are great motors.

How much psi can these engines take? I'm a vette guy but one of my buddies was telling me that one of the newer mustang engines can safely take 24 psi from a kenny bell which I thought was crazy for stock internals, thought maybe it was just cause I only know vettes and 6 psi is safe and twelve is crazy but 24??!!!, do you guys know which one he was talking about if that's true, I am really impressed.

[AtlanticBlue99]

Well, with forged internals, the 03/04 Cobra can handle 87-15 psi from a Kenne Bell on 92 octane fuel; the 2.4L Kenne Bell can put out up to 27psi and over 700rwhp on an otherwise stock 03/04 Cobra

[FastDreamZ06]

Ok, but I don't quite understand the answer, it can take 7-15 psi or up to 27, or would you have to modify the internals to achieve the full 27 psi with the kenny bell? I was also told that the same engines can handle 1Khp but I guess all this is preference cause just about any block can monster loads of HP... the real question is how long??? what are the 99 and 01 cobras rated at?

[AtlanticBlue99]

Okay, 03/04 Cobras come stock with a DOHC, forged, supercharged 4.6L- 390hp at 6k rpms, 390 tq. at 3500 rpm.

99/01 (no cobra for 2000) Cobras come stock with a DOHC 4.6L- 320hp at 6k rpms, 317 tq. at 4750 rpm.

I've never seen a KB Cobra with 27psi in person, but supposedly, they can handle it on stock motor with a good tune. Depending on pully size, 8-15 psi can be achieved for street applications, and with a full exhaust (long tubes, no cats) and cams, the 03/04 Cobras could see 1000rwhp on a power tune. I've seen a dynovideo of a 2.4L Kenne Bell "Blowzilla" making 1100 rwhp and 1000 rwtq.