[WickedSnake00]

You're comparing apples to oranges my friend.

The 98 Cobra motor has a different head (B head vs C head) with different flow characteristics.

The huge difference is in the rotating assembly. The 98 Cobra is unforged, and the 03/04 is forged. What does that mean? The 98 Cobra's connecting rods will give somewhere around 400-450rwhp, whereas the 03/04 can take 800+rwhp, possibly more. That's where the big price increase comes from.

What power level are you looking for? And how mechanically inclined are you? Those are probably the two first questions I'd ask.

[explicitlife87]

well first off i am not sure wat power level im looking for i mean if teh engine to get to the possiblity 800rhp is gonna cost a rediculous amount then i would jus go with the 400rhp... as of right now short term im looking to get it over 300hp and long term shoot as much as possible... and as far as mechanically inclined im actually being taught by a mechanic and learning myself but i wouldnt drop the engine in myself the mechanic friend would. but i wanna learn as much as possible

[Uberstang1]

If you have a donor car or all the parts from the 04 its an easy swap just a matter of moving allthe plumbing, wirring, and fuel system over to the other car. If your looking for 400rwhp the cheapest route would be dropping a 96-98 cobra engine in i and finding a used supercharger and your there.

[explicitlife87]

i might do that route for the short run and then later on in a couple yrs i might go the other route with the 04 cuz it has more hp...

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by Uberstang1 If you have a donor car or all the parts from the 04 its an easy swap just a matter of moving allthe plumbing, wirring, and fuel system over to the other car. If your looking for 400rwhp the cheapest route would be dropping a 96-98 cobra engine in i and finding a used supercharger and your there.

Donor car; ~$10,500
-420rwhp
Lincoln MKVIII swap; ~$1500,
Used centri s/c kit; ~$1500
-350-400rwhp

Just keep in mind that with the MKVIII swap (almost the same as 96-98 Cobra) your engine will pop just over 400rwhp.

Other options on the table are installing forged internals into a DOHC motor (or your existing one) and turbos.

It's all up to you. You know the old saying; "How fast do you want to spend?"

[1996mustanggt]

I would say it'd be wise to stick to the model years closest to it since the 03/04 cobras have different fuel comsumption and different technologies in it. Stay with a 97 or 98.