[nHuman]

I am getting ready to trade my 96 GT this summer for either 97-98 Cobra (96s had cooling issues that ive already dealt with in my GT), but i also really would like to step up into the new body style with a 99-01 (keeping the same bodystyle but only getting a cobra feels like a less of a newer car for some reason).

However the real questions for me, i have big plans this car ofcourse its a project and to get it where i really want i imagine it'l be a good 3-5 years before its fully finished.

But what I want to REALLY know is which one of these respond better to mods and have that real throw your butt in the backseat str8 line power. (I have a gsxr1000 for my curves, I want a str8line MONSTER).

I mean i'm talking getting it forged and putting some SERIOUS boost on this thing, but I am going to spring for a turbo set just nothing like the sound of a powerful cobra with the sick blow off of a turbo.

Which one of these cars motor is better for this type of situation.

While the car is a daily driver (which i dont drive no more then 20'ish miles a day, and will only be doing all the smaller bolt ons and full exaust and smaller things such as that at first).

I just didnt do my research when I got my 96 NON PI BLAH GT, I do NOT want to make this mistake again. I want to get something a concerte foundation and can just keep it clean as heck and get her modded out.

So which one should I look for the 97-98 or the 99-01 even tho the 99 scares me because recall ford had on them. I just dont want to get a 98 tho and find out I need new heads and this and that and this and that before i can start doing other things (like i found out about the 96GT).

One disturbing thing i did happen to read tho was that a 99-04 GT is = to the 97-98 Cobras, unless i've read MANY MANY things wrong or the cobras are ALOT heavier. I dont see how a 99 GT with 260crank is = to a 305crank cobra thats 45hp. Please help me out with these questions I want to make a good choice and have a car I can someday pass down to my son whens ready. Course I might have to remove the turbo before I do that.

And one last thing I heard the DOHC motors give bigger results from bolts on etc, is this true? I wish I could just get the damn terminator but 25k is a bit steep for me when im finding some pretty slick convertibles with low miles for around 12. Hell I rather take that xtra 13k and do my own setup im sure an ol terminator would have problems with a cobra and 13k under the hood (just my op tho). Anyways help me out guys. I've mastered the SOHC motor now im trying to learn the DOHC motor and characteristics.

 

[Mach Boy]

The 99-04 GTs have better flowing heads than the previous years' Cobras. The 97-98 have lower power at lower RPMs. So if you do get an older model Cobra you will want to upgrade the heads.

If you aren't planning on doing this for another few years why not save the cash until you are ready to buy? I mean who knows what could be out by then. Hell, the current year GTs have 300bhp. Who's to say that in 5 years they will be up to 400bhp. I heard where the new V6 Camaro was going to have 300bhp with the V8 over 400. And the Challenger will be around the same numbers. Ford will put a Mustang out on the market with higher numbers to compete. It may not be as high but it will be higher.

 

[Doc8224]

I would say the 01 cobra if you are dead set on a cobra. But if you are gonna do a straight line monster, you will have to do a solid rear swap. Thats what I love about my Mach. All the beneifits of a cobra, a little more power, better heads, and solid rear. Any cobra besides the terminator is gonna have a slightly older head, but a good P&P job will take care of that.

 

[Elder]

what is the difference in heads performance wish between my 97 and my 01?? besides the coil over plug?

 

[Doc8224]

Not a huge difference difference, I have a website on it and some write ups somewhere. There is a big difference in the 97 cobra and the 03-04 Mach/Cobra heads

 

[Elder]

thats what ive been told, how much difference would a p&p make?

 

[Doc8224]

If you have bolt ons and headers and nice mods like that it will help alot. Especialy with some nice cams.

 

[Elder]

as of now ive just got gears tryin to decide what the best game plan is for order of purchasing next mods

 

[Doc8224]

Intake and exhaust.

 

[Elder]

i basically have no exhaust lol, ya i kno ill probably get flamed for it but thats all i got till i can get some l/ts and an x pipe. what CAI should i get?

 

[Doc8224]

Well I am partial to the C&L. I think they have the best setup.

 

[Elder]

where can i find one of those?

 

[Doc8224]

I usualy just buy through there website cnlperformance.com

I got the one for my Mach used on ebay

 

[nHuman]

Well I love the Mach1's I have looked a few, however im deadset on a convertible i've just always wanted one. And I have yet to see a mach1 vert I'm guessing they were not every made.

However they are pretty sweet.

I would have never guessed PI Heads + Cams would turn out the same performance as the 98 Cobras.

However I heard the PI GT's have a highly raised compression and the cobras dont which make for a love for boosting.

But If i dont find a cobra that i really just love, i will keep saving till i get my hands on a termy. (Newer GT's are sweet but very high)

 

[hawkti]

I have a 01 black vert with a bassani o/r x with magnaflows. The 01's have 320 hp, unless you got a early one, and then there was a fix to bring it up to it. But like stated earlier, if you want a drag car, a vert is not topically the car of choice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my vert. And there are things you can do to eliminate the dreaded HOP that comes with the IRS. But yes, these cars with the right mods can put you up to the termi level of hp anyways. It's not cheap, but it can be done. But you want to boost anyways.