Since at some point next year I will putting on a twin turbo kit from HP Performance and am looking for 650-700rwhp I need to have a stronger bottom end. Do you think it would be better to get an 03/04 Cobra block already built with forged crank (good for 1200hp) forged lightweight Manley racing pistons and 4340 forged Manly H-beam rods w/ arp bolts fully balenced and blueprinted for $2800 or keep the weight down and do all that to my 96 Cobra block? What would these parts cost with labor on my aluminimum block, ruffley? If I bought the built motor what could I sell my stock aluminium block for?
Motor build question(s)
- Thread starter LaserSVT
- Start date
CobraRed_96_GT
Active Member
Keep the aluminum block, best one period. Build it up and you still have a great weight advantage over the iron block. trust me you do not want too much weight in the front of the car because you'll have to severely compensate for the rear being too light verses the front
On a negative note if you get your block prepped by some company then the downtime for the build will be longer
Have you factored in all the supporting mods like Trannny/clutch system, and a buiilt rear?
On a negative note if you get your block prepped by some company then the downtime for the build will be longer
Have you factored in all the supporting mods like Trannny/clutch system, and a buiilt rear?
thought your block was cast iron and the 03/04 cobra block was aluminum
Other way around
CobraRed_96_GT
Active Member
Since its gonna be on a budget I am gonna do the turbo kit first and keep it at 8#'s. After I save up some more money I will do the motor and get a Viper spec T-56 and 31 spline axles with an Auburn or something comperable, also have the tubes welded and diff girdle that way I can bump the boost to 18-20#'s. I just dont know if I wana do the suspension first because thats another $4300 for the MM kit with panhard and torque arm, I will save a little because the turbo kit comes with tubular K-member, a-arms and coilovers. Im looking at 18-20K after all is said and done, I know I can get a Termi for that but I like the lines of the Aeros better and a twin turbo Aero Cobra will be a semi sleeper that will KILL everything I go against.
Since its gonna be on a budget I am gonna do the turbo kit first and keep it at 8#'s. After I save up some more money I will do the motor and get a Viper spec T-56 and 31 spline axles with an Auburn or something comperable, also have the tubes welded and diff girdle that way I can bump the boost to 18-20#'s. I just dont know if I wana do the suspension first because thats another $4300 for the MM kit with panhard and torque arm, I will save a little because the turbo kit comes with tubular K-member, a-arms and coilovers. Im looking at 18-20K after all is said and done, I know I can get a Termi for that but I like the lines of the Aeros better and a twin turbo Aero Cobra will be a semi sleeper that will KILL everything I go against.
I think your plans can be done for less than 20grand. I thinks thats just way too much to throw into a 10+year old ride, unless its a strip only car that is racing for something. Eitherway, good luck, keep us updated!
$7000-Turbo
$3000-shortblock
$4300-suspension
$2600-T-56
$1000-rear end
$1200-18" Saleens and rubber
$700-computer and dyno tune
=$19800 plus misc crap.
I dont have kids or any bills really, and it has been a dream of mine since I got my first Stang to have something special that I built with my own hands that is bad to the bone.
I know its a whole lot of money but I love the car and it will be spread out over a couple year period. When the car is done it will be wicked-It can fly through the twisties like a Z-06, run through the quarter in 10.X seconds, be reliable because of the beefed up parts, get good mileage for DD because of adjustable boost and it will be fairly different. Guys throw alot more money at their Stangs and have a lesser car than what this will be when done. Plus I want to do the work myself so I can say "yeah I built it, wana race"
I was at a stop light the other day next to a new Vett and a couple guys in a truck pull up next to me in the turning lane and the passenger leans out the window and says to me " I bet you cant outrun that Corvette" to which I replied "I know I cant, he has 100 more horse power"
I dont wana have to ever say that again, I just want to smile at him and say how much money you wana bet?
$7000-Turbo
$3000-shortblock
$4300-suspension
$2600-T-56
$1000-rear end
$1200-18" Saleens and rubber
$700-computer and dyno tune
=$19800 plus misc crap.
I dont have kids or any bills really, and it has been a dream of mine since I got my first Stang to have something special that I built with my own hands that is bad to the bone.
I know its a whole lot of money but I love the car and it will be spread out over a couple year period. When the car is done it will be wicked-It can fly through the twisties like a Z-06, run through the quarter in 10.X seconds, be reliable because of the beefed up parts, get good mileage for DD because of adjustable boost and it will be fairly different. Guys throw alot more money at their Stangs and have a lesser car than what this will be when done. Plus I want to do the work myself so I can say "yeah I built it, wana race"
I was a light the other day next to a new Vett and a couple guys in a truck pull up next to me in the turning lane and the passenger leans out the window and says to me " I bet you cant outrun that Corvette" to which I replied "I know I cant, he has 100 more horse power"
completely not going against you. Wish you the best in your build! living in texas, well some parts, is cheap. Good luck man, and I hope I didnt sound to rude, I just think you can get your plans done a little cheaper. Either way, as before, your build sounds very interesting so, please, keep us updated.
Mark
Will do, and no harm no foul
I can do it for alot cheaper but that would be single turbo (can get the hp but tons of lag an wont be as fun on the street) less suspension components, but with that much HP it needs to be glued to the road, beef up my tranny, but a T-56 is just cool and if I go 4.10's I want a nice low rpm for highway cruising. Anyway ya only live once, right buddy
I can do it for alot cheaper but that would be single turbo (can get the hp but tons of lag an wont be as fun on the street) less suspension components, but with that much HP it needs to be glued to the road, beef up my tranny, but a T-56 is just cool and if I go 4.10's I want a nice low rpm for highway cruising. Anyway ya only live once, right buddy 
I did not see allowance for a upgraded fuel system,pumps,tank.fpdm,bap,upgraded fuel lines and rails etc. I would build your block. does the 96 have a forged crank? their are all sorts of complete rotating assy's avail(including strokers) that are prebalanced.have you condsidered cams? another chunk of change.you may not have to port your heads but you at least want to freshen them up with new springs,valve grind etc,another chunk of change.
That misc crap can be very costly,I know,I am learning that now
That misc crap can be very costly,I know,I am learning that now
Yeah, brain fart
I was planning on a 03/04 Cobra tank with dual BBK 255lph pumps (already have the pumps) and the kit comes with another BBK pump and a boost-a-pump and an adjustable regulator, I have heard the stock rails will support 900+hp so I was gonna leave them alone. I did not include the cost of the head work because I will be doing them in a couple months anyway to get rid of the infamous Cobra tick and do the rear passage cooling upgrade in anticipation for boost And here is something I am sure will cause some debate but I am keeping the stock cams and just gonna have them de-burred. I have read too many tests (un-biased) saying the 96 cams were the best 4-v cams stock and beat alot of aftermarket ones, besides I love the smooth idleSimilar threads
