2000 4.6l cobra crate engine swap into 65/66 mustangs?

reenmachine said:

Here's the story my research turned up regarding the "2000" Cobra crate engines when I made the purchase:

After the overrated horsepower debacle with the '99 Cobras, SVT reworked a few components to make the engine live up to the 315 hp/315 tq (or thereabout) claims. Although the '00 Cobra was shelved there was still an application for the engine: the Panoz Esperante. All of the '00 setups are leftovers from that production run, and that's why the kits are so very complete. they are everything you need (basically) to turn a Panoz Esperante roller into a running, driving car, complete with anti-theft, keyless, etc.

My original plan was to use high-end EFI stroker Windsors (347 or ?). By the time I priced everything out all the way down to the last detail, the Cobra engine package was too good a deal to pass up. Plus, I will admit that the "wow" factor is important for the market I'm courting. The install wasn't that bad as long as you're not afraid to get a little creative with the metalwork.

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Ya, now I know what I have to look forward to. Just found a good deal on a 04 Cobra MTR/6speed tranny combo. New home will be the 66 stang. Man, the things I get myself into. lol

I know there is alot of negitivity from some of ya about doing these sorts of things cause of cost. My thing is, I like to have something different than everyone else. Ya, it costs a little more (in the big picture not a huge amount more). But man, when its all said and done, and you pop the hood at a car show, I guarentee it will be an attraction getter. Nice thing on the 03/04 Cobra Motor is its friendly to minor mods with big upsides.

rebel65 said:

therefore i win there was a cobra in 2000

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And it had a 5.4L not a 4.6..

Okay, I guess for the "wow!" factor...... I dunno, reen, I like to say "Wow!" at what the drivetrain does, not what it is!

I'm about to talk about "barges" as opposed to street cars; but here's a simple real-world comparison: When I started with the phone company, our mechanics cobbled together an '89 E350 van out of two garage-queens (seriously!) for me to work out of. Speed-density 351W and a C6; 3.89 locker pumpkin. Thing weighed about 7100 lbs, fully stocked with at least 5 of everything I could find in the warehouse (rookie ); 8'10" to the top of the ladder rack, liked to pick up the inside rear tire on sharp corners. Took about 5 minutes to get started in the morning; was a V6 for the first ten minutes of driving - other two cykinders just collected gas and used it to wet down the cat. Don't know how many miles on the various powertrain components; the odo said 64K, but the guy who last drove the chassis said he almost dumped it on the freeway when he peeled a back tire with about 77k on the clock. 0-60 in about 16-17sec's, give or take; 60-0 slightly longer. Got about 8.4 MPG , if I babied her.
In 2003, after three Chevy's since the Econoline, I ended up with an '00 F150 longbed and campershell. 36.5k on the clock; about the same height, and around 6700lbs. Yeah, 300 over gross; but I've actually cut down on the types and amounts of junk I drag around regularly. 4.6 motor, E4OD, 3.?? open diff. 0-60 is still around 15 secs, 60-0 is much better. Avg mileage: 7.9.
Yeah, it did much better the two days I drove it virtually empty; but, in all, I'm not entirely impressed with the 4.6 OHC. I just doesn't make me go "Wow!"

well, a blown 4.6 dohc has alot of wow factor and def lots of power on hand. For what I paid for the motor and tranny you cant build a 347 with a tranny and be faster with the same money. Unless you use N2O, and thats just not the same IMO.

Lots of mod hatin' in this old thread.

The mod motor is capable of serious power, and with a good tune it will retain its streetability.

I completly understand why you want to put that in there.
my parents have a 55 ford crown victoria that they have had for 30 years and just had me purchase a 2001 cobra crate motor and matching 5 speed for them. they just got finished having the rear- mini tubed and mustang 2 suspension in the front.

its all about the wow factor

Guys,

Have a look at the RRS struts with the shock tower notching kit. Ive seen a 4.6 cobra motor in an eleanor clone out here with this setup. Looked very slick - pity I didnt have a camera.

Anyway heres a pic of the shock tower notching kits results - plenty of room

http://www.rrs-online.com/html/pics_gallery.htm

http://www.rrs-online.com/html/suspension.htm

Still not cheap by any means - but a hell of a lot less work and hassle than an M2 setup.