2002 Mustang GT Cobra Engine Swap

dhsmustang · Jan 1, 2007

First of all I found a 1999 Cobra engine with 75K for $1600. Is that a good deal? If I were to buy it, what else would I have to get in order to swap that engine into my 2002 GT 5 speed. Is that even a good idea?

SaleenGT2001 · Jan 1, 2007

not worth it. the rotating assembly is still as weak as yours. you will need a lot of work and extra parts to get it running right. just get a forged bottomend from VT or someone.

whyask · Jan 1, 2007

Well In a way, thats true....BUT, I just picked on up, All I needed was the harness, computer and that was it..SO FAR,,, all in all, if it has less miles than your current engine and you can do the wrench time ITS WELL WORTH IT, Mine whole setup was around 3 grand ....im installing this week...The engine dyno'd at 290Hp, Not bad compared to my little 256HP Plus the mods on the Kewbra pay off more than the GT

04YELLOWGT · Jan 1, 2007

I wouldn't buy it either. Its just as weak as the engine you have plus its a high milage engine. Im with Saleen just get a forged bottomend from VT.

san~man · Jan 1, 2007

whyask said:
Well In a way, thats true....BUT, I just picked on up, All I needed was the harness, computer and that was it..SO FAR,,, all in all, if it has less miles than your current engine and you can do the wrench time ITS WELL WORTH IT, Mine whole setup was around 3 grand ....im installing this week...The engine dyno'd at 290Hp, Not bad compared to my little 256HP Plus the mods on the Kewbra pay off more than the GT

You got an 03' motor, he's inquiring about an 99' motor. Big difference between the two.

IMO, it's not worth it.

thomas91169 · Jan 1, 2007

how much do the 4v heads/topend assembly cost new/used? it might be worth it depending on price to get the topend assembly.

then again, thats a pretty good price if its a full motor+harness. all youd need is a forged rotating assembly and youd have a nice built setup.

id try to ask 1300 for it. like others said, its bottom end is equal to a GT and thats quite a bit of miles. 1300 and you get all the topend you need without having to have the dealership nickle and dime you with random parts, its all included.

san~man · Jan 2, 2007

The time and cost to swap on 4V heads onto a 2V block makes it undesirable.

Low ball the price on the engine if you're absolutely set on that, get a different motor, or build yours up.

dhsmustang · Jan 2, 2007

The overall consensus seems to be to not spend the money. Would I be better off putting that $1,600 towards a supercharger? What's the best deal on those?

Torinalth · Jan 2, 2007

wow, what a load of crock. the 4v engine can do a lot. porting the heads, a good intake and exhaust can give 350+ to the floor. and you do NOT need the cobra computer. the GT can be tuned fine to the cobra specs without issue.. been proven time and time again.. just need the cobra harness.

aside from the 260 to 300 HP change.. the increase in redline from 6k to 7k just by valvetrain alone you have massive potential for an all motor beast that can put chevy guys back into the hole without needing a blower. get some thinnner gaskets to raise the CR slightly and add cams and bam 400 HP possible. people REALLY forget the easy of power on the 4v all motor. now if you are going blower then no its not worth it as the 2v and 4v respond identically under blower curcumstances and more so with a posi blower.

1600+175 for the harness means more power with the higher headroom then any all motor 2v can possibly make.... period.. there IS NO DISCUSSION. check out SVTPerformance they will tell you first hand its easily done and astonishingly simple. i just think people dont have a handle on what a cobra really is. they think terminator with the blower and the 2Vs respond the same/better so they discredit the 99-01 4Vs. just not right at all. port the plenum/go aftermarket, CAI, pullies, exhaust, heads (prefer 03/GT) and cams and you have a firebreather people fear and cant figure out.

if you want it, DO IT. there is zero reason not to. if you want to go blower then no, its not worth it.... also, did anyone mention how well 4vs respond to nitrous...

anyhow, make your own choice.

Torinalth

Gearbanger 101 · Jan 3, 2007

Torinalth said:
wow, what a load of crock. the 4v engine can do a lot. porting the heads, a good intake and exhaust can give 350+ to the floor. and you do NOT need the cobra computer. the GT can be tuned fine to the cobra specs without issue.. been proven time and time again.. just need the cobra harness.

aside from the 260 to 300 HP change.. the increase in redline from 6k to 7k just by valvetrain alone you have massive potential for an all motor beast that can put chevy guys back into the hole without needing a blower. get some thinnner gaskets to raise the CR slightly and add cams and bam 400 HP possible. people REALLY forget the easy of power on the 4v all motor. now if you are going blower then no its not worth it as the 2v and 4v respond identically under blower curcumstances and more so with a posi blower.

1600+175 for the harness means more power with the higher headroom then any all motor 2v can possibly make.... period.. there IS NO DISCUSSION. check out SVTPerformance they will tell you first hand its easily done and astonishingly simple. i just think people dont have a handle on what a cobra really is. they think terminator with the blower and the 2Vs respond the same/better so they discredit the 99-01 4Vs. just not right at all. port the plenum/go aftermarket, CAI, pullies, exhaust, heads (prefer 03/GT) and cams and you have a firebreather people fear and cant figure out.

if you want it, DO IT. there is zero reason not to. if you want to go blower then no, its not worth it.... also, did anyone mention how well 4vs respond to nitrous...

anyhow, make your own choice.

Torinalth

Totally agree. I can't figure out why the arguement of "the same weak stock bottom end as the 2V" on the earlier DOHC's is such a stumbling block for some people. The engine is still more than capable of suporting over 400rwhp.....and asside from the fact you've already got about a 50hp head start over the standard SOHC, you'll get there a lot easier and cheaper dollar for dollar with the 4V. And 75K is nothing as far as mileage is concerned. That baby's still got three or four times that amount of mileage left in it. You'll probably have sold your car looooong before you see it.

....hell, the exhaust note alone would be worth the money for me.

BLK_ROUSH · Jan 3, 2007

Wow ... agreed with the 2 above also.
Never heard that opinion "the rotating assembly is still as weak as yours." being a deal breaker.

4V as long as it's still strong, UPGRADE.

whyask · Jan 3, 2007

Remember guys ..HES 17, dosnt make much $$$$$$$$, Bolt ons and swap will cost, but hell its still a good idea NOW or later down the road..

01BLKSNK · Jan 3, 2007

I think it would be well worth it. I'd do it If I were in your shoes. 4V > 2V

SPEED FREAK · Jan 3, 2007

Wow no one mentioned the 4 bolt main aluminum block with factory forged crank? You'd be stupid not to do it. Too many 4v haters out there. Less weight + better bottom end plus more power and WAY better potential = a great idea. Don't even think about looking back go do it now. If I could get a deal like that I wouldn't even hesitate.

Torinalth · Jan 3, 2007

just had one thing come to mind, while the engine is cake and only needing a harness, i was sorta wrong.. i had to rethink my post as far as cost. as far as the motor goes its a direct swap... you will need a different alternator bracket i believe... then a serpentine belt, everything else will bolt fine. where the extra money comes into play is the crank....

back when i was looking into this the first time i had decided on the Mach1 from an automatic tranny... the reason is that it WAS a 100% swap aside from intake, headers, and harness... the COBRA needs a little more, though depending on what parts you choose the cost will vary slightly. the issue comes to the crank.... the GT has a 6 bolt crank, while the cobra has an 8 bolt crank.. this will necessetate a new flywheel and clutch... while not that much depending on brand and quality it can be from 400-1000 depending...

just a little cost breakdown for the swap, aside the engine
harness - 120
headers - 200-600 (note you might need to change/modify the midpipe)
intake system 800-1500 (this can go way down or up depending on junkyard/high performance choices)
flywheel - 175-300 (brand/material will vary)
clutch - 150-400 (brand/rating)

now this can be altered massivly if you can junkyard a lot of items (and you can) while you can also jack the cost up a LOT by going high performance, and doing so can/will offset the swap cost... shrug, its all on the counter... make your own call. personally i would... though i am still wrestling with FI/5.4 beast

Torinalth

mransr · Jan 3, 2007

I'd jump on the 99 4v in a hot second...

and as for 75K being "high mileage", for a 4.6 mod motor that's just past being broken in

dhsmustang · Jan 4, 2007

Negative on the Cobra engine. However, I found a 2003 4.6 32 valve Marauder

with 18,228 miles for $2,695. What do you think? My thinking is that in the end it

will be cheaper to get a 4V than to build up my 2V to the same specs that I could

achieve with a 4V engine. I just want more HP

Torinalth · Jan 4, 2007

well, what really depends is the future money you are looking to spend... take a look over my post for costs of necessary parts... if you plan on going high performance NA off the bat then go for it... however you will be stuck at cobra power for the cost of all cobra parts... then once you want more power you replace the ones you purchased with better gear... kinda like buying them twice...

after looking at it all i'd probably only grab a used cobra short block buy a set of GT heads have them ported and throw on some nice cams (fr500 maybe) and assemble my own longblock. follow up with a ported aviator intake, larger TB, and demolet CAI. toss on some pullies and a nice bassani exhaust and enjoy the 375 hp. would be cheapest way to get the solid power and not have to replace parts off the bat. however a kenne bell will cost less.... there is no perfect. shrug.

Torinalth

whyask · Jan 4, 2007

Just got my car back from the shop with the swap done, Price break down=
15,xxx mile Engine, Harness, and computer (NOT NEEDED) =3000
New LT's used (Thank you STANGNET)=200
New midpipe=130
New Flywheel and clutch =380
Stage 2 cams = 400
JLT intake= 125 (used)
Tune and dyno= 350
Labor=700
OVER ALL PRICE
=$$ 5285.00..NOT BAD I THINK

PS will post pics of the car and vid of dyno later

2002 Mustang GT Cobra Engine Swap

dhsmustang

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SaleenGT2001

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whyask

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04YELLOWGT

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san~man

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thomas91169

I'd donkey punch my sister.

san~man

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dhsmustang

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Torinalth

Gearbanger 101

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BLK_ROUSH

whyask

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01BLKSNK

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SPEED FREAK

Torinalth

mransr

dhsmustang

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Torinalth

whyask

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