96-98 Cobra vs 03/04 Cobra vs 5.0/S197

Why are you not considering money? Is it because you have enough that it doesn't matter, or that you just haven't given what you can afford any thought?

You only asked one question. The 96-98s will go deep into the 12s with a full-bolt on package and tires. With blowers, you'll be good until you stress the internals in the upper 400s in terms of RWHP. Which is just about where the stock blowers on Termys are pretty much done. It would certainly be less expensive than buying a terminator to throw on a blower, tune it, and then get gears and tires. At 10 PSI you'd push over 400 at the wheels and run the car into the 11s.

Most people don't want the hassle of thinking through and building a complete engine, though. So if you want to run more power than is safe with the stock internals, it makes more sense to get the termy with factory stock forged internals.

You didn't give us any idea about what your priorities are. All we know is that you're going to use it mostly as a daily driver, and you'll occasionally take it to the track. Any of these platforms fit that criteria perfectly well. The newer, the nicer, but also the more expensive.

Chris

My 96 Cobra has mods in sig. I ran 12.50's at 114 consistently with the high MPH being 116. That is an 11 second MPH. I just launch at idle. I have spent enough money on a 2nd trans, 2 rear diffs etc... I'm not launching at 5,500+ and blowing something else. I haven't even been to the track since 2004 with the Cobra, so I don't really care anymore. I just do a lot of street stuff......