97-98 Cobra street/track

[vitoal18t]

I am looking at 97-98 Cobras. I know these cars do well on a drag strip, but how about open track? I am in NorCal and curious if anyone took their Cobras to Infineon or Thunderhill Raceway. How does the car hang in with other populat track cars (Miatas, S2000, EVOs, BMW 3/M3...).

97-98 Cobra is a very attractive car to consider. Huge aftermarket, car is easy to work on, abundance of used affordable parts. Not a problem to make big horsepower in that car and keep it street legal. Modified mustang doesn't attract law's attention as much as a modded civic or other sport compact.

I am also considering 99-01 Cobra with IRS, which makes some difference I suppose.

Can Cobra turn without completely changing suspension to something like GR-40?

I've driven '95 5.0, while I liked the torque engine and that V8 rumble I wasn't shocked by it's ability to hug the road.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Hey bro
I have a 1998 Saleen Cobra, for answers to your question
They do alright with open track, I used to race at Infineon, Thunderhill, Laguna Sece, and such all the time before the CG moved me to Guam. They will have in there but they need some suspension mods. I wouldn't get IRS I don't recommend it because it's heavy!! And there would be more mods that would need to get done. The car will turn but I would definatly get some sort of small and minor suspension mods, subframs, sway bars, shock, springs, maybe a panhard, Just some to name a few they are all pretty easy to install and you could do it if you know a little bit about cars, they are also not to expensive. I hope that this helps you...

 

[blackfang]

97-98 Cobra is a very attractive car to consider. Huge aftermarket, car is easy to work on, abundance of used affordable parts. Not a problem to make big horsepower in that car and keep it street legal. Modified mustang doesn't attract law's attention as much as a modded civic or other sport compact.

I am sorry but you are misinformed. The car isnt that easy to work on once you get past simple nolt ons. Headers require you to drop the entire front end, been there twice, it can suck. Swapping cams, require removal of all 4 cams and alot of other parts to get to them. Parts arent as cheap as one would expect unless you go used. Then you do run a risk of problems. Powerwise, these B headed engines need a ton of money to make alot of HP. Bolt ons will get you to 295-300 rwhp and thats it. You want over 400 rwhp Naturally aspirated, fork over 4 grand or more.

 

[vitoal18t]

Thank you for the replys.


Went to the track this weekend, got a chance to watch NASA American Iron and American Iron eXtreme. Sure love the sound of those cars. It looks like a lot of cars employ grigg's racing GR-40 suspension system, it seems to get the job done.

I think when it comes to road racing, the name of the game is chassis. I saw a fox body mustang there, where radiator was mounted behind front axle and engine was sitting well under the dash board, practically in the cockpit.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Nice
I have the Griggs Racing suspension kit on my car the whole shabam, except for the watts link, kinda pointless I don't open track that often. It's great for the street and track I love it...

 

[vitoal18t]

Just out of curiosity, how does 96-98 Cobra compares with 2005+ GT acceleration wise.

I guess I've driven 1995 5.0L and my buddy just bought 2006 Mustang GT. I really like acceleration of new GT and I would think 98 Cobra would be in the same boat stock vs. stock.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Don't take my word for it for sure but I think that they are about the same if not the 98 a little faster. I believe the new GT's have like 300hp stock a 98 has 305hp stock. But the 98 is lighter. I don't really know but my guess bases of power to weight ratio would be that they 98 is a little quicker..