Roush Everybody! 03-04 Cobra vs. 99-04 SC281

skratpiece9450 · Nov 24, 2006

This is probably a debate that has been adressed before. What are your opinions on performance and driveability? Everybody!

sambandit · Nov 24, 2006

With a few simple mods, the Cobra will run circles around the Saleen in the power department. I have never driven a 99-04 Saleen to see what the suspension is like though. If it's as much of an improvement as they made in the 05s+ over stock, I would say the earlier ones handle great too.

BlackSaleen · Nov 24, 2006

The 99-04 Saleens will not match up in the power department with the 03 and 04 Cobra's. Trust me my son has a 03 Cobra. If you want power buy a Cobra if you want looks go for the Saleen!

Barry
2000 SC281 #388

Disco · Nov 24, 2006

Food for thought my gt with the saleen blower traps 116mph and runs 11.9 i have noth even put mufflers or headers on the car its stock. so for most cobras with cat backs and a pulley my car runs just as good. Probably because its lighter. you do not need lots of hp to run fast thats for sure my friends cobra only made 450-460 to the tires and went 10.99 thanks to my tune and its a stock eaton with no cooling mods. i only tapped the potential of the s4 blower and have the guts to continue. When i got the blower i said i want the car to run 11.9 through stock mufflers and no headers, and i did it. my mph says im good for a easy 11.5-11.6 but i need slicks im on et streets. All im saying is who cares if a cobra makes more power i clean them up at the track all the time and i have tons of fun launching my car . Dont get caught up in the hp dyno game i have a dyno and i dont. There will always be someone with more money and more hp then you anyway so whats it matter. Just have fun and drive the crap out of what you have and you would be suprised what a car can do.

THX 138 · Nov 24, 2006

published numbers on 2004 sc281 are 375hp, 410 tq. The Cobra was 390hp underrated however and I forget how much torque. I would feel much more comfortable if I had the Cobra bottom end since it was built for a supercharger but I love the way mine looks and handles. A Saleen Cobra would be the best of both worlds.

Disco · Nov 24, 2006

you said it the saleen is awsome in styling no other car can beat it infact i love it so much i just recieved my body kit from haney due to the blower hits my factory gt hood so i upgraded everything. a tune and pulley and mass air up grade on your car will put down 375 to the wheels no prob. But driving my car compared to a cobra with say just a 2.8 upper pulley mine feels a little quicker i think because im light and the way the blower pulls harder up to 6k. stock 2v take abuse and some boost as long as you keep safe timing and 11.5-11.8 af ratio on the street. but making a strong bottom end is cheap now aadays for these cars.

THX 138 · Nov 24, 2006

Disco said:
you said it the saleen is awsome in styling no other car can beat it infact i love it so much i just recieved my body kit from haney due to the blower hits my factory gt hood so i upgraded everything. a tune and pulley and mass air up grade on your car will put down 375 to the wheels no prob. But driving my car compared to a cobra with say just a 2.8 upper pulley mine feels a little quicker i think because im light and the way the blower pulls harder up to 6k. stock 2v take abuse and some boost as long as you keep safe timing and 11.5-11.8 af ratio on the street. but making a strong bottom end is cheap now aadays for these cars.

cheap or not I only have 3800 miles on it :SNSign: And I've been getting on it pretty hard. I've only put 300 miles on it so far. Good luck with your kit don't forget the wheels. I love those wheels too. 18x9, 18x10. The center exaust is wicked too, it sounds like a Ferrari or something exotic.

Disco · Nov 24, 2006

i wimped out on the center exhaust becuase i run stock 00 gt tailpipes and mufflers love it quiet. The wheels are on back order. I just hope my car is not heavier with the body kit i figure it may be the same since i got the fiberglass saleen hood. Get a fuel pump and a 90mm lightning mass air meter. and get your car tuned it will last.

THX 138 · Nov 24, 2006

Disco said:
i wimped out on the center exhaust becuase i run stock 00 gt tailpipes and mufflers love it quiet. The wheels are on back order. I just hope my car is not heavier with the body kit i figure it may be the same since i got the fiberglass saleen hood. Get a fuel pump and a 90mm lightning mass air meter. and get your car tuned it will last.

I wana get those wheels for my '67 notchback to have them match. Do you have pics of your series 4 and other mods? How much is a lightning mass air meter? The throttle body I have is a cast Ford unit probably bored out. I wonder if I should change it. How much boost are you making? I've seen 10 lbs. on mine. If I was building my car like you are I'd look at the Maximum Motorshorts K member. It says 40 lbs weight loss and can move your wheelbase up up to 1.5"

GitDat · Nov 25, 2006

I can keep up with most 03-04 Cobras

98 Saleen Cobra · Nov 25, 2006

I have a Saleen Cobra, it's just easier this way!!

spikestas · Nov 26, 2006

Saleens on Road Courses

I have no doubt the Cobra's power is much better especially for straight line speed but how many of you have put some road racing slicks on your Saleen and done the weekend Road Course thing? All I can say is Mustangs are kind of pigs on the road courses but I love the way mine Saleen handles. Driving hard into the corners, Drifting out of them is such a Blast. This is what Saleens are all about - Great Handling and Looks.

saleen556 · Nov 26, 2006

GitDat said:
I can keep up with most 03-04 Cobras

Me too when I get it broken in and tuned .

BlackSaleen · Nov 26, 2006

GitDat said:
I can keep up with most 03-04 Cobras

If you look at what Git Dat has its no wonder he can keep up with a Cobra he has a Kennebell. If the Cobra had a Kennebell its see ya later
Saleen!

Barry
2000 SC281 #0388

Disco · Nov 26, 2006

yes your right lets see you keep up like me with my s4 blower now we are talking. Funny how i saw about 2 mustangs in the magazines with kb built this ported that headers 500plus hp and they run 2-3mph quicker in the quarter then my car with just about stock everything but my s4blower.

marcus95 · Nov 26, 2006

BlackSaleen said:
If you look at what Git Dat has its no wonder he can keep up with a Cobra he has a Kennebell. If the Cobra had a Kennebell its see ya later
Saleen!

Barry
2000 SC281 #0388

Right.

98 Saleen Cobra · Nov 26, 2006

spikestas said:
I have no doubt the Cobra's power is much better especially for straight line speed but how many of you have put some road racing slicks on your Saleen and done the weekend Road Course thing? All I can say is Mustangs are kind of pigs on the road courses but I love the way mine Saleen handles. Driving hard into the corners, Drifting out of them is such a Blast. This is what Saleens are all about - Great Handling and Looks.

I definatly agree with you on this one. I loved racing my Saleen on roadcourses!! So much fun. It's put off for now thank you CG, but when I come back to California I can't wait to racing a Leguna Seca again!!

wsbrigham · Nov 26, 2006

The motors on the Cobras are just awesome; smooth, fast and built for major power. I usually say to go with the Saleen, but that is until I ride in a blown Cobra. Yikes! Love that sensation!

If could find a '03-'04 Saleen Cobra, that would be my choice. Second choice would be to take an '03-'04 and put a Saleen body kit with some coilovers, and now I have a contender on the roadcourse and on the strip

BTW- there is a Yellow '03 or '04 Saleen Cobra for sale on E-bay...I'd get it if it were't yellow.

HazeGray · Nov 29, 2006

wsbrigham said:
BTW- there is a Yellow '03 or '04 Saleen Cobra for sale on E-bay...I'd get it if it were't yellow.

Yup...

eBay Link: 2003 Cobra Saleen Convertible

View attachment 420752

00s281sc368 · Nov 29, 2006

THX 138 said:
cheap or not I only have 3800 miles on it :SNSign: And I've been getting on it pretty hard. I've only put 300 miles on it so far. Good luck with your kit don't forget the wheels. I love those wheels too. 18x9, 18x10. The center exaust is wicked too, it sounds like a Ferrari or something exotic.

You are got damn right, the center exhaust sounds so good they all ask me all day long about it... It's the best thing that can ever happen to a mustang, you get both deeps rumble and high drone rpms "ferrari like"
Now I wish I had a 03 cobra block so I can run more boost though...

Roush Everybody! 03-04 Cobra vs. 99-04 SC281

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