Help me decide...

bgrd351 · Jan 22, 2007

I am in a postion to go looking for a newer car to use as my play toy. I have recently changed jobs and dont have to put a ton of miles on my car anymore plus my fiancee just got a job at the came company so we carpool every day

so here is the problem... I have invest a "little bit" of money into my current 02 Gt and like it but due to the hard miles she has had put on her in the last year and a half she needs the suspension and body gone thru. So, I have been looking at Mach 1's and have found them to be not much more than what I owe on this car and have everything I would want to have to start with. For example the brakes and 4v engine.

So choices are this..

1. keep current car and start rebuilding/hopping her up

or

2. trade her in and get an 04 Mach 1 and start there.

please tell me why you would choose which way. And yes, I know the 03/04 cobra can never lose but it is not in my new budget and I like the way the Mach's look.

side question...what are the best first mods for the Mach?

Give Me TP · Jan 22, 2007

The best first mods to a Mach 1 are, in my opinion, 4.10 or 4.30 rear gears, and an aftermarket midpipe and catback.

squares98 · Jan 22, 2007

Why dont you keep the 02 gt, and buy a decent car for when you need a nice ride?

bgrd351 · Jan 22, 2007

squares98 said:
Why dont you keep the 02 gt, and buy a decent car for when you need a nice ride?

because we have her car which is a 91 dodge steath. I like my car but I dont know if I want to put a whole bunch more money into it and it is not going to go up in value of course. The good thing is the SCT software will transfer to a Mach just fine. Just have to buy a new database and then I can start tuning it.

Give Me TP said:
The best first mods to a Mach 1 are, in my opinion, 4.10 or 4.30 rear gears, and an aftermarket midpipe and catback.

thank you for the info. I know the gears and catback are the same as the Gt but which mid pipe would I buy for? Gt or Cobra?

Give Me TP · Jan 22, 2007

Any catback or midpipe made to fit a '99 - '04 GT will also fit the Mach 1.

You will have to use Cobra brake pads though when it comes time to replace them.

Crzyhrse · Jan 22, 2007

Best first mods are pretty much the same as for a GT. Gears, Midpipe, Catback, CAI, handheld tuner, short throw shifter. Skip underdrive pulleys for a Mach. A bigger Throttle Body is iffy also. Alot of people having trouble with them on the Machs. After the basic mods, then come the expensive headers, cams, and blower just like the GT. A midpipe, catback, CAI, and tuner will put you right at 295-298RWHP on a 5 speed.

bgrd351 · Jan 22, 2007

Crzyhrse said:
Best first mods are pretty much the same as for a GT. Gears, Midpipe, Catback, CAI, handheld tuner, short throw shifter. Skip underdrive pulleys for a Mach. A bigger Throttle Body is iffy also. Alot of people having trouble with them on the Machs. After the basic mods, then come the expensive headers, cams, and blower just like the GT. A midpipe, catback, CAI, and tuner will put you right at 295-298RWHP on a 5 speed.

sweet. That is a nice place to start!! I already have the hand held/Pro Racer package from SCT so that is taken care of. Now, just to make sure because it seems odd...but it is my understanding that the 4.6 DOHC and SOHC use the same mid pipe. I thought the DOHC was wider and would need a different width mid-pipe. I already know that the JLT cold air is what I will get and probably Pypes SS catback. Might get their mid pipe also (offroad x). Sound good?

Another question for the all knowing on here :SNSign: : what makes this DOHC different from the any of the cobras and is there a difference in the 03 and 04 Mach motors?

bgrd351 · Jan 22, 2007

player4lifeov · Jan 22, 2007

All the basic bolt ons will put you easily over 300 rwhp!! I've seem some reach 298rwhp just with cai and midpipe

Crzyhrse · Jan 22, 2007

player4lifeov said:
I've seem some reach 298rwhp just with cai and midpipe

I refer to Dyno numbers like that, with that few of mods as "Happy Numbers". The shop is blowing dyno smoke up your ass. Yes, all dynos are different, but when people post their getting 300RWHP stock, or with 1 or 2 mods, it's very questionable. They must have gotten a freak engine. The Mach engine has a different Intake manifold set up, different cam set up, and the heads are the same as the '03-'04 Cobra. Their's other differences, but I'm not familiar with all of them.

Tropic Lightnin · Jan 22, 2007

skip the Mach 1 and get a 2001 Cobra.

65fastback2+2 · Jan 22, 2007

Tropic Lightnin said:
skip the Mach 1 and get a 2001 Cobra.

here is advice to not listen to....^^^^

no difference between 03 and 04 mach's....i completely LOVE mine...it just has exhaust and its a BEAST of a car...even a modded wrx couldnt pass me...

Crzyhrse · Jan 22, 2007

Tropic Lightnin said:
skip the Mach 1 and get a 2001 Cobra.

That's it? That's your advice? Mod for mod, the '01 Cobra cannot equal the Mach, plus the Cobra has a IRS and 3.27 gears, instead of solid axle, and 3.55's stock. I suppose if your looking from a money stand point, then yeah, you can pick up an '01 Cobra for $5,000 less than a Mach, but it will have at least 50,000 more miles on it.

Give Me TP · Jan 23, 2007

bgrd351 said:
Now, just to make sure because it seems odd...but it is my understanding that the 4.6 DOHC and SOHC use the same mid pipe. I thought the DOHC was wider and would need a different width mid-pipe. I already know that the JLT cold air is what I will get and probably Pypes SS catback. Might get their mid pipe also (offroad x). Sound good?

Yes, the '99-'04 GT and '03-'04 Mach 1 use the same midpipe. I am sure because I have a MRT catted midpipe on mine and it would fit the GT as well. It went in with no fitment problem whatsoever, and has given me no problems at all for the last 30,000 miles since installation.

bgrd351 · Jan 23, 2007

thank you so much for the info so far. I have decided to get a Mach for sure now and already have the loan in place. That is always the hardest part. And I have found a 04 Mach 1 -red with all the black graphics (some dont have it all for some reason), black leather, 5 spd, and looks to be a virgin otherwise. It is at a carmax dealer so they have to ship to me and will take about 4 or 5 days from the time I say yes.

I am still wondering about the thing I saw someplace about 03 and 04 Mach motors being a little different. Anyone else have any more info on this?

ADRENLN · Jan 23, 2007

how many miles?

bgrd351 · Jan 23, 2007

Tropic Lightnin · Jan 23, 2007

Crzyhrse said:
That's it? That's your advice? Mod for mod, the '01 Cobra cannot equal the Mach, plus the Cobra has a IRS and 3.27 gears, instead of solid axle, and 3.55's stock. I suppose if your looking from a money stand point, then yeah, you can pick up an '01 Cobra for $5,000 less than a Mach, but it will have at least 50,000 more miles on it.

In the new issue of MMFF there is a 03/04 Mach (4V) with a built Motor, DS1C pushing 16lbs, and NOS...it made 590+/- rwhp.

My GT (2V) with a built motor and a V2SQ pushing 12-14lbs makes 513rwhp.

Crzyhrse · Jan 23, 2007

I can't think of any engine changes, but if their were, they were so minimal it was'nt anything big. The only changes I know of is '03's had black keyholes, '04's were bare metal looking. '03's had black valve covers, '04's had bare aluminum. '03's had cargo net above driver's visor for sunglasses, '04's it was deleted. '03's had tri-bar pony badges, '04's had 40th Anniversary badges. Also, Auto Machs had 5,80RPM redline, 5 speeds 6,800RPM redline. Auto has cast crank, 5 speed is forged crank. That's all I can think of. Beware of the no stripe Machs. Either the previous owner took off the striping or it is an imposter GT trying to be a Mach with an aftermarket Shaker. Make sure the 8th place in the VIN is an "R". This identifies it as a Mach.

Crzyhrse · Jan 23, 2007

Tropic Lightnin said:
In the new issue of MMFF there is a 03/04 Mach (4V) with a built Motor, DS1C pushing 16lbs, and NOS...it made 590+/- rwhp.

My GT (2V) with a built motor and a V2SQ pushing 12-14lbs makes 513rwhp.

And what is the '01 Cobra with the same Mach mods pushing? That's what were talking about right? Then put them on the track and see who wins.

Help me decide...

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