How Much Can the 03 Cobra's Really Handle!!!
- Thread starter 86_stang
- Start date
Well, the last issue of MM&FF just had a turbo '03-'04 Cobra near the 850rwhp mark, so I wouldn't sweat 500-600hp on the factory bottom end very much. 
maybe even a little more!!
godspeedX
New Member
According to one of the MM&FF issues, I read in an article that some of the engineers think the stock block can handle up to 1000hp max. 500 - 600rwhp is childsplay for an 03+ Cobra, with a proper tune up.
02LaserRed2V
New Member
ToplessStang
Member
Now what the stock diff support can handle, there's another story 
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But man I love the 03-04 Cobras
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.But man I love the 03-04 Cobras
.
PonyboyIsaac
New Member
- Aug 20, 2004
- 79
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yup i read in a hotrod magazine they can handle 1000 hp easily.
And yeah i get hotrod magazine instead of MMff or 5.0 mustang mag. I gotta know what the enemy is cooking up too ya know!
And yeah i get hotrod magazine instead of MMff or 5.0 mustang mag. I gotta know what the enemy is cooking up too ya know!
Dorsai
New Member
Dan_Soprano
15 Year Member
Some of you guys are mis-informed. The 03/04's are hit or miss. The weak point is the pistons, and crappy tight piston to wall clearance. Although forged, some of us have been experiancing piston expansion under long WOT pulls, which ends up quickly wearing the teflon coating off the piston skirts and seizing the pistons in the bores. This has also been causing cracked ring lands. This even happens in the 450-480 rwhp range. Alot of us though(me included) are running at the 600 rwhp level with no problems, as long as you don't beat the living piss out of the car. Alot of it has to do with the tune. These cars need to be tuned RICH! Rich as in 11.5-11.8 a/f region. Also, the crap cooling system needs to be addressed. The "engineers" designed the cooling system in this motor to be run at the stock 390 hp range. Even then the thermostat needs to be changed to a true 180 degree one just for safe measure. It's true that at the time (2003-2004) it was one of the best motors ford has ever produced in a production vehicle, but alot was left on the table. From my time in the terminator world, this motor WILL NOT live for long at anything over the 600 rwhp level. Period.
Yeah I have seen the piston expansion first hand. A friend blew his turbo motor, when he pulled the heads off it looked like egg shaped pistons. He also had a cracked ringland.
what confused me about his question is he asked about the block. the block is good for 1000 or more, it is the pistons you have to watch.
what confused me about his question is he asked about the block. the block is good for 1000 or more, it is the pistons you have to watch.
Dan_Soprano
15 Year Member
it's an Iron block. the thing is tough. The crank and rods are decent. Pistons and all bolts minus the rod bolts are crap.01Steeda said:
SaleenGT2001
Well-Known Member
my friend had 700 RWHP and ran it for about a year. then he added a 150 shot and it lasted about another 3 months before it died.
3 eyed snake
New Member
Everything in the bottom end has been forged by the hammer of THOR....lol Those things can push alot of ponies. I just want to keep mine somewhere round 500hp, good enough for me. Just to keep the Vettes of my a**... I might up-grade once the new Camaro's come out so i can play wit them a bit.
CHEVY'S look the best in the dark and in the rear view mirror.........
I just want to keep mine somewhere round 500hp, good enough for me. Just to keep the Vettes of my a**... I might up-grade once the new Camaro's come out so i can play wit them a bit. CHEVY'S look the best in the dark and in the rear view mirror.........
You should already be able to do that in stock trim against any F-Body or Vette but the Zo6 as it is?3 eyed snake said:
3 eyed snake
New Member
lots of money floating round the car market here. lots of rich mommies and daddies.... spoiled a** brats...lol
Dan_Soprano
15 Year Member
No rich mommy and daddy here. You guys pay for all of it with your tax dollars!3 eyed snake said:
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