I just found out...big debate

I'd go Cobra and never look back. You can make a great looking, fast DOHC Cobra, still be reliable, and 100% stock feeling and streetable.

Cobra would be less of a headache... it all depends on what model you like the most.

I have both cars. First off, if you've been working on 5.0's all your life, the 4.6 DOHC is a completely different animal and shares nothing with the older engine. You will have to relearn everything. Also, the engine bay of the Cobra is incredibly cramped and a PITA to work in. 430 rwhp with a KB isn't as easy to get as you think. The kits offered for the 96-98 cars are not, nor can they be, intercooled. My wife's car dynos at 385 to the rear wheels and there's not a lot left to play with. My buddy has an older KB and has upgraded to 42 lbers, a Lighting mass air and an SCT tune. I can't remember his exact number, but he's just over 400. So it can be done, but it will take a bit of time and money. Your hp goal would probably be more easily realized with a Vortech.

My 5.0 has H/C/I and should be right at 300 rwhp when I finish my tranny swap. Bolting on a Blowzilla should put me easily over 400.

If you made me pick just one of my cars, I'd keep the 5.0 over the Cobra. It "feels" quicker, even though the Cobra has more power and it is much easier to work on. Also, I feel that the 5.0 will be much more durable and long-lasting than the 4.6. On a scale of 1 to 100, the availability of aftermarket performance parts for the 5.0 is 100 and for the DOHC is about a 6.

To sum up, if you want simple, easy to work on, inexpensive and fun, get the 5.0. If you want a bit more refinement and more power out of the box, get the Cobra. Or you can just do like me and get both.

Good luck.

430RWHP with a KB isn't realistic. 96-98 Cobra's only put down about 380RWHP max. They generate too much heat and the internals cannot take it. You should use a centrificul supercharger. I made 414RWHP stock engine, 8lbs of boost. I could add meth, and 14lbs and see over 500RWHP and be safe. Meth cools the boost.

Meth is something to think about if you go with a KB, but I still don't think you can up the boost that much. The meth should reduce your air temps from 85-120* depending on boost and outside temperature.

You also need to factor in a tranny for the fox. I think the cobra would be able to get away with 400rwhp with the stock tremec...but the Fox's T5 will fall apart almost instantly with 400rwhp if you intend to do any kind of hard shifting/racing. And really whats the point of building a car like this and not slamming a couple gears.

Either way...at 2000 bucks to the fox price to include a new TKO, clutch, and driveshaft.

Actually when it comes to the clutch you need to tack on another 350-450 bucks for a new clutch on both cars.

Id go with the cobra....five lug already, 4 wheel disks, Beefier trans, Much more streetable twin cam AL block motor, and much better interior/sound system...a cup holder.

its the cup holder thats gunna win you over

ninety15.0 said:

You also need to factor in a tranny for the fox. I think the cobra would be able to get away with 400rwhp with the stock tremec...but the Fox's T5 will fall apart almost instantly with 400rwhp if you intend to do any kind of hard shifting/racing. And really whats the point of building a car like this and not slamming a couple gears.

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The 96-98 Cobras come with a wussy T45, not a Tremec. If anything, the T45 is worse than the T-5. The transmission is probably the weakest point in the Cobra drivetrain. A T-56 is the next major upgrade for our car.