Looking at KB for a 98 Cobra..Any Info?

desant89 · Jun 4, 2004

I am looking to supercharge my 98 Cobra. It surrently has 3:73's CAI, Flowmaster mufflers only, and a tri-ax. Can anyone tell me if KB direct is the way to buy? I never see any used ones around either. Also, is KB the way to go? Any info would be great. Thanks!!!

SVTCobra97 · Jun 4, 2004

Do some searches on the different mustang boards to find out all the opinions. This is a real good site for info: www.kenne-bell.com

Kennedy's Dyno Tune in NY is supposed to be one of the best at installing and tuning the KB's.

To sum up a much argued topic. Kenne Bell's are great, but some argue that the 96-98 Cobra package is not as good as the other KB packages. A KB blower will give you great power down low, reaching full boost in the 2000's. People say its like having a big block engine. The biggest downside about the KB blower is that you can't get much more power out of it. If you are looking for an awesome street car, then this is it. Alot of people go with a vortech (for example) because of the upgrade potential. A kenne bell will get you to 400 rwhp or so, but a vortech will take you farther. However, its been said that a 400 rwhp KB could take a 450 rwhp vortech.... because the vortech doesn't get full boost until high rpms. So it really just depends on what you are looking for. I personally can't wait to slap on a KB on my 97. Hope this helps some. I'm sure many more people will chime in and give you more help.

desant89 · Jun 4, 2004

Sonds great to me. That is the type of information I was after. What do you see as far as pricing since you need the same one?

twogts4us · Jun 4, 2004

desant89 said:
I am looking to supercharge my 98 Cobra. It surrently has 3:73's CAI, Flowmaster mufflers only, and a tri-ax. Can anyone tell me if KB direct is the way to buy? I never see any used ones around either. Also, is KB the way to go? Any info would be great. Thanks!!!

You don't see any used ones because people know a good thing when the've got it!
Saving my money for the KB...it rocks! I just read another article on the KB in this month's Mustang Enthusiast mag (Aug 04). The nice thing about the KB is it is a complete kit (42 LB injectors, boost-a-pump, chip, etc), you finally get rid of that plastic intake and you can essentially do it yourself.
In the mag, they installed it on a 99 GT that already LT headers, catted Bassani X, Magnaflow catback, pulleys, timing adjuster, Denso Iridiums, FRPP 70mm TB and a MAC CAI (which was removed in the end as it wouldn't work with the KB). But these are your basic bolt ons that a lot of us have. It dynoed, before the KB, @ 244 RWHP / 272 FTLB TQE. Then they installed the 10 PSI KB.
After the KB, the 1st run netted 369 RHWP / 372 FTLB TQE and a 2nd run, 372 RWHP / 402 FTLB TQE. Awesome!

SVTCobra97 · Jun 4, 2004

I think the 96-98 KB Cobra kit is about $3,700. (plus a good tune)

www.kennebell.net

Aaron 4.6 · Jun 4, 2004

The above assessment is about right. The KB kit for the 96-98 Cobra is NOT a well-engineered one like the 2V kit is. The plenum for the intake is too small, and the turbulent flow kills power potential. I've seen Kobras run in the 420 rwhp range, but thats with a hot intake charge (no intercooler available) and more boost (12 psi) than you would need with most centri style blowers.

SVTCobra97 · Jun 4, 2004

One option you could use w/ kb blower would be water injection. This is more of a nice safety addition for your motor though, as opposed to helping to cool the air for more boost...

desant89 · Jun 5, 2004

Looks like a lot of people are not impressed with the KB for a 96-98 Cobra at all. Is the KB not the one to go with for those years? Nobody really gives the KB much respect for those years at all....

Aaron 4.6 · Jun 5, 2004

desant, there is no real defense for the design flaws in the 96-98 kit. A KB kit for a GT will make more power than a 96-98 Cobra kit. Given the inherent advantages of the 4V motor, this can only mean a compromised design.

Now, if you aren't a dyno whore and don't care about peak numbers, the KB kit is capable of making decent power and great torque in an attractive package. Its just not as good as it could be, and that pisses a lot of people off. If it was intercooled with actual runners it would sell a lot more units.

04Cobra · Jun 5, 2004

with KB u can get 11.3 @1/4. I saw vid for Cobra 95.......thats great.

04Cobra · Jun 5, 2004

But u can get more hp with Vortech here is the link

which one work well in hot weather? kb or vortech?

kurst · Jun 5, 2004

04Cobra said:
which one work well in hot weather? kb or vortech?

I assume you are wondering which is better if both both were not intercooled.

I would say vortech, because the centrifugal design is more efficient(at least I think it is more efficient then twin-screw)

SVTCobra97 · Jun 6, 2004

A KB uses less power from the engine than a centrifugal......(more efficient)

desant89 · Jun 6, 2004

I am liking most of what I am hearing about the KB. I am curious though, 11.3 in the quarter? What other Mods were done? I would like to get to 12.5, and I would be happy. If the KB can get me there, then I guess that is fine. Thanks for all of the info so far all.....

BigHairyMonkey · Jun 6, 2004

95 cobra is 5.0...no?

desant89 · Jun 7, 2004

Good point...A 95 does have a 5.0 in it. Now I am really not sure what to do. Does anyone know what I would expect in the 1/4 from a 98 Cobra Covertible with K&N aircharger, 3:73's, the KB if I go with it, and just Flowmaster mufflers only. I do have the tri-ax too. I am going to drive the car a lot so I want a reliable SC if there is a such thing. Thanks!

SVTCobra97 · Jun 7, 2004

On corral, they have et's of superchargered cobras.

Shane97Cobra posted this with his 97 Kenne Bell Cobra:

1.50 60'
7.419 1/8th
91.55 MPH
11.68 1/4th
115.83 MPH

I am not sure of all his mods.......................

You will be in the 12's for sure with a KB.

04Cobra · Jun 7, 2004

SVTCobra97 said:
On corral, they have et's of superchargered cobras.

Shane97Cobra posted this with his 97 Kenne Bell Cobra:

1.50 60'
7.419 1/8th
91.55 MPH
11.68 1/4th
115.83 MPH

I am not sure of all his mods.......................

You will be in the 12's for sure with a KB.

thats great so what will be if is it Vortech? lower 11 mid

rudeone707 · Jun 7, 2004

you guys are right about centri making better peak numbers than the kb, but your forgetting is the hp/tq curve, the kenne bell picks that curve up compared to the vortech. I have been looking into purchasing a 98 cobra and also want to go the kennebelle route as well. Just a question, the 03/04 cobras are making great power with the blowzilla combos, why wouldnt the 96-98 cobras be the same? the 4valve has been know to have most of it power high in the powerband, so why wouldnt you want a boost in power for the lower rpms?

kurst · Jun 7, 2004

SVTCobra97 said:
Shane97Cobra posted this with his 97 Kenne Bell Cobra:

1.50 60'
7.419 1/8th
91.55 MPH
11.68 1/4th
115.83 MPH

I am not sure of all his mods.......................

Well, his ET can be attributed to his nice 60'
I assure you has slick/suspension mods.

rudeone707 said:
you guys are right about centri making better peak numbers than the kb, but your forgetting is the hp/tq curve, the kenne bell picks that curve up compared to the vortech. I have been looking into purchasing a 98 cobra and also want to go the kennebelle route as well. Just a question, the 03/04 cobras are making great power with the blowzilla combos, why wouldnt the 96-98 cobras be the same? the 4valve has been know to have most of it power high in the powerband, so why wouldnt you want a boost in power for the lower rpms?

Keep in mind the blowzilla is the bigger supercharger with the intercooler. The one for the 96-98 cobra is the smaller one, and does not include an intercooler. As stated above, this kit is not as well engineered then the rest of the KB line-up, this is why the numbers are not as good. The new cobra can also push more boost safely because of forged internals, and supporting hardware that came stock such as big fuel pump.

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