I am new to this forum and I do not own a Mustang....Yet.
Can someone please explain the differences between a Mustang GT and a Cobra? Also, please explain what the SVT and Shelby are. Thank you.
Ok to start off... SVT = Special Vehicle Team. All fords performance parts go through this "department".
In the "new edge" stangs. 99-04 The GTs came with a 2 valve per cylinder 4.6 V8. There are 2 different kinds of "new edge" cobras. The 99-01 and then the '03-'04 (AKA The Terminator). The 99-01 cobra came with a 4 valve per cylinder 4.6l V8. The Termi cobras had the same engine as before basicly cept with an eaton super charger on it. It was at that time the most powerful mustang ever built. In '03 the Mach 1 made a come back too. It was basicly a go between of the Termi and the GT. It had the 4V 4.6 cept no super charger. It made 305 HP stock while the force fed cobra was rated at 390 hp.
On to the s197 stang.
The '05 and up GTs come with a 3V 4.6l rated at 300 horses. The new Shelby.... WOW! Carrol Shelby started his carreer with ford mo co back in the 60s. He made it big by making the 67 (I think) Shelby GT 350 and the GT 500 (AKA Elenor from Gone in 60 seconds) After he left ford he went on to manufacture his own autos like the shelby cobra roadsters and so forth. Very expensive cars! A few years ago I read he was to announce his retirement and he wanted to end his career where it started.... At ford with the mustang. There was a lil bit of bickering between Shelby and SVT (which Shelby basicly FOUNDED) about which "lable" would be the KING of stangs. I guess the ford brass steped in and said give it both lables Shelby AND SVT.
So now ya got this bad ass new "SHELBY" lable out there. There are 3 of em now I think. There is the Shelby GT which is a basic GT stang with a shelby package and its got like 340 horses I think. Then there is the GT 500 with a super charged 3V 5.4l making 500 horses stock. Bad ass car in my book. Then the recently released the GT 500 KR (King of the Road). The KR adds better suspention and I THINK 640 HP not sure there.
Ok I hope I was accurate with my Mustang history. If im not then correct me. I dont mind being wrong. I hope I helped ya out man GL in choosing a stang.
Cliff Note: If I were looking to buy a stang right now I would be looking at either the Machs or the Termi cobra. Them engines are EXCELLENT platforms to moddify on. Much better than the 2V GT