Some cobra questions

[Engel]

Hello all I am considering getting rid of my vert 5.0 platform for a cobra hardtop. Im kinda growing out of the topless thing, the weight, and the money buying new tops.

I have a few questions hopefully some of you can help me answer them.

I plan on (in the future but not as soon as a buy it) turboing a 98 cobra,
99 cobra, or if it is a really huge technology advance perhaps the 2003 cobra.

1) What is the difference between engines in these years. To me it appears
they are all 32 valve dohc's (minus the supercharger in the 2003).

2) I know to produce a large amount of HP the internals have to be upgraded.. How much hp can the stock engine withstand with no mods?


3) This is an opinion question: if money IS an issue, and all three models
were in excellent shape with low miles, which of the three would you
prefer for a street driven 550-650 hp. Assume the 98 retails for 10k the 99
for 14k and the 2003 for 24k.


Any answers or opinions will be appreciated

 

[sgarlic]

I'd just go with whatever body style looks better to you, then if it turns out to be the 98 or 99, do a forged rebuild, and be happy that the money it costs to do that plus the cost of the car will still be less than you'd pay for a stock '03/'04 cobra.

I don't know if there's a kit out there for the 98/99's, but the 03/04 cobra's have a twin turbo kit HP makes.

You could also sell some of that stuff you pull off the '03 (the supercharger, etc,) to offset the cost a bit.

 

[04YELLOWGT]

Id do the 03. Pretty much its an already built engine no internal work is nesscery. You wouldnt even need to get a turbo kit to get to the 500 hp mark. A friend of mine has an 03 with the stock blower, ported out mind you, and he has 500+ rwhp and is only a .1 away form being in the 10's. This is a street leagl car and he dosent even use slicks at the track, just DRs.

 

[Engel]

how does the the 03 cobra tranny fair, thats pretty interesting it can hit such high numbers with little work. I will definitely have to consider that.

They make twin turbo and single turbo kits for the 98, for 5 grand and 7 grand for the twin