Very Important Decision To be made!!

[AutumnOrangeGt]

I have a 97 GT that is bought and payed for. Over the seven years she has made me a true mustang and ford nut. If you could ever truly love a material possesion, that's how I feel. The stang is mostly stock except for a mac pro-chamber,magnaflow cat-back and some suspension mods. My ultimate goal is to have a 300-400 RWHP rock solid motor. Getting there is my dillema. Considering the fact that I am married with children and buying a home is the first "family" priority building my motor up ,ie- pi heads,intake,cams,fuel,ignition,traction,forced induction would take alot of money and time. The work would have to be done little by little and the labor costs would kill me , not to mention all the testing and tuning. My brillant idea lately is to skip all that, save my pennies for an 03 cobra motor and have an instant Beast! Am I crazy?- Please Help.

 

[AutumnOrangeGt]

Hello? outthere. I could really use some opinions people.

 

[1tirefire]

it shouldn't be too hard even with a non pi engine. let's say vortech s-trim, cams and pi intake should easily put you at 300+ rwhp without an entire engine swap.

 

[Rio97GT]

Most of the 03 cobra crate motors are in the $11K range. What about saving your money just like you would for the cobra motor, but put it towards some p/p heads, cams, and a built shortblock. Then get a vortech, paxton, or KB blower (whichever is your preference) and you will be all set motor and blower wise. Either way, 03 motor or 2V beast, you would still have to build up your fuel delivery, traction, etc.

And if all you are looking for is 300-400RWHP, then skip the p/p heads and cams, and just get a built shortblock with a nice blower and you will have a very rock solid 400RWHP....at least. This is for a good bit less than the cobra motor.

 

[RedBullitt]

I would build yours up, go for gears and a nice blower, maybe a kenne bell. You can install the blower yourself with out that much hassle, just takes time. Maybe pick up some nice aggressive cams and some cooling upgrades. Keep in mind hooking up and traction though, need some nice tires and suspension.

 

[Sleepy1]

What's up Dave? How have you been?
IMHO I think you have one of the cleanest stangs I have every seen. Therefore, I would keep it and build it up. Buying an 03 crate motor IMO is more work then what's it's worth because of all the electronics that have to be changed. Just keep saving your money and when the motor decides to quit, then get a built shortblock and throw a blower on there. You will be making more power than the 03, it will probably be about the same price, and you won't have the added headache of electrical problems. Just my $.02.
Mike

 

[AutumnOrangeGt]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Ive always thought it would be cool to hand pick the parts that will make up a monster motor. I know a regular pi headswap wont cut it for me, so I was thinkin either Patriot Performance Stage II, VT, or Fox Lake heads. Whats up mike, long time no see or hear. Your GT is also the bomb and she sounds awesome. I'll be at the Victor Ford show this sunday July 18 in Wauconda IL, 9AM-1. The show is FREE and is loaded with the hottest stangs in the area. Call me if you want to cruise up there 773-919-0555.