• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

What 4.6 to get

  • Thread starter Thread starter bentley429
  • Start date Start date Aug 4, 2008
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
B

bentley429

Banned
Nov 25, 2004
528
3
0
Connecticut
Aug 4, 2008
#1
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #1
My girlfriend is really starting to look into getting a mustang and she likes the 99-04 body style the best, cant talk her into a fox . Anyways she really likes 99, 01, 03, and 04 cobra's, mach 1's and saleens. The mach's and 99-01 cobras seem to be the cheaper of the bunch of course. It would be nice for whatever she gets to run a solid 12.0 or alittle faster and have ac leaving the track. What would be needed to get a mach 1 or 99-01 cobra run around that time. Basicly are the tranny's going to take the abuse, heard the lower ends go south anything much over 500 rwhp, rears any good? Or should she just look into a 03-04 cobra and just throw on a few bolt ons and run it? I have been searching around some for info on them, don't really know squat honestly. Life would be easier if she liked foxes.
 

lvmustanggt

New Member
Apr 9, 2006
721
0
0
Las Vegas
Aug 4, 2008
#2
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #2
look for 03-04 cobra.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Aug 4, 2008
#3
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #3
Cobra is teh win
03-04s are sometimes going for under 20K in great shape. If you want power and reliability with ALOT of power than the Cobra is the only way to go. Problem is once you drive it you will want it for yourself. 500rwhp in a Cobra is only a few bolt ons away
 
B

bentley429

Banned
Nov 25, 2004
528
3
0
Connecticut
Aug 4, 2008
#4
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #4
Thats what I figured, are the 03 and 04 saleens basicly the same thing drivetrain wise? I am sure once I drive it I will like the car, but why buy one if I can drive it whenever and make my fox into a single digit rig in a few years.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Aug 4, 2008
#5
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #5
No, a Saleen is a GT with a blower. The Cobra has 4V heads, Eaton S/C, IRS, 6-Speed and bad arse looks
 
B

bentley429

Banned
Nov 25, 2004
528
3
0
Connecticut
Aug 4, 2008
#6
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #6
Ah, ok thats lame we'll just focus on 03 and 04 cobras then chances are. Unless we find a nice deal on mach 1 or 01 cobra.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Aug 4, 2008
#7
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #7
Cobra or at least a Mach1

4v is the way to fly
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Aug 4, 2008
#8
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #8
COBRA COBRA COBRA. The 03/04 Termi is my Dream car. I will have one one day. Trust me you'll be glad you got one.
 

62thunderbird

New Member
Jul 2, 2008
31
0
0
Nor Cal
Aug 4, 2008
#9
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #9
Does she like the shaker scoop on the Machs? My mom hates it because it is in her view when driving. Cobras are getting cheaper and same with the machs. Cobras are the way to go. There is a Mach in orange county LA that I looked at with 54,000 miles clean as can be. asking 13,500 it is on auto trader. Has a little to many miles for me that is why I did not buy it. Either way they are both 4V heads.
 
B

bentley429

Banned
Nov 25, 2004
528
3
0
Connecticut
Aug 4, 2008
#10
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #10
Nope she likes the mach's also. Now are those lower ends junk or whats the deal? They have 3650's correct? Also what the heck is the deal with the rears in those cars, every time Ive been to the track if there is a Mach there the rear lets loose. Local guy has blown his 3 times? Thanks for the replies
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Aug 4, 2008
#11
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #11
ya know now that i think of it i have seen quite a few vids on youtube of Machs blowing their rears.
 
B

blksq10psi

Member
Aug 1, 2008
114
0
16
PHILLY
Aug 4, 2008
#12
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #12
my buddy has a 99 saleen s281, we just put 14psi on it awaiting a tune. he got his car for like 15,000$ with 40,000mi if youre gonna do something like that talk to your tuner to make sure he has the tuning template for the saleens.
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
Aug 4, 2008
#13
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #13
lol, my girlfriend likes all mustangs except any between 71-93. Lol, she especially hates the foxes but her faves are 99-08. I have heard that from a lot of chicks though. i guess it takes a special girl to like a fox. haha
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Aug 4, 2008
#14
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #14
The bottom end's on Mach's and 99/01 Cobra's are stout. Both the Mach's and Cobra's (99/01) have the T-3650 transmission. All Cobra's 99-04 have IRS and not solid axle.

The pistons and rods arent forged, but they will hold a little more power than a 2v 4.6 before puking.

The rear end in the Mach is the same 8.8 in the GT's and old Fox's. Reason they blow more than GT's is likely much higher RPM and harder launches in a Mach with sticky tires than a GT.


03/04 Cobra's are bad ass. Forged internals, people have run well over 700 RWHP on the stock motor without a hiccup. Power comes incredibly easy, T-56 6 speed, so on so forth. If you have the means to buy one, do so.
 
T

ThunderHorse

New Member
May 25, 2008
26
0
0
Aug 4, 2008
#15
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #15
03-04 Cobra would be my choice if I had the money. Machs are nice too and they still have a 4v motor in them like the Cobras. I like the 03-04 Cobras (terminators) because they will completely annihilate most cars with a few bolt ons or even stock. Im a big fan of the oldschool American muscle/ pony cars so the Machs shaker hood, gauges, and seats really appeal to me.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Aug 4, 2008
#16
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #16
Now also if you get an automatic Mach it wont have the forged 8 bolt crank. It has a 6 bolt cast... I think iron But the stick will have the forged crank. Also 99/01 Cobras rear ends arnt as strong as the 03/04 Cobras. And the 99/01 Cobras are 5-speeds as was pointed out.
Now I could be wrong but I thought the Cobra Termis had forged pistons or rods I really cant remember
 

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member
May 20, 2006
1,421
4
39
UCSD/La Jolla
Aug 4, 2008
#17
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #17
LaserSVT said:
Now I could be wrong but I thought the Cobra Termis had forged pistons or rods I really cant remember
Click to expand...
Correct, forged pistons and manley H beams I believe
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Aug 4, 2008
#18
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #18
Yeah, what he said. The Cobras engine is good for 700+ rwhp. Guys running 750+ have a bit better pistons and rods but everything else is stock. There are a large number of Cobras running 625-650 rwhp with simple bolt ons and a larger more efficient twin screw.
After I retune mine and add meth injection I should be at 550 rwhp which should hold me over. Thats about as far as the stock Eaton can be pushed without porting it.
 

Stark77

Member
Jun 11, 2008
501
0
16
Tallahassee, FL
Aug 5, 2008
#19
  • Aug 5, 2008
  • #19
I actually like the Mustang II - it has a decent look to it. Is this going to be her daily driver?
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Aug 5, 2008
#20
  • Aug 5, 2008
  • #20
Stark77 said:
I actually like the Mustang II - it has a decent look to it. Is this going to be her daily driver?
Click to expand...


*Le sigh*
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

What's it Worth? 2000 GT
  • Mustang5L5
  • May 8, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
6
Views
316
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 13, 2026
KRUISR
305-45-17 tires on Pony wheels (17")?
  • TTSaleen
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
511
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 1, 2026
limp
C
Hello from Alabama
  • Carl Moore
  • Sep 6, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
6
Views
333
The Welcome Wagon Sep 7, 2025
Mac131
9
WTB: Procharger or Vortech Supercharger – 1996–1998 Mustang GT 4.6 2V – Budget $3,200
  • 96mustang.gt
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Want to Buy
Replies
1
Views
347
Want to Buy May 3, 2026
roblabsn95
R
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
751
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?