which cobra should I get 94-95 or 96-98

  • Sponsors (?)


The 94-95(5.0) were rated at 240hp but alot made more like 260hp, the 96-98(4v) had 305. The 5.0 cobra has more low end torque but the 4v will pull away uptop. Depends on what you like better. A 5.0 cobra can run 13.9-14.5 generally and the 4v cobra can run a 13.5 - 14.2. IF your planning on keeping the car NA and modding it, I would go with the 5.0 but if a supercharger is used the 4v for sure. Remember the 5.0 runs out of steam after 5500rpm were that 4v runs out at 7000rpm.

Good luck

ps the 5.0 is cheaper to mod
 
If leaving stock, then the 96-98 will be faster. Even adding a SC to a stock Cobra, the 96-98 will be faster. But there is only so much that can be done to a 4.6 motor. A 5.0 can add heads, intake along with the other items that can be done the the 4.6, ie cams, forged internals. The 5.0 would be cheaper to buy & mod.
 
94CobraPace said:
If leaving stock, then the 96-98 will be faster. Even adding a SC to a stock Cobra, the 96-98 will be faster. But there is only so much that can be done to a 4.6 motor. A 5.0 can add heads, intake along with the other items that can be done the the 4.6, ie cams, forged internals. The 5.0 would be cheaper to buy & mod.

That's about as good an answer as you'll get. The 94-95 are no slouches even stock (mid 14s), but the DOHC Cobras are faster out of the box. While I really like the idea of getting a 93, you do miss out on the SN-95's stiffer platform and the larger Cobra brakes that weren't installed on regular production until 1994. Its a trade-off. Technically, the 93 Cobra R was the first to get these brakes, but the rarity of them drives up the price and of course they aren't very everyday user friendly.
 
Do a search on 94-95 Cobra's with basic mods such as cam, exhaust, maf, tb, and a custom tune. Obviously a DOHC Cobra can match that as well with bolt-ons and gears but either way, the car's will be quick. If you check over at SVTPerformane.com, there is a guy who has both a 94/95 Cobra and an 03 Cobra (he might post here as well) and has run high 12's at 109 in his bolt-on 5.0 Cobra with stock heads and intake (same mods I mentioned above). Of course I'm sure driver plays a lot in that equation. He has run some impressive times in his 03 as well.