03 Cobra or SC the 02GT???

lover

Founding Member
Oct 8, 2001
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Atlanta, GA
I was pondering the fact of getting an 03 Cobra or just upping the ante on my GT. I was wondering if the modifications I need to make to the 02 will even out the price difference of the cars. Comparing things like buying a SC and all of the necessary parts to compliment it along with probably having to beef up the tranny plus paying to get everything installed, if i would just come out cheaper buying a Cobra.
I know the stock block on an 02 can handle probably about 500HP, anything after that the bottom end will probably have to be rebuilt. Compared to a Cobra that's already making over 400HP and the block and tranny can handle some added boost and HP....:shrug:
 
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your stock shortblock can handle 400hp relatively safely, but 500 is just asking to snap a rod. I've been wondering about upgrading to a cobra as well... but I would rather have a 302BB w/ a turbo setup in my 97 GT, it adds to the sleeper effect. Just price blowers and rotating assemblies, you might be able to build a cobra killer for less money than the cobra costs. If not, then get the cobra!
 
I should have gotten a cobra, but ended up finding a sweet deal on my 02 GT. That being said, its fun doing the mods myself, and after I install the vortech mongoose kit i'm pretty sure I can eat snakes with it. So I guess it depends on whether you enjoy getting under the hood and all, also.
 
The tough decision comes from all the $$$ i may have to spend on the 02. I know i'm going to have to get another motor and forged internals, tranny, fuel & cooling system...yadada yadada.

But how much HP can a stock Cobra block and internals handle before needing to go forged? Because around here 500HP is slow....:nonono:

The black one is mine:Mac CAI, 70TB, UPR O/R Xpipe, Flowmasters....:nice:

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If you're just wanting to own a fast Mustang that will meet or beat the strait line performance of a Cobra, then you might as well build your GT, since a built bottom end and blower isn't going to equal anywhere near the difference in cost between the two cars.

Now......if you want to duplicate everything else that comes with owning a Cobra (IRS, factory built short block and blower, 6-speed trans, bigger/better brakes, Cobra specific body panels, seats, gauges, etc, etc....then there's no way you're going to be able to duplicate it in whole for anywhere close to the same cost. Not to mention the exclusivity of owning a "Cobra" only comes when you buy the real deal.

Sooooo many people tend to forget that there's more to an SVT Cobra than just the sheer horsepower advantage over a GT.
 
thanks for all the input guys. i think I'm swaying towards the Cobra. I already have an 89GT Vert with a Cog Driven Novi 2000 with some Stage 3 Twisted Wedge Heads, with a Trick Flow Track Heat intake. While it's apart I'm going with an A4 347 stroker block...:hail2: