Help me decide my next Mustang!

[Trail of Dead]

Hey guys, I decided after pondering the question in my mind that I am going to trade my '99 GT in when I get back from overseas and am curious as to what everyone thinks should be my next 'Stang. I DO know however that I am going to stick with the years '01-'04. Not really sure if I want a Cobra or Mach 1 cause it seems that only being able to run "premium fuel" would be a hassle as not every gas station has it. For instance the one here on base only carries 87 or 93, I just put $10 worth of 93 in my GT yesterday and after driving to Taco Bell (mmmmm ) and back home my GT was bitchin' at me with it's low fuel light. Normally $10 worth of 87 lasts me a couple of days before I have to refuel so the "premium" thing SEEMS like it would be a constant headache and empty wallet with a 4-valve (not to mention a SC one ala-'03-'04 Cobra). If you own a 4-valve what is your experience like gas-wise with it? Another issue I am trying to clear up is what are the pro's/con's of moving over to a 3650? I don't mind my T-45, but I always hear how the 3650 is nicer.....I never had the chance to drive one so I don't know what the fuss is about. Also, what are the real differences between a "Romeo" 2-valve and my Windsor 2-valve? I'm not a noob when it comes to 'Stangs, I just need some outside input from you guys....it helps. A supercharger would be cool...but I REALLY need a "Daily-Driver" and am not sure if it would be worth the hassle. As far as Horsepower is concerned my "ideal range" is 325-400, and is it possible to build a 400 horse N/A SOHC 4.6? Man, this is such a pain constantly tossing specs around in my mind all day and night.....it makes my Ambien stop working. . I pretty much said screw counting sheep and always falls asleep with a "Spec sheet" in my brain. Basically to explain briefly what I would like to build is this: 2001-2004 Mustang GT Coupe (N/A), (Sonic Blue, Black, OR Oxford White and the only Interior color being Black) 5-speed, Bullitt Side Scoops, Carbon Fiber hood, Carbon Fiber trunk lid (wingless), '03 Cobra front & rear bumpers (Rear having "COBRA" shaved) & side skirts (I just like the look of 'em), lowered via Eibach Pro-Kit, Y2K Cobra polished 18x9 wheels, Alum. driveshaft, 3.73's or 3.55's, Moser axles, GMS diff cover, MSD COPs, Typhoon Alum. intake & plenum, C&L CAI with a K&N filter, bigger MAF, SCT 4 Bank with coin switch, SPEC stage 2 clutch, Steeda double Hook Quadrant, SPEC Billet Alum. Flywheel, BBK or Ford Racing Shorty Headers, stainless O/R X-pipe, another set of Flowmaster mufflers (except stainless this time), Steeda bolt in roll cage (MAYBE), front & rear strut bars, 4 bolt caster/camber plates (billet steel), and a few other odd's & ends......basically about 100 more bolt on's LOL. With what I'm planning so far does this sound like these changes to a stock GT would yield anything that a stock 4-valve already has? Excluding the '03-04 Cobra....I'm not really looking to S/C right now, if ever. I just always felt there was something really classy about naturally aspirated horsepower......kind of like how anabolic steroids will show significant gains muscle wise but basically the extra muscle is kind of "fake" metaphorically speaking. Let me know what you guys think, any changes or additions you'd make to my list and serious reasons why would be greatly appreciated! Peace! I gotta go to sleep, going to watch some fighter jets tomorrow at an air show!

 

[scupking]

Get a mach1.

 

[Saleen311]

Honestly gas mileage doesnt really differ that much and the price per gallon is only like 20 cents different. If you notice like 3 bucks missing from your wallet (on a full tank)you shouldnt be getting a new car anyway.

 

[mustangkid05]

mach one

 

[Trail of Dead]

I wasn't saying that I can't afford the extra price of fuel. I was simply wondering if it was a "big deal" cost wise. We have three cars right now and aren't broke. We found a "cream puff" 1993 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee for under $3000, we have a 2004 Pontiac Vibe, and we have my 1999 Mustang GT. By the time we get back from Overseas duty (we'll be banking some extra cash due to COLA) in 3 years both our cars will be paid off, so the only things I'll be worrying about are what Mustang to get, and to finally finish rebuilding my Trinity Banshee. That and I'm going to be building a 5.7L/TH400 1988-1995 Chevy (SWB) Silverado, 2wd, with full AirRide suspension. I'm planning on getting around 425HP and able to lay frame. I know it sounds like I plan on spending a lot of money but it really isn't that bad. Basically I own the Banshee (no payment) and am just buying a few new parts and get some stuff powder coated to reassemble on my new frame, and the Silverado will be bought outright like the Jeep was. The ONLY car payment will be the next Mustang. So, you guys think the Mach 1 would be a good choice?

 

[RedDaemon]

if you can manage a 20k payment...get a terminator..theyre not that expensive anymore in relative terms.

 

[Trail of Dead]

I really prefer naturally aspirated. I love cobras, especially the '03 but I really want to just keep it N/A. I probably will look more seriously at the Mach 1, as I want to Drag Race back home and a solid axle would be better for that than IRS. I really dig the Mach's interior too.....LOVE the old vinyl look!

 

[EPIK]

I am biased, but Im gonna say go with the Mach 1....But if u plan on doing a 01-04 GT, why not just keep the 1 u have & build it to your liking...A 99-00 GT for the most part looks exactly like an 01-04 except the headlights, sidescoops, & spoiler, which I like the 99-00 spoiler better than the 01-04 anyway... But like I said b4 the Mach 1 is the way to go IMO....They are the best N/A regular production late model Mustang yet, & they are more exclusive than GT's & even Cobra's....I get anywhere from 18-23 MPG in my Mach so gas mileage isnt that much different than a 2V, but the power sure is....

Heres some pics to head u in the right direction LOL!!!!

 

[superstang01]

your mach is soooo nice, def my favourite one, you just need a kb 2.6 lol

 

[EPIK]

your mach is soooo nice, def my favourite one, you just need a kb 2.6 lol

LOL!!!! Thanks.....I still want the KB, but theres been a change of plans....I wana get some longtubes, a MM K member & a arms & some 4:10's for now.... If I ever eventually get a KB, I would like to build a bottom end for it 1st....

BTW, I saw the new pics of your stang & its lookin good...

 

[superstang01]

thanks man haha, its comin, im going lower for next year though, might do full coilovers


oo and i suggest getting a mach 1 to, i almost bought the same car as epiks, and i really regret not getting it

make a good choice and get the 4v motor, it runs SOOOO nice...liek teh 2v runs nice to, just not as responsive

 

[EPIK]

thanks man haha, its comin, im going lower for next year though, might do full coilovers


oo and i suggest getting a mach 1 to, i almost bought the same car as epiks, and i really regret not getting it

make a good choice and get the 4v motor, it runs SOOOO nice...liek teh 2v runs nice to, just not as responsive

I love my MM coilovers...cant wait to get the rears in too.....Oh yeah, & 4V FTMFW!!!!!!

 

[Trail of Dead]

Thank for the advice Epik! Yeah, my bro-in law had an Oxford White '04 Mach and really loved it. The only prob he ever had was the 3650 1-2nd shifting prob. If I get a Mach, I REALLY" want to get one of those "Azure" blue ones! Man those things are almost "surreal" to look at. Does any manufacturer out there make a carbon fiber aftermarket hood that replaces the Mach's? I would really want to retain the factory shaker style induction. I understand that it has the same 4 valve as the N/A Cobra but what block does it have and will Cobra parts such as aftermarket valve covers and such fit it? Hypothetically, how much horse approx. could I expect with shorty Headers, O/R X-pipe, Aftermarket coil's, underdrive pullies, and a few other bolts such as aftermarket CAI tube and bigger MAF as wells as an SCT 4 Bank chip? Basically if I had a $3500 budget for just the motor & drivetrain what kind of gains could I expect while staying N/A?

 

[EPIK]

Thank for the advice Epik! Yeah, my bro-in law had an Oxford White '04 Mach and really loved it. The only prob he ever had was the 3650 1-2nd shifting prob. If I get a Mach, I REALLY" want to get one of those "Azure" blue ones! Man those things are almost "surreal" to look at. Does any manufacturer out there make a carbon fiber aftermarket hood that replaces the Mach's? I would really want to retain the factory shaker style induction. I understand that it has the same 4 valve as the N/A Cobra but what block does it have and will Cobra parts such as aftermarket valve covers and such fit it? Hypothetically, how much horse approx. could I expect with shorty Headers, O/R X-pipe, Aftermarket coil's, underdrive pullies, and a few other bolts such as aftermarket CAI tube and bigger MAF as wells as an SCT 4 Bank chip? Basically if I had a $3500 budget for just the motor & drivetrain what kind of gains could I expect while staying N/A?

I love my Mach & will never get rid of it, but i will admit that my 3650 is a little finickey sometimes.....

Actually the Mach 1s engine is similar to the 99-01 Cobra's engine, only its better due to the 03-04 Cobra heads & higher compression than the n/a Cobras....With $3500 u should be able to get up to @ least 340 rwhp....Shorty headers are a waste on Mach 1's because the factory manifolds are actually pretty decent...Long tubes are the way to go on a Mach because they can easily net u 20 rwhp. I know a guy that has a Zinc yellow 5 spd Mach with nothing more than an intake spacer, Mac longtubes, off road x, Flowmaster cb, cai, & a tune & he's @ around 325 rwhp on 91 octane....

 

[Crzyhrse]

underdrive pullies

Don't even bother with them if you want to keep your engine in one piece. Their bad news on the Mach 1 engine.

 

[Trail of Dead]

Point taken on the pullies. One question though about the long Tube headers. I plan on lowering it around 1.5-2" all the way around.....the guy down the street (He owns a stroked 347CI '94 Cobra) told me that I'd run into clearance issues if I planned on lowering a 'Stang while using long tubes. What do you guys think? It is the only reason I changed my plan over to shorty headers.

 

[thomas91169]

if you can manage a 20k payment...get a terminator..theyre not that expensive anymore in relative terms.

depending on location a 20k terminator would be a bottom of the barrel car. Usually for more populated areas they are 25k private party for good condition, 30k dealership for any condition. they are holding their value quite well.

If you cant get a Term, a Mach1 is a great middle ground between GT and a Terminator, It has a non-forged 4.6L but has the same tumbleport 4v heads that are used on the 03/04 Terminators. Mach1's respond pretty well to bolt-ons (intake, exhaust, tune, etc) and there have been reports of well-driven bolt-on Mach1's beating stock 03/04 Cobras down the quarter. IRS makes the cobra a little finicky to launch, you either can or you cant (i prefer launching IRS over my GT), if you like the feel of solid rear, a Mach1 may be a better choice. Downside of the Mach1 is if you want more power and want to go past the standard aftermarket supercharger levels, the motor will need work, whereas the Terminator already comes with a motor proven past 600whp depending on type of power adder.

If you like the feel of IRS over solid rear, you can look into a 99 or 01 Cobra. same 4.6L but utilizing a earlier rendition of the 4v Heads that dont flow as good as the tumbleport revised heads, but come with IRS and a 6spd.

if push comes to shove, a GT is still a pretty sweet car, and probably alot better than any of your friends cars (im an *******, when my buddies say "dude, youre still single?" i say "dude, you still drive a saturn?", they usually blurt back "oh, you did bring your girlfriend, shes parked over there" and i shoot back "yeah, she doesnt backtalk and does what i want, when i want, when i find a chick that can do the same, you guys will be the first to know!"). You can still do alot to a GT, benefits being the price of the car is less, if you say, purchase a terminator for 25K$ and it makes 450ish hp, you can surely take a GT for 12k$ and if you cant make the equivalent 450hp with the other 13k$ difference you shouldnt be working on cars. Flipside of that is, your 12k$ GT with 13k$ of mods is still worth 12k$, whereas a 25k$ Terminator is still worth 25K$.

 

[EPIK]

depending on location a 20k terminator would be a bottom of the barrel car. Usually for more populated areas they are 25k private party for good condition, 30k dealership for any condition. they are holding their value quite well.

If you cant get a Term, a Mach1 is a great middle ground between GT and a Terminator, It has a non-forged 4.6L but has the same tumbleport 4v heads that are used on the 03/04 Terminators. Mach1's respond pretty well to bolt-ons (intake, exhaust, tune, etc) and there have been reports of well-driven bolt-on Mach1's beating stock 03/04 Cobras down the quarter. IRS makes the cobra a little finicky to launch, you either can or you cant (i prefer launching IRS over my GT), if you like the feel of solid rear, a Mach1 may be a better choice. Downside of the Mach1 is if you want more power and want to go past the standard aftermarket supercharger levels, the motor will need work, whereas the Terminator already comes with a motor proven past 600whp depending on type of power adder.

If you like the feel of IRS over solid rear, you can look into a 99 or 01 Cobra. same 4.6L but utilizing a earlier rendition of the 4v Heads that dont flow as good as the tumbleport revised heads, but come with IRS and a 6spd.

if push comes to shove, a GT is still a pretty sweet car, and probably alot better than any of your friends cars (im an *******, when my buddies say "dude, youre still single?" i say "dude, you still drive a saturn?", they usually blurt back "oh, you did bring your girlfriend, shes parked over there" and i shoot back "yeah, she doesnt backtalk and does what i want, when i want, when i find a chick that can do the same, you guys will be the first to know!"). You can still do alot to a GT, benefits being the price of the car is less, if you say, purchase a terminator for 25K$ and it makes 450ish hp, you can surely take a GT for 12k$ and if you cant make the equivalent 450hp with the other 13k$ difference you shouldnt be working on cars. Flipside of that is, your 12k$ GT with 13k$ of mods is still worth 12k$, whereas a 25k$ Terminator is still worth 25K$.

The 99-01 cobras actually have a 5 spd, not a 6.....

I love the termi's & if I wasnt so attached to my Mach, I would get a Terminator...The IRS is a little finicky, but i love the way it rides on the street, even when lowered they ride great. Unfortunately they are very hard to launch. 03-04 Cobra IMO are the best looking, & easiest late model stang to make fast, but the retro styling & exclusivity of the mach is what I love....The shaker scoop, retro seats & gauges, solid axle & the 32V!!!!! Also the Mach has the lighter aluminum block which is still good up too 800 hp....

 

[Trail of Dead]

Thanks for all the input guys! I've been doing a little more research on some other options as well. I've lately been checking the specs on the '05 GT.....it seems to be an impressive car. I do like the fact it is a 3-valve all aluminum V8 mated to a 3650.....all in all I like it too. MAN, this stuff can be complicated. , any of you guys ever driven one of those S197's? The idea of building a mach 1 is cool too but I am curious about the '05 GT as well (Specifically the '05 as I have heard it is the best year for the S197 to modify) plus the aftermarket is getting bigger for it everyday.

 

[scupking]

The S197s can run in the mid to uper 12s with just a few simple bolt ons and a tune. I know if I was looking into a stang now I would get a 05+.