Hi everyone. I'm a Camaro owner who is contemplating moving over to the Mustang camp. I've owned a 98 Z/28, a 99 SS Camaro and I currently own a 69 Camaro that I'm putting up for sale. I really liked the LS1 motor, but the 98-02 Camaro was just to cheaply built for me; the interior was the worst, as was the pathetic 10-bolt rear end. The reason I'm looking to move over is my brother had a 95 Cobra years ago that I really liked. I couln't believe it was only rated at 240hp, it felt like much more (it was stock). Should I be looking for a 5.0 or a 4.6L mustang? I know the 5.0 is a better motor performance wise, but I've heard the 94-95 5.0's have really limited ECU's that require alot of work even for basic mods. I'm really parital to the Cobra's. What year Cobra would you consider the best, minus of course the awesome 03-04 models (which cost $25K and up used). Is there any specific year that I should stay away from? Is there a best year? I'm open to any year Cobra.
From what Ive heard, the first few years of the 4.6 are TURDS. And seeing as this is the '94-95 forum, where everyone has a 5.0 Im going to say get a 5.0. Parts are cheaper, labor is easier, but they will require tuning if you plan on doing a full H/C/I And welcome to the dark side
I was on Ebay last week looking over 03 Cobras...Mucho dinero for sure...If that kinda cash is in your budget I'm sure you wouldn't regret it...I hear they have there own issues to... A 94/5 Cobra would be nice for sure and there basically the same thing for the 2 years...They can still be had at a decent price to... I take issue with the EEC complaints..I find mines been just fine and I still run it...Throw a fair share of parts at it and it works just fine. Big cams cause most of the issues for the EEC..Being a push rod guy I stayed away from the mod motors...PR motors are fairly simple and I don't want the learning curve either.. I almost went a Z or TA myself...I hated the interior..and I didn't like the big ass dash and flat floors in the both of em.. The Mustang just felt nicer and fit better for me...There down on power to your Z or SS for sure...Thats easily cured though...
I have some pretty extensive mods and no need for a EEC tune yet. But, doing the self tune or chip route doesn't seem too bad considering the number of peeps here who have gone that route.
i'm partial to the 96-98 cobras since i have one 99/01 cobras are worthless IMO 94/95 cobras, i'd prob. just get a GT and upgrade everything
i vote 05+. parts are kinda expensive, but they get insane gains for what you put into them. They are low 12 second cars with weight reduction, CAI, tuner, axleback, slicks, and trailing arms. they are smooth as glass, sound beautiful with the right exhaust, pull hard throughout the powerband if the lag is off, and aesthetically are one of my favorites.
i would say a 95 cobra....just because its easier and cheaper to work on then the 4.6l.....parts for a ford is a little more expensive compared to that of chevy, but its really worth it....up until about 3 years ago i was a chevy man myself....then one day my brother-n-law showed up at my house with a 95 gt, got in it and was like i'm selling my chevy's and going for a mustang....i had a 92 gt which i modified to 350hp and sold it to buy my 95 cobra...hope this helped....
i just went through the same 4.6/5.0 debate... i landed up with a 95 5.0... parts are cheaper... but if you got $$$$ i dont know what to tell you im a broke ass college student
The build quality will definately not dissapoint compared to the Camaro. But to be happy with performance you might have to be careful in picking. Were you impressed with your brother's Cobra before or after you had the '99? I say, if you were impressed with your brother's 5.0 Cobra you might also be happy '99+ GT. But if you want to go crazy with the mods, go for the 5.0 above all. If you can afford it, a Mach I would be good for drags, or a '99/'01 Cobra for Road Racing. If those are too pricey the '96-'98 Cobras don't disappoint wtih all their SVT equipment. All these cars have the 32v 4.6, so be careful about getting one in good condition. Repairs are costly, and engines are far from cheap.
Thanks for the replies. I drove my brothers 95 Cobra well before I got into cars. I thought it was fast as hell back in 1998. My 99SS with headers, cat-back and intake ran 13.43@105.9, which isn't great. I see SN 95 5.0's trapping much lower and modded ones only in the 100-105 range. I think I'm going to have to save for a DOHC Cobra or an 03-04 Cobra. I plan to leave the car pretty stock.
Mustangs and Camaro's are completely different feeling cars, I know F-body guys who've gotten into my very lightly modded Mustang and told me that it felt much more powerful...I think it has alot to do with the light rear end that loves to swing around... Camaro's, exterior-wise, are sleek and sexy...but inside....wow...tranny tunnel restricting passenger foot space....what were they thinking? If you do decide to go to a 94/95 Cobra, lower it, throw some gears at it, and supercharge....life'll be good after that
if your leaving it stock i would not get a 94-95. 5.0 motors need help with aftermarket parts in this day and age. If it was me and the goal was to leave it fairly stock (which i'm telling you now won't happen) i would get a 98 Cobra. don't forget though a supercharger is still only one mod....
How well do the 94-95 Cobra's respond to supercharging? I consider that a single bolt on . I know it's around $5K to supercharge and LS1 Camaro. How much is it going to run for the Cobra?
fixed. seriously that is about the only other stang i would consider owning. or any 02-up saleen(must have the lyshom and not eaton blower)
Just curious ..... why do you say that Ben? (about the '01) My picks .... I just realized that my favorites were never produced for more than 2 years in a row, lol ... 69-70 (must be fastback) 94-95 03-04 (Cobra)
the 01 irs has a 31 spline diff, just not the beefy 03 axles or the big brace--both are cheap upgrades. it has an alum block, has the same good suede interior as the 03, has the good center console/radio. it is about 350lb lighter than an 03 and mach 1 heads bolt right up. if i'm doing a 4.6 i would make an all motor screamer(8500 rpms) and i don't want to start with a heavier car. i guess i could buy an 03 and sell the engine bay to finance an all motor car, but i'm lazy and don't like yankin engines. i like the irs cars cuz they have a better weight distr, and already have a lower rear roll center. which helps for that roll axis that we all strive to improve upon. for me the 01 is like the three bears and the pourage. the 03 is too heavy, the 99 is too weak, and the 01 is just right. 01 true blue cobra is it for me. damn you justin!!!!!!! now you have me lookin on autotrader for 01 cobras. anyone wanna buy my car?
