calypsocoral302 said:
If they go with a DOHC version of the 4.6, I'd expect about 320 horsepower, assuming they use variable intake valve timing. If they use variable exhaust valve timing as well, that figure could be even higher. But I highly doubt they would do this for a Cobra. (Now a Mach 1, on the other hand...)
If they go with a 3v SOHC 5.0L, I'd expect about 350 stock... I'd expect Ford to use this in a Bullit or BOSS, not a Cobra.
A 3v SOHC 5.4L should be at least 400 horses, with variable intake valve timing. This would be a likely Cobra candidate. So is a 500 hp supercharged version (which was recently rumored on The Mustang Source).
As for the 5.8L V10 and 6.2L Hurricane... your guess is as good as mine.
Edit: Please note that I'm being very conservative with some of these estimates.
I highly doubt we will see a 500hp Cobra....in fact...i'll go out on a limb, and say there's no chance in hell we will (unless the Cobra costs $50k+)
I doubt Ford will introduce an entirely new engine for the Cobra, so that rules out a V-10, or a 6.2L...and it has already bee said oficially by Ford that the 5.0L cammer will never be in a production car. FOrd has ALSO said that the 4.6L S/C engine will not be used again. So by process of elimination, the Cobra could have one of these engines:
-4.6L DOHC N/A tuned to 325-350hp (not very likely, since it would be a step backwards since last year)
-5.4L SOHC 3v N/A...350-375hp (fairly likely sicne the engine is already available in the F-150 making 300hp with "truck" tuning. All it would take is a little work to bump it into the 350hp+ range)
-5.4L DOHC N/A...380-425 (also fairly plausible. The '00 CObra R had 385hp, so 400hp would not be that much of a stretch)
-finally, the 5.4L S/C from the GT...500+hp. No way. Not a chance. (of course I HOPE I'm wonrg...but seriously...no way in hell).
Also, don't rule out the chance that the next Cobra could have slightly LESS power than last year. Ford may be reluctant to strip the "most powerful Mustang ever" title away from the '03 and '04 Cobra buyers so soon.
what were we talking about again?