Raced an 03 Mustang Cobra

[JVOJR]

I am new to the web site so I don't know if there is a race section yet. But I had a little 1/4 mile race and back again with an 03 Cobra(2 races total). The owner of the Cobra was a friend of mine and just bought it on EBAY. I lost both ways by at least a car and a half. My SS is stock except for the exhaust and the Cobra was completely stock. I hate long posts but I will give more details if asked. I didn't think I would loose. I love my SS and thought it was really fast. I was disapointed. My friend was totally psyched. I drove his car and took the RPM's to almost 7000. I didn't know they revved that high. My RPM's cut out around 6000-6200?

My question is what cam, lifters, springs, pushrods, and rockers would enable me to get to 7000 rpm's and back down again without blowing up? I think I could've won if I had more rev. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jack

[Eric1987]

Dude that cobra has a blower on it. You're ALL motor. I'd be very happy if I kept up like that. They have around 430 HP. They were underrated by ford. With a cam you should be able to get around 6800 depending on which. You'd be able to take him then too. If you really were that close.

[67CamaroRSSS]

I'm not sure I'd want to rev the stock bottom end much beyond 6600.

And a word from the wise: No matter how fast you are there is somebody out there who is faster than you.

[01' Sevan Series TA]

And a word from the wise: No matter how fast you are there is somebody out there who is faster than you.[/QUOTE]

:werd:

[predator]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/predator1082/misc/NewEdgevsTerminator-1.jpg

Don't feel bad... Termy's are nasty cars when stock... and with just a pulley/exhaust/tune they can push over 400 to the ground...

-me

[BKHgto04]

Yeah man don't feel bad.Sounds like you ran him pretty well. I have a buddy with an 03 Termy and with an upper pulley,BBK TB,CAI,tune and aftermarket intercooler he was putting down 461 to the ground. And that was with only abou 10 pounds of boost. He just swapped the lower pulley and waiting on a tune and should break 500 with 15+ pounds.

[JVOJR]

And a word from the wise: No matter how fast you are there is somebody out there who is faster than you.

I can't believe you said that. No duh. I am not new to owning quick cars or racing on a track (or other). This is my first 02 SS. The first run we launched on a 5mph roll and he pulled ahead slightly at first and by 100mph he was a car and half in front. The second run was from a stop and I dropped the clutch at about 2500-3000rpms. My tires weren't hooking for about a second or two, however I was in front for the first 150-200 feet but after that he pulled into the lead and then in front of my car. I asked him if he had traction and he said his tires were fine and then said, "you're supossed to launch in second gear, right?" That got me anoid. He started in second gear and I still lost. When I drove the cobra it did't plant me in the seat the way the SS does and you sit high up: not low like the SS. The cobra does not feel as fast as the SS.
Jack

[predator]

When I drove the cobra it did't plant me in the seat the way the SS does and you sit high up: not low like the SS. The cobra does not feel as fast as the SS.
Jack

Ok so i dont quite understand how you didnt feel planted in the seat of the cobra, but i will say that I am completely behind you on the feel... That is exactly y my sig doesnt say im a proud termy owner.

Shifter location, Seats, and poor quality interior are the only reasons im not in a termy...

And seriously... Termys are NASTY... Most people have to spray to have a chance against a properly driven one... It takes serious cash to whip a mildly modded one without giggle gas and if they have done heads or (god forgive) and KB or whipple your gonna have a real embarasment on your hands unless you are packing some punch...

-me

[lakai]

Ok so i dont quite understand how you didnt feel planted in the seat of the cobra, but i will say that I am completely behind you on the feel... That is exactly y my sig doesnt say im a proud termy owner.

Shifter location, Seats, and poor quality interior are the only reasons im not in a termy...

And seriously... Termys are NASTY... Most people have to spray to have a chance against a properly driven one... It takes serious cash to whip a mildly modded one without giggle gas and if they have done heads or (god forgive) and KB or whipple your gonna have a real embarasment on your hands unless you are packing some punch...

-me

maybe he raced an 01 with a 03 front end and rear spoiler.

[JHayesLS1]

Yeah I was at a car meet with my buddy in his stock SRT-4 (just got it a month ago) and he was like I'm gonna run this Cobra into the ground and he knew he had a KB and tune and exhaust and badass written all over it but he decided to go anyways from a roll. Of course he had no idea what KB was so I was a good friend and let him learn the hard way. Needless to say he is off his SRT-4 high horse haha

[nhraformula]

wait till he learns to drive that cobra.
those cars are badass.

[JVOJR]

maybe he raced an 01 with a 03 front end and rear spoiler.
That's ridiculous.

2000 nhra edition formula
a few bolt ons, 379 rwhp
11.96 @113.25

What bolt ons got you to 11.96?

[nhraformula]

That's ridiculous.

2000 nhra edition formula
a few bolt ons, 379 rwhp
11.96 @113.25

What bolt ons got you to 11.96?
cam, stall, ls6 intake, volant cai, long tubes, hooker catback, drag radials and tuning.

[TempleU_WS6]

Dont feel bad. Cobras are sick but that comes with the extra cost over an F-body. We can be just as fast and probably spend less if not about the same as they did.

[drummer52910]

Dont feel bad. Cobras are sick but that comes with the extra cost over an F-body. We can be just as fast and probably spend less if not about the same as they did. Id have to disagree with this. And no im not biased because i have owned two LS1 cars before my cobra, and enjoyed them just as much. The reason i bought the cobra though is because too make some serious power with my camaro i would have had too build everything to handle it. New rear end, stronger tranny, new internals etc. With the cobra its just so much simpler.

[nhraformula]

Dont feel bad. Cobras are sick but that comes with the extra cost over an F-body. We can be just as fast and probably spend less if not about the same as they did.

you can easily add close to 100 rwhp without going internal on the cobra and it wont cost a lot.
getting 100rwhp is going to be somewhat expensive for a f-body

[N20LT4]

Id have to disagree with this. And no im not biased because i have owned two LS1 cars before my cobra, and enjoyed them just as much. The reason i bought the cobra though is because too make some serious power with my camaro i would have had too build everything to handle it. New rear end, stronger tranny, new internals etc. With the cobra its just so much simpler.

Like the guy above you said, you can purchase an LS1 Z28, Formula or T/A, do a complete build with a power adder, and make just as much (and probably more) power than a Cobra with a KB or Whipple and supporting mods. My brother is the perfect example of that.

you can easily add close to 100 rwhp without going internal on the cobra and it wont cost a lot.
getting 100rwhp is going to be somewhat expensive for a f-body

It's funny how I hear people say that all the time: It won't cost a lot. Figure in the price of the whole car (Cobra) along with those bolt-ons, compared to what you could get an F-body for now days. From that aspect the whole picture looks completely different.

[dpinson]

Id have to disagree with this. And no im not biased because i have owned two LS1 cars before my cobra, and enjoyed them just as much. The reason i bought the cobra though is because too make some serious power with my camaro i would have had too build everything to handle it. New rear end, stronger tranny, new internals etc. With the cobra its just so much simpler.

SO MUCH SIMPLER HUH?you still need to build the rear end up and the top end of your motor will cost 2-3 times as much to upgrade

but i guess the motor will support quite a bit of power but the clutch and rear are just as weak as an f-bodies maybe weaker considering it took slicks to break my stuff and my brother's cobra did it on street tires

[JVOJR]

I owned an 03 Grand Prix GTP. I bought it because of the supercharger. It was a lot easier to make more power on a GTP than a non-sc GT. A smaller pulley, headers, rockers, downpipe, cai, new computer, and some other misc stuff made that car very quick. 350z's, EVO's, STi's, non-sc mustangs, and a bunch of others were very surprised to see my tail lights. My guess is you could easily do the same to a cobra but probably not for the $2400 it cost to mod the GTP. The cobra's a bit more sophisticated. I also avg'd 27-28 mpg in the GTP. The SS is nearly the same. My friend's cobra doesn't get close to that. He gets around 250 miles from a tank of gas, somewhere around 17 mpg. My plan is to mod the valvetrain a bit to safely shift at 7k rpm and, once I research it a little more, a few other supporting mods. I could use a few tips on what works best as a good starting point though.
Jack

[drummer52910]

SO MUCH SIMPLER HUH?you still need to build the rear end up and the top end of your motor will cost 2-3 times as much to upgrade

but i guess the motor will support quite a bit of power but the clutch and rear are just as weak as an f-bodies maybe weaker considering it took slicks to break my stuff and my brother's cobra did it on street tires
__________________ Yes much simpler. And yes the cobras 8.8" rear end is much stronger than the 7.5" 10-bolt found in f-bodies. Why would i waste time building the top end of my motor? The Kenne Bell 2.6 kit is desingned for stock motors, and makes 700 reliable peak HP. Thats plenty to satisfy me. Nothing against building a reliable 700 HP LS1, i just didnt want to do all the work necessary to support it.

[c5z28]

your going to spin a bearing if you take that stock bottom end to 7000 rpm.

[dpinson]

Yes much simpler. And yes the cobras 8.8" rear end is much stronger than the 7.5" 10-bolt found in f-bodies. Why would i waste time building the top end of my motor? The Kenne Bell 2.6 kit is desingned for stock motors, and makes 700 reliable peak HP. Thats plenty to satisfy me. Nothing against building a reliable 700 HP LS1, i just didnt wanted to all the work necessary to support it.

I wouldnt say the 8.8 irs is stronger the halfshafts and housing are known to break fairly easy

[N20LT4]

Yes much simpler. And yes the cobras 8.8" rear end is much stronger than the 7.5" 10-bolt found in f-bodies. Why would i waste time building the top end of my motor? The Kenne Bell 2.6 kit is desingned for stock motors, and makes 700 reliable peak HP. Thats plenty to satisfy me. Nothing against building a reliable 700 HP LS1, i just didnt want to do all the work necessary to support it.

Like I said in my previous post. You have to account the entire cost of the car to go along with the cost of modding. Unless the car was a free gift, it's all going to come out your pocket anyways. A Cobra is considerably a more expensive car to buy. All aside from the fact that you may lack mechanical ability or the time to do extensive work to an engine, the Cobra may be easier but still cost more overall.

[drummer52910]

Well true the cost may equal out assuming both cars are clean low mileage cars to start with. I really just dont have the mechanical ability to properally build an LS1 car to make serious power, therefore i chose the easier of the two.

[N20LT4]

Well true the cost may equal out assuming both cars are clean low mileage cars to start with. I really just dont have the mechanical ability to properally build an LS1 car to make serious power, therefore i chose the easier of the two.

Perfectly understandable. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Ford made it too easy to make serious power with those cars. I wish my '98 Cobra would of been that bad from the factory. :)

[knoll5150]

The '03 Mustang Cobras were a weird beast. For some reason Ford blew the hell out of their dohc v-8's to compete, but the strange thing is that the z-28/ss camaros were dead at the time...not exactly sure who Ford were competing agains'nt. Ford blew it on the styling though, it looked like a "secretary edition" mustang, despite the bad-ass engine. The Mach-1 was alot sweeter looking in my opinion. But yeah, that car would run 4.5 seconds in the 0-60 time..hell lot quicker than any SS or Z-28 at the time (stock). As bad as people feel about those old Cobras, I have alot more respect on those vs. the overpriced 500 series Shelby is selling his name out now for $50K!!! Liked him better in the 80's when he souped up those god awful dodge chargers!

[N20LT4]

The '03 Mustang Cobras were a weird beast. For some reason Ford blew the hell out of their dohc v-8's to compete, but the strange thing is that the z-28/ss camaros were dead at the time...not exactly sure who Ford were competing agains'nt. Ford blew it on the styling though, it looked like a "secretary edition" mustang, despite the bad-ass engine. The Mach-1 was alot sweeter looking in my opinion. But yeah, that car would run 4.5 seconds in the 0-60 time..hell lot quicker than any SS or Z-28 at the time (stock). As bad as people feel about those old Cobras, I have alot more respect on those vs. the overpriced 500 series Shelby is selling his name out now for $50K!!! Liked him better in the 80's when he souped up those god awful dodge chargers!

I never quite understood why Ford did the Cobra that way either. Either they didn't know the F-bodies were really meeting their demise in 2002, and the Terminator was a true response to the bashing GM did to the Mustangs prior - OR, Ford knew the whole time the F-body was no longer going to be around and the Termy was a pure slap in the face for previous 10 years. Any how, they did a good job!

[drummer52910]

I was really disappointed with the new GT500. Way too heavy and expensive.

[JVOJR]

your going to spin a bearing if you take that stock bottom end to 7000 rpm.

Is that what happens?

[predator]

I never quite understood why Ford did the Cobra that way either. Either they didn't know the F-bodies were really meeting their demise in 2002, and the Terminator was a true response to the bashing GM did to the Mustangs prior - OR, Ford knew the whole time the F-body was no longer going to be around and the Termy was a pure slap in the face for previous 10 years. Any how, they did a good job!

It's a corvette killer... they were in to smack the shit out of GM's big boy for 10-20k less (non zo6 models of course)... and honestly in my vette i would just let a termy roll by... he was a waste of my gas and pride...

Yes Yes i know a vette will outhandle a termy... but honestly most street cred is made in a straght line...

-me

[nhraformula]

It's funny how I hear people say that all the time: It won't cost a lot. Figure in the price of the whole car (Cobra) along with those bolt-ons, compared to what you could get an F-body for now days. From that aspect the whole picture looks completely different.

im talking about a dollar to dollar ratio for horsepower from mods.
also a full optioned out firehawk wasnt all that much cheaper than an 03 cobra

[4tun8]

Mach1's are the ugliest of the Mustangs. I'd take an 03 cobra over just about any body style.

[blackSS01]

Mach1's are the ugliest of the Mustangs. I'd take an 03 cobra over just about any body style.

I would have to agree with you there. 03-04's are sexy beasts, those and Elenor are the only mustangs I would ever own. Nice to see a thread about Cobras that doesn't turn into a COMPLETE bitch fest and get locked. Rare, rare indeed.

[mogs01gt]

Like I said in my previous post. You have to account the entire cost of the car to go along with the cost of modding. Unless the car was a free gift, it's all going to come out your pocket anyways. A Cobra is considerably a more expensive car to buy.
Then stop comparing the Cobra to the stripped or under optioned F-bodies. There were plenty of F-body models at the exact same or higher price of Cobras.

The new mustangs do suck though!

[N20LT4]

Then stop comparing the Cobra to the stripped or under optioned F-bodies. There were plenty of F-body models at the exact same or higher price of Cobras.

The new mustangs do suck though!

Were talking car vs. car. If you can find a high mileage termy as cheap as you can a similar LS1, then be my guess. It's not my fault that you can get an LS1 car for cheaper.

[blackSS01]

Were talking car vs. car. If you can find a high mileage termy as cheap as you can a similar LS1, then be my guess. It's not my fault that you can get an LS1 car for cheaper.

:true: Termi's are way too overpriced.

[Justin23454]

Were talking car vs. car. If you can find a high mileage termy as cheap as you can a similar LS1, then be my guess. It's not my fault that you can get an LS1 car for cheaper.

"be my guest"

[nhraformula]

Were talking car vs. car. If you can find a high mileage termy as cheap as you can a similar LS1, then be my guess. It's not my fault that you can get an LS1 car for cheaper.

if you wanna talk about cheap speed, get a rice rocket then.
it will own all.

[JVOJR]

if you wanna talk about cheap speed, get a rice rocket then.
it will own all.
Besides the 9-10 second track only cars and the hardly street friendly 11-sec ricers, what others do you mean? If we were talking about bang for buck, it would take a lot more cash, parts, and time to get a ricer into the 11's then an LS1 or...please don't make me list them all.
Time for a new thread. We have really driven off topic here.

[N20LT4]

"be my guest"

Oops! Was in a rush to get to work. Typed faster than I could think. But I appreciate your correction. Let's me know that I am still more than important and never unnoticed! :D


if you wanna talk about cheap speed, get a rice rocket then.
it will own all.

Remember were talking about LS1's and Cobra's here. NOT Honda's.

[mogs01gt]

Were talking car vs. car. If you can find a high mileage termy as cheap as you can a similar LS1, then be my guess. It's not my fault that you can get an LS1 car for cheaper.
Are you dense? Of course you can find a cheaper model of LS1 for less. You really have no idea what you are talking about.

ohh and here you go
http://tinyurl.com/5698s9
http://tinyurl.com/6fghbw

[nhraformula]

Besides the 9-10 second track only cars and the hardly street friendly 11-sec ricers, what others do you mean? If we were talking about bang for buck, it would take a lot more cash, parts, and time to get a ricer into the 11's then an LS1 or...please don't make me list them all.
Time for a new thread. We have really driven off topic here.

im talking about 1000cc and up rice rockets a.k.a motorcycles

[nhraformula]

Remember were talking about LS1's and Cobra's here. NOT Honda's.
but you keep throwing price around and all i did was point out that for cheap speed a sport bike cant be beat.


when a person buys a car they like it, 99.9% of buyers worry about cost of mods later.

[JVOJR]

im talking about 1000cc and up rice rockets a.k.a motorcycles

Geez, it didn't even cross my mind you were talking about a bike. That really is waay off topic.

[N20LT4]

but you keep throwing price around and all i did was point out that for cheap speed a sport bike cant be beat.


when a person buys a car they like it, 99.9% of buyers worry about cost of mods later.

I think you might have missed the heading of the original debate. It was that...Cobra's are easier and/or cheaper to mod. Easier they are, but I came to the defense of your car - an LS1 - all being but 100% honest, in that if you factor in the total cost of a Cobra vs. what you can get a higher mileage, good condition, straight body LS1 car for, the cost to purchase the two and mod them both becomes about equal, if not in favor of the LS1 car being less expensive. Let's face it -You are NOT going to find an '03-04 Cobra, even with higher mileage, for as cheap as you will a similar LS1 F-body, for various reasons. People can go around the cost of the car all they wan't, but the cost of the vehicle is included in the entire sum of everything - like it or not. My point of view is nothing but realistic. Sit down with a calculator and add things up yourself if you doubt me! If you feel otherwise, then maybe you should have bought a Cobra instead of a Formula - since it is the better bang for the buck in your opinion.

[mogs01gt]

I think you might have missed the heading of the original debate. It was that...Cobra's are easier and/or cheaper to mod. Easier they are, but I came to the defense of your car - an LS1 - all being but 100% honest, in that if you factor in the total cost of a Cobra vs. what you can get a higher mileage, good condition, straight body LS1 car for, the cost to purchase the two and mod them both becomes about equal, if not in favor of the LS1 car being less expensive. Let's face it -You are NOT going to find an '03-04 Cobra, even with higher mileage, for as cheap as you will a similar LS1 F-body, for various reasons. People can go around the cost of the car all they wan't, but the cost of the vehicle is included in the entire sum of everything - like it or not. My point of view is nothing but realistic. Sit down with a calculator and add things up yourself if you doubt me! If you feel otherwise, then maybe you should have bought a Cobra instead of a Formula - since it is the better bang for the buck in your opinion.
dude, you really have no clue. I found one and it took me all of 30 seconds. F-bodes are NOT cheap cars and arent cheap to modify.

[N20LT4]

dude, you really have no clue. I found one and it took me all of 30 seconds. F-bodes are NOT cheap cars and arent cheap to modify.

Really, I have no clue. And yet, your the one that drives a 2-valve.

Oookay!

I expect to hear from you in a couple of months from now when you'll drop back by and leave another worthless comment as you always do.

[nhraformula]

I think you might have missed the heading of the original debate. It was that...Cobra's are easier and/or cheaper to mod. Easier they are, but I came to the defense of your car - an LS1 - all being but 100% honest, in that if you factor in the total cost of a Cobra vs. what you can get a higher mileage, good condition, straight body LS1 car for, the cost to purchase the two and mod them both becomes about equal, if not in favor of the LS1 car being less expensive. Let's face it -You are NOT going to find an '03-04 Cobra, even with higher mileage, for as cheap as you will a similar LS1 F-body, for various reasons. People can go around the cost of the car all they wan't, but the cost of the vehicle is included in the entire sum of everything - like it or not. My point of view is nothing but realistic. Sit down with a calculator and add things up yourself if you doubt me! If you feel otherwise, then maybe you should have bought a Cobra instead of a Formula - since it is the better bang for the buck in your opinion.

yes the cobra costs more than an f-body. while in the long run it maybe cheaper to mod an ls1 depending what you do to it, not all of us who buy cars look for the value option that you keep pushing.
i have an ls1 and having modded said car, i know for a fact that if i would of thrown the same money at mods for a cobra, id be doing low 11s.
btw, if they made a blown cobra back in 2000, you bet you ass i would of bought it.

[Chris Arnold]

Gotta love the modification debates...lol

"x is faster than y"
"but y with a couple bolt-ons would even faster"
"but imagine if you added bolt-ons to x, then it would be really fast"
"I would just as nitrous to y and then it would be faster again"
"Then, I would add a blower, and other stuff and it would be the fastest"
"I could just get a h/c/i package with nitrous and y would be just as fast, and I could do it for less money"
"yeah, but y is an old car, and no matter how much you add, it is still just a y"
"Well, I never wanted an x anyway...x's are gay."
"well I think your stupid"
"no you're stupid"
"uh-uh"
Third party: "well you're both stupid. Nothing's is cheap to modify, and speed costs money"
"well you drive a z... how gay is that?"

fun fun fun.... you boys enjoy!

Chris

[mogs01gt]

Really, I have no clue. And yet, your the one that drives a 2-valve.

Oookay!

I expect to hear from you in a couple of months from now when you'll drop back by and leave another worthless comment as you always do.
yeah 2 valve suck......

[devildogws6]

wow after reading this i dont feel bad about loseing to a termi at the track, my time was a 13.7 and his was a 13.2 (bad track) and i was completly stock, beside cats removed lol

[blackSS01]

Cobra's are great cars......true. Cobra's are cheaper to modifiy to make fast......true. LS1's are great cars...........true LS1's are cheaper to purchase.........true. LS1's have more potential...............True. I think everyone on this thread realizes the above statements. Cobras are awesome and such, but there is always someone faster, and no replacement for displacement in the long run. Speed isn't cheap, but I just found a 2000 TA with 100,000 miles for $6,800 OBO. Drop $10,000 more into it and BAM, KB Cobra killer for under $17,000. I will eventually own a Cobra, but in no way, shape or form am I getting rid of my car for one. Just not going to happen. Can't we all just get along people.

[N20LT4]

yes the cobra costs more than an f-body. while in the long run it maybe cheaper to mod an ls1 depending what you do to it, not all of us who buy cars look for the value option that you keep pushing.
i have an ls1 and having modded said car, i know for a fact that if i would of thrown the same money at mods for a cobra, id be doing low 11s.
btw, if they made a blown cobra back in 2000, you bet you ass i would of bought it.

Ehh, why didn't you just buy a '99 or '01...and drop a supercharger on it?

Gotta love the modification debates...lol

"x is faster than y"
"but y with a couple bolt-ons would even faster"
"but imagine if you added bolt-ons to x, then it would be really fast"
"I would just as nitrous to y and then it would be faster again"
"Then, I would add a blower, and other stuff and it would be the fastest"
"I could just get a h/c/i package with nitrous and y would be just as fast, and I could do it for less money"
"yeah, but y is an old car, and no matter how much you add, it is still just a y"
"Well, I never wanted an x anyway...x's are gay."
"well I think your stupid"
"no you're stupid"
"uh-uh"
Third party: "well you're both stupid. Nothing's is cheap to modify, and speed costs money"
"well you drive a z... how gay is that?"

fun fun fun.... you boys enjoy!

Chris

And yet Mr. Arnold chimes in again for another one of his irrelevant, and invalid point of views.

When will it end?

[Mike's TA]

Gotta love the modification debates...lol

"x is faster than y"
"but y with a couple bolt-ons would even faster"
"but imagine if you added bolt-ons to x, then it would be really fast"
"I would just as nitrous to y and then it would be faster again"
"Then, I would add a blower, and other stuff and it would be the fastest"
"I could just get a h/c/i package with nitrous and y would be just as fast, and I could do it for less money"
"yeah, but y is an old car, and no matter how much you add, it is still just a y"
"Well, I never wanted an x anyway...x's are gay."
"well I think your stupid"
"no you're stupid"
"uh-uh"
Third party: "well you're both stupid. Nothing's is cheap to modify, and speed costs money"
"well you drive a z... how gay is that?"

fun fun fun.... you boys enjoy!

Chris

That has got to be the funniest post I've ever seen. :lmao:

[Chris Arnold]

And yet Mr. Arnold chimes in again for another one of his irrelevant, and invalid point of views.

When will it end?

Uhh uhh.... You're stupid.:kiss:

[N20LT4]

Uhh uhh.... You're stupid.:kiss:

Hey Hey now, no kisses buddy. No offense to your kind, but I ain't with that funny sh*t! :D

[99 Kobra]

The '03 Mustang Cobras were a weird beast. For some reason Ford blew the hell out of their dohc v-8's to compete, but the strange thing is that the z-28/ss camaros were dead at the time...not exactly sure who Ford were competing agains'nt. Ford blew it on the styling though, it looked like a "secretary edition" mustang, despite the bad-ass engine. The Mach-1 was alot sweeter looking in my opinion. But yeah, that car would run 4.5 seconds in the 0-60 time..hell lot quicker than any SS or Z-28 at the time (stock). As bad as people feel about those old Cobras, I have alot more respect on those vs. the overpriced 500 series Shelby is selling his name out now for $50K!!! Liked him better in the 80's when he souped up those god awful dodge chargers!

Are you sure you know what a Terminator looks like?

[N20LT4]

Are you sure you know what a Terminator looks like?

Uhh, where in the hell did you come from 99Kobra???:ughlaugh:

[99 Kobra]

I never quite understood why Ford did the Cobra that way either. Either they didn't know the F-bodies were really meeting their demise in 2002, and the Terminator was a true response to the bashing GM did to the Mustangs prior - OR, Ford knew the whole time the F-body was no longer going to be around and the Termy was a pure slap in the face for previous 10 years. Any how, they did a good job!

A book written by Frank Moriarty, "Iron Fist, Lead Foot," tells the story about the Terminator. You can get it on Amazon.com and it's a great book that only takes a few hours to read. The Terminator was created by John Coletti, who was the head of SVT at Ford at the time (he has since retired). During SVT's annual Western Drive through the mountains and desert to test upcoming SVT vehicles, Coletti was driving a prototype for the '02 SVT Cobra and he couldn't shake a SVT Ford Focus that was behind him through some corners. He got pissed and canned the '02 Cobra because it was too slow. He demanded a supercharged Cobra that was faster in EVERY way than the '01 Cobra. What Ford produced was the Terminator (it's internal code name at Ford).

[N20LT4]

A book written by Frank Moriarty, "Iron Fist, Lead Foot," tells the story about the Terminator. You can get it on Amazon.com and it's a great book that only takes a few hours to read. The Terminator was created by John Coletti, who was the head of SVT at Ford at the time (he has since retired). During SVT's annual Western Drive through the mountains and desert to test upcoming SVT vehicles, Coletti was driving a prototype for the '02 SVT Cobra and he couldn't shake a SVT Ford Focus that was behind him through some corners. He got pissed and canned the '02 Cobra because it was too slow. He demanded a supercharged Cobra that was faster in EVERY way than the '01 Cobra. What Ford produced was the Terminator (it's internal code name at Ford).

That's a nice story. Damn that's too bad they had to go with a blower setup to outrun a Focus.

[99 Kobra]

That's a nice story. Damn that's too bad they had to go with a blower setup to outrun a Focus.

Ever tried to run with a SVT Focus through corners?

[N20LT4]

Ever tried to run with a SVT Focus through corners?

Yeah, as a matter of fact I sure have. Through Pikes Peak when I was on the bottle!

NAW, seriously I know those things can handle. But I would think that the Cobra should have been up to the task with it's IRS and all.

[99 Kobra]

Yeah, as a matter of fact I sure have. Through Pikes Peak when I was on the bottle!

NAW, seriously I know those things can handle. But I would think that the Cobra should have been up to the task with it's IRS and all.

The Cobra prototype was faster through the corners than the Focus, just not fast enough for Coletti. He wanted something that would blow the doors off of a '01 Cobra and that's what he got.

[N20LT4]

The Cobra prototype was faster through the corners than the Focus, just not fast enough for Coletti. He wanted something that would blow the doors off of a '01 Cobra and that's what he got.

He wanted something that would blow the doors off a Focus in the twisties...and an LS1 F-body in the straights. They accomplished what they were lookin' for, that's for sure.

[Chris Arnold]

That's a nice story. Damn that's too bad they had to go with a blower setup to outrun a Focus.

:lol:LMAO

[knoll5150]

Are you sure you know what a Terminator looks like?

Yeah, I'm talking about stock Cobra's at that time. To be honest, I have know idea what the fu*k a "Terminator" is, and I could care less. Ford never called their Mustangs that..so If Steve Saleen, Caroll Shelby, or some over overarrated fart is calling a simple ponycar w/add-ons that name...god forgive me. Getting back to the point on styling..again style is like art it is an opinion, so it's dumb for us to say one car's prettier than another. My point on the styling of the "TERMINATOR...I'll save you John Connors" Mustang is that the body looks like a run of the mill v-6 with scary cobra badges, and dual exhausts...sorry if I missed a fake "funcional hood scoop"..(oops, that's the mustang GT). My final ranting is that that Cobra was a hell of a racer, but the factory styling was too vanilla.

[mogs01gt]

actually, it is pretty lame to call it a fucking terminator. What, did schwarzenegger fucking name it?

Its a Cobra.

[JVOJR]

That's a nice story. Damn that's too bad they had to go with a blower setup to outrun a Focus.

Oh no he di'nt.

[wooddaniel]

I owned an 03 Grand Prix GTP. I bought it because of the supercharger. It was a lot easier to make more power on a GTP than a non-sc GT. A smaller pulley, headers, rockers, downpipe, cai, new computer, and some other misc stuff made that car very quick. 350z's, EVO's, STi's, non-sc mustangs, and a bunch of others were very surprised to see my tail lights. My guess is you could easily do the same to a cobra but probably not for the $2400 it cost to mod the GTP. The cobra's a bit more sophisticated. I also avg'd 27-28 mpg in the GTP. The SS is nearly the same. My friend's cobra doesn't get close to that. He gets around 250 miles from a tank of gas, somewhere around 17 mpg. My plan is to mod the valvetrain a bit to safely shift at 7k rpm and, once I research it a little more, a few other supporting mods. I could use a few tips on what works best as a good starting point though.
Jack


High RPM's does not necessarily equal Power. My car shifts at 6200, and I run in the 11's all motor. It is dangerous to rev over 6000 RPM's without doing work to the internals of the motor (crank shaft, pistons ETC). Get some spray if you are looking to beat him cheap, and if not go with a cam, gears, headers, intake, and a tune. It is fairly easy to get into the 11's with an LS1 if you have the money.

[nhraformula]

High RPM's does not necessarily equal Power. My car shifts at 6200, and I run in the 11's all motor. It is dangerous to rev over 6000 RPM's without doing work to the internals of the motor (crank shaft, pistons ETC). Get some spray if you are looking to beat him cheap, and if not go with a cam, gears, headers, intake, and a tune. It is fairly easy to get into the 11's with an LS1 if you have the money.

a LS6 in a Z06 revs past 6k. considering the LS6 has the same bottom end as a LS1, how isnt it safe to spin it past 6k?

[Hi-Po]

a LS6 in a Z06 revs past 6k. considering the LS6 has the same bottom end as a LS1, how isnt it safe to spin it past 6k?

I spin mine to 6400 quite often. All I have up top is GM "yellow" springs and head work. You can definitely spin past 6K with no issues. People do it all the time.

[JVOJR]

a LS6 in a Z06 revs past 6k. considering the LS6 has the same bottom end as a LS1, how isnt it safe to spin it past 6k?

I spin mine to 6400 quite often. All I have up top is GM "yellow" springs and head work. You can definitely spin past 6K with no issues. People do it all the time.

How much past 6k rpms can you spin safely without loosing a bearing or worse? In my GTP the main issue was floating a valve so I installed new springs with the new 1.9 rockers and I shifted at 6300 rpms all the time. What's the rev limiter set at on the LS6? Should I just limit it to 6400-6500 max and that's it?
Jack

[nhraformula]

my 224 cam is set to 6400 rpm.
i believe the Z06/LS6 is set to the same if not a tad bit more.

[Hi-Po]

Well, I have figured out I have no limited on my car one day on my stupid phone. I took off from a stop light and had to make a crazy turn right away. Thing shot up to almost 7K. I of course shit my pants and disengaged the clutch. I would stay right around 6300-6400. I would go much over.

You are probably not making power past 5900-6000 RPM anyways. No reason to go much over unless you have a stupid crazy cam like some on the street. If you stop making power at 5900RPM... Shift 400 RPM after that. Right?

[toneloc60]

First I'd like to say to the OP, when you mess with the bull you get the horns. Second, good for you for not backing down to a tougher car.

Going fast is only as far away as the time it takes you to earn money. The LS1 F-body is no slouch, but to think it's the fastest thing on wheels has obvious flaws. It's the sort of mentality I've seen even amongst LS1 owners. Some people think because they have the SS or WS6 package they're car is faster than others. Sadly, not true.

If you want to play with an '03-'04 Cobra, do some research and spend a couple tax returns.

[dundonrl]

It's a corvette killer... they were in to smack the shit out of GM's big boy for 10-20k less (non zo6 models of course)... and honestly in my vette i would just let a termy roll by... he was a waste of my gas and pride...

Yes Yes i know a vette will outhandle a termy... but honestly most street cred is made in a straght line...

-me

well... a C5 with base FE1 suspension vs a 03 Cobra in handling is VERY close.. yes a FE1(Z51) suspension C5 will take a Terminator, but not the base FE1 suspension.. yes I've owned both cars, 1998 FE1 C5 Targa coupe and 03 SVT Cobra coupe..

[Camarofan]

I'm not sure I'd want to rev the stock bottom end much beyond 6600.

And a word from the wise: No matter how fast you are there is somebody out there who is faster than you.

Truth

I was really disappointed with the new GT500. Way too heavy and expensive.

Yeah, but Carol Shelby's is a big name. You're going to pay for that name especially since he's old and bout to be gone.

[Raptor285]

I'm not sure I'd want to rev the stock bottom end much beyond 6600.

And a word from the wise: No matter how fast you are there is somebody out there who is faster than you.

There is no reason to try and rev high...you can make plenty of power without revving to the moon...plus you will have less wear and from what this guy said (I'm not sure about LS1's bottom end) you will have a functioning car!


How much past 6k rpms can you spin safely without loosing a bearing or worse? In my GTP the main issue was floating a valve so I installed new springs with the new 1.9 rockers and I shifted at 6300 rpms all the time. What's the rev limiter set at on the LS6? Should I just limit it to 6400-6500 max and that's it?
Jack

That 6300 rpm was pointless...I rev to 5900-6000 and I make more power than your GTP did...my aftermarket cam makes peak horsepower around 5800 rpm...high revs is not important, horsepower and torque are important, you want to shift just after your peak power, be it at 5500 or 6500 rpm :yup:

Get a nice sized cam, it should take you to about 6200-6400 rpm and make good power without requiring too many other parts...or rebuild the whole thing :zoom: