I want to buy a mustang in the next couple of months. I have it narrowed down to theses choices: 94-95(because of 5.0), 99 cobra, 99-01 gt(01 cobra is still too much money). Any car that I get I would like to add a supercharger to it. I would like to have a car that puts out 450-500 rwhp. I like the newer body style but recently read in 5.0 mustang and super fords magazine article how weak the 4.6 is!(they claimed that any time significant pwr is increased its prone t ring land and conn rod breakage).The article was about the D.S.S short block and I wonder if they are just trying to sell parts? Sorry about the length of this!! Any responses to this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
If you are looking for an unlimited amount of aftermarket parts go with the '94-'95. If you are looking into the future of the Mustang go with the '99-'01
99 and 2000 GT's I think are the stronger of the 99+ 2 valve 4.6L's. I would not go with the 99 Cobra because of the power issues they had. I personaly would go with the 94/95, the 5.0L offers a huge range of parts, and 400+ HP is easily attainable without going completely broke.
__________________
Jesse Berger 90 LX, Previous 4 cyl. (Decommissioned, 351W on the way)
H/C/I+Bolt Ons
Best ET: 12.54@106 mph 2001 V6 5 Speed Daily Driver Windstar Intake, Dual Exhuast, CAI, Headers
Best ET: 15.6@88 mph (stock trim)
Now why not go with the 99 Cobra? Because they had issues that were FIXED. Man people just need to do some reading and stop offering BAD advice. The 99 Cobra had hp problems. However they had a TSB put on them and were fixed. Now would you tell those not to get a 94+ Mustang with a 5 speed because they had issues with the E-brake? How about fraying from a 96 Cobra cause it had cooling issues. That also had a TSB and many were fixed.
Just about every 99 Cobra out there was fixed. Mine was right when i bought it. Get the 99 Cobra, it has more power out of the 3 you listed, and you have a better chance of obtaining your hp goals.
Hi,TKO don't belive every article you read because the new
4.6's are STRONG high rever's that are very possible of
supporting that kind of power.The 99-03 GT's are awesome
because of the good head's and intake that WILL stand up
to power! If you do buy a new 4.6 it will be costly but,worth
it in my opnion.If you really can afford 450-500 rwhp you
WILL have to do forged pistons,rods,crank with good rings
to be able to support that much power without the chance
of having problems.Take it from someone how drives a 4.6.
Remember a 96-98 GT can be built to make the same power
but,it only money and a suggestion.Good luck on whatever
Mustang you get if you do decide to even get a Mustang.
450-500rwhp is easily attainable with any of the above vehicles. its all about your budget.
for the 5.0 i'd say get tfs aluminum heads, gt40/cobra/etc intake, and some sort of aftermarket cam (you can do the regular old e303 or you could do a more custom cam like a baby crower or an afm b cam). then just get a vortech s-trim and you should easily be seeing well over 400rwhp. You will have to upgrade your fuel system, though.
with the cobra i'd say get a vortech with an aftercooler and custom tune and you should see 400+rwhp.
with the 99+ GT an ATI Procharger with a set of blower cams, some longtube headers, and a tune should help you see 400rwhp. The GTs are trickier, as I've seen different numbers all over the place depending on what blower you're using and who tuned the car.
its all about your budget, how much you have to spend on a car, and how much you have to spend on mods. if you're not doing the work yourself factor in labor too. 5.0 parts are cheap, but when you're doing heads/cam/intake on top of a blower labor charges can add up. with the cobra you'll drop $5,000 in blower/aftercooler/fuel system parts plus probably another grand to $1500 in installation and tuning but you won't have to drop cash into the longblock. its all about your budget.
Just wanted to say thanks for the replies. I wil factor them in my decision. I do know of the problems that the '99 cobras had((ball joint,intake, reflashed computer) and think most cars out there were fixed on recall by the dealers. I wanted to give people that read this one of thebest sites on the web for anyone that buys ANY used car. It is the goverment recall and service bulletin link:http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm Its got alot of good info there. Thanks again
1998 SVT Cobra #4941 of 5174 built on June 19,1998
4.30s, Speedcal, WMS CAI, Pro 5.0 shifter, Sniper Tuner, March pulleys, Mac O/R H pipe, Flowmaster orig. 40's, King Cobra clutch, D/S rotors, FRPP 9mm's, Max. Motorsports C/C plates, Termy front control arms, H&R SS springs, MM solid steering rack bushings, Tokico HP struts and shocks, Mac subrames, HID Bi-Xenon 6000k kit, Saleen 18" wheels, Saleen S-281 spoiler, sequential tails
Up Next: Termi diff, 31 spline Axles, LPW girdle, MM LCAs
It works!!! I just tried it. Don't forget to check out the service bulletin section(you know the stuff they are suppose to fix when you take it t the dealership but they never tell you about!!) It looks like they changed the site some. Navigation used to be a little easier on it before they did. Also the car select year only goes to 1949 and it used to go back to 1930!! =-) Like I said before, it as all kinds of great info on there on all kinds of recalls form cars to baby seats. Anyone who checks it out and has any trouble please dont hesitate to send me a message.
which car to buy? 
