Are '98 GTs any faster than '96-'97s?
 

A buddy of mine just bought a '98 GT. I've driven it and it seems to run better than any of the previous years 4.6s that either of us have driven do. It feels just as fast or faster than any stock '94-'95 5.0 GT I've driven too! I know the '98 Cobras are faster than the '96-'97s, but what about GTs? Also, what are the best mods for this car? He's thinking MAC pro chamber h-pipe and flowmasters first. Thanks.

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'94 GT- 5 speed, 3.73 gears, E-303 cam, off road h-pipe, flowmasters, K&N 9.19@76mph

98 GTs put out 10-15 more horses stock than the 96-97 2 valves. I think it has to do with a slightly different intake and other small changes. Consider the 98's the interim between the first and second generation 4.6s. ;-)

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98 GT
Dyno-Max cat-back exhaust, 3.73 gears, Steeda shifter, Ford Motorsport Underdrive pullies, 87mm MAF and Roush cold air kit...

The '96 GTs have 215 hp. The '97s and '98s have the same engine but the computer code was modified to make about 10 more hp, bringing the total to 225. However, the '98s do not come with a strut tower brace.

'96-'98 Cobras all have the same engine, all rating at 305 hp. There was a change to the cooling system between the '96 and '97 models. The '98s have slightly different exhaulst manifolds, and no strut tower brace, but don't make any more power.

There are variations from car to car in performance even in the same model year. Your buddy probably just got a good one.

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'97 Cobra, K&N, Flowmaster, subframes, 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, Steeda G-Trac 3, Cobra R wheels w/ Goodyear F1s

Hmmm,
Good info Snake...
I really thought that the intake was a little different on the 98s due to the known issues that they have. (Admittedly the 98 intakes are probably not any better in the reliability department)
As far as the hp goes, it doesn't matter to me whether the 10 hp increase came from a different intake, aggressive computer, or an act of God.... I'll take any horses that Ford will throw me for my heavy vehicle...;-)

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98 GT
Dyno-Max cat-back exhaust, 3.73 gears, Steeda shifter, Ford Motorsport Underdrive pullies, 87mm MAF and Roush cold air kit...

98 cobras ARE faster than 96/97. The different returnless fuel system mandated a new computer parameters. Also they used a different butterfly (whatever the hell they call those things in the intake). That was coupled with a higher velocity smaller ports (not by that much) in the heads for better low end torque.
In an issue in MM&FF, supperfly a 97 was pitted against a 98 both with similar gearing and on slicks. Supperfly had ported heads, Sean Hylander cams, the butterfly eliminator, and a few other more than the 98. The 98 was naerly stock except a full exhaust.
Supperfly lost in that confrontation. The 98 had about1.5-2mph more tham supperfly.

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94gt,GT40 stage 3 ported intake,TFS heads with mild bowl work
75mm massair cal to 24lbs injectors with matching injectors
fullexhaust,pulleys,3.73 rear, 1.72 rockers; ,pro 5.0 shifter; Bassani x-pipe w/cats
AFM B-2 cam; 70mm TB; lakewood 70/30 drag struts, Mac fenderwell cold air induction. Performance Inprovement Harness
Factoryfive upper and lower control arms.

Does all this mean that my 96'GT would benefit from an aftermarket computer chip? And is there any way to fix this "returnless fuel system" that would be worth it?

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96' GT
5-speed,K&N air filter,removed air silencer,80mm MAF,Mac True Fit Cat-Back

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/select654.htm

Definately, but the way to do it will be to run it on a dyno and burn a chip for it. The returnless fuel system is not a performance issue. It is an emissions issue, it is used to as Ford will describe reduce gas vapors, somewhere, i don't know. There is no fix for it, but utilizing it as best as u can. U cannot put like a adjustable fuel pressure regulator on those cars cause the FPR works by reducing the fuel going BACK into the tank. Bigger injectors and a computer chip will fix the problem. And maybe a bigger pump. The 4.6 LOVE boost. Look into a supercharger or turbo for max gains.
Texas Jams here in San Antonio made a 99 run 11.50's @122/3mph ON BFGOODRIDGE DRAG TA's. That was with a s-trim blower and just a few add ons. They quoted 5200 for all the work, dyno time, blower and parts. He just got kicked off the new track at a competition for running 10.6@127/128mph that was with a 100shot nitrous.
Point is with the svo heads,intake, blower some time on the dyno and a chip u could run those numbers if not better.