Cobra vs Camaro SS

[roadracer247]

Okay, right now I own a '67 Mustang with a 289 bored .35 over and it's for sale because I want to get something newer but I still want to go fast. I already love the '03 Cobra but it costs too much for me unless someone is willing to trade. Anyway I am wondering if a Cobra from like '98-'02 could take an SS in a street race. (Stock on Stock and I know that they changed models between those years)I have heard the SS would beat it every time but since I am a Ford guy it is hard to believe. Is this true? What would I need to beat a SS? I have also heard about issues with the trannies is this true? The other thing I am looking at is a Lightning. But I am not sure. Any info you can share with me will help me out a lot on this one.

[Dark_5.0]

They SS will beat a 96-98 cobra every time stock vs. stock

The 99-01 cobra's are a pretty even match for the LS-1's.

Dont buy a car for what it will do stock. Buy a 96-96 snake, mod it, and bye bye SS.

[bigdave]

The SS will beat the 94-99 Cobras, but I don't know about the 2000's and up. I'm not a big fan of the IRS. The LS1 IMO is a better engine than the 4.6. Just a few minor mods (exhaust, chip, etc.) and they scream. Easier to get into the 12's with an LS1 N/A.

[Dark_5.0]

Originally posted by bigdave
The SS will beat the 94-99 Cobras, but I don't know about the 2000's and up. I'm not a big fan of the IRS. The LS1 IMO is a better engine than the 4.6. Just a few minor mods (exhaust, chip, etc.) and they scream. Easier to get into the 12's with an LS1 N/A.

You dont even have to touch the engine to run 12's with a 96+ cobra.

The IRS is great for a daily driver street race car but if you are serious about drag racing a solid axle is the way to go that is why I reccomend the 96-98 cobras for the guys interested in straight line speed.

The DOHC 4.6 and the LS-1 are both great engines with good potential.

[stevstum]

I would buy a 96 Cobra an put a Saleen or Kenne Belle S/C on it. That is after exhaust and gears.

[0h n0 5.0]

Originally posted by roadracer247
Okay, right now I own a '67 Mustang with a 289 bored .35 over and it's for sale because I want to get something newer but I still want to go fast. I already love the '03 Cobra but it costs too much for me unless someone is willing to trade. Anyway I am wondering if a Cobra from like '98-'02 could take an SS in a street race. (Stock on Stock and I know that they changed models between those years)I have heard the SS would beat it every time but since I am a Ford guy it is hard to believe. Is this true? What would I need to beat a SS? I have also heard about issues with the trannies is this true? The other thing I am looking at is a Lightning. But I am not sure. Any info you can share with me will help me out a lot on this one.

i'd think it'd be easier with a notch/hatch back lx 5.0 platform. the 80's foxes are mind boggling fast strip monsters. the whole sn95 body isn't very good for sheer straightline usin bolt ons. its too heavy. to move real fast really quickly requires huge power an gobs of low end torque... somthin the 4.6 SOHC lacks. the 5.0 has really good low end out the box an the fox body makes it a rocket for 1/4 mile action with the LX bein a lil lighter than the GT.

i don't really know much about the DOHC 4.6 except they are monsters with S/C induction. or nitrous..or both

IMO opinion fast is fast, but if i'm payin $10,000 more than the competitor it better lay everything to waste that crosses its path.. an it better not fall apart while doin it. GM's had a bad rep with the durability of its camaros. the Camaro has always been a rocket.. its great for sheer speed. but thats it. it really has no character, its put together like a brick, ( i don't know what the hell that big lump is under the floor, but the designer should be shot) its impractical. and its a ***** to work on. plus they quit makin it, so you run into problems, i hope you know a good mechanic to locate parts. its kinda cheesy lookin, all the stripes an badges too IMO. ford has always been about sublty with style. lettin the dyno rollers speak the part of badges, stripes, an other eye candy.

strictly going the-nice-runnin-easy-to-mod-hold-togther type of way I'd defintly go with an cobra. classy, understated, sleeper.. a couple of choice mods an it'll eat that bowtie.

[The Deuce]

FYI, the lump on the passenger side floor of the F-bodies is a Catylitic converter.

If anyone must get an F-body, get the SS or WS6. Straight ls1 cars have a 7.75 rear end, the same size and basic strength that comes in 6 cyl stangs. They're notorious for blowing up.

Also, those cars have a Y-pipe, so technically the dual exhaust is just for show. Pretty lame if you ask me.

Get a Cobra. The cars just feel meaner. I don't care if it takes a little work to make them run faster, they feel better driving them back to back.

[Dark_5.0]

Good point Deuce-------I was actually looking for an LS-1 when I bought my cobra. They both felt quick, but the LS-1 was a pos compared to my cobra interior wise. Not to mention the cobra has a much smoother and tighter feeling ride.

A 87-93 Fox body would be a good choice. How about a 93 cobra, just throw in some gears and a few bolt ons and you would be an LS-1 killer.

The 93 cobra is my favorite year BTW.

[tireburner163]

Originally posted by 0h n0 5.0
...an the fox body makes it a rocket for 1/4 mile action with the LX bein a lil lighter than the GT.

hehe......yea gotta love that 22 pounds that the LX saves over the GT

[The Deuce]

Originally posted by tireburner163
hehe......yea gotta love that 22 pounds that the LX saves over the GT

That's 2 hundreths in the quarter.

[Rice Hunter]

Originally posted by bigdave
The SS will beat the 94-99 Cobras, but I don't know about the 2000's and up.

Shouldn't the 2000's kill the SS

[Dark_5.0]

Originally posted by Rice Hunter
Shouldn't the 2000's kill the SS

Yeah I belive the 00' Cobra R would smoke an SS.

[srv1]

well, out of the box, the LS1's seem to be a little more potent then the 99 and up Cobra's(except 03). Gm has major reliablitity issues with the camaro/firebird. LS1's are great motors if all the defects are worked out. They should last.

On the other hand, the Mustang is better built, PERIOD! Get the Stang all the way!! Yeah you will get beat with the 94-98 Cobra's vs. the LS1's, but dont worry, thier history for making poor craftsmanship newer Camaros makes them unreliable. Get something that will last!

[46stang]

have you considered a new mach 1?? It's basically a 98 cobra with newer heads!! you'll have warranty to boot! I would wait a little while so you don't get rapped by the dealer but I'm sure you can find a deal! It's like $5000 less than the cobra!
leon
P.S. The hood is awesome on the mach 1 !! I was going to get one but desided on the cobra I wish my cobra had that hood!

[GONZO99TA]

Originally posted by roadracer247
Okay, right now I own a '67 Mustang with a 289 bored .35 over and it's for sale because I want to get something newer but I still want to go fast. I already love the '03 Cobra but it costs too much for me unless someone is willing to trade. Anyway I am wondering if a Cobra from like '98-'02 could take an SS in a street race. (Stock on Stock and I know that they changed models between those years)I have heard the SS would beat it every time but since I am a Ford guy it is hard to believe. Is this true? What would I need to beat a SS? I have also heard about issues with the trannies is this true? The other thing I am looking at is a Lightning. But I am not sure. Any info you can share with me will help me out a lot on this one.

if it were me i would keep the 67 (if it's clean and in good shape) and get a lightning. turn the 67 into a nice track car and use the lightning as tow vehicle/ daily driver.

most people end up kicking themselves in the a** after they get rid of a nice old car for a new one (especially once the "new car feeling" is done with and the payments setle in


oh, and what is all this ls1 unreliability and bashing from some in this thread. when did this turn into a rice board where "fit and finish" were the only thing that matttered

[EZRIDN]

Originally posted by GONZO99TA
if it were me i would keep the 67 (if it's clean and in good shape) and get a lightning. turn the 67 into a nice track car and use the lightning as tow vehicle/ daily driver.

most people end up kicking themselves in the a** after they get rid of a nice old car for a new one (especially once the "new car feeling" is done with and the payments setle in


oh, and what is all this ls1 unreliability and bashing from some in this thread. when did this turn into a rice board where "fit and finish" were the only thing that matttered

You said a lot of smart thimgs. I am glad i kept my '86 GT. I was going to sell but decided to hang on to it, and i am glad i did.

I haven't heard the LS1s being unreliable.

I was going to get a '01 or '99 Cobra when looking for a car, but they had some interior points that i was not to happy about also. And much harder to get into the 12s N/A than a LS1 from what i have seen weekly at the track. just my .02.

[02ss]

well guys, i'm brand new to this board, but i like what i see so far. i own a 2002 camaro ss and i am very happy with it. i don't know where the unreliablity rumor came from, but as an ase master tech at a chevy store, i can tell you that they are extremly reliable. the rear axles are marginal for slicks but then again they are small and puny compared to the stangs mighty 8.8. but to me the 6 spd, and the awsome performance more than make up for this shortcoming. mine is bone stock, right down to the paper air filter element, and it has run 12.97 at 108.5. this was the best of 4 runs on one night at fayetteville motorsports park. i must admit that the track prep is 1st class and it was a 45deg night. the stock f1 radials were at 25 psi. i love the way the mustangs look and sound but the second or so performance deficet was more than i could overlook.(i actually test drove a bullet) i also got a great price because of where i work so..... it was a no brainer for me. hope to have some good non-confrontational chat with you all. i love all types of performance cars, the ss was just the best choice for me!

[The Deuce]

Welcome to the boards. There are a few LS1 guys that hang around, its all good. (unless its bad ).

I thought the SS's came with a beefed up rear, a torsen or something?

[GONZO99TA]

the optional rear you refer to is optional on firehawks (not sure if it is avail for ss or not) at a cost of $995 i think. it's extra strength over the stock one would be questionable in my opinion, definitly not worth the money they charge.
when my brother (former auto tech.) picked up his 02 hawk he skipped on the option for the same reason.
i'd rather take my chances with the stocker and if it goes, upgrade from there.

[Dark_5.0]

Personally I love LS-1's. I got the Cobra way cheaper than I could of got an LS-1.

The 03's look awesome IMO, I got beat by an 03 LS-1 a couple of weeks ago. I took him off the line and thought to myself no way I am beating an 03 LS-1 then about 50 mph he walked on by me and put 3 cars on me to 100 mph. Bummer

After I get my gears and exhaust done. Watch out