4.6 vs 5.0 Cobra
 

I have a 98 GT, and I am thinking of selling it and getting either a 94-95 Cobra or a 96-98. The main reason I am getting rid of my car for a cobra is that the heads and intake manifold are so crappy on the 98 GTs, and they cost a FORTUNE to replace. Replacing the intake manifold is necessary if I want to go the blower route, and I can't do a supercharger and heads together w/out a new short block because of compression issues. It might be nice to go with the 5.0L cobra, since the engine is much simpler, easier to work on, and since the car is much cheaper to mod. However, the 96-98 cobra has 65 more horsepower stock than the 5.0L (305 instead of 240), and the cylinder heads are much stronger than mine even though its 4.6L. Is the 65 extra horsepower and 13.99 stock 1/4 mile times (as opposed to 14.5 1/4 times for 94-95) worth the increased cost to mod the car and the increased difficulty in engine work? I know this is getting back to the huge question of which is better, 4.6L or 5.0L, but any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

-98gt5sp

Newer is better! Sure the parts are a bit more now but they are getting cheaper. Also, most of the older Cobras are high milage and used/abused. If you want the HP then you have to be willing to pay for it. You can make your 98 GT a monster if you pay the money. Look at Hammers car! Also, do a price comparison. If cost is your main objective then go with the best cost to HP ( cost of car divided by HP ) for you. But also look at the longevity of your car and the total dollars you need to spend to get to your goal.
The 96 - 98 cobra is a much better car just like a 99-02 cobra is better than that and the 03 Cobra kills them all! It all comes down to HOW MUCH MONEY YA GOT!!

The 95 Cobra is under-rated, it pushed about 260hp.....talk StopLightWarrior, he's got a 95 Cobra.

Go with the 94-95 cobra, change the computer and put in an agressive cam. Then throw in some gears and exhaust mods and you would be hauling @ss my friend.

My 5.0 has. Ported polished and milled stock heads........65mm TB....and an Explorer intake. Gears and exhaust and it is as fast as my 01 cobra.

JMO,