[surfbeast]

Unfortunately us 98 GT owners have a lot of work to do to get any real HP from our machines. First, if you go the cobra engine route you need the engine 3-4K, the cobra computer $ ? , other misc parts as always + more $$. The 4r70w tranny you have could handle the cobra motor for a while if you don't abuse it and if it bolts up. The 4r70w is actually a very good tranny. For 600 bucks you can convert it to a manual type auto with a art carr manual/auto valve body. The conversion to the manual is best but will run about 2K with a used swap kit from MPS. Then you have the supercharger route. First you need the unit 3K minimum, a upgraded chip and a few other goodies. Then you need to worry about blowing up the plastic intake so for 1500 bucks you can get the bullit intake, also you need to upgrade the pistons and go with the cobra crank or you will most likely blow up the motor with to much boost. They do make blower kits for the 98's but have heard they can cause problems down the road if you don't upgrade the internals. Last but not least you can get the FRP roots type blower for about 2500 bucks. No need to replace intake cause it is the intake, it produces about 70 extra HP. Then there is always N2O. a good 75 shot now and then will not kill your motor and if the plastic intake goes they are only about 250 bucks. There are many options as you can see and all cost alot of bucks. If I were you keep saving your money and trade the 98 and about 5 - 7K cash for a nice used 98 Cobra or 99+ GT, you may still have money left over for the extreamly high insurance you will have to pay once you move away from MOM and DAD.