99/01 cobra axle
 

Can the axle in the 1999/2001 cobra handle a supercharger, or would the axle have to be replaced?
I want a cobra, just don't know which year, and new would be nice, cause' you never know how a used car was treated, but it would be a pita to have to replace the axle to handle
450+ horsepower. So, its either a 98' or 01'
for me. Also, does anyone know how ford squeezed a few extra hp out of the 01 as opposed to the 1998 model? Just simple exhaust and intake?
thanks in advance

Whether the IRS half-shafts would stand up to a supercharger depends on how you plan on driving the car. If you put on some slicks and dump the clutch off the line at redline, you will definitely break them. If you just plan on running street tires, they would probably survive.
I believe there is a company that makes beefier half-shafts, but I can't recall who.