How come they dont make a 96-98 cobra manifold you can buy as aftermarket???

[Hammer]

Like Hammer probably realized, there is a point where you pretty much have to go all out.

That's no joke. If I posted the amount of headaches getting to where I am now would fill up about 10 pages.
In most respects, the best possible routes for 96-98 GTs is to either:

1. Go with a roots type blower, which replaces the intake...
(Bolt it up to a stock setup and go)

2. An N/A setup with 99+ PI heads and a bullit intake

3. The expensive but most flexible route. Motorsport heads and Motorsport intake. Compression is good for blown applications and the engine breathes NICELY.