difference between Cobras: 96/97 vs. 98 vs. 99/01 - Northern California Ford Owners

This is topic difference between Cobras: 96/97 vs. 98 vs. 99/01 in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=022401

Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 2222) on :

I read the previous post about the differences between the 98's and 99's, but what about the 96-97 cobras? What would be the "best" year to build on? I personally like the pre-99 body style, but what setup is best?

Posted by LS1EATR (Member # 2702) on :

98 cobra best year [patriot]

Posted by Apexmotorsports (Member # 5307) on :

The nice thing about the 98 and below Cobras is they were all solid-axle suspensions. The solid-axle design is better than the IRS on the later Cobras. If you like the 5.0L engines you can get a nice 94-95 pretty cheap OR you can get a nice 4.6 98 for a pretty good price also.

Mike Mak
Apex Motorsports
ApexMotorsports.com
2555 Lafayette Blvd. Suite #122
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 408/588-0075 Fax: 408/588-0089

Griggs Racing, Maximum Motorsports, Evolution Motosports, SCT, Racelogic, H&R, Ford racing, Kenne Bell, MAC, Bassani, Vortech, Koni, Hawk, AFR, Tokico, Baer Racing, Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Diablosport, $3 Nitrous Refills

Posted by 03SVTPower (Member # 518) on :

i know 96/97's are known for cooling problems.

Posted by Mach0ne351 (Member # 927) on :

99+ cobra [Smile]

but i am on the look out for a 97 white cobra coupe [Smile]

make that puppy a track whore!

marek

Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 2222) on :

so, when comparing a 98 to a 99, the axles are bettre in the 98, but the 99 has more hp, right? WHat makes that additional 15hp in the 99? Also, are the 99's the same motor as the 03-04 mach 1's?
Thanks

Posted by sharkattack (Member # 645) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SydeWayzSix:
so, when comparing a 98 to a 99, the axles are bettre in the 98, but the 99 has more hp, right? WHat makes that additional 15hp in the 99? Also, are the 99's the same motor as the 03-04 mach 1's?
Thanks

The 99's were advertized with more power but had a recall because they didn't make the advertised power. The wheels on the 99's looked plain IMO not only that but the 99's also had no real cosmetic differences than the GT. Yeah ok, they had and SVT badge on the rear and a snake on both front fenders. Other than that they still said Mustang on the rear bumper like all non cobras. Oh they also had the round fog lights.

The 96-98's though had the best body style. I think the 98's came with the best wheels. Loved the fake scoops on the hood as well ast the COBRA letters on the rear bumper.

Now pound for pound I think the 96-98 was better than the 99's. . . With that said. . . 03/04 Cobra owns all in both performance and looks [worship]

IMHO

[ September 15, 2005, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: sharkattack ]

Posted by sharkattack (Member # 645) on :

double post

[ September 15, 2005, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: sharkattack ]

Posted by Mach0ne351 (Member # 927) on :

better heads and intake manifold on the 99/01 cobra. that's what gave the extra HP. also, the 99/01 cobra gains more power when ported heads, intake and cams are installed, compared to a 96-98 cobra with the same work.

the 03/04 mach1s have ALSO the same motor, BUT with 03/04 cobra heads (great heads), high compression (99/01cobra 9.85:1, 03/04 mach1 10.1:1), and different intake cams (navigator intake cams). the mach1 has more low end power then the 99/01 cobra, and has higher torque #s to the ground usually then the 99/01's. the 99/01 cobra does however have a better highend power range then the mach1s. it really all depends on what you want, and what you want your car to do at the track. just to let you know, ive yet to lose to a 96-98 cobra at the 1/4 with the same or a little bit more mods then my 01 cobra with the IRS, and im not a drag racer..i pretty much only autox and open track...it would be cheaper to buy a 96-98 cobra though, and it's lighter i think then a 99+ cobra.

marek

Posted by stockishlx (Member # 5804) on :

my body style cobras just OWN (cept 03-04s) [Razz]

Posted by sharkattack (Member # 645) on :

quote:
Originally posted by stockishlx:
my body style cobras just OWN (cept 03-04s)

I think if you swapped the wing out for an S281 you would even own on 03/04's. Great wheel choice [burnout]

Posted by Mach0ne351 (Member # 927) on :

quote:
Originally posted by stockishlx:
my body style cobras just OWN (cept 03-04s)

that's hot! i want a 97 cobra with the same rims and same color sooo bad!! then add a 95 cobra R hood, and track that puppy out! but, the 99+ bodystyle is teh win [Smile]

marek

Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mach0ne351:
better heads and intake manifold on the 99/01 cobra. that's what gave the extra HP. also, the 99/01 cobra gains more power when ported heads, intake and cams are installed, compared to a 96-98 cobra with the same work.

the 03/04 mach1s have ALSO the same motor, BUT with 03/04 cobra heads (great heads), high compression (99/01cobra 9.85:1, 03/04 mach1 10.1:1), and different intake cams (navigator intake cams). the mach1 has more low end power then the 99/01 cobra, and has higher torque #s to the ground usually then the 99/01's. the 99/01 cobra does however have a better highend power range then the mach1s. it really all depends on what you want, and what you want your car to do at the track. just to let you know, ive yet to lose to a 96-98 cobra at the 1/4 with the same or a little bit more mods then my 01 cobra with the IRS, and im not a drag racer..i pretty much only autox and open track...it would be cheaper to buy a 96-98 cobra though, and it's lighter i think then a 99+ cobra.

marek

you write all that great info, and then forget to add that the mach1 has the badass shaker [Smile]

Posted by 02GeeTee (Member # 5905) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 94gt:

quote:
Originally posted by Mach0ne351:
better heads and intake manifold on the 99/01 cobra. that's what gave the extra HP. also, the 99/01 cobra gains more power when ported heads, intake and cams are installed, compared to a 96-98 cobra with the same work.

the 03/04 mach1s have ALSO the same motor, BUT with 03/04 cobra heads (great heads), high compression (99/01cobra 9.85:1, 03/04 mach1 10.1:1), and different intake cams (navigator intake cams). the mach1 has more low end power then the 99/01 cobra, and has higher torque #s to the ground usually then the 99/01's. the 99/01 cobra does however have a better highend power range then the mach1s. it really all depends on what you want, and what you want your car to do at the track. just to let you know, ive yet to lose to a 96-98 cobra at the 1/4 with the same or a little bit more mods then my 01 cobra with the IRS, and im not a drag racer..i pretty much only autox and open track...it would be cheaper to buy a 96-98 cobra though, and it's lighter i think then a 99+ cobra.

marek
you write all that great info, and then forget to add that the mach1 has the badass shaker

You also forget, that shaker's can be added to any New Edge. [Razz]

Posted by Cobra5.0Jeep (Member # 1482) on :

quote:
Originally posted by LS1EATR:
98 cobra best year

Fueled by Ford Mustang Owners
on CaliforniaFords.com