a little SVT history, please......

[jherbie]

although I'm pretty well versed in the general specs for some of their stuff, I was wondering if anyone can answer some questions I have. I really wanna get the '05 GT, it turns me crank big time, but a new car for me is not happenin' anytime soon, so I thought I might pick up a used Cobra. I'm leaning in the direction of the 93-98s, but haven't ruled out anything else. So any info would be appreciated......here goes.....

When did the Cobra make the switch to the 4.6 mod? Is there much difference in power/handling between the it and the 5.0?

When the the Cobra get IRS? I was thinkin' it was late '90s, but don't know for sure......

Of the 93-98s, any standouts (model-year wise) that I should be aware of? I know there were Mystics, R-models, etc., but mainly I'm looking for info on one of those specific years being a particularly good year for them, and why.......

Any general HP info out there? I know that at one time, Ford rated the Cobra @ 320hp, then RE-rated it lower, but can't remember when that was.

One last thing, and I'll leave everyone alone for a while. Any maintenance issues I should look for, specifically? Average clutch life? Brake life? I'm sure I'll look into the maintenance/care history of any car I might get, but anything that you might know about that seems failure prone on these cars would help. Someone mentioned to me that the 93-94s were prone to overheating. Any info on that subject, or other rumours like that would be appreciated.........

Anyway, thanks in advance for your help, I'll keep ya posted on developments as they happen............

[MRigney]

The cobra made the switch to 4.6 in 1996. The 4.6 has much more power at 305 horses. The handling is the probably the same between 94-95 and 96-98 cobras since they are pretty much the same car with different engines.

The IRS came in 99 and 01-04. No cobra in 2000

I owned a 97 cobra for about two years and I had no problems except changing the oil and getting new tires. I only drove it for about 22,000 miles. I was very pleased with the power and handling.

If you can I would get a 96-98 cobra instead of a 94-95 just for the power reasons alone.

With the 94-95 you only have 240hp and the 96-98 have 305hp.

Some people have said the trannys in 96-98 cobras are week ,but those people are the ones slamming gears and beating the hell out of the car.

The clutch in any mustang should last awhile if you take care of the car. I have owned 5 mustangs and only had to replace one clutch in my old 1990 GT that had 110K miles on it. It was the car I got in highschool so of course I would have to replace it because I beat the hell out of that car.

Ford rated the 99-01 cobras with 320hp.

[squeeeg]

I woiuldn't recomend a 93 cobra. They aren't that much better the the 93 GT's so it is prob cheeper to build your own. In 98 they added the DOHC which i hear is a jump over the 97's but i don't know for sure. I have heard bad thing about the 99 or 01(can't remember which)being underpowered you can always get the 03 which is just awesome.

[shibby]

From 96 and up the Cobra has always been a DOHC and there was no difference between 97 and 98. Both Rigney and I own 01 Cobra's and have no complaints. The 99's initially had problems being underpowered but a recall was sent out for all of them to be brought back to the dealer for a couple of modifications which fixed the problem.

[squeeeg]

It prob was the 99 cobra that i was thinking of. I swear that there was an engine difference betweent the 97 and 98 cobras but i might be wrong

[MRigney]

no not any difference. The only thing that really change from 97 to 98 was the wheels and the center clock pod on the dash. They took it out for 98.

[squeeeg]

Hmmm I wonder who lied to me. I gotta remember so i can go yell at them.

[jherbie]

thanks for the info, people, the search continues.........