I have a 2006 Mustang GT and I love it. However, I cream at the sight of a Cobra, SVT, or Saleen mustang that sounds like the devil coming down the road. So my question is this.....What are the differences between Cobras and regular GT's aside from the obvious supercharger, turbo, whatever.
the basics: all cobras come with the best of interior and exterior equipment for the year of the car unless otherwise specified, and they are always stick shifts
96-98 cobras recieved *awesome* aluminum engine blocks, dual over head cam cyliner heads, and a solid axle
99, 01 cobras recieved the first forms of the IRS (01 is slightly better) and a few other changes Cobra-specific seats with a combination of leather and suede-like microfiber inserts - 1999 Cobras had normal Mustang seats. A rear bumper that reads "COBRA", instead of "MUSTANG", as the 1999 Cobra had. A rear badge on the trunklid was changed to say "SVT" instead of "SVT Cobra" as the 1999 Cobra had. The option to order polished wheels from the factory. The T-45 transmission in the 1999 model was replaced by the 3650 in the 2001 model. The IRS halfshafts were changed from 28 spline in 1999 to 31 spline in 2001. The spoiler was redesigned. The emergency brake was fitted with a 'boot' of leather to cover the hole in the console where it protrudes. The headlights were changed to a tinted design. The color of the odometer digits was slightly changed, and the color of the instrument cluster lighting was slightly changed as well. ^^ from wikipedia
2002 took a break and all cobras went to austrailia where they recieved 2 extra fog lights in the front bumper
2003-2004 - this is the first year of forced induction, with a supercharger (by eaton), the block went back to iron (disputes between durability and cost wage) and it recieved completly forged internals (previous years recieved just a forged crank,gt's had a nodular iron crank).
93, 95 and 2000 cobras are articles in themselves...theres plenty more indepth info out on the web...but thats the basics
with the excepttion that it has the same displacement size the motor is actully completly diffrent from a gt. Ive also noticed that it seems to be a common misconception that ALL cobras have a supercharger. This is not the case only the 03 and 04 came with them. The other big thing no one has mension is the suspension upgrades over the GT. its also the little things. the white faced gauges diffrent hoods and oh i almost forgot the 4 piston 13 in(??) front breaks.
Well, everyone pretty much covered the physical differences between the two. Here are few other facts, The Cobra's are limited edition and numbered, some years are more rare than others because of production numbers/colors in any given year. They have thier own VIN# and are considered a stand alone model by DMV's and Insurance co. not just a package option. The engine from 96-04 is handbuilt and signed by the builders, not sure about other model years. Oh and just a little side note, there is usually a no holds barred Cobra R version built for each model redesign. The 2000 Cobra R being my dream car. 5.4 liter Supercharged. even bigger brakes. Mean as Hell. Oh by the way Does anyone no if that R engine would fit in the standard cobra? I've heard of Cobra owners doing the R brake sawp. But I have yet to see the engine swap. Just wondering.
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Joined: 1/30/2006 From: Milwaukee, WI Status: offline
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ORIGINAL: CobraDriv3r
Well, everyone pretty much covered the physical differences between the two. Here are few other facts, The Cobra's are limited edition and numbered, some years are more rare than others because of production numbers/colors in any given year. They have thier own VIN# and are considered a stand alone model by DMV's and Insurance co. not just a package option. The engine from 96-04 is handbuilt and signed by the builders, not sure about other model years. Oh and just a little side note, there is usually a no holds barred Cobra R version built for each model redesign. The 2000 Cobra R being my dream car. 5.4 liter Supercharged. even bigger brakes. Mean as Hell. Oh by the way Does anyone no if that R engine would fit in the standard cobra? I've heard of Cobra owners doing the R brake sawp. But I have yet to see the engine swap. Just wondering.
There are also 5.0 cobras in '93-'95, but they pale into comparison to the 4.6's performance. Also a '95 cobra r with a 351w. 5.0 Cobras were more limited production than the 4.6's though.
1994 Ford Mustang Cobra 1994 Mustang Cobra The Cobra has always been the most powerful, and most expensive Mustang, and the 1994 model year was no different. The Cobra sported a 5.0 liter V8 engine with 240 horsepower. The Cobra was honored for 1994 when the convertible was chosen as the Indy 500 pace car. As a result, all the Cobra convertibles for 1994 were Indy 500 Pace Car editions. The Cobra coupes were available in white, black, or red. All Cobras sported a spoiler that was different than other Mustang models. One big difference was that the spoiler included a built in LED brake light.
At the higher end of the Mustang lineup, the Cobra cost $21,300 for the coupe and $25,605 for the convertible.
1995 Ford Mustang Cobra 1995 Mustang Cobra The Cobra always costs more than the other models because of its extra power and special design features. Base prices for the coupe and convertible in 1995 were $21,300 and $25,605 respectively.
1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R The Cobra R also made another appearance in 1995 after being successful in 1993. It was a limited edition model with only 250 being produced. The engine was larger in 1995 than in 1993. The new Cobra R produced an outstanding 300 horsepower with a 5.8 liter engine. The 1995 Cobra R's engine was not the only change from the 1993 version. The super sized engine required a taller hood and ducts replaced the large 20 gallon fuel cell. A was included as well as a strut tower brace that provided more support for the body of the vehicle. Also, wider stabilizer bars and rigid progressive rate springs were included. The Cobra R was only available in white with a Tremec 5 speed manual transmission.
1996 Ford Mustang Cobra 1996 Mustang Cobra The Cobra was the highlight of the 1996 model year as the most visible changes were made to it than either the base or GT models. Though the vehicle looked much like the base and GT model at first glace, the Cobra had a much more aggressive styling that made it look more like a muscle car than either of the other models, which seemed appropriate enough. Great features that were added included a sportier front bumper, round fog lights, and the removal of tag identification, which were traded in for side snake badges to symbolize the Cobra. The rear bumper of the Cobra was also changed so that it read Cobra instead of Mustang, which made the vehicle more upscale than before and gave it its very own identification. In addition to the bumpers, the hood of Cobra was also upgraded so that it hade a raised hood to help clear the intake with side vents. This feature also added to the sporty, aggressive look and feel of the Cobra. Ford also changed the rims that had been used for the previous two years so that they were now dark gray in the recessed areas and polished on the raised surfaces of the rims.
Not only were the cosmetics of the Cobra updated for the 1996 model, so too were some of the fundamental features of the car. The brakes were upgraded from the typical 11-inch front and 10 inch rear brakes to 13 inches in the front and 11 inches in the rear. The front calipers were also an upgrade to a dual piston instead of the single piston that both the GT and the base models used. After all of the changes and upgrades, the performance of the Cobra was awesome as well. The 305 horsepower and 315 torque coupled with a T-45 transmission could move the Cobra on the track as well as on highways. The Cobra had enough power and torque to do it all, no matter where its owner went.
1997 Ford Mustang Cobra 1997 Mustang Cobra Because the Cobra saw major changes in 1996, no changes were made for the 1997 model year, and the car was still considered at the top of its performance game. The new aggressive styling was a big hit in 1996 and was kept for the 1997 model year. The Cobra was becoming more and more mainstream and the use of Cobra on the rear end of the vehicle and other unique items on the Cobra proved a useful marketing tool for the vehicle. The Cobra was still considered the highest performing Mustang, and for good reason. Providing a massive 305 horsepower, there wasn't an un-modified Mustang on the market that would come close to this muscle car. Only offered in a T-45 manual transmission, the car appealed to many race and muscle car lovers as well as your average Joe that wanted a car that offered space, comfort, and performance. For the first time in a long time people were really excited to see what a Mustang could do on the track, and the Cobra surprised many when it performed well on both the track and on the road. The 13-inch front and 11-inch back brakes that were upgraded in the 1996 model proved to be a grand upgrade for most drivers. Now, not only could the Cobra really take off, it could also stop on a dime. The distinct rims that were polished silver and gray were quite popular and looked great when the car was moving as well as when it was parked. Little features like the raised hood, the specialized rims, and the Cobra side plates, really distinguished the Cobra for the 1997 model year, though very few changes were made.
1998 Ford Mustang Cobra 1998 Mustang Cobra For 1998 the model year, the Cobra looked again a lot like the base and GT models. The features on the Cobra that make it stand out are items like a distinct front bumper, round fog lights, snake side badges, no tag identification location, and a raised hood that made room for the intake. Upgraded 13 inch front brakes and 11 inch back brakes gave the Cobra the ability to speed up and then slow down just as quickly. The extra braking power is important in a car with this much power. In 1998 special rims were put on the Cobra to help it stand out even more from the base and GT models. For 1998, the Cobra was able to produce 305 with a torque of 315. This is a very respectable amount of power for this gorgeous vehicle.
1999 Cobra 1999 Mustang Cobra With a completely new body style, the 1999 Cobra was amazing. A first for this vehicle was a completely independent rear suspension that improved handling of the SVT Cobra. Under the hood the Cobra boasted an aluminum 32 valve DOHX V8 engine. The Cobra has a price tag over $28,000 and is Mustang's most expensive model. Of course, this vehicle is supposed to appeal to those consumers who are in the market for the performance and style of a BMW or Porsche.
2000 Cobra "R" 2000 Mustang Cobra R While the ultra powerful Cobra took a year off due to problems in the '99 model, Mustang introduced the Cobra "R" to make up for its loss during the model year. The Cobra "R" was a limited edition Mustang that was really special in that it was a street legal race car. The engine was all about power and super muscle, which would be expected from a DOHC 5.4L V8 engine that produced a powerful 385 horsepower and 385 foot pounds of torque. The Tremec T-56 six speed transmission was perfect for this race car as it allowed all the power to be utilized and enjoyed. The power output of the Cobra "R" was powerful, so the handling was improved in order to match performance. A surprise to some people was that the Cobra "R" was not equipped with air conditioning, heat, rear seats, or even materials to reduce sound. This was all in an effort to reduce the race car's weight. The body of the Cobra "R" was unique as well because it had racing seats, functional rear wing, front air dam, and even a side exhaust. Only 300 of the Cobra "R" were produced, and the only color option was Red.
2001 Cobra 2001 Ford Mustang Cobra The powerful Cobra came from the factory in 2001 ready to race. The V8 engine with 320 horsepower and a 32 valve dual overhead cam made this vehicle strong and full of muscle. A five speed transmission is the only option in the Cobra, and it really helps drivers get the full power out of the vehicle.
< Message edited by mattmoto441 -- 11/5/2006 9:41:00 PM >
If you're interested in more general info on the 2003/2004 Cobra, visit my website. There is a fairly good FAQ page, and a few other pages of interest. http://stangshiftergaskets.com/
I know on my 97 they are twin piston 13inch brakes in front and 12 in rear i think. man let me tell ya that car stops.
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ORIGINAL: dmk13
with the excepttion that it has the same displacement size the motor is actully completly diffrent from a gt. Ive also noticed that it seems to be a common misconception that ALL cobras have a supercharger. This is not the case only the 03 and 04 came with them. The other big thing no one has mension is the suspension upgrades over the GT. its also the little things. the white faced gauges diffrent hoods and oh i almost forgot the 4 piston 13 in(??) front breaks.
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