what are the major differences? all i really know is the 94-05 has 240hp and the 96-98 has 305..but what else is different on these? and what makes them different from GT(i know the 4.6 is DOHC, and the 5.0 has GT40's and a different intake)? and finally,what would i be best off withafter headers, full exhaust, UD pullys and a CAI? just a good DD, not anything huge

better off with a 4.6 more reliable and easier to diagnose if you have a problem. plus the 96-98 cobras aree the best looking mustangs ever built

uh i love those cars but they are not the best lookin stangs ever built. that title goes to the 69 boss 429, then the 03/.04 cobra. but the 5.0 cobra is a good motor and real easy to work on being a pushrod and parts are cheap on it but the computers arent that good but oh well. the 4.6 cobras of that generation were wierd they had 305 hp but they were more like a vtec with all the poewr in the upper rpms. out of the two it depends on what u want, stock power go with the 4.6 but if u want modability then go with the 5.0.

the 5.0 cobras hp was underated with more like 275 hp. I believe the 5.0 is easier to work on just because i had 4 of them but i like my 4.6 very dependable and tough also!!! just what you want

ORIGINAL: ih8chevy

the 4.6 cobras of that generation were wierd they had 305 hp but they were more like a vtec with all the poewr in the upper rpms.


If you EVER compare my Cobra to a Honda AGAIN, I'm gonna jump through the internet and smack you!

As for the best loking stang...I dunno. I sure as hell like mine, but I didn't at first. It grew on me, and now I like it alot, but the 03/04 definitly wins.

The differences between the two engines I'm not really sure about. I also have a 90 Mark7. The pushrod 5.0 seems to be a little balsier down low, but would never stand a chance agains my cobra. (It weight in at over 4000 pounds). As for the VTEC issue, the 4.6 makes good power up to 3250 rpm and them loads of power above. The 96-98s have a runner that blocks the secondary intake valves up until 3250. This helps create more low end torque.

Parts ffor the 5.0 are much cheaper, simply because its older, has an established aftermarket (I guess the 4.6 does too), and is a pushrod. If you want to do cams on a 4.6 4v, you're looking at a ton of dough because you need 4 cmshafts. Also, from what I've read, the 4.6 is infinitly more complicated than the 5.0. However, get the 4.6 I love mine and it loves me back.

Matt

Ehhh... dont diss the Vtec, its a GREAT engine design, and if tuned/turboed properly its a cobra killer.
One of the very few 4-bangers I enjoy working on/seeing modded.

As for the 4.6 - 5.0 question.

The main difference is this. 1 cam < 4 cams. 24 valves < 32 valves. The greater always being the 4.6.

The 4.6 has alot more moving parts, and a heftier price tag on them to boot.
5.0's are piss cheap. If you look in any parts magazine youll see 4.6 cobra parts are way overpriced compared to 5.0 parts.

As far as whats the better platform, alot of people use both, so I suppose its really all on preferance.

Something to keep in mind though. The 4.6's horsepower rating is more than its cubic measurements. And if you know anything about engines, you know that isnt too common to find for a factory bone stock V8. (unless we're talking upper end sports cars)
So you know it comes a little beefed already.

Alot of people fuss and whine about the liter lossage. First of all it doesnt mean jack squat. If ferraris can use 3 liter v8's then our 4.6's are fine. Secondly you can always bore your 4.6 block out if need be. (I did that to mine)

You might also like to know that this american lemans racer uses the same ford 4.6 vin-v..

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4876/panozgt1ht2.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8039/panozgtr800ym6.jpg

and yes I know its ugly.

And if your wondering its the Panoz Esperante GTR-1

i wasnt comparing ur pos to a honda, ur pos wouldnt even compare to a honda asshole. and this just goes to show how much you know about honda. ur car would probably get beat by some simple little honda hatchbacks. ORIGINAL: uofipilot

ORIGINAL: ih8chevy

the 4.6 cobras of that generation were wierd they had 305 hp but they were more like a vtec with all the poewr in the upper rpms.


If you EVER compare my Cobra to a Honda AGAIN, I'm gonna jump through the internet and smack you!

As for the best loking stang...I dunno. I sure as hell like mine, but I didn't at first. It grew on me, and now I like it alot, but the 03/04 definitly wins.

The differences between the two engines I'm not really sure about. I also have a 90 Mark7. The pushrod 5.0 seems to be a little balsier down low, but would never stand a chance agains my cobra. (It weight in at over 4000 pounds). As for the VTEC issue, the 4.6 makes good power up to 3250 rpm and them loads of power above. The 96-98s have a runner that blocks the secondary intake valves up until 3250. This helps create more low end torque.

Parts ffor the 5.0 are much cheaper, simply because its older, has an established aftermarket (I guess the 4.6 does too), and is a pushrod. If you want to do cams on a 4.6 4v, you're looking at a ton of dough because you need 4 cmshafts. Also, from what I've read, the 4.6 is infinitly more complicated than the 5.0. However, get the 4.6 I love mine and it loves me back.

Matt

u mean 16 valvesORIGINAL: italia10588

Ehhh... dont diss the Vtec, its a GREAT engine design, and if tuned/turboed properly its a cobra killer.
One of the very few 4-bangers I enjoy working on/seeing modded.

As for the 4.6 - 5.0 question.

The main difference is this. 1 cam < 4 cams. 24 valves < 32 valves. The greater always being the 4.6.

The 4.6 has alot more moving parts, and a heftier price tag on them to boot.
5.0's are piss cheap. If you look in any parts magazine youll see 4.6 cobra parts are way overpriced compared to 5.0 parts.

As far as whats the better platform, alot of people use both, so I suppose its really all on preferance.

Something to keep in mind though. The 4.6's horsepower rating is more than its cubic measurements. And if you know anything about engines, you know that isnt too common to find for a factory bone stock V8. (unless we're talking upper end sports cars)
So you know it comes a little beefed already.

Alot of people fuss and whine about the liter lossage. First of all it doesnt mean jack squat. If ferraris can use 3 liter v8's then our 4.6's are fine. Secondly you can always bore your 4.6 block out if need be. (I did that to mine)

You might also like to know that this american lemans racer uses the same ford 4.6 vin-v..

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4876/panozgt1ht2.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8039/panozgtr800ym6.jpg

and yes I know its ugly.

And if your wondering its the Panoz Esperante GTR-1

ANNNNNNDDD the thread takes a turn downhill:eek:

ORIGINAL: ih8chevy

i wasnt comparing ur pos to a honda, ur pos wouldnt even compare to a honda asshole. and this just goes to show how much you know about honda. ur car would probably get beat by some simple little honda hatchbacks.



WOHA there champ. Take the tampon out of your ass and learn how to take a joke.

You clearly compared 96-98s to hondas (read: the 4.6 cobras of that generation were wierd they had 305 hp but they were more like a vtec). I wasnt bothered by that at all. Someone clearly can't take a joke. And yes, my "pos" would get beat by some simple honda hatchbacks. You can make anything fast. But at the end of the day, I still have a cobra, not a ricer piece of crap that sounds like a pissed off weed-eater.[:'(]
And where did I ANYWHERE claim to know ANYTHING about hondas? You're an idiot.

And one more question....Why do you have

Virtually
Torquless
Economy
Car

in your signature? You seem to have some deep love for Hondas.

ok, back on topic...it looks like the 4.6 would be the better choice for me. what should i look for when i buy one? any major problems?

esh.. :eek:

sounds like a pissed off weed-eater.

rofl that was great, I'm still dying hahahah


Things you should look for.. lets see.. defenitely noises, because theres so many moving parts things can break easily (not saying the engine is weak, just common sense), and when one thing breaks they all do, or so it seems. So listen for clunks, slaps, ticks, squeaks etc etc. Anything that doesnt sound normal. Make sure you rev the car to 5k, because some noises dont come out until you do, and make sure its warmed up some also.

Other things you should look for is whats coming out the back of the pipes:

White steamy smoke - headgasket (unless its cold of course)

blueish smoke - burned oil/sludge

grey smoke - dont even consider buying it

Check the dipstick, of course, before you do anything. Thats a rule of thumb but you'd be suprised at how many people get so caught up in buying the car that they forget. Also check your pullies and belts to make sure theres no abnormal squeaking.

Theres probably a handful of things you should check out transmission wise, seeing as a couple people have said the t-45 isnt the greatest thing out there, but I'm not all that familliar with transmission things myself so I hope someone can pick up where I'm leaving off.

Sorry for that thread-crapping earlier. Some poeple just piss me off.

Anyway, like Itallia said, just make sure there isn't anything obviously wrong. When I went to look at the 97 I bought, the best advice I got was beat the piss out of it on the "test drive." That way, you know everyhting is working.
-Check for oil in the coolant resevouir. Oil there typically means a blown head gasket.
-Check the tires for even wear.
-If you care if the care was beaten on (most cobras are...that's what they're made for) check to see what the clutch pedal looks like. If its all worn down around the edges, that probably means its taken some abuse.
- Also, the t45 trans is notoriously crappy, so make sure you shift through all the gears, look for smooth shifts, noises from the trans, etc.
-Check to see how much brake life is left, check the exhaust to make sure its not rusted out.
-Check the obvious things too. Cd player, tape plyer, blinkers, wipers, all that good stuff.

And most importantly.....TAKE A HANDHELD SCANNER TO PULL CODES!!! If you dont have one, borrow one. I didnt even think about that. There was no CEL when I was looking at the car (battery was simply disconnected for a min or two), but then half way home it came on.......I was so effing pissed. It was just a problem with the EVAP system that I still havent fixed, but it could have been something more serious. If I think of anythingelse, I'll let you know.

Also, get black. It's the fastest color for the 96-98 Cobras. [8D]

Matt

really? is it because black is sleeker, allowing more areodynamics?:D.

Theres a local one thats the dark red, and what looks like black interior. what are the chances of a dealer putting it up on a lift so i can look underneath? or am i stuck crawlin under? oh, heres the link.....nevermind. it sold, there goes that one[&:]. but im trying to find one with under 75k, what should i expect to pay?

I bought mine (97) for 9200 with 67k. However, it needed 4 tires immediatly (600) and needed a new clutch really soon (350). So I paid a little over 10 grand. There are definatly some that are cheaper, but they might be in worse shape. I think somewhere between 8500 and 10500 depending on condition, miles, mods, etc.

As far as the lift thing, I don't know. If you buy from a dealer, I dont see why they wouldnt, but I would highly suggest looking for a private party. That way, you get a better price and can see who really owned it before you (not some "old lady that only drove it to church on Sunday crap that the dealer will feed you).

I know how much BS dealers will feed anyone....lucky me, after helping people buy 4 cars, i know how to pretty much deal with them.

oh, what octane do the 4v's need? 87 or 90+?

91 or higher. In IL, premium is 93 and midgrade is 89 and regular is 87. So, I use premium. The car, gas and insurance are worth every penny though.

Keep an eye on the oil pressure, keep music off on test drive so you can pick up on every noise, mine had 99k with y2k chrome 18's, msd coil packs and i gave 8k for it, it was also black and i could really feel that in 3rd gear! Oh and one more thing the 4.6 is far superior and not that expensive to mod just shop around

ORIGINAL: David_K

better off with a 4.6 more reliable and easier to diagnose if you have a problem. plus the 96-98 cobras aree the best looking mustangs ever built


Lol I SOOO disagree with the statement about more reliable. Easier to diagnose only because of OBDII but its still not hard to diagnose a 5.0 Anyways about the reliability thats the most BS ever. The 5.0 engine is one of the sturdiest engines I have yet to see. Go to the 5.0 section and you will see people with 150k+ miles and full head cam intake. My 5.0 had the stuff listed at the bottom in the sig with 174k miles and still chirped second with no problem. There was barely any and I mean BARELY any oil consumption whatso ever. It was a complete beast. Still ran like it was brand new. As for the 4.6 I doubt the car would make it with a fully ported head and intake along with a blower without blowing up the engine at 150k+ miles. Dont get me wrong it is a strong engine and I love taking my cobra to the track but the 5.0 is def. worth every penny.

I was always a huge fan of the 5.0's, let's face it they're just plain bad ass. I had a '90 "saleen"supercharged, mashed the living crap out of it and the car gave me not one problem. I think that is highly reputible. I now, however own a 99 cobie (4.6) and am quite pleased with it for what I've done so far. My 50 would've dirted it obviously but the 4.6 from what I can see is a great engine, and trust me I was skepticle when they were coming out. Bottom line, you'll be fine and happy with it as long as you properly maintain and support power.

its just the pushrod motors are such old technology. go with the 4v.

hey now, my other cars a pushrod engine;). A big engine, but withpushrods none the less.But it looks like im going after a 4.6, just need a little more money so i can get a nice one with semi-low mileage. all cobras are stick, right?

yep. All sn-95 cobras are 5 speed manual.

just cause its pushrod doesnt mean anything bad. Its not like you cannot get 500 hp out of it lol.

dude ur a very smart guy when it comes to the mod motors, but u can say that the ls1 is just a pushrod motor, but the 4v's cant beat em. so.ORIGINAL: David_K

its just the pushrod motors are such old technology. go with the 4v.

all i said was that pushrod is "old" technology. if you think about it DOHC is "old" as well, in 1967 ferrari had DOHC v12 motors maybe even before 67. I just love the engineering thats in the modular motors.