I understand it will cost some $ to do it, but is it worth it? I mean I want to do mods but I don't know if it is just should wait until the 03-04 cobras go down in price. Also, if I did decide to sc my car, would I have to forge my internals?

 

heck yeah its worth it...SC is the best bang for your buck.

the stock bottom end of the GT can handle about 400 rwhp safely without having to do forged internals.

 

It depends on how emotionally attatched you are to your GT. Obviously, you also have to ask yourself will you be happy with "only" ~400hp.

On the opposite side of that, the cobras are an Icon. To me, they are the ultimate mustangs (any year cobra, not just the 03-04's). They cost a little more, but also have more potential straight out of the box(espcially the terminators).

Then there is the financial side of things you have to consider. Is your car paid off? How would you pay for the supercharger upgrade on your GT? ETC. ETC. This would be how I made my decision, whatever makes the most financial sense. All the supporting mods you may need (like forged internals, as you mentioned) to supercharge your GT may justify stepping up to a 03-04 cobra. My suggestion would be talk to a reputable speed shop about your needs/situation and see where to go from there.

The only wrong choice is one that would put you in a tough spot financially. Both a 400RWHP GT or a relativley stock terminator are gonna be awesome rides.

Good luck, and keep us updated on what you decide to do.

 

Personally, if I had the funds that is, I'd buy a 03-04 Cobra and do about 2k worth of mods. That year can easily get to 500hp without much extra money into it. If you want to be in the 500+ range, it's more feisable to buy a terminator and mod it, but keep all the original parts, keep the car and the original parts for 10 years and you could probably get your money back.

 

I say S/C the GT! If you look around, you can get an S/C and all the necessary parts fairly cheap. I'm over 400 RWHP, and have stock internals. I think that the max the motor can take stock is about 425 RWHP.

 

yeah you can go over 400rwhp but 400 leaves a good safty net.

its not like there is an exact number that every gt will take.. some cars may be freaks and take 500hp perfectly well and some will snap a rod low 400's

but atleast if you keep it around 400rwhp you won't have to question if your car can take it or not.

 

One rule of thumb when playing with forced induction.. if and when something does happen, be prepared to fix it........... gotta pay to play.

 

Don't mean to hijack this thread - but I've seen the recent Cobra's referred to as the "Terminators" before - is that for all Cobra's built in '03-'04 or what....thanks

 

"The Terminator" was the "nick name" of the car that became the 03 Cobra when it was in prototype stage. It is like the "nickname" of the 700 hp Corvette that Chevy is testing right now is the "Blue Devil".

 

You should be able to find a "used" Vortech kit for around $2000.00, a Ford GT pump for $90.00 a 90mm LMAF for $90.00, NGK BR7EF plugs $25.00, a Xcalibrator 2 (Bama Chips) $400.00 and a Dynojet wideband commander gauge(for safety) $475.00. So for around $3000.00 you can have from 350-400 rwhp in a 99-04 GT (according to your exhaust mods).

I put down 381.4 rwhp with mine and I ran a 12.9x@110 letting off at 1100'(bad fuel pump causing detonation). with a full run I think I can run 12.50 or better and still get 26 mpg on the highway.

 

Wow, I didn't know all that. Thanks.

 

2003 Mustang GT, Vortech SQ here. With a bad crappy tune and only 5.5 LBS boost, I'm so under the 400HP threshhold, but can still pull off a 13.46 at 105 in the quarter. It's not huge, but it's what I want.

Now, when the time comes and my bottom end is ready.... (they all get there) I go forth and forge the sucker. THEN... I crank the boost and let her run like a rabid hooker!

What you do today can give you some fun, but make sure it's something that lines up with the bigger picture.... tomorrow!

 

Where did you have your supercharger installed? Do you recomend them?

 

I had mine installed at Ramseys Performance in Tampa.
For the pricetag of about $600.00 it was worth not getting dirty.

But I've heard GREAT things about Modular Power House in GA. They could have got me another 80 HP to the wheels.

To properly install a Centrifugal Blower, the IAT sensor (located in the stock Mass Air Flow Sensor) needs to be relocated to a point after the blower. It should not reside in the MAF. This is where MPH will set it up right, as opposed to the Vortech plug and play setup, which leaves plenty of HP behind.

I would recommend a weeks vacation and a drive to MPH in GA.
I'd also recommend getting the aftercooler if you can. That way you can still build boost in the hot weather.