Ok everyone I need your help. I'm 19 and about to start my dream build. I want to go with a cobra. 2000-2004. That's the first thing I need help with, deciding the year. It's gonna sound like a crazy pipe dream but my end goal with this cobra is to top 1000 rear wheel horsepower. Yes I know that is a lot, but the method behind the madness is a friendly competition with one of my best friends in the marines. Sadly I'm out on a medical discharge but he gets home in July 2014 and I'm hoping to have my build well under way by then. If anybody would be willing to help me I would greatly appreciate any and all input. I would like to keep the stock engine block (matching numbers will look much better in shows) but I'm not completely opposed to new motors as long as its a ford motor (I know that sounds redundant, but I've had people recommend a cummins turbo diesel). I haven't decided whether I want to go supercharged or turbo, I've even been considering going with the classic muscle look of a blower. I thank anyone who takes the time to read this and any ideas that could help!!!

 

03/04 have the strongest block if I'm thinking correct.

Twin turbo with an upgraded supercharger!

 

Well I will give you a quick rundown of the years.

2000 is an ultra rare year and very expensive (less than 500 made I think)

2001 has 320HP but isn't as strong internally as the 03-04 Cobras

2002 No Cobras were produced in the U.S. this model year

2003-04 are mechanically identical, they have the most mod potential for a couple reasons. For one they made significantly more power than the 2001 model and are better built to handle the power. They also have forged internals and tend to be very strong motors I know of people with 700+ HP on the stock block, not sure about 1000 though. It may be easier/cheaper in the long run to do this projet with a 2007 GT500.

good luck either way

 

Id say either a 99 cobra or 03-04. Some 99's come with the aluminum teskid block and its light and very strong. 03-04 are factory SC but to hit your goal your gonna need to upgrade the blower anyway.

With your goal and what you want, Id almost find yourself a roller and build a motor for it. Teskid block, forged internals, power adder, blah blah blah.

 

This is a HUGE project!

The motor and tranny alone are gonna be $$$

Then there's all the supporting mods to the suspension and chassis stiffening. Then tires and wheels. Brakes to stop the beast.

 

that much horsepower is a lofty achievement, especially if you want to use it more than once. But it can be done.

Do a search for 03/04 Cobra's with 1000hp. That's gonna be the one you want to base your project on. As Gary said, you'll have to update a good number of things for it to be somewhat reliable, but it's one of the cheaper ways you can get 1000hp in a project cars. Also, you'll probably have to go turbos, I'm not sure I've seen a 1000hp supercharger setup.

 

03/04 cobra is definitely the car you want to start with but 1000 hp is a huge goal. I don't want to discourage you or anything but I just want to be sure you've really thought about all the things a power level like that involves. Not only are you going to need a very well built high performance motor and very strong transmission but practically every part of the drivetrain and suspension is going to need to be upgraded to reliably make that power and put it to the ground.

I know the supercharger is the more 'correct' form of forced induction, especially for a terminator, but I'd honestly recommend a turbo, or two for that sort of power goal.

However what I'd really recommend first is to start with a lesser goal like say 500hp and then build it up as you see fit from there. A 500hp cobra is a fast fast car. 1000hp is verging on crazy for street use imo.

 

Thank you everyone for your comments I check this every day and read the new ones. I know 1000 is a lot and will be a lot to handle, I've been giving this some serious thought. I think I could settle for 700-800 but I would like to top 1000. At the very least I want to build something that could leave my dads 07 Shelby cobra gt500 in the dust and not think twice about it.

 

Is that even possible?

 

Oh absolutely

Turbos feed the supercharger

Basically your looking at a Hennesy or the like Ford GT. That'll get you your 1000 hp.

You could probably find a used one for $250k

 

A used what for 250k?

 

Sure is

http://www.hellionpowersystems.com/i...article&id=141

 

Wow that's actually not a bad price at all. If only I could find an 03 cobra for under 16

 

Get a copy of this month's (Feb. '13) Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords. On page 52 there's an article written by one of our members (Lalaya) about a guy that wanted to build a 1,000 hp Cobra. Its got a built motor (298 ci 4 valve) with a 2.4L Kenne Bell and twin 61mm turbos. Makes a little over 1,000 hp, and has the other drivetrain, suspension and chassis mods to handle that kind of power. Only cost him about $115,000 to build it.

 

And it might be worth half that and going down fast!

 

My question is how much power have you ever had in the past OP?

Because 1,000 out of the box is a hell of a thing!

 

That's a good point but this build is a car I would never sell. Just like the 65 mustang with a rebuilt 302 sitting in my driveway, my dad and I have been working on it on and off for 11 years

 

1000 hp cobra is stretching it. Car will cost you $20-25k to start. Easier way is to go with the Shelby. Around $30-35k with a 5.4L which can handle 1000hp just a little better. And a 1000hp cobra is just not drivable anyways. Your best bet is to shoot for 800hp in a Shelby body. That would be a hell of a car.

 

It's a good idea but I don't want to use a Shelby simply because I want something to beat my dads car not look like it. Plus I really like the look of the 03 terminator because those sad people who know nothing about mustangs it looks like a regular car so it gives me the "sleeper" advantage

 

You are not going to get a sleeper advantage. Most people know about 03-04 cobras. What is your budget for this build? An 03-04 cobra will run you at least 20k but most likely more. To get the car to properly handle the power and reliabily make the power is going to cost you some serious money ... it would probably be cheaper to buy a new GT500 that to reach such lofty goals.