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I thought you guys might enjoy reading my letter to the Editor of Motor Trend in response to their "first look" article on the new 2003 supercharged Cobra (March 02 issue). That bit they wrote about their looking forward to "dusting unsuspecting Camaros" was too much to bear.
So, here's my response:
"Dear Sirs, I read with great interest your feature on the new 2003 supercharged Mustang Cobra (Mar. 02 issue). While it's always great to see any muscle car becoming even more muscular, I don't think that many of my fellow Camaro SS owners will be as embarassed at stoplight encounters as you suggest. Most of us can't resist tweaking the already fine LS1 powertrain a little bit; in my case, some small breathing improvements including a freer-flowing exhaust and cold air intake enhancements. No cylinder head work, no headers, no nitrous, no forced induction, and yet it now delivers 329.3 rwhp and 332.4 lb-ft on the chassis dynamometer (Dynojet). Using Paxton Automotive's suggested conversion factor of 1.2 from your Dec. 2001 "Camaro vs. Cobra Final Shootout" article, that gives me over 395 hp at the crankshaft. Oh my -- that's 5 more than the new Cobra's 390. So, I wonder who's going to be the surprised driver now? "
Let's hope they print it in their "Letters to the Editor" column.
Anyone else want to respond, go to Motor Trend Online and find the "Contact Us" link, where you e-mail your comments.
-------------------- Paul Zink, Chicago, IL. SSOA Member #M00-1181; 2000 Camaro SS, SLP No. 1181, Light Pewter, M6, T-Tops, all options. [bMODS and UPGRADES: [/b] Direct-Flo lid, SLP cold air box, Shaner S2, MBA MAF ends, JBA headers, SLP Loud Mouth exhaust, Y-Pipe, SuperTrapp mufflers, SLP Eibach-Bilstein suspension, Addco 32mm/22mm solid swaybars, PST bushings, TByrne LCAs & Panhard Rod, BMR LCA relocation brackets, SLP Shock Tower Brace, SFCs, Richmond 3.73 gears, B & M shifter, SLP TCS Reversal, TA Performance diff cover, Random Technology Torque Arm, PowerSlot rotors, Earl's lines, 160 Thermostat, Red Line Oil, SLP “SS” grille, mats, dash plaque, key fobs, “SS” deck lid mat, MBA pedals, White-face gauges, burlwood interior, Wheelskins shifter boot and wheel cover, custom Fuel Rail Covers, Aluminum sill covers.
Dyno Results from Sept 14, 2003: 328.1 RWHP Photo below: Getting ready for Halloween Car show, Oct. 2001
How are you? I don't know if you remember, but we met at the ECCC show last fall in Nashua. I was the SOM SS behind you and one car over to your left.
I like your response. Like you, I think it's great when these cars get more powerful and I agree that it won't be the slaughter that MT is trying to suggest. I ran my best ET's last fall in my third time ever on the strip ( I'm OK as a driver, but my 60' times sure need work), and I've yet to see a Cobra or other Mustang get these times without slicks, blowers, nitrous ( or both), or some major league engine mods.
I read the "Final Shootout" article you referred to and I came away thinking that they tried very very hard to bias that story towards the Mustang. The SS clearly dominated that Cobra. I remember back in the mid-80's and very early '90's that the 5.0 enjoyed the advantage. For roughly $11-12k, you could by an LX and hang with Vette's for only a couple of bucks in bolt-ons. Since '93, it's been the F-body's turn to shine. I don't know why MT seems to have it in for Chevrolet. They pulled the same silliness in their Z06 article that ran a month or two prior the Cobra vs SS article. The Z06 completely dominated the other cars they tested against it and yet they declared the BMW the winner. I don't get it...
I may offend some of the die-hard bowtie folks when I say this, but I like the Mustangs. They're all cool cars to me and I think we've all enjoyed the benefits of this 30+ year rivalry by getting to own some of the hottest street machines ever built, particularly these last couple of years of F-bodies. I'm disappointed to see our beloved Camaro going away, but I'm also anxious to see what it will return as when they bring it back. I'm hopeful it will storm back onto the scene with a vengence, and as for being surprised, we'll see......
-------------------- Back Home Where She Belongs... 2001 SS #3122 M01-3122 Sunset Orange Metallic / Ebony Leather M6, All GM Options SLP Options:Bilstein, Dual-Dual, Chrome 10 Spokes, SS Grille, Mats, Key Fobs, Dash Plaque, Car Cover
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Hmmm - 390 eh? Is that by Ford mathematics?
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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THE ONLY PROBLEM I SEE WITH THE NEW STANG IS SIMPLY THIS, THERE WILL NOT BE BOUT A FEW OF THESE THINGS AROUND AND NO DOUBT FORD WILL STICK A HEFTY PRICE ON THIS OPTION, SO BY THE TIME ONE DOES APPEAR ON THE STREET, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF EVER GETTING REALLY CLOSE TO ONE? WE FIGURE THERE ARE AT LEAST 25 SS'S IN OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD, MAYBE THREE Z06'S AND PROBABLY 200 STANGS SO GO FIGURE, WERE ARE READY. KICKBACK 2000SS M-6 W/HURST DARK BLUE MET./TAN LEATHER INT. GMMG CHMABERED EXHAUST SYSTEM (AWSOME) WHITE GUAGE FACE POWER ANT. UD PULLEYS AIR LID 160 THERMO. BILLET GRILLE WITH 67' SS EMBLEM WHITE CORNER LIGHTS AND SIDE MARKERS CHROME HOOD INSERT LSI SAIL PANEL EMBLEMS RACE GLAZED EXTERIOR FINISH 2150 ORIGINAL MILES (2-15-00) DELIVERED M004340
Posts: 251 | From: Dallas, Georgia usa | Registered: May 2000
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