Just finished the April edition of Hot Rod. They have an update on the 2003 Cobra from the Chicago Auto Show.
Here's the Deal: 390 HP and 390 TQ !! They are getting this using an Eaton Blower on a 281 cubic inch engine. I assume it's still the dual over-head cam cobra motor - the update is short. It also gets a dual over-drive 6 speed manual tranny. Sound familiar?
Anyway - what are we gonna do about this?? That is some serious factory power and I'm sure even our modidfied SS's are gonna loos a race to that puppy.
Ryan
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on 09 May, 2002 05:32 AM:
I know someone who works in the Dyno room at Fords. He has been testing that motor for a while and the lowest test was 405hp. It's for real - this time!
That should make things very interesting for the next round of F bodies.
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on 09 May, 2002 10:34 AM:
Yeah, this story circulated around a little while ago too. I will have to wait and see how much they ACTUALLY put out. And even if it is more powerful, thats a good thing! It should give GM reason to think about upgrading to more horsepower should the next gen F body come out! And besides, did you hear that they couldnt even use the aluminum block? They kept expoding with that much power(?), so they have to put a cast iron block in the new SC cobras!! Posted by agmSS (Member # 853) on 09 May, 2002 12:13 PM:
I just finished reading the new issue of C&D last night. One of their feature articles was on the '03 Cobra.
They got a 12.9 @ 111 mph out of it. 0-60 was 4.5, street start from 5 mph roll to 60 was 4.9. It's tuned to deliver alot of it's torque down low.
I heard MM&FF got a 12.43 @ 113 out of it, but that's heresay. Relying solely on the "published" numbers, it would appear to be a pretty serious challenge to the LS-1 C5 in a drag race. The C5 will still out handle and brake it. The new Cobra is quite nose-heavy with roughly 56-44 f/b weight dist. The new engine is big time heavy, which should come as no surprise since they switched over to a cast iron block AND added the weight of a blower. The pictures looked pretty nice. It's got a pretty mean look to it. I'd like to see one in person though. I wonder if dealers will let them go for $35k or if they will price gouge. At $35k, it's a pretty good value for that much grunt.
Like others have mentioned, a little competition is a good thing. We've been on top for 9 years, so I'm anxious to see what GM will come up with when the 5th gen finally comes out.
Andy
Posted by RHT (Member # 902) on 10 May, 2002 03:10 AM:
I'm excited to see them too. I agree that any American muscle is a good thing.
How do we get the chance to drive one of these?
RT
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on 10 May, 2002 04:36 AM:
Yep, read both articles. Pretty nice job on Ford's part, we should be proud to have them going after us! Posted by William J. Finch (Member # 1507) on 19 May, 2002 06:43 PM:
still, my 2002 345hp and confirmed 4.7 0-60 will go after the snake. . .the LS-1 stil hs more left in it with a few modifications to Z0-6. . .but, remember, I still have 3 year warranty on my car and do not want to goof that up! Do you think GM would let me modify to Z0-6 and keep my warranty?
Posted by DanA_F99_1977 (Member # 118) on 19 May, 2002 08:30 PM:
It sounds like a cool car and it should be interesting to see what really hits the streets in production numbers and at what cost.
Just please don't turn this board in to 1000 posts about the new Cobra. I don't think I could take it.
