The insurance on the Cobra will probably be higher than either a run of the mill Vette or the Z06 due to it having a S/C. Don't ask me why, but I was told by an Allstate agent that any type of forced induction makes a sizeable difference in insurance payments on vehicles (maintenance concerns and extra HP maybe?). As it is, insurance on a Vette isn't something to sneeze at...
Give the Cobra it's dues. I know it took Ford a dark age and then some to get something that can run and beat a Vette in standard clothing, but it looks like they've got one hell of a car with the '03 Cobra. The looks aren't my cup of tea, but the guts the thing has is frightening. TQ starts damn low and is as flat as a mesa up to the redline from what I've heard. Conversely, look at TQ curves on the LS1 and LS6. Not quite as fat at the bottom-end and the peak comes in quite a bit higher in the band. Even Z06 folks are going to have to keep their LS6's in the "sweet spot" to stay ahead of this monster...
Just wait till folks start playing with pulleys on the S/C and start running boost up on this thing...
In short, with relatively few mods, I'm saying these guys can quickly have a 425-500HP rocket that can start running Vipers in straight-line performance.
Then again, you can achieve that with N/A on a LS1 or LS6 without a totally obscene amount of money spent. More, you ask? $35K+ and some patience will get you a TT Lingenfelter Vette that will warp dimensions at 650HP. You pay to play, as always.
Kudos to SVT. It's cars like this that will keep the Vette development team at GM on their toes, hopefully. Let the HP wars continue!
