Originally posted by stilov:
Maybe I can help this out a bit. I owned a 99 LS1 WS6 Trans Am. I had quite the list of modifictions. Put about 430 to the wheels. Now my boss had just bougth an 03 Cobra put on K&N, cat-back, and shifter. I beat him 3 out of 3, but not by much. His was brand new...like 500 miles or so. He ran very consistent 13.4 at the track (4500 ft elevation) and I ran a 13.2. his was in about 105 degree weather. I sold my T/A b/c I got married. With his chip and pulley, he would smoke it now. He spent far less on modifications. I enjoy forced induction from the factory b/c you can get so much more for so cheap. All of the things I have read and seen...the Cobra is better. I spent so much money on my T/A and w/ just a bit of money you can do so much more with the Cobra. I loved my LS1, ad I think it looked better with the ram air and stuff. The Cobra looks still too much like a regular mustang (a non-car person wouldn't know the difference) but my T/A was quite the attention getter. SO take that for what you will.



Ouch, 13.4 on 430rwhp? I have a heavily modified LS1 (see sig) and when it was running 400rwhp on the nose, I was 11.87 @ 117.8 and that was considered slow, many are running around 11.3 @122 with that same amount of power. I have subsequently learned that my clutch was not setup right, which was causing major problems (slipping and refusal to shift at WOT and high rpm--I just thought I was a lousy driver), but I expect the car to dip into the 10s now at full weight (3616 pounds). Granted, I have a lot into the car now, 27.5K for the car brand new (SS with all options and some extras like aftermarket leather and slp exhaust), and about now about 15k into modifications. I also have a forged bottom end, and the car will either see a medium shot of nitrous or a supercharger next year, and it should see close to 650 - 700rwhp.

I like the 03 cobras a lot. It is easy to get them to some serious power because the engine is made for forced induction out of the factory. However, they are like the supras, put down great numbers on the dyno but generally do not ET as well in the 1/4 mile as a properly prepped LS1. For instance, 480rwhp cobra I know, with bolt-ons and pulley, runs 11.7 @ 118 at the track. Id be furious if my LS1 only ran 11.7 with that much power -- I would know something was wrong, as I do now -- I was dragging my flywheel because the clutch wasnt disengaging/engaging correctly.

The cobras with the keanne-bell blowers sound like whipples -- very odd sound, but I dont think youd complain too much if you had 600rwhp in your street driven car.

00 SVT Contour: SHM LT headers, LSD, Spec Stg 3...dyno:190.3whp sold 02/04 04 Subaru Baja Turbo 5-spd 00 Camaro SS 393cid: 510rwhp/469rwtq, 11.16 @ 124.95(hit 1-2 limiter) www.erikz.org