Has anyone had the pleasure of launching their Evo at 5k? I have and let me tell you it pulls, and pulls hard. Granted I was in the rain ! ! Very very little wheel spin and torque steer kicks in slightly. Feels like the front tires are barely touching the ground. It's nasty how this thing launches. Mustangs, Camaros, and Vettes don't stand a chance at a dig. They will get the top end though.

 

Yeah, I have. But I've been driving DSMs for the last 8 years, so I was expecting a good hard pull out of the EVO. And boy did it deliver. Very nice. I love the whine of that tranny too. For extra fun, try a similar launch into an immediate left hand 90-degree turn (left turn at a light). *Very* fun.

Thomas Dorris

 

I have a 2003 Cobra, and man...there is a world of difference in a quick car (the evo) and a rocket (the cobra). I stomp on the evo at 50mph and it makes it way to higher speeds.... You stomp on the cobra and you are gone.

Evo is much quicker around turns and much quicker steering... and my kids fit in the evo better too.

 

cobras are crap 4.6 what the uck is that ford only sells one good sports car an its a truck the svt lightning

 

Indeed. It's fair to say, though, that the EVO comes dumbed down on the top end from the factory. I can't stand the power loss above 4k. It's like someone just pulled the plug or something. My other 4G63 cars (both DSMs, one FWD one AWD) pull like mad to redline.

Let's get a few "fixes" in place on the EVO for the power drop and compare again later. Of course, one could argue that the comparisons need to be stock for stock, but given how easy the "fixes" are for the EVO (boost controller primarily), I think it's fair enough.

It'll never sound as good as a healthy V8, though; my only problem with the little 4 bangers.

Thomas Dorris

 

mark2002lancer, while I do appreciate the comment on the Lightning, the '03 Cobra is a supercharged 4.6, making an underrated 390 bhp/390 ft/lbs, and a high 12 second car off the lot. It does accelerate like a rocket, and can embarass Z06 Corvettes. However, it also has a lot more body roll than I like, numb steering, and pushes like hell in hard corners. But comparing it to an Evo is the old apples and oranges thing, they are built for two different purposes.

 

Cripes! I need to do my research before posting too, then. Glad I haven't run up on one of these in the wild. I would have assumed it was overrated like every other Mustang/Cobra I've seen before. Sounds like this one actually has some bite to it!

Thomas Dorris

 

How about learning how to drive before you add big power to an already great car..hmmm. There's a concept.

 

That's exactly why I went with an 03 Cobra instead of the EVO, plus I only paid a couple thousand more than MSRP of the EVO. Simple mods can get you a low 12 second car ... more advanced mods like a chip and pulley will get you in the 11's. Viper killer, baby. Cobra isn't my daily driver though.

As for the SVT lightning comment above ... uhh, it's the same engine as the 03 Cobra and Supercharger ... just a different pulley. Cobra has more power.

 

Yeah unfortunately you can only go fast straight.
Thats not enough tp put a smile on my face.

 

Have to play the Ford know it all here, been building them for too long...

ChicagoMike, nope, totally different engines, same Eaton M112 supercharger. Cobra is a cast iron block 4.6L with 4 valve DOHC aluminum heads. The Lightning is a 5.4L (Triton) with SOHC 2 valve heads. Totally different beasts, as the Cobra is a horsepower beast, while the Lightning is a torque monster (505ft/lb at the rear wheels on mine, compared to a pulleyed/chipped Cobra ~470, both on the same Mustang Dyno at REM in S FL)

 

Nice to know 2Cool. I pick it up this Friday! Straighten these guys out on the handling, too. The 03 Cobra has an independent rear suspension. 03 Cobra is designed more for TRACK, not drag racing (although it can do that, too!). ... otherwise it would have got the live axle, right? I read .90 G's on skidpad tests.

 

Wait until next years Lightning hits the streets.... 500hp from the showroom floor!

Mario

 

Heh... the Cobra is fun, and a big improvement over the GT in all ways. It handles well, but when they dropped it into A stock for the SCCA, running against sorted out C4 Corvettes and Porsche Boxter S's, I pretty much decided to get something else. Did test drive one though, and it pulls harder than my modified Lightning, the 6 speed is schaweet, but I couldn't justify another Mustang to myself...

BTW... didn't mean to hijack this thread... sorry guys.

 

I raced a lightning with a chip, pully, and something else I don't remember what he said... As we took off, he did nothing but sit in one place burning and spinning... After the 4th try, he actually hooked up after a second and we were both off, although it seemed like he didn't have much extra to offer cause after I left him sitting there, I couldn't pull from him, nor could he gain on me... ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE.....