Hey guys, I own a 2004 Cobra convertible. Bought it brand new in Jan 2005 and have put tons of money into it since then. Went from bone stock to pullied, then ported, then Kenne Bell, then blew the motor. Now I have a built motor, cams, built solid axle, and back to the ported blower. I really love the car and it is fun as hell to drive, but I'm thinking about switching it up. It would be nice to have a FAST car that can be driven 12 months per year, and has 4 doors. By fast I mean 650-700+whp, and runs 9s.

Anyone on here own or used to own an 03-04 Cobra? How do you like the Evo compared to it?

I have my car for sale now, looking to get around $27,000. So is it even possible to get an Evo in the 9s with that much money? I've seen some decent higher mile 8s for around 13-14. About how much would it cost to build a stock or mostly stock Evo up to 650+whp? Exhaust, FMIC, turbo kit, shortblock, tranny, transfer case, fuel, clutch....

I have never taken a motor out of a car or taken one apart so for the shortblock I would probably be dropping it off at Buschur. I can do all the smaller stuff myself.

Would it be cheaper/easier to try and find one that is already built?

If it is going to cost around 30K for everything then I will probably just keep the Cobra.

Here's some pics and vids of my car. Sorry for the big *** pics.

http://www.youtube.com/user/NateSVT

 

Nice ride. My buddy has a couple Cobras and one of them is an 03 with 490rwhp. I drove it once and DAMN that thing was fast. I have an Evo 8 and I really do like being able to drive in any type of weather.

Most people will tell you to buy one that is stock or near stock, that way you know exactly what you have done to it and that it was not molested before you bought it.

 

voted.

i would look into this guy's car.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/no...er-my-car.html

but in order to buy, you need to unload your current car first. GL.

 

650whp on the Evo is not going to feel like it did on the Cobra. It's going to be laggy as f*ck... as in no power until 5000RPM.

And if you want to make that power on pump gas, you're going to need a to spend a lot more (a la even laggier turbo).

Conservative Estimates:
Built Motor $2500+
Turbo Kit $3500+
Clutch $1500+
Intercooler & Piping $1000+
Exhaust $500+
Fuel System & Ignition $500+

If you want to do tranny & transfer case, add another $3000+

Plus countless other supporting mods like blow-off valve, wideband, boost gauge, boost controller, roll cage, tires, plenty of dyno time, a good tune, etc. etc.

And these are only power mods... consider most people do things like suspension, wheels, brakes, etc. that all add up. I'm into my car for $20 grand in mods easy, and I'm only making 510whp on pump gas (albeit a Mustang Dyno).

It never ends. Basically take what you might expect it to cost and triple it.

In all honesty, knowing what I know now, the Evo is not that fun of a daily driver beyond ~500whp... the trade offs are too great. The most fun I had in my car was when I had an FP Red Turbo (which is a stock-framed bolt-on turbo that doesn't require a full kit)... that turbo spooled nice and quick @ 3700RPM, made tons of power on pump gas, and really let me enjoy the car on the street.

Once you start going up to 600, 700whp... the car is meant to drag race only. Sure, you can drive it on the street, but it's nowhere near as fun as it was back when you had instant spool.

 

I had 04 cobra with a pully on 18 lbs made 490 and i have to say it was pretty fun. I would take it over a lot of Evo's. Just find some people with them and see if you like it.

 

Nice looking cobra. You need to learn how to drive a Turbo car. Like they said in top gear you need to know how to nail all that HP. I would buy one close to stock and then build so you know what's done and know how to fix it if its breaks.

 

If you want maximum power I would keep the cobra and go with a whipple or even a turbo kit.

 

car looks sweet, i'd keep it

 

+1

If you want max power stay with the Cobra.

If you want a car with a lot of power that is more streetable, go with the evo

 

Why not sell it and buy a c6 z06

 

Honestly man it is more cost effective to stay with the Cobra and buy the Whipple to reach your power goals. I love my Evo IX, don't get me wrong, but I think it will be much cheaper to reach and obtain the power levels you are looking in the Cobra. Unless you buy a heavily modded Evo, I think you will be hard pressed to reliably and repeatedly get into the 9s with $27,000.

Another thing to consider is that a 650 hp Evo will feel significantly different than an 800 hp Cobra. I have owned a 500 hp foxbody and it is just a much different animal than the Evo.

Your Cobra looks great. I would just keep it, up the boost and enjoy it!

 

nasty cobra man. were you at mustang week this year in myrtle beach?

 

keep the cobra...

 

hey Nate im over on svtp as well. Ive had both, 400whp evo, and now my 650hp kenne bell cobra. I love both cars, but im going back to an evo. The evo is so much better for that fast, 4 door, roomy, and go out on a date car lol

the cobra is nice, but it was alot more fun having my evo. GL with your choice.

 

Buy it built, who cares about the "Built not Bought"

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...built-ams.html

Done and Done..