With every new Mustang body style so far, there has been new power. If they go for a vintage look, they should go for a vintage soul too. I dunno what if they could change the 6, but for a GT, bring back the 302 (maybe even supercharged like the GT350's). And for a Cobra, maybe a modernized 427, or 428 CJ? Then you'd get that 400 without bein' blown!
Posted by: Grape Ape
Welcome aboard...
Survey SAYS??? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
That won't happen. They may use a "5.0" but, it won't be an OHV by any means. Not all bad though, because they got 425hp from the "5.0" SOHC Modular and they offer that (I've heard) already, as an aftermarket engine. It's naturally aspirated, btw. If they do any Cobra engine replacement, it will almost undoubtedly consist of a DOHC supercharged 5.4L mod. motor, making some 550hp, which is also likely to see duty in the 2004 Lightning(L3) and the all new "GT" supercar in almost identical setups. The L3 has one problem I see in the future... IRS. This has worked out wonderfully on the overly heavy 2003 Cobra, but I'm not so sure it will do as well in the L3, which will still be far heavier in all likelihood. Superchargers are doing well for them and I don't see them just dropping the idea. In fact, I expect to see one on the 2004 Marauder as well(but still a 4.6L DOHC) and, they might use one on the 2004 SVT Focus too(a Jackson on the 2.0L). That will look nice, but I've had about enough of the Focus. personally.
The best thing of all is, they're actual "players" in the higher performance market of todays automobiles for less than the cost of a house, save the GT(which would still only buy half a house in this area). That car though, will be in a league of it's own among domestics, clearly untouched by any American manufacturer.
Posted by: IndianAdventures
Man, if they had a 425 hp Mustang Cobra that looked like the show car, I'd buy one in a second.
2003 was a sad year.
The fbody owned the mustang for 10 years, then the "car guys" get back in power at GM.
What happens?
The Mustang gets a beastly option, the idiots kill the Fbody completely. THEN the only thing GM car guys get to look forward too are the SSType-R (at the Detroit Auto Show, I noticed the R is a big, red jagged type-r) and the Cavalier on a Camaro chassis with a Pontiac faschia.
WTF is going on? The car guys suck! Send them back, get the accounts back running GM.
Posted by: IndianAdventures
If the "L3" is the similar to the Lightning at the auto show... that truck's gonna be badass too.
The Mustang and Lightning were side by side and they both rocked.
No more altezzas either (if I recall correctly).
Posted by: MikeT
whats this "L3" is that the new lightning? and the "gt" new concept car or something?
Posted by: Bobo420x
interesting.........
just checked out ford's line of concepts, and one happens to be the "427 concept" a sedan. the car is in retro fashion, and meant to bring back old sedan style, and the 427 engine. could this thing end up in a cobra?
Posted by: IndianAdventures
The 427 was pretty lame is person, but the motor is probably nice.
Posted by: Grape Ape
I read that the "427" is really the V10. If so, it has potential just because of that. I don't expect to see the car go into production though, sadly.
The "L3" is what's to be... The 3rd generation Lightning. I expect it to go into production almost exactly as it's been shown lately. I hope they make a few changes, but I think the engine will make production, giving the limited production Ram SRT-10 something to worry about, and no doubt, being a more capable overall ride, but being less of an actual pickup truck(like I think either will really qualify).
The GT is no concept, it's already being produced. Only 3 will be delivered this year, but 500-1000 will be made annually for the following few years(at least). That car is an ANIMAL! 500hp, 525 ft-lbs of torque, 2700 lb. car.... WOW! But the price hasn't been set yet. Ford simply says it will be "under $150,000 and probably about $125,000" apiece.
Although GM's Camaro had more power and was quicker from 93-02, it didn't really "own" the Mustang. The thing is, you had to get the Cobra to truly compete with it. In 93, the Camaro had nothing on the Mustang except the new look. It wasn't really quicker from what I saw at the track. Then Ford made the SN95, which was a heavy slug and it was definitely no match for the F-body, until 99, when it got closer overall and actually handled better(according to most). The Cobra clearly did, but I'm not so sure about the GT.
Posted by: 65fairlane
I say buy something you like the look of and then throw money at it until it is as fast as you want it to be.
Posted by: MikeT
any pics of this GT thing?
Posted by: Grape Ape
Here, check it out This is photos of old and new. They look much alike...
Posted by: MikeT
Ohhhh, OK its a GT40!
Props to ford for bringin back an amazing car. Looks fuckin awesome. Is it supposed to be streetlegal or just a factory racer?
Posted by: IndianAdventures
It's gonna be a street car, Ford's Viper killer. They had one at the auto show too. But the one there was all decked out like an old race car, so I don't know how close it is to the real thing.
Quote:
until 99
What the hell are you talking about? 99 Cobra's sucked, probably the worst mustang ever.
Posted by: Grape Ape
You may think the 99 was all bad, but it wasn't. I think the final number was 27 of them which had a problem leading to all being offered a "fix" for it. They commonly ran low 13's in the 1/4 mile though. They had a good topend speed(152 or so), they hands down outhandled anything GM offered in the Camaro at the time, according to published reports and they(loaded) cost less than an equally optioned SS.
Anyway, it's 2003 now and the Mustang is the only one we can all go buy as new, making it the clearly better car again... This stuff switches back and forth regularly. In 2005, I personally think the Mustang will once again, be the most powerful Mustang in regular production. I'd be shocked to not see a 12 second model in the GT, and possibly 11's for the Cobra. all the while, having much better handling characteristics than today.
Posted by: Grape Ape
Btw, I made a response to the "GT" question, Mike... Only, it doesn't show up for whatever reason.. Anyway, the GT was never really the "GT40," but people called it that because it was only 40" tall. The new one is some. 52" tall. It's definitely going to be a regular production car, but not a cheap one. It will likely make 550hp and over 500 ft-lbs. of torque and weigh in at about 2700 lbs. With a mid-engine, it will be a powerhouse on basically any track it goes to.
Posted by: IndianAdventures
Well, the worse Mustang since the Mustang II anyway.
Posted by: Grape Ape
See it how ya like, but it was better than any Fox body or SN95, except MAYBE the 93 Cobra R.
Posted by: IndianAdventures
Quote:
This stuff switches back and forth regularly
Definately a universal truth about domestic performance.
Although, I wish Chrysler would build something like the FBody. They have a motor with a lot of similarities to the LS1 (Heeemi) and they definately have some half way decent stylists. I'd much rather take say, a new Charger, than a Mustang. Mainly just because Mopar muscle was uncompromised until it's death, which is a similar theme with the T/A.
When it comes to the Mustang VS the F-Body.... the brightest lights burn out the fastest.
Posted by: Grape Ape
I'd like to see the Charger in production too, or a new Dart. I'm sure they're soon to release something of a "pony" car though. The market is still strong and they've realized they're on the ass end of it. I think they wanted to get a solid foot on the ground in the "shitbox" market 1st though, since that's a less expensive step for them(not to mention the MASSIVE profit margin). When they release a RWD car other than the Viper again(and they're going to), it will likely be a good performer and use some type of Hemi powerplant.
Posted by: IndianAdventures
Quote:
I think they wanted to get a solid foot on the ground in the "shitbox" market 1st though
I think it would be smart for Chrysler to release a pony car, especially considering Ford basically has a monopoly now.
Posted by: JustaV6
Quote:
Originally posted by It'llrun See it how ya like, but it was better than any Fox body or SN95, except MAYBE the 93 Cobra R.
93 Cobra R = 235 horsepower
95 Cobra R = 300 horsepower
00 Cobra R = 385 horsepower
that was the weakest of all the Cobra R's produced! the 2000 R was one of the best cars IMO ever MADE! 385 hp 5.4L 32V non-supercharged car that can handle the twisties and 1/4 better than almost any car out there...thats a badass car :btg:
Posted by: Grape Ape
Uh...but the 2000 Cobra R wasn't around when the 99 Cobra came out. Although I know exactly what to do with a 95 Cobra R to make it perform better, most people either don't know, or wouldn't do anything to it, and while stock, it really didn't have anything on the 99 Cobra, especially in the handling department, where it wasn't as good due to excess weight. The 93 Cobra R was lighter than the rest and was quite responsive, even stock. Plus, it had the upgraded brakes the heavier cars got, as well as being a car basically anyone can drive.
The 95 R is kinda out of the equasion anyway, due not only to it's (like the 93) limited status, but it's "You must have a racing license to purchase this car," status.
Keep in mind, the 99 was rated at 305hp, which makes it more powerful than the 95R anyway. And it's lighter too.
Posted by: 65fairlane
Quote:
Originally posted by Bobo420x interesting.........
just checked out ford's line of concepts, and one happens to be the "427 concept" a sedan. the car is in retro fashion, and meant to bring back old sedan style, and the 427 engine. could this thing end up in a cobra?
I think the closest thing we are going to get to the 427 concept being produced is going to be their new futura sedan. It is supposed to bridge the gap between the focus and the newer midsize vehicles. I don't know why they think this concept is going to do much for them since this was the same spot once occupied by the contour which was removed from production.
