Opinions please

[jimmy_beaner]

So I'm currently up in the air... I have two options as I see it.

Undecided: shortblock... I was looking at a MMR-950 302 and then also a Boss 330. I don't want to really stay with the 4.6, so when I get a built shortblock, I want either a 302 or 330...

Universal (between both options): Termi front bumper, Steeda Wing, probably Termi side skirts, tint of course... and I want the rear window louver, smoked clear corner headlights, tinted tails and reflectors, maybe Saleen rear bumper (maybe) even though I'm starting to really like the GT rear
3.55's with Eaton 31 spline LSD, MM LCA's, Moser 31 spline axles, Aluminum DS, Viper spec t56
Trickflow heads :drool: and a nice stage 2 blower cam
Cobra tank with dual GT supercar pumps, return style fuel
Long Tube headers, OffRoad X-pipe and a new catback... not sure which catback yet.
I may also need a new k-member and depending on which of those I go with... coil overs

Option 1:
Cobra R hood, 2.6L Kenne Bell
The 2.6 requires a cowl, and I love the 2000 Cobra R style hood. The 2.6 would come last of course, but I don't want to buy parts that I'll end up selling anyway. Plus, the R hood will be about $500 and then figure $300-$400 of paint :sad:
This combo with the other mods should get me all the power I want (600-750)
This is where it gets interesting.

Option 2:
Termi hood, 2.2L Kenne Bell
This blower fits under the Termi hood no problem. I also really like this hood, and I should be able to easily find a sonic blue one, saving all the paint cost.. which should mean I can get the hood for $400 or so. Now, with the aftermarket k-member, it may be entirely possible that I can get the 2.6L Kenne Bell to fit under the hood. But part of me doesn't like the idea of getting all done and having a stock Cobra front end. However, the stock Cobra front is still very hot. This combo should still be able to get me to about 650 rwhp... but I'm not sure if the blower will be able to keep up.

Other factors to consider:
I would really like to get some more power... like soon. I am craving power. I am set to pull in about $7500, $6000 of which should be ok to try to put into the car. Now, I want to do the front bumper, hood and possibly side skirts very soon. I'm not so anal about replacing the head lights or anything like that just yet.

So, I know the Trickflow heads are going to be coming out here pretty soon. I realize they'll probably be sold out for awhile, but that also gives time for people to put up the numbers they are getting out of them. I would like to port and polish them when I get them, but probably not until after I put the short block in.

Here's what I'm wondering...
Should I go ahead and pull the Trickflows to "cure" my go-fast desires... or should I sit back and try to do the heads with the shortblock?
And which of the two options should I go with?

Termi hood vs. Cobra R hood (considering I'll be doing the Termi front bumper)
Kenne Bell 2.2 vs. Kenne Bell 2.6 (knowing that the 2.6 will require either a new k-member with the Termi hood (and possibly coil overs because of it) or the Cobra R hood)

[modular2valve]

id say stick wth boss330 racing. al pappito is a proven mod motor guru and he specializes in the 4.6 and 5.4. lethal performance has his shortblocks in stock last time i looked around there, or u can try to contact him directly even though its kind of a pita because its hard to get him on the phone. the trickflow 2v heads look awesome and like u said, i know they will sell quick. as far as the rear bumper, the saleen will hang lower than the other body pieces so i would stick with the stocker unless u get a termi rear and shave the cobra lettering with fiberglass-which would be pretty sick. otherwise its hard to pick because its real good combos either way lol. cant go wrong with a kenne bell. i know the 2.6 is rather quiet over the 2.2 unless u start spinning it real hard. the whine gets pretty addicting

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve id say stick wth boss330 racing. al pappito is a proven mod motor guru and he specializes in the 4.6 and 5.4. lethal performance has his shortblocks in stock last time i looked around there, or u can try to contact him directly even though its kind of a pita because its hard to get him on the phone. the trickflow 2v heads look awesome and like u said, i know they will sell quick. as far as the rear bumper, the saleen will hang lower than the other body pieces so i would stick with the stocker unless u get a termi rear and shave the cobra lettering with fiberglass-which would be pretty sick. otherwise its hard to pick because its real good combos either way lol. cant go wrong with a kenne bell. i know the 2.6 is rather quiet over the 2.2 unless u start spinning it real hard. the whine gets pretty addicting

yeah, I'm just not sure if the 2.2 will put out enough boost to get my speed crack addiction fed. I have been beating myself up over this decision for 6 months... that's why it hasn't happened yet. The shortblock is one of the last things to happen... (just before the blower). I want to get the universals out of the way because I know I want those... but this hood is an issue that I need to do now because I hate the GT hood.

Vote on the poll!

[1234]

You should do the k-member and the coilovers anyway. But i would go option 3.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1234 You should do the k-member and the coilovers anyway. But i would go option 3.

yeah, I'm mainly concerned with hood options now. I realize no one would pick the Cobra R hood and 2.2L blower option, which is why that isn't up there. It's basically either Termi hood or R hood

[modular2valve]

there. i voted lol.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve there. i voted lol.

be happy, you're the only one to vote for the R hood so far

[SpectorV]

is there a reason why you are building the gt, you could sell it and buy something else if you wanted that has more stock potential. Its kind of like when I was considering building my v6, I decided to sell it and buy an 03 cobra and have much more overall potential and satisfaction.

At least go drive some diff cars and see what feels right and get some ideas. Its always fun to test drive cars!

[modular2valve]

i want to be different lol. i really like the termy hood, its just that it would look pretty damn mean from the front with the cobra r hood.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV is there a reason why you are building the gt, you could sell it and buy something else if you wanted that has more stock potential. Its kind of like when I was considering building my v6, I decided to sell it and buy an 03 cobra and have much more overall potential and satisfaction. At least go drive some diff cars and see what feels right and get some ideas. Its always fun to test drive cars!

The GT will be able to pull 600+ rwhp, which is more than enough fun time for me. Buying a Cobra would make me happy, but it just isn't practical right now.

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve i want to be different lol. i really like the termy hood, its just that it would look pretty damn mean from the front with the cobra r hood.

Yeah, it would look sick. But the Termi hood is also hot, and a lot cheaper

[modular2valve]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV is there a reason why you are building the gt, you could sell it and buy something else if you wanted that has more stock potential. Its kind of like when I was considering building my v6, I decided to sell it and buy an 03 cobra and have much more overall potential and satisfaction. At least go drive some diff cars and see what feels right and get some ideas. Its always fun to test drive cars!

i was in the same boat for a while. then i thought about it, the cae is paid off, and its the red headed step child so i wanted to take advantage of it lol. so i upped and did work, of course u do mods here and there, it seems quick for a short period of time, but ud always want more. so i made the jump and within a few months ill be installing a blower ready 5.4 4v.


btw, not to thread jack, but spector, are u still trying to get your old car back? i thought it looked real nice.

+100000 test driving cars is fun, last one was an 01 lightning

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve i was in the same boat for a while. then i thought about it, the cae is paid off, and its the red headed step child so i wanted to take advantage of it lol. so i upped and did work, of course u do mods here and there, it seems quick for a short period of time, but ud always want more. so i made the jump and within a few months ill be installing a blower ready 5.4 4v. btw, not to thread jack, but spector, are u still trying to get your old car back? i thought it looked real nice. +100000 test driving cars is fun, last one was an 01 lightning

yeah, I'm just trying to get all the appearance stuff done so I don't have to blow money on that. The power stuff will happen after the appearance stuff. I am really leaning towards the Termi hood. It's so clean and slicked back. I'm sure a new k-member would be a good idea when I swap motors anyway.

[SpectorV]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimmy_beaner The GT will be able to pull 600+ rwhp, which is more than enough fun time for me. Buying a Cobra would make me happy, but it just isn't practical right now.

True but by the time you do the math 600rwhp on an 03 cobra will be much cheaper than on your GT. Your just need a good condition 03 cobra (18-20k) and a twin screw blower with fuel upgrades and injectors/maf with a tune. Overall you should end up with 25k-26k in a car thats worth 20k vs a gt thats going to be worth much less with 600rwhp. Not saying one is a better way than the other but with the 03 cobra you dont have to build the engine.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV True but by the time you do the math 600rwhp on an 03 cobra will be much cheaper than on your GT. Your just need a good condition 03 cobra (18-20k) and a twin screw blower with fuel upgrades and injectors/maf with a tune. Overall you should end up with 25k-26k in a car thats worth 20k vs a gt thats going to be worth much less with 600rwhp. Not saying one is a better way than the other but with the 03 cobra you dont have to build the engine.

yes, but affording a Cobra right now... is a bit tough. And maybe what I'll do is just some appearance stuff and leave it sit.

[jimmy_beaner]

well... this photoshop ended up sealing the deal for me

[hottcobra]

looks sick

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by hottcobra looks sick

I am a hood, front bumper and wing away from being very close to that car. My rims are different... and I have mach c-pillars. Plus I still need tint

[SpectorV]

another thing to keep in mind is that the 2011 mustangs may come with the 400hp or more 5.0L engine... it would suck to have a build 4.6 sohc putting out not much more than that

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV another thing to keep in mind is that the 2011 mustangs may come with the 400hp or more 5.0L engine... it would suck to have a build 4.6 sohc putting out not much more than that

again, it's ok. This is a project car. I'm hoping my next major mod will be the KB 2.2L blower. That will set me at 450 hp until the motor blows... 600 rwhp will be more than I need realistically.

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV another thing to keep in mind is that the 2011 mustangs may come with the 400hp or more 5.0L engine... it would suck to have a build 4.6 sohc putting out not much more than that

The 2011 would also come with a car payment that he currently doesn't have....or won't have soon....as well as horrific styling.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by PureVenom The 2011 would also come with a car payment that he currently doesn't have....or won't have soon....as well as horrific styling.

Plus, I should be relatively able to pull the 2.2L KB and the 3.73's (by this time next year), which should keep me faster than the 2011's

[hottcobra]

300 shot and your done. in more ways than one

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by hottcobra 300 shot and your done. in more ways than one

VVVRRRRR- BOOOOOOOOOM as the piston fires through the hood. Thank God I'm getting a new one

In other news, I would assume the 2.2 KB at 9psi will provide enough fun to keep me happy until the motor goes

[modular2valve]

that pic u posted is sick. i vote for that one lol. looks like he is rolling on 18 inch anthricite fr500's on that gt.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve that pic u posted is sick. i vote for that one lol. looks like he is rolling on 18 inch anthricite fr500's on that gt.

yeah it is. I've got my rims for now. In the future, I may get a second set (18's) for mainly car shows or what-not. Those can be chrome. Then I can change them out depending on how I feel. But I think the black FR500's I have will make it look even more sick than that pic

[modular2valve]

yea im partial to my black fr's too

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve yea im partial to my black fr's too

I'm more than partial to them :drool:

[modular2valve]

LOL.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by modular2valve LOL.

no joke, every time I see FR's...

[SpectorV]

You have to consider the investment though, no car payment is fine but if you dump 6-12k into your car its still going to be worth the same after wards.

[jimmy_beaner]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV You have to consider the investment though, no car payment is fine but if you dump 6-12k into your car its still going to be worth the same after wards.

I don't plan on selling my car, so it's ok