What the diffeence betwwen the 2001 cobra and 03 cobra?

StangGt804 · **What the diffeence betwwen the 2001 cobra and 03 cobra?**

Whats the differences between the two?? I wanna know all if you guys can state it!! I know the body style is different, the hp(344) to (390) but more about the engine differences??

bluemustang · 10-07-2004, 05:00 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by StangGt804 Whats the differences between the two?? I wanna know all if you guys can state it!! I know the body style is different, the hp(344) to (390) but more about the engine differences??

Body style isnt much differ besides hood and spoiler.

Differs off hand is that the 01 is NA and the 03 is superchargered thats basically the main differ between the two

**PureVenom** · 10-07-2004, 05:47 PM

The 344 number is much to high for the 01 cobra. They came stock with 320 at the block.

Differences are:
01 Cobra
5 speed manual with an automatic option
Normal driveshaft (not aluminum)
I believe 3.27 gears in the back (not 100% sure)
Naturally aspirated

03 Cobra
6 speed manual only option
lightweight aluminum drive shaft
3.55 Gears out back
Supercharged
Better seat bolstering
Different Hood, Front/rear bumper covers, and side skirts
Lower compression

A couple other answers are here: http://www.alfageek.com/03faq.htm#_Toc35092336

2001 Cobra is a decent vehicle if you want to keep up with a stock Z28. They have about the same horsepower. A 2003 Cobra is decent if you want to be able to run door to door with a stock 03 Z06 corvette.

**PureVenom** · 10-07-2004, 05:49 PM

Oh, also the 03 has an all iron block where the 01 has an aluminum block. The internals are all forged internals able to handle up to 27 psi of boost before destruction. The heads are modified to flow better than the 01 heads.

StangGt804 · 10-07-2004, 06:14 PM

Oh I see! But couldnt you get a Kb for the 01 Cobra and be around 700 hp??

lowflyn · 10-07-2004, 06:18 PM

Hey smurfin, the 03 has an iron block? Why the heck would ford do this? The aluminum block is so much lighter...

Falcon · 10-07-2004, 06:25 PM

why are all your posts in lounge lol

lowflyn · 10-07-2004, 06:28 PM

Who me??

StangGt804 · 10-07-2004, 06:34 PM

I dunno! lol

lowflyn · 10-07-2004, 06:38 PM

All my posts aren't in the lounge...maybe a large amount of them, but I've been posting here since last August..so I guess it's ok lol

Falcon · 10-07-2004, 06:54 PM

no im talkin to stanggt lol

**PureVenom** · 10-07-2004, 07:13 PM

The 03 has an iron block because they kept blowing the bottom out of the aluminum block with the boost levels. Once they reached the 350 HP range, things got ugly. It was too much for the block from the 01 cobra to take. Really bad things kept happening. So, instead of fixing the aluminum block to work, they dropped in an iron block as a quick fix to save time.

As for your question StangGT804, yes, you could put a supercharger on top of an 01 cobra. However, the internals of that engine will brake before you reach 700 HP. They are not forged and can not handle the power. They can probably survive up to around 500 HP, but beyond that, it is not a guarantee. It would basically be the same as putting a supercharger on a GT. The internals are the same, just different heads. Also, the fuel pump from the 01 probably can not able to handle 500 HP. Granted, the 03 pump is only good for up to 500 rwhp, so, the pump from the 01 is probably rated lower I would guess.

Also, the compression of the 2001 Cobra, while I don't know the exact numbers, may not be easily compatible with boost. It may be too high to boost the engine much. Again, I don't know that for sure.

Also, you would have to be gentle with the transmission in the 01. The reason they went to the 6 speed was because the 5 speed wouldn't be able to live long with the torque being put down by the 03 cobra. The half shafts would also cause you problems in time.

Basically, you can buy a 2001 and boost it, but you will be doing it at your own risk and at more cost than would be worth when you could get an 03/04 with a warrantee already set up for the boosting and HP.

01 Cobra = ~$18k
Super charger setup = ~$4k
Dyno Tuning = ~$300
(assumes nothing else needs to be changed out or upgraded)

Total price = ~$22k - $24k depending on the installation costs for installing the SC.
No warantee.

03 Cobra = ~26k.
Waranteed.

The cost savings are not worth it in my opinion. If you were going to leave the 01 naturally aspirated, then I could see it. But, the costs and risks of breakage of supercharging an 01 just doesn't seem worth it in my mind.

StangGt804 · 10-07-2004, 09:49 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Smurfin The 03 has an iron block because they kept blowing the bottom out of the aluminum block with the boost levels. Once they reached the 350 HP range, things got ugly. It was too much for the block from the 01 cobra to take. Really bad things kept happening. So, instead of fixing the aluminum block to work, they dropped in an iron block as a quick fix to save time. As for your question StangGT804, yes, you could put a supercharger on top of an 01 cobra. However, the internals of that engine will brake before you reach 700 HP. They are not forged and can not handle the power. They can probably survive up to around 500 HP, but beyond that, it is not a guarantee. It would basically be the same as putting a supercharger on a GT. The internals are the same, just different heads. Also, the fuel pump from the 01 probably can not able to handle 500 HP. Granted, the 03 pump is only good for up to 500 rwhp, so, the pump from the 01 is probably rated lower I would guess. Also, the compression of the 2001 Cobra, while I don't know the exact numbers, may not be easily compatible with boost. It may be too high to boost the engine much. Again, I don't know that for sure. Also, you would have to be gentle with the transmission in the 01. The reason they went to the 6 speed was because the 5 speed wouldn't be able to live long with the torque being put down by the 03 cobra. The half shafts would also cause you problems in time. Basically, you can buy a 2001 and boost it, but you will be doing it at your own risk and at more cost than would be worth when you could get an 03/04 with a warrantee already set up for the boosting and HP. 01 Cobra = ~$18k Super charger setup = ~$4k Dyno Tuning = ~$300 (assumes nothing else needs to be changed out or upgraded) Total price = ~$22k - $24k depending on the installation costs for installing the SC. No warantee. 03 Cobra = ~26k. Waranteed. The cost savings are not worth it in my opinion. If you were going to leave the 01 naturally aspirated, then I could see it. But, the costs and risks of breakage of supercharging an 01 just doesn't seem worth it in my mind.

Your a smart man there smurfin!!! Thanks for da info!!

**PureVenom** · 10-07-2004, 09:51 PM

I know

WhiteStang99 · 10-07-2004, 11:09 PM

Just pay attention to what Smurfin says. Remember, he actually owns a Cobra.

**PureVenom** · 10-07-2004, 11:13 PM

Which is very fun to ride in...Right LowFlyin?

bigpomps · 10-09-2004, 01:58 PM

would the gears be too tall to put in 4.30 in the back of the new 03/04 cobra, cause of the six speed it wouldn't do too much for your top speed would it? Or would it hurt you in the long run. This would be considering its mainly city streets and the drag strip.

lowflyn · 10-10-2004, 08:35 AM

O yeh...very very much fun to ride in

**Brent** · 10-10-2004, 09:57 AM


Quote: Originally Posted by bigpomps would the gears be too tall to put in 4.30 in the back of the new 03/04 cobra, cause of the six speed it wouldn't do too much for your top speed would it? Or would it hurt you in the long run. This would be considering its mainly city streets and the drag strip.

4.30's in the back shouldnt be a problem. Traction problem maybe but I think she can handle it.