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I could see those numbers if he put slicks on the back...and keep in mind that the SVT Cobras had IRS which if you look at SCCA rules, they are both in A stock which means they both handle very well. Put in 2 drivers who know their cars and it would be a pretty even match if you ask me...my e36 m3 is in B stock....so it just goes to say that according to the "SSCA", the SVT is suppose to handle better then my car, and I don't doubt it one bit. It was a pretty big advancement on the Mustang
__________________ <span style='color:blue'>//</span><span style='color:red'>/</span><span style='color:gray'>M3</span> 27levels web design
Wow - this post has been cooking along for over six months. I didn't take the time to read the entire thread, but I might have unique perspective.
I currently have an 01 Cobra. The car has a 32V DOHC aluminum V8. The car makes 320HP and 317LB/FT of torque. The M3 Motor makes more power at peak, but the Cobra makes more power over a larger range. In other words, the Cobra has more usable power.
I know this to be a fact, because when my car was in stock form back in the spring of 2002, I drove the Windy City chapter of the BMW Club's Road America event. The E46 M3's could not outrun me on the front straight. My car was slightly hotter. If I came out of the last turn right behind an E46, I'd be in front of him by the time we crested the hill. The M3 is quicker from a dead stop, but the Cobra will pull it on a roll and go.
The funny thing is this: after catching the M3's on the straight, I had to back off because I needed an extra 50 feet or so to brake. Hence, the M3 kicked out a lot better lap times. My only point is that a stock E46 will not outrun a stock 01 Cobra from a rolling start.
The 03/04 Cobra will crush an M3 or an M5 from a roll and go. Period. The new M5's are a different story, but the old ones could not out run a Cobra to 155MPH. I've seen it, and I know it to be true. BTW - a K&N airfilter, Magnaflow catback, and smaller supercharger pulley will put the 03/04 Cobras over 500HP. Coupled with a conservative tune, the cars will run 11 sec 1/4 miles. Again, I've seen it.
Now, before I get flamed back to the stoneage, I have a some additional information: I'm selling the 01 Cobra and buying a 2002 E46 M3 with SMG. Why? Because the M3 is a far better car. Period. More fun around town, more fun on the track. Even with the extensive suspension modifications I've made on the car, the M3 is a better handler. My car sticks like glue on the track, however, the M3's with a little negative camber of Hawk Blues kill me. And I drive okay.
I've lowered the car, added better rotors, pads, shocks and struts... a bigger swaybar, and polythane bushings. The car corners well, but the M3's corner better. This means they can stay on the power longer and get back into the power sooner. That easily negates the minor straightline advantage I have.
__________________ <img src="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3500/sig21zo.gif">
1995 M3
1994 Supra TT 6SPD (Gone)
1994 Supra TT a few goodies
2003 Infiniti FX
You dont need class to go fast, you need balls
I owned an 03 cobra for a year and a half... and now I have a 97 M3. Iv driven the E46 M3's and the only problem is... I raced a million E46's with my cobra. And I never lost... And believe it or not, my Cobra cornered better then my M3. Remember, the 03 is not a typical mustang. Look into it. They have much more suspension work then ur average mustang, even older Cobra's. The 03/04 Cobras are definatly built to perform great across the board.
Cobra = American Muscle = massive engine with massive displacement = not much output for the engine size...
They run a supercharged 4.6 litre 8 Dohc = 390hp with 390nm Torque
2 ways to compare... Either on the engine size or price
As i am not sure on the price i will stick with engine size...
The closest engine that bmw make would be a 5 litre v10 engine "new m5's and m6's
lets see they produce 507hp which is around 107hp per litre...
Cobra produces 85hp per litre... "they are also running a super charger"
So as far as that goes per litre the BMW produces 20% more power...
This can also be seen in the m3
3 litre inline 6 producing 330 hp or 110hp per litre
Where the cobra is still 85hp per litre... "remember they are also running a supercharger"
But really for performance can you go past a skyline "i hate admitting it"
They are extremely fast, will blow away an m3 / cobra and are cheaper... well they are over here in Australia
But my Conclusion is, Cobra is a powerful car, but should be alot more power with 4.6 litres and a super charger
Naturally aspirated, it means darned good engineering.
but does nothing to make your car any faster
to me it's something ricers in their civics and preludes whine about after losing a race to a mustang or something. ok, your car may be more "efficient", but it still got it's ass beat.
anyway the cobra is underrated. its actual horsepower is closer to 425, which would be about 92hp per liter
and as engines get larger in displacement, it's harder and more expensive to make them have a high hp/liter ratio. a typical model airplane engine has over 300hp/liter for example.
haha, an american engine cant make that without displacement. The "No Replacement for displacement" motto has got to go. Even the GT mustange finally got 300hp out of a 4.6L V8... and everone was so excited. V8s should always make 300+! Even the japs have it right. My friend has an '03 stang, with the 3.8L V6 w/ 190hp. I have a '97 2.8L I6, and i make 190HP... c'mon now!
Even look at the sweet ZO6 7.0L V8 in the vette... 500HP. BMW M5/M6, 507HP out of a 5.0L (given it has 2 more pistons and a much higher redline)
When american cars get even get 75hp/L... ill think about buying one... THINK about it. Put technology into your engines... not size
haha, an american engine cant make that without displacement. The "No Replacement for displacement" motto has got to go. Even the GT mustange finally got 300hp out of a 4.6L V8... and everone was so excited. V8s should always make 300+! Even the japs have it right. My friend has an '03 stang, with the 3.8L V6 w/ 190hp. I have a '97 2.8L I6, and i make 190HP... c'mon now!
Even look at the sweet ZO6 7.0L V8 in the vette... 500HP. BMW M5/M6, 507HP out of a 5.0L (given it has 2 more pistons and a much higher redline)
When american cars get even get 75hp/L... ill think about buying one... THINK about it. Put technology into your engines... not size
haha i know... Im at school at U Dayton, and theres a GM factory down the road that I always hear about closing and such. I feel like I should like American cars more... but i just cant! w/e, i never plan to buy a new anything... I buy used... always a better value...
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