Is it Time to Change the Narrative?

ImaSnake

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Albeit the 2001 SVT Cobra comes in at ~ 70 horsepower and torque less than the overshadowing "Terminator". Frequently, a 2001 owner hears comments such as, "Mach 1 is better", "why would you buy an 01, when you could of bought an 03-04", and some down-right disrespectful such as, "worst cobra ever made", or my personal favorite, "Slowbra".

While it may be easy to overlook the lighter weight Teskid aluminum block. From personal experience, I enjoy the reduced weight on the front-end during sharp accelerating turns. Thats right, turns, the original purpose of this car's design. At the time, Cobra outperformed rival pony car foe for its' ability to maneuver. The car may feel like a tank at times by 2019's standards, but the 2001 Cobra responds to a wide variety of driver inputs when it matters most.

Yet, the 2001 Cobra continues to be viewed anemically in the eyes of most car-enthusiast. However, the 2001 Cobra carries a different torch than the likes of the 03-04 Cobra and Mach 1. The 2001 SVT Cobra represents the turn of a new century, a time that changed the course of the United States and the World. A time when we were most close to our neighbors, a dying breed. I share great honor each time I growl past fellow Ford owners, in a true piece of American History.

Never Forget
-Daniel
 
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01yellercobra

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I've always viewed the 99/01 Cobras as more of a blank slate than the 03/04's. They're pretty easy to make handle well. And while it takes a little more work, they can make power. I did it with my 01. Sometimes I still miss it.

I call the 03/04 a recipe car. IE: "To make 400hp you follow these steps, to make 600hp follow these steps....", etc. That's what draws a lot of people.

Maybe I have a different view because I've been on both sides of the fence.
 

52merc

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I still have my 01, bought new, with no power adders. I'm still working on suspension, but I have fun when I drive it on the street, which is only where I drive it as there is no track close by.

I don't care what other people say.
 

shurur

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99/01 was the best balanced F/R weight ratio of any production mustang until the new 5.0 with IRS came out...even now it is still not far off.

My favorite is when terminator guys don't know that the 99/01 has an IRS too.
 

V3Coyotee

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The 99/01 Cobras are by no means garbage (especially when comparing to B head cars) that said they are still vastly overshadowed by the 03/04 cars. Far better engine/trans and none of them were corner carvers out of the box. The same suspension upgrades to the 99/01 can be done to the 03/04 which will really tear you up. There's a reason the 99/01 can be had for half of the 03/04 cost. Just reality, things advance.
 

V6&V8SHO

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I swapped a tousley 03-04 cobra long block in and a vmp tvs at 22psi. It is fun catching the competition off guard (it’s just an 01)
 

shurur

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Holy Thread jack!!

Reviews at the time for the 99 cobra called the IRS suspension/handling world class.
And they do corner better than the nose heavy terminator.
Just the facts and the price of an iron block and whipple loading up the front end.
 

V3Coyotee

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in 93 the Cobra R was a big improvement too, but tech moves on. What it is now matters vs what it was. Would like to see track times on the 01 vs 03 on a road course. Quick search only found the 03 compared to the 00R.
 

shurur

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in 93 the Cobra R was a big improvement too, but tech moves on. What it is now matters vs what it was. Would like to see track times on the 01 vs 03 on a road course. Quick search only found the 03 compared to the 00R.

It is a heavy nosed beast..pure and simple...always was, always will be.

As far as it being a high tech car...dropping a supercharger on a small block is a trick that is as old as the hills...and in some ways a desperate measure by Ford to terminate the '01 Camaro.

It would be better to drop a BB stroker in an 99-01...than f around with a terminator or terminator clone...case in point being the 2000 R.
 

Dirks9901

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Have both. 04 and 01. I looked at the 01 as a blank slate to build. Which is what i did and currently am doing. Its actually a great running car with just bolt ons. When i was catback, intake and 4:10 gears i could hang and beat bolt on Ls1’s all day. A4’s and M6’s. Same with Mach 1’s. People who say the mach is soooo much better make 0 sense to me. The only real world advantage is 3:55 gears and a solid. Bolt on for bolt on, never had a issue running with mach’s.

The thing that pissed me off more is when i heard people say 99-04 GT’s are very close to 99-01 cobras. Lol ok. Leave power adders off the table it was a bloodbath everytime i ran one on the street or track. 3-4 car lengths each time.

I also feel as though 99-01’s are parts bin cars in the aesthetics department though. Jmo.

03-04 are a different animal and i love my 04. There was a reason it overshadowed 99-01’s.


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V3Coyotee

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It is a heavy nosed beast..pure and simple...always was, always will be.

As far as it being a high tech car...dropping a supercharger on a small block is a trick that is as old as the hills...and in some ways a desperate measure by Ford to terminate the '01 Camaro.

It would be better to drop a BB stroker in an 99-01...than f around with a terminator or terminator clone...case in point being the 2000 R.
Have you found track times to compare yet to validate this? Expect to see the 01 put up faster times due to lighter nose.
 

ImaSnake

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OP - Once turned down for maintenance as "not a classic", to a man born 1990, Circa 2001 represent an impactful year in a young-man's life. To me... a classic.
 

shurur

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Have you found track times to compare yet to validate this? Expect to see the 01 put up faster times due to lighter nose.

Probably... with all else being equal.
Then there is the HP to weight ratio for any comparison between two cars.
 

52merc

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Who really cares about what other people think or say about your car. Its yours. Not theirs. Drive it, modify it, race it, look at it, store it. Do what you want. I enjoy my car. There will always be someone with a fancier, faster, or more expensive car, whatever you drive, unless your driving the new Bugatti Chiron.
 

FIREBALL

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Who really cares about what other people think or say about your car. Its yours. Not theirs. Drive it, modify it, race it, look at it, store it. Do what you want. I enjoy my car. There will always be someone with a fancier, faster, or more expensive car, whatever you drive, unless your driving the new Bugatti Chiron.

Exactly, I couldnt agree with this more. ---- This subject becomes a pissing contest especially by those that think the one with the most HP is better!!!. Other than a super charger are 03/04 that much different? I doubt it. Would I love to have 75 more HP? sure I would but hey I have a low milage 2001 that looks almost show room and with all the usual rear suspension mods It handles like on rails and has good amount of power and will probably last a lot longer than one with a super charged motor. The OP opened a can a worms with this thread lol.
 

Dirks9901

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Who really cares about what other people think or say about your car. Its yours. Not theirs. Drive it, modify it, race it, look at it, store it. Do what you want. I enjoy my car. There will always be someone with a fancier, faster, or more expensive car, whatever you drive, unless your driving the new Bugatti Chiron.

Very true.

Exactly, I couldnt agree with this more. ---- This subject becomes a pissing contest especially by those that think the one with the most HP is better!!!. Other than a super charger are 03/04 that much different? I doubt it. Would I love to have 75 more HP? sure I would but hey I have a low milage 2001 that looks almost show room and with all the usual rear suspension mods It handles like on rails and has good amount of power and will probably last a lot longer than one with a super charged motor. The OP opened a can a worms with this thread lol.

Yes, the 03/04’s are quite a bit more than just the supercharger.




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