big reg

iTrader: (28)

I have been mulling this over for a long time now to be honest. I have a pristine 01 SLP SS with 49k formerly owned by SLP. They gave it every option available in 02 as it was used as their company advertising and dealer education vehicle so I guess it is a one of a kind car. I have a copy of the title signed by Ed Hamburger, email communications from them and the prev owner and their Michigan registration and insurance cards with the matching Michigan manufacturers license plate. I also have a bill of sale on SLP company letter head as well.

I have been debating getting an 03 Cobra ever since they cam out. I bought the STI new instead. I have always loved the 98-02 SS and Light Pewter Metallic has always been my fav color. I have had the car for 2 yrs now and am looking at picking up a D1SC kit over the winter.

The problem is I dont want to spend 15-20k again building a car. I did it once with my Eclipse and I will never spend that much money on a depreciating asset again.

My cousin recently sold a Whippled 03 cobra with 621 rwhp 578rwtq and it was the sickest thing I have ever been in. I can pick one up for 23k with low miles or 18-19k with over 60k or so and there are several used low mileage KB 2.2's for sale right now on SVT Performance.

I have just seen too many threads with guys grenading stock shortblocks with FI and even H/C cars which is why I have held off on modding my car. I owe 11k on my car and could prob get 15.5k for it. I have about 2.5k in new mods to sell and several K in the bank. By March I could pay cash for the 03 Cobra.

I am looking for unbiased opinions (I know that is hard on this site) and will be psoting this on SVT Performance as well. Thanks in advance guys

20SS07

Tough call there. It would be hard for me to part with the SS if it's in such pristine condition as you say and it's cool that it was owned by SLP and whatnot. But those Cobra's are pretty wicked. Being as I don't own a Camaro or a Cobra I think my opinion would be unbiased. I've always liked the SS's alot but I dunno given the situation I think I would go for the Cobra, especially since you said you should be able to pay cash for it, personally that would be a big point for me. Just my two cents though.

blackmaro99

iTrader: (5)

Well judging by the poll options it seems like you've already made your choice. Good luck.

SIC LSX

iTrader: (10)

SS all the way! I have beat many 420-470whp cobras with my little cam only ls1 Z28. LOL $15,000 I can get 700+whp easy with the block to handle it

SIC LSX

iTrader: (10)

if you know anything about the cobras 700whp the block dosnt last long lol!!!! Then your in the big $$$$$

big reg

iTrader: (28)

Actually the only weak link is the stock pistons. The block is good for 900rwhp or more. 625-650 is very safe on a stock shortblock. 700 rwhp is a lot cheaper in an 03 Cobra there is no disputing that. I love my car but I am being honest with myself here.

big reg

iTrader: (28)

Here are conservative estimates I have done.
D1SC kit- used 4k new 6k
Rearend- 2k
Shortblock- 347 2800, 370 2900, 408 3600
H/C etc.... 2500-3k depending on heads
Fuel system 800 (depending on setup)
This does not include all labor etc...

I have the money but it does not seem practical espec considering my significant other and I are talking about children etc...

SIC LSX

iTrader: (10)

just get a built 6.0 iron block 370ci and throw and turbo on and get over 700 whp and adjusted it whenever you want! I do all my own work but the tuning. Hell you would have to do 90% of that on a cobra and its heavy. I have to many friends that had 600+whp cobras and not impressed. They dynoed good but never really ran that good to impress me! Plus they all ended up blowing the stock motor up so bad they had to get all new stuff. One that i did like had a ported stock blower with a 75 shot of nitous it ran good!

aaronloveszztop

I don't currently own either but I've had a T/A and I've been drooling over an 03 Cobra down the street for a month or two. If I wasn't in school I'd have already bought the Cobra, but the lack of Cash has had me doing a lot of research A LOT, And for my money I'd go with the cobra. Just cause I like the idea of the blower!!! And I like something a little different, and there is something sinister about that snake on the grill and that whine that'll make most f-bodies think twice.

wldesyWS6

iTrader: (2)

honestly i dont think we can answer this one for you. we have no idea what you like or your situation or what you have previously experienced car wise. I could have had an 03 cobra if i wanted to or a C5 Z06 for that matter. but no. i wanted the car in my sig so i seeked it out and got the baddest, cleanest one left. I didnt care about the power of a cobra or the fact that everyone else thinks a Z06 is cooler. I wanted a SOM WS6 M6 black leather and thats exactly what i got....only you can make the decision.

goodrich969

iTrader: (9)

Its hard to choose. Personally, I would go with the Cobra. They just have too much potential for the money. For about 3-400 bucks you have something like 430hp. Plus I think theyre sexy *** cars, not saying fbodys arent because they absolutely are. At the end of the day, its your decision and you have to make it. GL with it man. Either way by the sounds of your current SS, either way you will have a badass car

big reg

iTrader: (28)

To be honest it is tough because I really do love my car. I looked for over a year before I found it and it had everything I wanted in an SS. Its just the HP/$ ratio that is making it hard. I am not completely sold on the 03 Cobra that is kind of why I am asking for opinions, experiences etc...

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

YUP---3 guys I have met in the last year have completely screwed their cobras..2 were PROFESSIONALLY DONE...1 was sorta.....all...had less then 50thou.kilometeres/30 thousand miles...700 hp in any car for a street car that u use regularly requires much money unless u intend to putt around..I mean..NO BURNOUTS every week even..all 3 had more than 600hp rear wheel...[btw--have you ever heard of a high mileage 03-04 COBRA...NO. [Cobra's have cooling problems stock..I have been told]

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

I dont know a whole lot about furds but you wont have to replace any of that stuff on a 03 cobra at 700rwhp?

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

HMMMMM!!!!

big reg

iTrader: (28)

Half shafts are the weak link in the rearend but on street tires they are fine whereas I have seen people grenade 10 bolts with bolt-ons. H/C are fine although some to switch to more aggressive cams but I dont think it is worth the money spent as far as gains from what I have seen. The 621 rwhp Cobra my cousin sold is still going strong and the guy takes it to the track weekly. And the cooling prob is easily fixable with the "cooling mod". It has to do with coolant having nowhere to go on the rear of trhe driver side head I think causing #7-8 to run hot. With the cooling mod it allows coolant to flow through the back of the head alleviating this prob

stainless40cal

stick with the ss.... The cobras are very nice and i like em a ton but when it comes down to it your not getting your moneys worth with it in my opinion.......

SSmokin99

iTrader: (7)

I've been wanting an 03/04 COBRA ever since the beginning of 2003, but I got the SS because it was a lot cheaper ($16,000 with 17k miles)...Until this very day I still want an 03/04 COBRA, but I can't sell my SS. As soon as I get this new job I'll be throwing a down payment on the cobra or I'm gonna get a heads/cam package for my SS first. Either way I'll have a cobra next to my SS. I say you should get one, but I wouldn't sell the SS! by the way I have pewter too. I love the sound of COBRA's especially the damn S/C, but I also think about how the Cobra motors are prone to blow at high speed runs because of the pistons (7 & 8 I think). I rode in "Pworldstang's" 04 Cobra with a ported blower, pulley, etc. and it was a ****** beast. The S/C was f*CKIN loud too.

Mr. Trick

iTrader: (19)

In my opinion, I wouldnt mod the SS if it has that kind of history. The 03 Cobras are really cool cars and I wouldnt hesitate to get one if I could. Plus from what I've seen its easy to get power out of them.

RooRnZ28

iTrader: (14)

why would you call a 2002 SS camaro a depreciating asset? A 35th anniversary camaro SS will be worth more $$$ one day than any cobra.... and it will last longer too. I am biased toward chevys, lol so i say go with the camaro.

Mustangs are just and only chicks should drive them!