2003 Cobra Engine vs. 2001 Cobra Engine

[BlownVenom]

just curious about this. by the title i dont intend to start a war about which is the better of the two engines, i just want to know the differences. i myself have a blown 2001 Cobra which is currently getting forged pistons, steel rods, etc. i know people have many different opinions on this subject, but i would like to know besides switching to a 4 main bolt (did the 2 horizontal bolts for 2001 help at all?) cast iron block with a forged crankshaft what the differences are... feel free to express your opinions on why you think its better or worse...

[gatorac]

The plusses.

Forged pistons
Manley rods
8:1 compression (good for us who want lots of boost)
I believe the heads are opened up a little more as well.
That thing on top where the manifold goes that makes funny noises.;)

Minuses
Cast Iron block. :( Heavy and it retaines heat longer. More weight affects everything else with the car. Handling, braking and acceleration.


What sucks with most of the late model V8's (Chevy and Ford), is with thier higher compression and Hyperucraptic pistons, boost is a scary thing. Then your left doing what you are now, building up the bottom end to handle it. That ain't cheap.

I have a Vortech on my 92. I think I like the flatter torque curve with the roots type blower better.

[Elapidae]

You can't get a wrong or right answer to your question because it's all subjective. Still, I'll throw out my opinion :D

I think they're both great engines. I had a 99 (Post Fix) so I'm kind of familiar with the 01. The all aluminum block is certainly lighter and people don't seem to have any problems getting serious hp/tq out of them. They rev like crazy.

The 03 engine is heavier but the cams seem to bring on torque a little quicker (at the expense of dropping the red line). The lower compression is ideal for boost. I don't think the 2 missing bolts have any impact on durability. They require very little (comparitively) to get another 50 to 100 hp/tq to the wheels.

So in the interest of being impartial, I'd say that they are both great :D

[BlownVenom]

Originally posted by gatorac
The plusses.

Forged pistons
Manley rods
8:1 compression (good for us who want lots of boost)
I believe the heads are opened up a little more as well.
That thing on top where the manifold goes that makes funny noises.;)

Minuses
Cast Iron block. :( Heavy and it retaines heat longer. More weight affects everything else with the car. Handling, braking and acceleration.


What sucks with most of the late model V8's (Chevy and Ford), is with thier higher compression and Hyperucraptic pistons, boost is a scary thing. Then your left doing what you are now, building up the bottom end to handle it. That ain't cheap.

I have a Vortech on my 92. I think I like the flatter torque curve with the roots type blower better.

Yeah i was just looking for the changes made to the engine, curious to if there was anything that wouldnt be able to be thrown in to a 2001 to make it an equal to the 2003 and still have the aluminum block...

[gatorac]

Originally posted by BlownVenom
Yeah i was just looking for the changes made to the engine, curious to if there was anything that wouldnt be able to be thrown in to a 2001 to make it an equal to the 2003 and still have the aluminum block...

That would be nice. I've heard two different stories on the reason for the cast iron block.
1. To keep the cost down.
2. The aluminum block would not meet Fords durability requirements for the 03's power levels.

[BlownVenom]

Originally posted by gatorac
That would be nice. I've heard two different stories on the reason for the cast iron block.
1. To keep the cost down.
2. The aluminum block would not meet Fords durability requirements for the 03's power levels.

i think cost must have been a big factor, or they could have just improved the aluminum block. 1999/2001 Cobra, LS1 and Vipers have aluminum blocks (and have been turbo/supercharged quite a bit), it just seemed to be a standard. If the true reason was strength, not to cut costs, then maybe SVT didn't want to spend time redesigning the aluminum block to just be slightly stronger, and are working on something radica to be out soon... the iron block was a quick fix? any opinions or facts?

[rachrse]

I agree with BlownVenom

[BlueOvalBolt]

At the 03 Reveal in Chicago last February, the engine design engineers said they tried to build an aluminum block motor but all 7 attempts blew up in a relatively short amount of time. At that point the resigned themselves to go with the iron block.

Weather they have something in works or not, I haven't heard.