Yes, Carl Black and etc.

All the LS6 is is intake and cam. It's not like it's a brand new motor. I've seen three cars with documentation (1 CE T/A, and 2 Blackbirds) that said they came with these.

Perhaps they were special, I dunno.

 

The LS6 also has different/better heads and the block has "windows" machined into the webbing between the crank mains to help air management at high rpms in the bottom of the block.

To be able to claim a true LS6 you'd have to swap them out completely.

 

About the 5.0 and 4.6 as "wrench turner" motors, I will to a degree agree with you. I will say working on them is easier then any 4th gen, but one main reason is that you can still get around the whole engine. The cowl does not go over the firewall, and I believe the suspension towers allow a little more interior room. I'll agree to that. But from my DSM days, I learned the crap a timing belt presents. I'll take a pushrod and chain ANY day of the week vs fussing with the stupid belt. And knowing if that belt goes for some reason, you need a new engine. I dont like belts. DOHC motors are great, but I think pushrod's reliability is great. Perhaps they are a lot easier to work on. I havent owned one, so I wouldnt know. I know top loader DOHC heads are a breeze for plugs and wires, and I know that some other parts are cake, but the full deal?

Yes, Ford did win the war, but would they have won if GM put as much into the Camaro as Ford did to the mustang? Also mentioned was making aftermarket parts, which GM does as well. I think the development of performance OEM is the best thing out there. In time we shall see what happens. But despite what has happened, I think this "war" is far from over. The Camaro/Firebird may be dead, but there's nothing saying scientists at GM arent hard at work to create super-soldiers from the living dead. (See Jean Claude Van-Damme in Universal Soldier)


I hope atleast, that Ford's Mustang and Cobra can hold up the American Muscle Image till they get some backup...

EDIT: And YES - that is my only fear about the Foxbodies. I Never know what's under there, because most of them that are still in good shape are decently modded, where most 3rd gens I see are basically stock. Luckily I havent ran into any that were much of a threat for one reason or another.

 

But they didn't... . The "could of"..."would of"...game can be played on Ford's side as well. There tons of things they could have and should have done that they didn't on the mustang. I don't doubt the ls-6 being cheaper and easier to develop for the f-bod then the S/c 4.6 for the cobra, but the fact is that the cobra comes with the S/c 4.6L and the f-bods don't come with the ls-6.

Why are you comparing an non-average mustang to an average f-bod? What ever happened to the $35k price for the Cobra coupe? where did the $5k increase to $40k come from? Did it get priced that high ove the New Years cause the 2003 coupe MSRP was previously $34,995? A fully optioned and loaded SS or ws6 T/A isn't far from $35k and the convertible hovered closer to $36-37k from what i've heard. That doesn't sound like Cobra pricing to you? It's allot closer to a "comparable" f-bod then a vette.

I agree with you on this one, but you just named trade offs which apply to every vehicle. Stiffen the suspension and you'd be given up some ride quality, but the Cobra has IRS and the other mustangs don't so i don't know how this would be gauged. For reliability and economy, It's kind of HP dependant. But then again, the Cobra's engine isn't built like the 4.6L Sohc and N/A Dohc, and is built to handle boost. At it's stock setting, i don't think it's unreliable. As for affordability, it's a 400hp limited production car.

 

Ford upped the MSRP of the Cobra to $38,405 when no one was looking..proof here scroll down to Cobra

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mus..._Mustang_Cobra

That is without any options, tax, tags and title...so in short unless you can get one under MSRP (yeah right!) it will be almost impossible to pay under $40K

 

I see. From $34,995 to $38,405. So they decided to up the price halfway through the production year? It's really not making sense since there's no reasonable exuse. Even the GT and v6 have been marked up. I doubt there were any changes to back up the price increase.

As for options on the Cobra there are only 2. 1) Chrome over the polished 17's and 2) Rear wing delete. Most people opt to keep the polished wheels and rear wing anyways so it basically comes fully loaded at that $38,405.

Do you see the next gen Cobra hitting $40k?

 

MSRP - 2003 Cobra Coupe, delivered.

Another... this one's white. I've sat in this one, and it's gorgeous... white and tan leather... embossed seats...

So where are you getting this $40K stuff? Somebody's been pullin' your ropes outta whack.

[EDIT] Sorry... forgot to mention that these cars are sitting in inventory at Parkway Ford here in Winston-Salem, NC right now. That's why you can see the exact VIN #, and destination charges included.

 

Branden, I think your link was base for the Cobra convertible. I can link a dozen other "ford" sites that have the Cobra coupe based at below $35K - and I have seen NO gouging yet!

 

I dunno i am confused. that is thier main Mustang page..yet if you go to a few dealers it says you can get a coupe for 35K and if you go on the compare vehicles part it shows the coupe at almost 36K and the Vert at 37K

 

Pretty informative page. Guess the Bucaneers winning mellowed everyone out.

 

I agree that the page referencing the Mustangs is confusing. However, I don't think there is any doubt that the price given there is for the Convertible.

Look at the top of the page - it says "Mustang at a glance". Notice that for each of the other Mustangs it lists prices for both the Coupe and vert. Also, you cannot get actual price data for the Cobra using the "Build Your Ford" function - only the V6, GT, and Mach 1.

However, if you go to a source such as Edmunds.com, you'll see that the Convertible price on the FordVehicles.com site and the one on Edmunds are identical. This page refers: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/ford/mustang/.

You'll also see where it lists the Cobra Coupe at $34,065.

Going to Edmunds listing for the base 2003 Corvette returns a price of $44,095. This page refers: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/chev...tte/index.html

Thus, using reputable sources, the price difference is a bit over $10,000.

Of course, this does not reflect rebates, discount interest rates, and any other incentives that might be available. You almost certainly will not find a 03 Cobra discounted. From what I understand, it is possible to find decent discounts on the Vette.

 

decent? Try $6000 off MSRP for brand new 03's!
w00t

 

Cool. What incentive program is that? Rebate?

 

I have driven several Mustangs, including a 2001 GT. I liked them all very well, but I have not yet had the privelage of piloting a Camaro. BTW, I normally dislike add ons to a car that aren't functional, but I think the faux hood scoop looks dang cool. I also like the Trans Am's fancy duds.

 

Originally the LS-6 was planned for the '02 Camaro Anniversary cars. I remember reading it in GM High-Tech a couple of years ago. Then the program got axed, I remember when they reported that too. I don't remember why but it probably had something to do with GMs beancouters.

Also there are major differences between the LS-1 and LS-6 besides intake and cam.