There is an article floating around regarding HUGE news on the environmental friendliness of the 2011 Ford Mustang V6. The car set a record by driving OVER 1,400 laps on a single tank of gas, averaging 48.5 miles per gallon! The article, found here, explains a bunch of other details about the groundbreaking news.

MUSTANG V6 AVERAGES 48.5 MPG; RUNS 1,457 LAPS AT BRISTOL ON A SINGLE TANK OF GAS

• The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 sets a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps with an average speed of 43.9 mph
• Mustang is powered by a new 3.7-liter V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering and technology to deliver great performance and fuel economy
• More than 51,000 entries were received for the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge with 22 entries guessing the winning number of laps
• A team of five drivers, including four Ford Mustang engineers and Ford NASCAR star David Ragan, drove the Mustang during its record run

2011 Ford Mustang Pictures

What a great event! It’s very interesting to have a car with over 300 HP with a V6 engine, completely bone stock. On top of that, to be able to average 48.5 MPG on a track is unheard of!

(Image source)

Stepping up to a 2004 Cobra is akin to finding yourself for the first time. Its bodywork isn’t much different from the 2004 Mustang GT, aside from a vented hood, big wheels, and an emblem of a snake on the front fender. It remains relatively docile looking, and if it this were an ordinary Mustang GT that may very well be understandable. Alas, this is no ordinary Mustang GT.

The 2004 Cobra is the king of the hill when it comes to Mustangs. The subtle visual differences aren’t what makes this apparent- it’s what’s underneath it all that counts. A 390 horsepower supercharged 4.6L V8 is a big part of it, as is the stiffer suspension and bigger brakes. The overall performance of the car, right down to the 6 speed transmission, is simply above and beyond that of a regular Mustang.

What it feels like to drive a 2004 Cobra

As one can imagine, the 2004 Cobra really gets going in a hurry. The supercharged V8 ignites with the kind of fury that only super-cars are known for, and it rockets the Cobra down the quarter mile in just under 12.3 seconds. If you’ve never been in a car that runs 12’s in the quarter mile there’s no other way to explain aside from one word: wow. This is not your parent’s minivan.

The gearbox is quick and precise, with first and second gears pretty much a wash under hard acceleration- too much torque will do nothing other than keep those tires spinning. For those that love power over-steer, well, here’s a car that can summon it pretty much on command.

Do You Need A 2004 SVT Cobra?

Well, no, of course you don’t. In fact, the 2004 Cobra may be a bit too much car for your average person. Its 390 horsepower engine has actually been shown to make around 420 horsepower- that much power on the street is formidable. As well, the supercharged engine requires premium unleaded, and its suspension is a bit stiff.

But, if you are daft and don’t mind taming a beast, the 2004 Cobra is king of the road- an awesome, tire squealing, neck wrenching, torque-injected king of the road. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

It isn’t every day that a performance car so awesome comes around that its given an equally fantastic nickname. The 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra, called “the Terminator” by its fans and benefactors, came loaded with blistering performance and smile-inducing specifications right out of the box.

Plenty of Horsepower and Torque

The 2003 Cobra produced an astonishing 390 horsepower and 390ft-lbs of torque, making it the most powerful Ford Mustang that was factory produced. The Steeda Q400 produced roughly 400 horsepower, and the Saleen S281 produced roughly 425 horsepower. The 2003 Cobra, however, was the hardcore Mustang for those who didn’t want to go too hardcore.

Unlike the Saleen S281 or Steeda Q400, the ’03 Cobra retained just enough civility to remain street-able for just about anyone. Though it required premium fuel, and a quick twitch of your right foot could send the rear tires up in smoke in nearly any gear at any engine speed, it was able to be docile and calm when necessary.

Strong Value and Re-sale

Due to the massive curb appeal of the 2003 Cobra, demand was huge. Big 5-spoke rims, a vented hood, and Cobra badging let the world know that this was no ordinary Mustang. The exhaust (which bellowed out a V8 rumble) made it known that this Mustang was in charge of the road- it had an exhaust note that you could feel.

Due to its relative rarity and massive performance potential, the 2003 Mustang Cobra has retained its value quite well when compared to standard Mustang GTs. Owners are reluctant to let these stallions go, and buyers are seemingly willing to pay handsomely for them. One thing is for sure: if you ever own one of these epic Mustangs you will not be disappointed.

Sorry to upset you, but there is very little information to be told about the 2002 Mustang Cobra. In the United States, the 2002 was not released for sale. However, about 100 of these monsters were built and shipped to Australia. Since they were shipped to Australia, additional lights were added in the grill (lower bumper) and the steering wheel was moved to the right side of the car.

The Numbers

Horsepower: 320
Torque: 317

Source: Mustang Evolution

We received a few complaints about the injustice of the 2004 Mustang Cobra Specs post (please forgive, we weren’t sure how to layout the site at that point in time!), so be prepared for a great combination of details with our 2003 and 2004 posts that are coming up!

Superchargers, superchargers, superchargers. There are many kinds, but we at Mustang Cobra SVT are HUGE fans of the Kenne Bell superchargers. More specifically, here is some information about the BlowZilla supercharger (for the ’99-’04 Mustangs). They have a whine unlike any other, and can keep the entire rubber industry in business for years to come.

Take a look at this video and you will hear the supercharger just before the tires start spinning. Turn your volume up! This video should make ANY car fan tingly.

BlowZilla Supercharger

The big boy BlowZilla is capable of handling upwards of 950 HP, and apparently the car in the video pushes about 600HP.

Thank you Kenne Bell – You have provided an amazing product!

The long, drawn out pony car war had pretty much settled. The Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and the Pontiac Trans-Am had all but bowed out of the ring, leaving only the Ford Mustang as the reigning champion. One would think that Ford would simply appreciate their victory, offering a small appearance package perhaps as reference to its victory.

Wrong! In 2003, the Mustang SVT Cobra, codenamed “Terminator”, was released with great enthusiasm to adoring fans everywhere. This Mustang, equipped with an Eaton supercharger, was rated at 390 horsepower. Later, discovery would show that the Mustang Terminator actually produced somewhere in the neighborhood of 430 horsepower.

The Mustang Terminator had an 80 horsepower difference between the standard 5.0L Mustang GT and itself, and equal amounts of torque (claimed 390HP/390TQ). This made it the most powerful Mustang available for purchase at that time.

Terminating the Pony Car Wars

The Mustang Terminator was the car that put the proverbial nail in GM’s coffin, signaling to many that the Pony car wars were over. The 390 horsepower car, combined with a six speed transmission and massive 13” front brakes (11.65” on the rear) had all the underpinnings necessary to squash the competition. Big power, stiff suspension, and the ability to stop on a dime.

Unfortunately, no Mustang SVT Cobra Terminator was ever able to complete a quarter mile run as the rear tires would always go up in a cloud of smoke. Aside from the epic Saleen, Roush, and Steeda Mustangs, the SVT Cobra Terminator was the biggest, baddest Mustang you could buy. Not even the legendary Mach 1, which produced roughly 320 horsepower, could live up to the wake created by the “big daddy” of Mustangs. After all, its adoring fan base had nicknamed the 2003/20004 SVT Cobra the “Terminator” for a reason.

You’ve probably heard of the Saleen S7. The S7 is one of the most powerful and sought after supercars available for purchase today. The Saleen S7 is a direct result of Saleen’s success in modifying the Ford Mustang GT, though the Saleen S7 and Saleen-tuned Mustang are two very different cars.

Founded by Steve Saleen in 1983, Saleen is legendary among Mustang tuning circles. Unlike most tuning companies, which provide hopped up versions of commonly available cars, Saleen is an OEM manufacturer and is subject to the same federal regulations governing design and testing of their products as Ford is. It is the last small manufacturer to bear OEM status.

Saleen Mustangs

Saleen Mustangs are quite popular among Mustang circles, and their sales figures prove this fact. Saleen has sold over 8,000 highly modified Mustangs since 1984 (the year the first Saleen Mustang was made). Saleen Mustangs are easily identified thanks to their aggressive body work, Saleen decaling, and largely increased performance figures.

The Saleen H281 SC, for example, produces 465 horsepower (only 35 shy of the Shelby Cobra GT500). The H302, a follow up to the H281, produces 390 horsepower (90 more than the standard Mustang GT). These power numbers are reached using high compression V8 engines, superchargers, or both. What’s important, however, is not the horsepower itself but the engines reliability at maintaining the increased horsepower loads.

In 1997 a Saleen Mustang competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans- the first time a Ford Mustang had entered the event in 30 years.

Saleen S7

Started in 1995, the foundation for the Saleen S7 was laid when Saleen began using a 7.0L V8 in their track vehicles. In 2000, the mid-engined Saleen S7 was released. Priced at just under $400,000, it is still one of the most sought-after American supercars ever produced.

In 1965, 1966, and 1967, a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang was build by Carroll Shelby’s company. Called the Shelby GT (but branded as the Shelby Cobra), the Shelby Cobra was factory sponsored to compete against the also factory sponsored Chevrolet Corvette. In 1968 the Shelby Cobra was renamed the Shelby Cobra GT. This name became legendary among Mustang enthusiasts.

The final model year of the early Shelby Cobra GTs was 1970, though the namesake was revived in 2007 to celebrate the introduction of the new fifth-generation Ford Mustang.

Performance of the Early Shelby Cobra

In 1966, if you were lucky enough to get your hands on a Shelby Cobra GT350, you were given one of the rarest and most valuable Ford Mustangs ever produced. It is also the year that the infamous Hertz Mustangs became available for sale. Dubbed the Shelby Cobra GT350H, the Hertz version of the 1966 Shelby Cobra GT350 was limited to 1,373 cars. These cars have been known to fetch over $120,000 at auctions today.

1967, the final year of the early Shelby Cobra, was also the most significant. The GT500, affectionately known as Eleanor (and highly popularized in recent memory by the movie ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’), came equipped with a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8, rated at 335 horsepower (though many say that rating is conservative).

Carroll Shelby ended his agreement with Ford in the summer of 1969. Production of the Shelby Cobra ended with the 1970 model year.

Modern Shelby Cobras

Introduced as the GT-H (the Hertz edition) at the 2006 New York Auto Show, the modern Shelby Cobra is a powerful variant of the current Ford Mustang. A 4.6L, 319 horsepower V8 makes the Ford Shelby GT (as it is now dubbed) a slight step up in terms of horsepower from the standard 300 horsepower Mustang GT. The Shelby Cobra GT500, packing a 500 horsepower V8 and a 6 speed manual transmission, remains the “King Kong” of the Mustang world.

Initially providing performance parts for the Ford Mustang, Roush expanded and began producing their own branded Ford Mustangs shortly after their inception. Roush Mustangs have been met with positive reception, aside from some minor controversy (detailed below), thanks largely to their increased horsepower, unique body and exhaust configurations, and improved performance figures.

Like Saleen or Steeda, Roush takes a Mustang GT and then heavily modifies it to create what is essentially an entirely new car. A 2004 Roush Mustang 440A, for example, was produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Ford Mustang production. It featured a unique interior, as well as a custom braking system and a larger exhaust. The 440A made 400 horsepower, compared to the 260 horsepower from a standard Mustang GT.

Controversy with Roush

Roush has many detractors. Roush Mustangs, despite being prized for their modifications and rarity, are looked down upon by some die-hard Mustang fans for apparent overrating of their horsepower figures. The Roush Mustang 440A, for example, had a claimed 400 horsepower. That same Mustang dyno’d at 360 horsepower- a significant difference from what was claimed.

Newer model Roush Mustangs, such as the 427R and Roush Sport, have not been subject to nearly as much scrutiny or controversy as the 440A. The Sport package comes with a body kit, high performance exhaust system, and several “stages” that can be purchased to up power and handling. The 427R, the pinnacle of Roush Mustangs, produces 435 horsepower and comes with a unique appearance package.

Roush is second only to Saleen and Shelby in terms of popularity of their custom Mustangs. Roush has become so popular that their cars are now featured in racing games, such as Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec and Gran Turismo 4. With ultra-high performance cars, such as the Roush 427R, their popularity is only going to go up. If you’re looking for a high performance car that’s both rare and affordable, it’s time for you to see what Roush is about.

Just about every performance-oriented car sold today has some kind of dedicated tuner. Honda as Mugen, the Chevrolet Corvette as Ligenfelter, and the Ford Mustang has an entire host of them: Shelby, Ronaele, Roush, Steeda, Saleen, and Ford’s own Special Vehicle Team (SVT). These tuners typically take an ordinary car and make it something extraordinary.

The Beginning of Steeda

Steeda entered the picture in 1988. Founded by Dario Orlando, Steeda Autosports is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aftermarket performance parts for Ford. Steeda Mustangs may not necessarily be labelled in the same way that Roush or Saleen Mustangs are, but they are easy to identify: they are loud, fast, and very distinct in their decaling and bodywork.

Being completely dedicated to Ford Motorsports, Steeda has continuously produced nothing less than the best quality parts and accessories for purchasers of Ford vehicles. Steeda is now world class, and produces the largest line of exclusive Ford parts and accessories in the world today.

On top of that, Steeda guarantees the quality and performance of their parts which is not easy to come by in the auto industry.

Steeda Mustangs

Steeda has released a couple variations of the Ford Mustang, called the Q400 (introduced in 2003) and Q525 (introduced in 2006). The Q400 is one of the best Steeda Mustangs ever made (it produced 400 horsepower from a supercharged 4.6L V8), and the Q525 ups the ante even more (500 horsepower from a supercharged and intercooled 5.0L V8).

To really appreciate the value of a Steeda Mustang it’s important that you take into consideration all of the work that has gone into making it. The Q400, for example, was actually underrated from Steeda when it was released. Car and Driver did a dynamometer test on a Q400 and found that it produced 425 horsepower to the wheels, meaning that it was making at least 450 horsepower at the crank.

If you can’t afford to purchase one of the Steeda Mustangs, fret not, as you can always select various Steeda performance parts from their catalog and custom-build your Mustang. Steeda is in the business of making horsepower, and once you strap some bolt-on Steeda parts to your car you’ll understand why.

It’s no surprise that their motto is: Steeda – Where Speed Matters!