Need a lil help to decide.

First off this is my first post, I have been a long time reader of AF, but just recently decided to become part of the community.

I am looking to purchase my next car and have kinda decided on a Mustang GT for best performance/price. However this leaves me with more questions.

1.)Is the mustang 5.0 that much faster then a 4.6? (No replacement for displacement?)
2.)How reliable are the 5.0 engines? For my price range, I would be purchasing 5.0s with 80k+ miles? Will I have problems off the bat?
3.)Are the 5.0s worth more insurance wise then a 4.6?
4.)If you have any other general information I should know, dont hesitate to share.

*Note: Sorry for the Investigation style post, I know especially for my first post this looks sortof bad. Dont worry I plan to help others in as many ways as possible, not just a leach :)

Stock for stock, 99+ 4.6's are faster than 5.0's. I don't know about 96-98's but they are slower than 99+

They are fairly reliable, and have tons of aftermarket support, so prices are low on everything.

Don't know about insurance, that depends on age, driving record, discount, how many vehicles, etc.

5.0's are incredibly easy to modify, and are cheaper to mod than 4.6's. I believe the 4.6 is a better engine since it is more modern, with emmisions regulations built in to the design. It also makes more specific output(hp/L).

Well I should have probally included that I can pull off about $8000 to the car, maybe $8500 if I pull some strings.

i'd personally go with the 4.6L. it's more modern, and though it doesn't have a huge aftermarket like the 5.0, it will. also it has more hp and (i believe) torque stock for stock and has more bhp/L . both are good engines, however, and the 5.0 will cost you less. either one is pretty safe.

The 3" stroke of a 5.0 is not that impressive for torque. Even with the smaller stock valve sizes. But, it still has more torque than a 4.6, if I remember correctly.

go the 5.0L and hey, no replacement for displacement
THATS MY MOTTO!!

At $8000 I would be patient but you should be able to find a decent first year 4.6 4V motor Cobra if you look hard enough. You won't be able to get a 99+ GT and I would just stay away from 96-98GT's with the non PI head 4.6.

Is the first year cobra s/c?

Is the first year cobra s/c?

The first blown cobras were 2003's. Kar Kraft has 99 32V motors for about 4500 bucks now. Somewhere around there, all I remember is it's more than 4K and a LOT less than 8.

go the 5.0L and hey, no replacement for displacement
THATS MY MOTTO!!

Except, of course, for massive flowing 32V heads and a superior block design. If you want to build a 650 RWHP 5.0 you need to drop atleast 2 grand for a new 4-bolt block. If you get lucky you might find an A4 block for about 1500 but chances are it's going to need machining. 600 RWHP modular cobra? Toss in new pistons, rods, ARP studs ands ome boost and take care of fueling and you're there.