99 Mustang SVT Cobra OR 98-02 Z28 or SS Camaro

[dampachi]

I've been trying to decide for awhile on a car to buy...I jump from one extreme to another but a few things are pretty much set in stone...V8, manual, and leather interior. and not to exceed $16,000. So that's where I've come to either a 99 Cobra or a 98-02 Z28 or SS camaro. I'm slowly going to mod either one into my main goal of 11s. So with that in mind...who's going to start the discussion in which car is better?!

[kman10587]

Get the Camaro or Firebird with an LS1 engine and six-speed manual.

[BLU CIVIC]

so ur goal is to buy a car to get into the 11's in the 1/4 mile and that's it?

[kman10587]

If that's all you want, just get an old Chrysler turbo and run crazy boost. The car probably won't last more than a week, but you'll probably hit 11's.

[dampachi]

um, right kman. and yes...the end goal of the car is to have a glovebox full of 11 second time slips while remaining it's daily driver status.

[dampachi]

oh yeah...and if you're going to pick a side...it'd be more helpful if you actually gave me reasons why i should pick that car instead of just saying 'get this one'.

[kman10587]

I was J/K, I'd get the LS1 Camaro/Trans Am because it's cheaper and I believe there is a bigger aftermarket for it than the DOHC 4.6L.

[genjy]

The LS1 Camaro should be a better performer and has more potential than the SVT Cobra, but I think the Mustang will last longer as a daily driver because I feel Ford's build quality and materials are better than GM's.

[dampachi]

Yeah...that's something I'm considering..I hear of lots of camaros falling apart. T-tops leaking, interior stuff breaking, etc. The only thing about the camaro I like is the LS1..it looks okay..but I like the way the mustang looks alot better. I think I'll just leave it up to whichever I find first for the best deal.

[kman10587]

Eh, I think the Camaro/Firebird are pretty reliable. I know the 'Stang is too, though. Just get whichever one you like better, they're both gonna be fast, crude, and cheap.

[LS1Killa225]

Not a big fan of the 99 cobra so i hate to say but.... go with the Ls1

[dampachi]

oh...and yes blu civic...the whole point is to make it an 11 second car. i've looked into it a little more and I think the SVT is a bad idea for 1/4 mile drag car...and the Z28 or SS is quite costly. so i'm looking for alternatives for a cheaper/better 11 second car. suggestions?

[kman10587]

You're not gonna get much cheaper than the LS1 F-Body for an 11-second drag car. You could try a 90-94 AWD DSM.

[GTStang]

The 99 Cobra you'd start running into issues with the IRS lasting for 11's in 1/4 mile passes. But the 4th Gen's 10-bolt isn't know as being that strong either once in the 11's.

Better 1/4 mile Cobra would be a 96-98 4.6 4V Solid 8.8 for ya price range.

After that I think that either car can be gotten to 11's for the same amount of money/work but through different paths. And although some of the things the Cobra offers that are superior like brakes etc., wouldn't really matter to you. I would just choose by which you like the look better.

[dampachi]

Yeah, I've heard the IRS is a huge problem for the 99 Cobras as far as drag racing. Theres also sooo much extra piping for the exhaust to go around it. And yeah..GM 10 bolts aren't exactly the strongest rearend. My original idea was just to build an 11 second foxbody..which is sounding like a good idea again. The only bad thing about them is they're kind of ugly. Hell...I've seen '11 second' foxbodys for sale on autotrader and in the paper for under $10k...what do you think about buying an already modded car?