Roush stage 2 or a GT???

What do you folks think of the 2 in comparison to a GT? 2000-2001. I am hoping to get a mustang convert. again by the end of the summer and am trying to decide what to get. I would LOVE a Saleen but they are just too high dollar. So I am trying to decide between a GT and the 2. I haven't driven a roush yet or even a 2000+ GT so I'd like a good base of opinions before I get heart set. I love the looks of the roush. What size exhaust does it have? What's the rearend gear? Which ever car I'd get I would eventually do mods like CAI (GT), TB, S/C, and 18" saleen rims. So other than looks, what is the comparison in performance??? Also how does a 2000 Cobra compare to the roush??


Off subject....is a Saleen E REALLY worth its 70K +/- price tag??????

The Rousch stage 2 has no real large 1/4 mile gain above the stock GT of the same year. Looks wise it is tight and the seats are kick ass. Where you feel all the money spent on a Rousch is in the handling. I drove a 02 Rousch Stage 2 and it was the best handling Mustang I have driven. So if you want more of a 1/4 mile monster a stock GT and saved money spent on mods would be a better option. If you want an awesome looking and great handling stang go Rousch. Also the Rousch rims are fucking awesome and huge I would not switch them for Saleens!

First off a Rousch is just a modded GT. That doesn't mean it's bad that is just what it is. It is better, but untill you get to a Stage 3 there are not large power gains. Next there were no 2000 Cobras due to quality issues. The Cobras have an Aluminum block 4.6L 32valve DOHC motor. It makes 320HP at about 6500RPM vs. Lets say 290HP for the Rousch. The Cobra will weigh less. A 99/01 Cobra will beat a non Stage 3 Rousch hands down, I'm not so sure about S-3's.
I personally don't think a S281-E is worth the money, it's just paying more for a name. They only have 485 HP. With the twin turbo kit I'm getting, I'll have anywhere from 600-1000 HP depending on the boost level.
Thats $24,000 for the car + $8200 for the kit = $32,200 total vs. $70,000. 600 HP vs. 485 HP. Go figure.

yeah I'm getting an itch to actually drive a stage 2 and see how it really handles. I know there aren't big power gains...just wasn't sure if there was something done I didn't know about. As for the stage 3, the s/c is only about a 6 pound boost right? Is that also what it is on an 04 Cobra? For the money you pay at the dealer for it I would rather get like a stage 3 or GT, do some minor stuff and get a 8lb vortech. Way too many decisions though!!!

Am 03+ Cobra has an Eaton 112 Roots-type supercharger running 8psi. I'm pretty sure it's not the same supercharger. As I said before, A Rousch is a modded GT, so they should all be more expensive. Unless they make non-GT Rousches.

First off a Rousch is just a modded GT. That doesn't mean it's bad that is just what it is. It is better, but untill you get to a Stage 3 there are not large power gains. Next there were no 2000 Cobras due to quality issues. The Cobras have an Aluminum block 4.6L 32valve DOHC motor. It makes 320HP at about 6500RPM vs. Lets say 290HP for the Rousch. The Cobra will weigh less. A 99/01 Cobra will beat a non Stage 3 Rousch hands down, I'm not so sure about S-3's.
I personally don't think a S281-E is worth the money, it's just paying more for a name. They only have 485 HP. With the twin turbo kit I'm getting, I'll have anywhere from 600-1000 HP depending on the boost level.
Thats $24,000 for the car + $8200 for the kit = $32,200 total vs. $70,000. 600 HP vs. 485 HP. Go figure.


Why this is all well and true remember two things add $1500-$2000 for a rear-end that will not get eaten alive in your Cobra. #2 Your Cobra would get it's ass handed to it on a road track by the Saleen even with that much extra HP. To look at Rousch and Saleens purely by HP numbers is missing some of the finer points of the car. Also remember your Cobra after doing that now has no warranty at all where the Saleen-E has a warrranty with it 485HP and track handling abilities. Still overpriced agree but don't miss some points.

as far as what I would be able to get, a Saleen E is a no for sure!!!! But I have been pricing a lot of the suspension things and a stage 2 seems like a decent deal. The way I see it when you spend money on modding your car, most people go for the engine first. With a stage 2 that is about all there is left to do. Another reason I am strongly considering it is for the name. If I can get one at a good enough price, then why not. Almost everyone I know has a GT. So it would be nice to have something not everyone else has. I like the idea that I have something kind of rare. I think the best way to decide is to run both a stage 2 and a GT. I have some nice county roads up here for testing :) Everyone keep giving me opinions though, it is nice to hear different points from people!!!!! And thanks.

I'm just saying that I think the E isn't worth it. The S281 Supercharged is a far better deal, even if it doen't have as much HP. Yes, I know my rearend isn't strong enough to handle all that HP on the dragstrip, I have seen pics of destroyed halfshafts. You also forget that my car was made for handling too, not straight line performance. That is why it has an IRS setup. Sure it's not perfect, but with Koni DA's and Brushings, it'll do much better(than stock) and still be far less $$$. My car's warranty runs out later this year so that's probably when I'll start modding it.

I, myself, think the main thing here is.......any mustang is still a mustang :)

Good man!