1994-04 Mustang Engine Specs

What is your Mustang’s factory-rated horsepower and torque? We have put together a list of engines and their specs for all 94-04 Mustangs. That includes Mustang V6, Mustang GT, Mustang Cobra, and many more special edition Mustang models. Have you wondered how much horsepower a 2000 Cobra R makes compared to your 2003 Mach 1? Well check out the list below and get all the answers you need.

1994-2004 Mustang V6 Specs

• 1994-1995 Mustang V6 3.8L OHV (232 cid) 145 hp & 215 lb-ft tq
• 1996-1998 Mustang V6 3.8L OHV (232 cid) 150 hp & 215 lb-ft tq
• 1999-2000 Mustang V6 3.8L OHV Split Port Design (232 cid) 190 hp & 220 lb-ft tq
• 2001-2003 Mustang V6 3.8L OHV Split Port Design (232 cid) 193 hp & 225 lb-ft tq
• 2004 Mustang V6 3.9L OHV Split Port Design (232 cid) 193 hp & 225 lb-ft tq

The 1994 Ford Mustang brought with it major changes to the fox chassis Pony Car. Some notable changes for the base Mustang were the removal of the LX name, the dropping of the 2.3L 4-Cylinder engine, and the return of the 3.8L V6 Essex engine. This was not a variant of the 5.0L with two cylinders removed, as some information may assume. It was its own overhead valve pushrod engine that differed quite a bit from Ford’s 302. This engine also was not used in the Mustang since the 1986 model year.

There were by no means powerhouse engines but for a daily commuter, it was able to get the job done. There was a significant uptick in horsepower in 1999 from 150 hp to 193 for the 2004 Ford model years. It is a shame that the 3.8L that Ford produced for the Mustang during these years ever received the Eaton M90 roots-type supercharger of the 1994-95 Thunderbird Super Coupe with its 230 hp and 330 lb/ft of torque! That would have rivaled the 5.0L V8 of the day!

1994-2004 Mustang GT Specs

• 1994-1995 Mustang GT V8 5.0L OHV (302 cid) 215 hp & 285 lb-ft tq
• 1996-1997 Mustang GT V8 4.6L SOHC (281 cid) 215 hp & 285 lb-ft tq
• 1998 Mustang GT V8 4.6L SOHC (281 cid) 225 hp & 290 lb-ft tq
• 1999-2004 Mustang GT V8 4.6L SOHC PI Head Design (281 cid) 260 hp & 302 lb-ft tq

The Mustang GT engine specs remained mostly the same from 1994-1998 even though Ford changed engines two years into this SN95 platform. For 1994 and 1995, the 5.0L engine was the same power plant Mustang enthusiasts were used to. Power was up 10 horsepower from 1993 to 215 but these numbers were most likely closer to the 225 horsepower of the 1992 model year.

It is common knowledge that Ford underrated the 1993 Mustang GT hp because they wanted a bigger difference with the release of the SVT Cobra in that same year. The Cobra was underrated as well with its advertised 235 horsepower. Quarter mile performance reveals that the SVT pony’s power was closer to 285 horsepower.

The Mustang GT horsepower remained at the same 215 hp rating with the introduction of the 4.6L SOHC V8 in 1996. For 1998, the stock 4.6 Mustang hp would receive a small bump to finally match the power of the 1987 Mustang V8 cars with 225 hp. Now the 99-04 Mustang specs for the 4.6L GT engine would improve significantly over the previous 1998 model year. Ford made major changes with the Performance Improved (PI) cylinder heads and the intake manifold to increase the power output to 260 hp and 302 lb/ft. of torque!

1994-2004 Mustang SVT Cobra Specs

• 1994-1995 Mustang SVT Cobra V8 5.0L OHV (302 cid) 240 hp 285 lb-ft tq
• 1995 Mustang SVT Cobra R V8 5.8L OHV (351 cid) 300 hp 365 lb-ft tq
• 1996-1998 Mustang SVT Cobra V8 4.6L DOHC (281 cid) 305 hp 300 lb-ft tq
• 1999 & 2001 Mustang SVT Cobra V8 4.6L DOHC (281 cid) 320 hp 317 lb-ft tq
• 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R V8 5.4L DOHC (330 cid) 385 hp 385 lb-ft tq
• 2003-2004 Mustang SVT Cobra V8 4.6L DOHC Supercharged (281 cid) 390 hp 390 lb-ft tq

Similar to the Mustang GT, the SVT Cobra would undergo a number of changes to its powerplant from 1994-04. The 1994 Mustang GT engine was a basis for the 1994-95 Cobra 5.0L. It was almost the same engine as the 1993 SVT Cobra with its GT40 Cylinder heads and unique camshaft netting advertised power number of 240 hp and 285 lb/ft. of torque. Though Ford Claimed 0-60 numbers at 6.3 seconds, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine was able to crank out 5.7 seconds 0-60 number and squeak out a quarter-mile time at 13.87 @ 99 mph.

In 1996, the modular engine was also found under the hood of the SVT Cobra but this version of Ford’s muscle car featured a 4.6L DOHC v8 producing a cool 305 hp and 300 lb/ft. of torque! This greatly narrowed the power gap between the Chevrolet Camaro of the same years. 1999 marked another change to the SVT Cobra’s Dual Overhead Cam engine with the introduction of the “C” heads bumping horsepower up to 320 and torque reaching 317.

The 2000 model year did not yield a 4.6L powered Cobra due to the power issues with the 1999 model that included a recall to change the intake manifold, some computer components, as well as the exhaust being changed from the mid-pipe to the tailpipes to reach the "true" 320 hp at the crankshaft.

However… Ford came through in a BIG way with the 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R. This engine was a 5.4L DOHC beast producing a real 385 hp and 385 lb/ft. of torque! A car ahead of its time, the Cobra R’s advertised power numbers were being seen at the rear wheels suggesting a significant underrating by Ford! Only 300 of these 6,500 RPM screamers were produced and Ford even used a revised version of these Cylinder heads on the return of the Ford GT in 2005! For more info, check out our detailed article of the 2000 Cobra R!

We cannot forget the Terminator. The reason that the Chevrolet Camaro disappeared in 2002 and did not arrive on the scene until 2010! The 4.6L DOHC came back with steroids with Eaton M-112 roots-type supercharger pushing out 8 PSI. This was good for an advertised 390 hp and 390 lb/ft. of torque! Much like the hulking 2000 Cobra R, the 2003-04 SVT Cobra was also underrated making rear-wheel horsepower in the 360-375 range. With its iron bock, many enthusiasts are making well over 600 horsepower at the rear wheels with a stock bottom end. Check out our 03-04 Cobra Spec Guide to learn more!

1994-2004 Mustang Special Edition Specs

• 1995 Mustang GTS V8 5.0L OHV (302 cid) 215 hp & 285 lb-ft tq
• 2001 Mustang Bullitt V8 4.6L SOHC (281 cid) 265 hp & 305 lb-ft tq
• 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 V8 4.6L DOHC (281 cid) 305 hp 320 lb-ft tq

Ford produced some unique Mustangs from 1994-04 that have a special place in the hearts of the Ford faithful. In 1995, Mustang had a bare-bones, “LX” style option for its 5.0L v8 called the GTS. The engine performance and specs were the same as the 1994-95 Mustang GT and its differences came in with removing creature comforts to lighten the car to more performance. Take a look at our What Is A Mustang GTS article to learn more!

In 2001, Ford launched a tribute to Lt. Frank Bullitt, with the Bullitt Mustang. This classy beast was a Mustang GT at heart but with many small changes that make it stand out in front of the rest! There is something about a Dark Highland Green Mustang that gets our gears turning! Check out our 2001 Bullitt Specs Article to learn more!

Piggybacking off the success of the Bullitt Mustang, Ford brought back the Mach 1 for the 2003-04 model years. Since the Terminator had a Supercharged version of the 4.6L DOHC engine from the 1999-01 Cobra, the Mach 1 used a slightly modified version of the “C” head modular V8. Check out our 2003-04 Mach 1 Specs Guide to learn more!

94-04 Mustang engine specs changed quite a bit over the years to give an engine combination for almost anyone! From the mild 150 horsepower, V6 Essex engine in the 1994 Mustang to the 390 horsepower cage fighter in the 2003-04 Cobra, the SN95 and New Edge Mustangs are a great piece of Ford History!