chrispy

I was hoping someone on your side of the pond might be able to help me.
I have a 2001 Mustang Cobra convertible. It was converted to RHD by Tickford (similar to SVT).
In the states the same cars run high 13s (mid 13s for the coupe). The best any of the Australian Magazines and myself have run is mid 14s. We run 95 octane fuel (as standard) and the car is supposed to have 240kW (320hp). Tickford change the exhaust manifolds over to stubby extractors during the conversion, so there should be a little more than 240kW. I have run the car on the chassis dyno and recorded 180kW at the wheels, a similar figure to Wheels Magazine. On that same dyno (about two minutes after) we ran a factory stock 250kW 5.7litre windsor powered Falcon and it recorded 210kw. The falcon has 10 more at the fly yet 30 more at the wheels. The Falcon has a 2002 mustang spec box and a similar ratio IRS equipped LSD.
I know there was a under powered engine fitted to the 99 cobra. Could all those engines have been fitted to Australian spec cars and sent here. Can you tell the difference between the two engines. Does 180kW (235hp) at the wheels sound low. Do you guys use better octane fuel. Can anybody help?
Aussie Cobra (or is it a carpet snake) Owner
Chrispy