school me on saleens

[NickPic]

hi i have been a car and truck enthusiast my entire life but mainly have been a GM guy. i know i am gonna get bashed over that but i think i have finally seen the light. my truck is gonna be paid off soon and now its time for a toy. i have been lookin a bit and i am really interested in gettin a mid to late 90's or a early 2000+'s mustang saleen. i love the way they look and the performance.

any pros or cons as far as 90's to 2000+'s.
are they very mod friendly and what is some good easy and cheap quick mods to do performance wise.
also how rare are the 351's i have seen them and they really put out some power but i can never find any for sale.

i wanna spend around 20k and i think i can find something good for that.

sorry so long but i had to get my points across. thanks for any help.

[NickPic]

also i have seen 2 different style hoods on the 2000+ body styles. 1 similar to the gt and the other has 2 heat extractors why is that?

and 2 different exhaust set ups. standard dual and dual center exit. why is that as well?

[wiarumas]

ive heard the s351s have some traction problems - but despite that, one bad ass car.

[sonicpony03]

The regular 00-01 281's were just 2v's with some bolt ons. They put out about 285hp.
The 281 SC's were pretty nice. They had the roots type supercharger rated at 365hp.
Not a bad car for 01. The 01 cobras only made 320.

I may be wrong on this:
I think the pre 99/00's used the regular GT hood without the scoop.
The 01 281's used the GT hood with the scoop.
The 281 supercharged used the reverse style hood with extractors in 02.

The 351 is badass. If you can find one for sale, I'd jump on it as long as it's legit. The last year they made them was in 99. 6spd, 5.8L, 495hp, crazy.

Sometimes you can find 281's for a decent price.
Personally, If I were to chose, I think I'd go for an 03/04 cobra. They have a S/C 4.6L 32V, 6spd, forged internals, and a cheaper price tag. (17-25k+ depending on mileage/shape) Plus, the cobra's are capable of much more horsepower if you desire, where I'm not sure if the 281 S/C's came with forged internals.

Now if you could find an 03 saleen cobra, that'd be sweet, though I don't think you'll find one for 20k, since only 6 were made in that year.

[sonicpony03]

Also, I think the center pipes started in 02. Most had them except the regular 281's and the saleen cobras.

[SpectorV]

The thing about Saleens is that most are just regular GT mustangs with a few bolt ons and a looks package. Some have suspension as well.. some even have a supercharger. The end result is a decent performance car that looks pretty good but... has little room to grow.

For the the money you can do better in the performance world.. but you may have your heart set on a Saleen. Find out what else is out there first so you make an educated decision and dont regret it. Take for instance the 99-01 cobra with 300hp (no supercharger) and are 15k or so~ or the 03/04 cobra with 425hp supercharged, built engine and MUCH room to grow (and cheap growth to 500rwhp) for 19k~

They do make some very nice Saleens like the Extreme line or S351s... but for the price tag they are really up there. Also note that Saleens have regular GT or V6 vin numbers so to an insurance agency they may not be worth nearly as much as you pay for them. The same goes for Roush.

[NickPic]

Do the 281 s/c come with forged internals?

[bloodyspirit058]

not trying jack the thread, i just have a quick question about the saleen 351s... earlier it was mentioned that they had a 6 speed tranny, which one is this and how did saleen bolt it up? (just wanted to know basically if it was just a 03/04 cobra 6 speed with an adapter to go from the 5.0 style to the same transmission or if they had a differently designed 351)

[sonicpony03]

That's a good question. Apparently the Borg Warner T56 was used, but that was in the 97 351...so it was actually made by Borg Warner, in 98 Tremec started building them, so in 98 and 99 it must be a Tremec T56, similar to the one in the cobra? Idk...

[SpectorV]

Quote: Originally Posted by NickPic Do the 281 s/c come with forged internals?

nope, they are the OEM regular stock GT engines with a supercharger bolted to them... pushing around 360-385 at the engine maybe~

Now the S281 Extremes are forged and all that but WAY more expensive.

[NickPic]

hmm so i love the look of the saleen and the performance of the 03/04 cobra. sounds like i need a cobra w/ a saleen body kit or a saleen w/ cobra powertrain. LoL cant i have it all! well looks like i have alot more research and thinkin to do.

[bloodyspirit058]

looking at some pics last night, i noticed a 95 saleen (s351) had the stock hood which i found kinda odd since ford put a raised hood on the cobra r, but than i also noticed it doesn't have a strut brace. :S just thought id throw those concepts out there for anyone that didn't already know

(this was also on a vert which didn't make since to me since they aren't supposed to be as solid as a coupe)

[NickPic]

how much are saleen body kits? do they fit on 03/04 cobra's?

[bloodyspirit058]

if i had an 03 cobra i think i would leave it how it is, personally looks better to me than a saleen, but if you like the look im pretty sure the body panels are all the same fit as the normal 03/04 v6 and gt but i'm sure someone will clarify this just in case i'm wrong

[NickPic]

yeah i am pretty slod on the look of the saleen and the performance of the 03/04 cobra. beggers cant be choosers right, or maybe they can

[sonicpony03]

Quote: Originally Posted by NickPic yeah i am pretty slod on the look of the saleen and the performance of the 03/04 cobra. beggers cant be choosers right, or maybe they can

They can if they can find 1 of 6 saleen cobras made in 03 for under 40k...

[sonicpony03]

Quote: Originally Posted by bloodyspirit058 if i had an 03 cobra i think i would leave it how it is, personally looks better to me than a saleen, but if you like the look im pretty sure the body panels are all the same fit as the normal 03/04 v6 and gt but i'm sure someone will clarify this just in case i'm wrong

Looking at some pics, it looks like the core of the car stays the same, while typical body pieces change - bumpers, side scoops, rockers, spoiler, so one should be able to put saleen pieces on a cobra, but I don't personally own a cobra, so maybe those that do know something we don't.

[NickPic]

anyone know for sure?

[NickPic]

anyone know for sure if the saleen kits fit the 03/04 cobra

[thgach]

Quote: Originally Posted by NickPic anyone know for sure if the saleen kits fit the 03/04 cobra

call mark at performance autosport he would know

Performance Auto Sport in Richmond, Virginia

[DarkShadow]

Yes, any Saleen body trim will fit a Cobra of the same body style. IE: a 99-04 Saleen kit will fit a 99-04 Cobra. I agree with the looks. The Saleen look is quite unique, but the performance is a little to be desired above a much cheaper and more plain looking GT.

If you decide to go this route, DO NOT get fiberglass parts, they will be cheaper but will flex/crack/wave/etc. If you want to go on the safe side, go with actual Saleen branded parts, like from their website. Most other Saleen copies are just fiberglass. However, last I checked, the website stopped selling the older body style parts so you might have to do some digging or call. Also bear in mind, the parts will be expensive...but so will paint. Both will make a SIGNIFICANT dent in your 20k budget.

[uniqueCobra2010]

Hey NickPic, I'll sell you my '06 Saleen for 22k
Here is what you get:
12 PSI Whipple w/Steeda single belt drive system
BBK LTHs w/ O/R mid pipe
GlassBack roof
Pioneer DVD/NAV-rear camera
Full AirRide Tech system....
Just a thought bro!

[SpectorV]

[sonicpony03]

Quote: Originally Posted by uniqueCobra2010 Hey NickPic, I'll sell you my '06 Saleen for 22k Here is what you get: 12 PSI Whipple w/Steeda single belt drive system BBK LTHs w/ O/R mid pipe GlassBack roof Pioneer DVD/NAV-rear camera Full AirRide Tech system.... Just a thought bro!

If I only had 22k...

[jommy]

i am also a big fan of cars...i love them.....well about the maintenance can you tell me something about the saleen kits.....