Looking for no BS advice on modding my S281

[Drew0318]

After looking at the engine bay, and reading about header swaps, I've come to the conclusion: eff that. There's far more easy things to do than that. I may just get a CAI and pulley, then have it tuned. Minimal money and it's not something that's drastically changing the guts.

What I need to do, is find a blown-up V6 stang for next to nothing and drop a 408 in that bitch.



Kendallville, nice. If/when summer (what the hell is that???) gets back, I'll have to drop you a line.

I lived in Ft Wayne for about 10 years, that was 9 years ago, I haven't looked back.

I was thinking about doing some SCCA stuff next summer too. Don't know if I want to do South Bend or FW, I'm right in the middle of both.

 

[Rusty67]

After looking at the engine bay, and reading about header swaps, I've come to the conclusion: eff that. There's far more easy things to do than that. I may just get a CAI and pulley, then have it tuned. Minimal money and it's not something that's drastically changing the guts.

What I need to do, is find a blown-up V6 stang for next to nothing and drop a 408 in that bitch.



Kendallville, nice. If/when summer (what the hell is that???) gets back, I'll have to drop you a line.

I lived in Ft Wayne for about 10 years, that was 9 years ago, I haven't looked back.

I was thinking about doing some SCCA stuff next summer too. Don't know if I want to do South Bend or FW, I'm right in the middle of both.

I think you made the right choice here. If you modify the car in a way that can't be easily undone, you will look at it at some point and wonder if you made the right choice. Simple bolt ons that are easily reversible will never leave you with that feeling as long as you keep your stock parts. Also, since your goals aren't too out of hand, you can achieve what you are looking for with bolt ons anyways.

Don't forget to do suspension and brakes too =-)

 

[Drew0318]

Not too worried about suspension/brakes.

It's got RaceCraft suspension (from Saleen) under it and 13" Stoptechs. The first time I stomped on the stop pedal I thought it was going to flip over it's nose.

The beauty about the pulley, a friend of a friend is a machinist guru (over 30 years exp), he said he could make a billet pulley for $10. Seriously, how can I pass that up?

 

[saleen556]

Your not going to make much more than 300 rwhp with that series 1 blower no matter how fast you spin it.

 

[spederman]

If your car is 1 of 2 it WILL be worth something, no matter what some club says. It's tracking down a buyer than is the hard part. Also you're looking at 30+ years before it will double or triple in value, so it's not an investment for you as much as your family... Assuming That V8 cars will be collectible when gas is back to 5 bucks a gallon.

Yeah, Not so much. Saleen has made WAAAAAY too many production cars for any of them to be worth anything. Even if its 1 of 2, all that means is in that color combo/option package. My 2002 Saleen is 1 of 2 also, and its not worth dick. I modded mine to the way i want it, because it wont ever be worth anything to a collector. Maybe the old school S351's or some of the extreme's, but not ur run of the mill S281.

My advice, build it up to whatever YOU like and be happy with it. And its def worth building a 2V, look at SaleenGT2001's car, he's pushing 741hp on a 2V

And saleen 556 is correct, with a series 1 supercharger, i would be AMAZED if you can make 300rwhp. That supercharger sucked big time. Even if you port/pulley, get a diff heat exchanger, all the bolt ons, maybe you might make 325rwhp. Just get rid of that supercharger and go with anything else for big power.

 

[Rusty67]

I don't see how a forced induction motor would only be capable of 300rwhp considering I've seen NA 4.6 2v motors making 300 at the wheels. Add a blower and you should increase the power.

 

[Drew0318]

I was kinda guessing it was around 280-300 as it is. It's 350-360 at the crank from the showroom floor.

 

[hollywoodstang]

If it's authentic saleen, I'd leave it the way it is. That's just me. Buy regular early 96-98 GT or cobra and go balls out on that one.

 

[saleen556]

I was kinda guessing it was around 280-300 as it is. It's 350-360 at the crank from the showroom floor.

FYI saleen over-rated these cars. Even AFTER I added the Chicane 66 mm pulley, CAI, upgraded fuel pump and had it dyno tuned it only put down 333 rwhp and 350TQ. The series 1&2 blowers suck for big power. After I swapped to a KB 1.7 at 9# it was a totally different car. The 2.6 is .

If you are going to mod the saleen for more power I suggest getting rid of the series I.