Looking for no BS advice on modding my S281

Drew0318 · Nov 24, 2008

I'm in a quandry. I have a car that there is only one other one exactly like it. Add to that, it's a 99 and has 17000 miles on it.

That said, I'm weighing my options on "tinkering" with it, and to what level, as I'm unsure if I want to go the balls deep route and throw new internals in it, etc.

Part A:
So, what's some opinions on it? Having spoken to Dave at SOEC, it's unlikely the car will ever reach super collector status and be worth twice what I paid for it, that part of reality has set in.

Part B:
If I do decide to go the modification route, what can I look forward to with that? I'm not looking for anything monstrous, like 600 at the wheels, but I thought 420-450 sounded like a nice number (which is probably 150-200 more than it is stock).

Obviously, we're talking about new pistons, rods, etc, since I highly doubt the stock stuff will handle that for more than 2 minutes.

What about the crank? What are it's limitations.

The car has the Saleen factory SC on it (about 5-6psi if memory serves).

Since the car's in lock down until about April, I've got a lot of time to think of ****.

hotmustang331 · Nov 24, 2008

No need for new internals. They can take 400RWHP easily. All you need is a smaller blower pulley, and a cold air intake....something like a K&N kit or JLT if they make one for it. (JLTTRUECOLDAIR.com I believe...they are the best) Then get it dyno tuned and I bet you would be close to 400RWHP...just make sure you get around 10PSI.

Drew0318 · Nov 24, 2008

What about fuel delivery? I've seen it said that with the smaller pulley and CAI, your pump may need upgraded.

SVT32VDOHC · Nov 24, 2008

My 2001 4.6L 2V with 79,000 miles made 241RWHP and 284RWTQ with only a CAI, BBK o/r h-pipe and a MAC catback. No tune either. If you factor in 16%, that makes that motor 307HP. Not bad for a 2V with barely any mods.

Stock 2V's make around 210-220RWHP depending on dyno, atmosphere, elevation, etc... I'd start with exhaust, then move to a throttle body and plenum, and even u/d pullies if you are not gonna supercharge it. If you go with a supercharger, don't do pullies because they have to come back off.

Drew0318 · Nov 24, 2008

It's already supercharged (factory Saleen). The only non-stock part it's got on it is an offroad H. Which was bought more for the sound than any performance gain.

04YELLOWGT · Nov 24, 2008

With a smalley pulley, intake, and tune you should be in the 400rwhp area. The Saleen makes 365hp stock so 300-310rwhp. That would be about 100rwhp jump.

What year is your car? Pics?

jprovence · Nov 24, 2008

Just go big. I had a buddy with an 02 Saleen SC, pulled the junk 2v out, and put in a KB 4v in there and just enjoys the super power to go with the super sexy car. Who cars what the car sales for down the road. You own the wrong car if your into resale. Non of these late model cars will have the prestige of the cars of yesteryear.

Put in some forged internals, super stout blower cams, leave the heads alone, Keene Bell 2.6 and boost it. Its simple easy super reliable, Its about 12'gs when its all said and done though.

Drew0318 · Nov 24, 2008

04YELLOWGT said:
With a smalley pulley, intake, and tune you should be in the 400rwhp area. The Saleen makes 365hp stock so 300-310rwhp. That would be about 100rwhp jump.

What year is your car? Pics?

It's a '99, didn't really get around to pictures yet....

I was being pessimistic about the needed increase in power to get to 400 or so.

I'm not sure what the % loss is on these cars.

2002BLGT · Nov 24, 2008

saleen blowers get pretty hot , with a 8-9lbs pulley you can get about 380rwhp and right at 400rwtq with a good tune , id run that till it blows and then upgrade internals and put a KB 2.1 on it after you sell the saleen blower

Drew0318 · Nov 25, 2008

Well, I'd really rather not have *anything* explode, blow, burn, or otherwise dismantle itself.....

mogs01gt · Nov 25, 2008

I would leave a Saleen stock. Why mess with the car, that only brings the price down.

2002BLGT · Nov 25, 2008

Drew0318 said:
Well, I'd really rather not have *anything* explode, blow, burn, or otherwise dismantle itself.....

8-9lbs and less than 16 degrees timing , it should last for a long time

Sxynerd · Nov 25, 2008

Drew0318 said:
I'm in a quandry. I have a car that there is only one other one exactly like it. Add to that, it's a 99 and has 17000 miles on it.

That said, I'm weighing my options on "tinkering" with it, and to what level, as I'm unsure if I want to go the balls deep route and throw new internals in it, etc.

Part A:
So, what's some opinions on it? Having spoken to Dave at SOEC, it's unlikely the car will ever reach super collector status and be worth twice what I paid for it, that part of reality has set in.

Part B:
If I do decide to go the modification route, what can I look forward to with that? I'm not looking for anything monstrous, like 600 at the wheels, but I thought 420-450 sounded like a nice number (which is probably 150-200 more than it is stock).

Obviously, we're talking about new pistons, rods, etc, since I highly doubt the stock stuff will handle that for more than 2 minutes.

What about the crank? What are it's limitations. 600rwhp but I've never known anyone to break one.

The car has the Saleen factory SC on it (about 5-6psi if memory serves).

Since the car's in lock down until about April, I've got a lot of time to think of ****.

Well if you don't want to loose the original aspect of it then just make sure that you add to and not take away from. Any parts you replace, keep the old parts and keep "EVERY" receipt. Forging the internals wont depreciate value so don't worry about that. (Unless you're planning on selling it to a collecter in 10+ years)

The engine is good till about 400-450rwhp but you wont make that with a S S/C. If you do then you'll need all the basic bolt ons and I imagine a good set of cams.

Cars are meant to be driven beaten and diapered when your done. I hate trailer queens and O.E. in my book just equal boring. I also don't think a car is truly yours until you sweat over it.

have fun what ever you do.

Drew0318 · Nov 25, 2008

What about the SOHC vs DOHC? I've heard friends say the SOHC isn't worth the effort as well...

I've got a bunch of friends that say a lot of things. Though, the one that said that, works at Wiseco Pistons. I may give him a call anyway. Employee discounts kick ass.

saleen556 · Nov 25, 2008

Drew0318 said:
I'm in a quandry. I have a car that there is only one other one exactly like it. Add to that, it's a 99 and has 17000 miles on it.

That said, I'm weighing my options on "tinkering" with it, and to what level, as I'm unsure if I want to go the balls deep route and throw new internals in it, etc.

Part A:
So, what's some opinions on it? Having spoken to Dave at SOEC, it's unlikely the car will ever reach super collector status and be worth twice what I paid for it, that part of reality has set in.

Part B:
If I do decide to go the modification route, what can I look forward to with that? I'm not looking for anything monstrous, like 600 at the wheels, but I thought 420-450 sounded like a nice number (which is probably 150-200 more than it is stock).

Obviously, we're talking about new pistons, rods, etc, since I highly doubt the stock stuff will handle that for more than 2 minutes.

What about the crank? What are it's limitations.

The car has the Saleen factory SC on it (about 5-6psi if memory serves).

Since the car's in lock down until about April, I've got a lot of time to think of ****.

Slap on a KB 2.1 supercharger , 3.73 gears, and some exhaust. With a good tune a good tune that will get you where you want to be safely. You don't need forged internals at that level with a good tune.

SVT32VDOHC · Nov 25, 2008

Oh a Saleen? Pulley, longtubes, big radiator, tune.

Drew0318 · Nov 25, 2008

I put a MAC O/R H on it (love the sound), on the stock manifold. So I suppose, if I don't want to eat the $160 I paid for the H, I'd get shorty headers?

Where does that fit into the mix?

myponyrocks · Nov 25, 2008

Personally... if you're that worried about it... 99-04 GTs can be had for cake these days (though I'm guessing with lower fuel prices it's not as common)... Any way I'd buy another Stang of some year to tinker with.

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.

Drew0318 · Nov 25, 2008

Yeah. That's the "quandry" part.

I could probably get a high mileage GT for cheap, then just frankenstien the hell out of it.

04YELLOWGT · Nov 25, 2008

Drew0318 said:
What about the SOHC vs DOHC? I've heard friends say the SOHC isn't worth the effort as well...

I've got a bunch of friends that say a lot of things. Though, the one that said that, works at Wiseco Pistons. I may give him a call anyway. Employee discounts kick ass.

Well my car runs in the 10s on DRs and I have a SOHC. Does a DOHC car have more modding potential, yes but you can do a lot with a 2V. There are multiple guys on here making 600+rwhp.

Drew0318 said:
I put a MAC O/R H on it (love the sound), on the stock manifold. So I suppose, if I don't want to eat the $160 I paid for the H, I'd get shorty headers?

Where does that fit into the mix?

Headers are a pain in the ass to install. If you going to put headers on do long tubes. You can also just cut you h pip to fit. I did that with my X pipe and it works great.

I live in the Avilla/Kendallville area. Come summer you need to hit up Halls in Fort Wayne on a Friday pr Saturday night. I hang out there quite a bit and there are tons of fast cars up there.

Looking for no BS advice on modding my S281

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