Roush Opinions on what to do with the 03

[S351R"Animal"]

As alot of you knwo I just picked up a 03 theft recovery. I am tossing around some options on what to do with the car.I can set it up to run a heathly 351w (500 rwhp), put it back with the stock 4.6 SC, or go the most expensive route and swap in 03 Cobra running gear. The 351w swap would be the elats expensive for me since I have a parts room full of the stuff needed.

 

[marcus95]

Scott,

Normally this would be a tough call but since it's a theft recovery all the way down to the metal I would go the route most enjoyable.
Look, you already have three pushrod 351's. You know as well as I do if you put 03 Cobra running gear in it, unless you yank the motor, you won't get your money out of it when you sell. You and I both know we can make it faster with a windsor in it unless that Cobra motor comes with a Whipple on top and still it wont have the torque.
Does it have a salvage title? If not, put it back stock and make it as pretty as possible and make some money on it so you can dump it into the 00 S351.

 

[S351R"Animal"]

I really don't see this one being sold. I may just put it in storage for a few years and accumulate the parts to put it back stock. I bought alot of the parts needed for the 95 last week, I just have three items left to finish it. Blower, trans, and front seats. I just don't know if I would be satisfied with a stock blown 2 valve 4.6.

 

[marcus95]

Yea,

I know you would not be satisfied with the S4 4.6 power, but that's what your other cars are for. That's what I tell myself when I drive anything else.
99.9% of everyone else would'nt be able to tell your S351 and your HH apart anyway if you told them it was the same car.

 

[SVT Saleen]

Why not build a semi-race car or Pro-Street Saleen with either the 351 or Cobra DOHC SC engine?

As Marcus said, it's all a matter of what you want to do with it. IMHO a theft recovery car, even a restored one, wouldn't be worth as much as a non-molested example only because of the stigma associated with a stolen car. Most people would be leery of such a vehicle because of the checkered history.

Back in early 1989 when I was shopping around for a new Saleen, a local dealer here in San Diego (who shall remain nameless) had a '89 Saleen that was a theft recovery from their own lot. It had only been missing a week or two & sustained some minor body damage which the dealership repaired. I took it for a lengthy test drive & there didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
Despite the great deal the salesman was willing to give me on the car, I had to pass simply due to the fact that it had once been in the hands of criminals.

 

[Head Paneer]

I would like to see what you can do with the Series IV setup. Challenge yourself to create the highest output S IV Saleen in the world. If you get the itch to drive something with more power, you can always just step out of the ’03 and hop into one of your other cars.

 

[S351R"Animal"]

I won't be able to swing all the projects I have on military pay. I have to do one car on a budget for now.

 

[S281SC#08]

What branch are you in

 

[ExtremeSaleen]

Since your on a budget I guess a supercharged cammer setup wouldn't be an options... mmm...the cammer...

You have the option to do just about anything you want with it, that's the cool thing. Building an 03 S351R sounds cool to me.

 

[S351R"Animal"]

Money wise I could build the 351w for about the same as a blown 4.6 2 valve motor. I would go with the KB blower though. I am currently going through the process of going to OCS with the Navy. I have 11 almost 12 years with them already.

 

[fallstar01]

If you're going modular, maybe look into a 5.4.

 

[00-Saleen]

Toss a 03 Cobra motor/tranny into it, Pulley, intake, tune, exhaust, all that with the Solid Axle and some DR's and that car will run 11's ALL DAY

 

[S351R"Animal"]

I have tossed that idea around, but the cost is alot more than installing a blown 351 n the car. That's the issue I have with that combo.

 

[00-Saleen]

Yes i understand greatly. If i had the $$$ that 03 cobra motor would be in my car....

 

[S351R"Animal"]

Well, I have a motor for the car. It needs to be gone through due to a previous owner running it hot. Not to mention the detanation while it was hot. I will definetely go back with forged internals. I also have a Tremec TKO for it! Now I need the rest of the car!

 

[saleen065]

Scott You have way too many toys! lol.... Why not share and let me have one! :-D

 

[S351R"Animal"]

Keep your fingers crossed. I have someone who seems seriously interested in the 95 R-model. If it sells then I put the other S351 together along with being able to get the 03 on the road.

 

[saleen065]

cool. I have my fingers toes and eyes crossed. May be dangerous to do here at work but for you, anything I can do to help, I'm there!

 

[S351R"Animal"]

Everything looks to be a go on the sale. The guy should be sending me the money within the next week. After that I should have the 99 up and running in a few weeks! This Sunday i am going to redo the tune on the 96 and see what kind of times I can lay down at the track. I just hope the auburn last through this. last weekend we grenaded one in a lighter car with less motor!

 

[saleen065]

Well she is the Animal so expect her to do her best and worse at the same time. I will pray she holds together.