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.
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.
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.
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.