School Me : 97 Saleen

uofipilot · 02-16-2007, 04:28 AM

So I have a 97 cobra and love it. I was watching Varsity Blues the other day, and the teacher/stripper was rollin a white 97 or so Saleen. What's the deal with those? School me here. 2v or 4? What modifications, trans (t45 i guess), etc.

Thanks,
Matt

sowaxeman · 02-16-2007, 04:53 PM

In 1997 they made S-281's (base 2v motor) and S-351's (Windsor 351 of course). Both tranny's were typical 5 speeds I believe - but I'd have to double check to be certain. They also built a very few Saleens based on the Cobra so those would have the SVT 4v motor in them with whatever tranny SVT used. The biggest visual cue of course is all the ground effects & wheels, but Saleens are also all about performance & handling. There is a laundry list of suspension & brake enhancement as well as interior enhancements.

S281 is the introductory priced car with a few bolts on for minimal hp but with all the looks.
S351 is the hi performance model, and if itis superchargedthen look out!!
And of course the Cobra was already a beast of its own so Saleen just did their visual enhancements to an already great car.

uofipilot · 02-16-2007, 06:31 PM

I have a 97 cobra, so I was just wondering how different (other than the visual stuff) they are. Anything else?

Matt

sowaxeman · 02-17-2007, 10:12 AM

In 1997 they made 372 total Saleen Mustangs: 113 Coupe S-281, 13 Coupe S-281 Cobra, 21 Coupe S-351, 196 Convertible S-281 (including 88 Budget Rentals), 5 Convertible S-281 Cobra, 19 Convertible S-351 and 5 SR's

The S-281's recieved high performance spark plugs, high flow air filter and Borla exhaust to the tune of 220hp. The supspension list is lengthy (wheels, racecraft springs, shocks, swaybar, etc....) It used the stock Mustang GT tranny (not sure if that was T45 or what) MSRP $29,500 coupe & $33,900 Vert

The S-281 Cobra's were stock SVT as far as engine & tranny - 310hp. If that is more than a stock SVT I would guess they do the same plugs/filter/exhaust upgrades, but I don't find anything about that specifically in the book. They received the Saleen appearance and suspension treatments. MSRP $36,900 coupe & $39,500 Vert

All of the S-351s were Vortech supercharged to the tune of 510hp. They also got a B/W 6spd tranny, Saleen hi perf pressure plate & clutch, balanced & custom drive shaft, 3 core radiator, 2.5" stainless 4 way cat high flow exhaust, high vol fuel pump and a few more goodies. These cars were truly BEASTS by 1997 standards

MSRP $53,500 coupe & $57,900 vert.

There are subtle ways to tell them all apart. The S281 has the stock GT hood with small oval vents toward the back. The S-351 has a raise composit hood with the same oval vents, plus two larger extractor vents in the middle. The S-351 also has a larger wing that sits up/off the trunk lid, whereas the S281 wing is a tad smaller and looks like an extension of the entire lid. S281's got 150 Saleen Speedos and S351' got 200.

And the Cobra would be recognizeable by the Snake on the side of course

uofipilot · 02-17-2007, 03:28 PM

Nice info. That exactly what i was looking for. In true saleen fasion, they bumped the price of the cobra over 10 grand for appearance and suspension changes.

The S351 sounds effin sweet though. I wonder what those are worth today. I kinda want one...510 hp stock?!?! Thats a beast by today's convention as well.

Matt

sowaxeman · 02-17-2007, 09:04 PM

Yeah - Saleen has pretty much always been about 10k over stock for their appearance and suspension upgrades.

The S351's haven't appreciated much - yet

I've seen them going for mid $30's to 50k depending on mileage and condition.