New Saleen...already in the shop...
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: North Metro Atlanta
A Saleen F150 is merely modified regular F150. The only things that have changed are suspension, F/I mod, injectors, ECU/PCM tuning, gauges, different rotors, calipers, and pads... and of course some styling... but after that's all said and done... at the end of the day what is it? A regular F150.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Houston
No one, worth listening to atleast, is doubting that is one fine ride. Hope you get the issues resolved and post up some pictures
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Londonderry, NH
Are we talking a Saleen F150 or an actual S331? There are mock up look a likes, and there are the real deal. Do you really think you'll spend close to $70k on an F150 with those mods mentioned above? Come on, the RF audio isn't a $10k mod! Neither is the Maggie exhaust...
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the S331 model strictly Saleen and not Ford? In fact, I've read several places that Saleen is nothing like SVT where it is a Ford vehicle. They don't start with an F-150. They build everything, from panels on up, and every panel, etc. has Saleen and a part number stamped on it, not Ford. So it would have nothing to do with CAFE and Ford and fleet MPGs because it is a separate manufacturer, and IIRC, any manufacturer that produces a very small number of vehicles doesn't fall under the same standards...that is all IIRC, could be wrong.
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the S331 model strictly Saleen and not Ford? In fact, I've read several places that Saleen is nothing like SVT where it is a Ford vehicle. They don't start with an F-150. They build everything, from panels on up, and every panel, etc. has Saleen and a part number stamped on it, not Ford. So it would have nothing to do with CAFE and Ford and fleet MPGs because it is a separate manufacturer, and IIRC, any manufacturer that produces a very small number of vehicles doesn't fall under the same standards...that is all IIRC, could be wrong.
Last edited by ryan42680; Jun 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Palm Desert, California
Actually Saleen (Suh-leen) buys incomplete vehicles from Ford and finishes them with their own parts. The S331 IS based on the F-150, obviously. However, Saleen is listed as a "vehicle manufacturer" not an upfitter. So technically, an S331 is both a Ford F-150 AND a Saleen vehicle. Check the VIN tag under the hood, it is a Saleen tag stamped with a Ford VIN.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Freehold,NJ
When I got the S331 I noticed that the low tire pressure light was on. I didnt think anything of it as I know how sensitive those things are. When I first drove it, it felt like it was "surging." I figured the computer just had to "learn" how to drive. When I got it up to 70mph, I noticed a vibration...that, definitely needed to be taken care of.
This past weekend, I finally got to take the truck out on the open road, rather than in traffic. It would surge at part throttle or when I put the Cruise on. Literally...the boost gauge would jump from vacuum to as much as 2psi...back and forth...back and forth. I finally drove the truck at night and saw that the tire pressure light was still on!
So, I went to a saleen dealer yesterday and dropped the truck off. I got a call in the afternoon and the service rep lead off by saying "I dont want you to get mad, ok?"
She said "your wheels are out of balance (350 miles on vehicle). We cant balance a 23" wheel and Saleen said we couldnt take them anywhere else to have them balanced under their warranty."
I asked what I should do and she said..."there are a couple of local shops that will balance them, but you will have to pay." I said...I dont think so.
Next item....You have low pressure in your tire because you have a nail in it. We cannot plug or patch a speed rated tire. A new tire is going to be a little over $500.
Lastly..."We called Saleen about the surging issue and they didnt know anything about it. They did, however say that if you have less than 1/4 to 1/2 of a tank of gas, that the truck will spit, sputter, and surge if you have the cruise on."
At this point, I really felt like saying "WTF?" FOrtunately, I had called Saleen earlier in the day and spoke to a Tech and he told me that the surging issue was common and they had a new computer calibration that was suppose to solve the issue. I told the dealer about this and she called Saleen back to confirm. The tech she spoke with said..."I have no clue what/why the other tech told you that. (regardint the 1/4 to 1/2 fuel excuse)"
I called the dealership where I got the truck. They said they would pay for a new tire and work out getting the tires balanced. But...well, we know how that goes sometimes with dealers. I guess next time I receive a vehicle, I will check all of the tires for nails.
Sorry for the long rant/post. Here is a peanut butter jelly time banana
This past weekend, I finally got to take the truck out on the open road, rather than in traffic. It would surge at part throttle or when I put the Cruise on. Literally...the boost gauge would jump from vacuum to as much as 2psi...back and forth...back and forth. I finally drove the truck at night and saw that the tire pressure light was still on!
So, I went to a saleen dealer yesterday and dropped the truck off. I got a call in the afternoon and the service rep lead off by saying "I dont want you to get mad, ok?"
She said "your wheels are out of balance (350 miles on vehicle). We cant balance a 23" wheel and Saleen said we couldnt take them anywhere else to have them balanced under their warranty."
I asked what I should do and she said..."there are a couple of local shops that will balance them, but you will have to pay." I said...I dont think so.
Next item....You have low pressure in your tire because you have a nail in it. We cannot plug or patch a speed rated tire. A new tire is going to be a little over $500.
Lastly..."We called Saleen about the surging issue and they didnt know anything about it. They did, however say that if you have less than 1/4 to 1/2 of a tank of gas, that the truck will spit, sputter, and surge if you have the cruise on."
At this point, I really felt like saying "WTF?" FOrtunately, I had called Saleen earlier in the day and spoke to a Tech and he told me that the surging issue was common and they had a new computer calibration that was suppose to solve the issue. I told the dealer about this and she called Saleen back to confirm. The tech she spoke with said..."I have no clue what/why the other tech told you that. (regardint the 1/4 to 1/2 fuel excuse)"
I called the dealership where I got the truck. They said they would pay for a new tire and work out getting the tires balanced. But...well, we know how that goes sometimes with dealers. I guess next time I receive a vehicle, I will check all of the tires for nails.
Sorry for the long rant/post. Here is a peanut butter jelly time banana
Im going to message you my cell phone number, call me when you can, im on the road today. Im headed to Michigan for a Race and will be with some guys from Saleen who would be the "right" people to speak with about this. I have also seen your surging problem, its soley in the tune. We can make an Xcal Programmer for you and take care of that along with giving you 15 RWHP/30 TQ, much better throttle response and more fuel economy. Along with getting rid of their F'd up shift pattern!
I dont know about the tire balancing, you made need to find a local place you trust, Ill make sure they know that the stealership said you had to pay and see what they say. If you really did pick up a nail and they wont pay for a tire i can get a better deal than anyone can from saleen and will pass it along to you.
Sorry for your bad luck with it so far, besides being a turd when we got it ours has been great with over 40,000 miles on it and now pushing 460RWHP for 30,000+ miles.
JimIII
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: CO
I feel the same way. The SVT department needs to start doing these mods again! The third party "run-around" just kills the customer relations with both. By doing things internally, one can get a quick computer update, as well. Just a bunch of BS.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
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From: Texas
Allcarfan-
I have a S331, too. My dealership has also told me that they can not service any aspect of my wheels because they did not have the right equipment. No big deal until my pressure sensor malfunctioned. I had to go get the part from the dealership, then to Discount Tire to get the tires off. My guy at Discount Tire was actually the one who replaced the sensor! Then I had to return it to to the dealership so that they could reset the error code. Which brings me to my next point; I have everything done at Discount (balancing, tires, etc.) My wheels are powdercoated and the guys there are all car nuts so they always seem to take care of it. It also helps to chat up the manager. They usually like to keep customers who buy $2000 sets of tires happy. I wouldn't recommend plugging one of these tires, but I have had a patch put on one with no problems. Also, I haven't had the surging problem, but have had to send my PCM back to Saleen for an update. It should not take more than 4 days; really 3 days but I always throw one day in for good measure.
I have a S331, too. My dealership has also told me that they can not service any aspect of my wheels because they did not have the right equipment. No big deal until my pressure sensor malfunctioned. I had to go get the part from the dealership, then to Discount Tire to get the tires off. My guy at Discount Tire was actually the one who replaced the sensor! Then I had to return it to to the dealership so that they could reset the error code. Which brings me to my next point; I have everything done at Discount (balancing, tires, etc.) My wheels are powdercoated and the guys there are all car nuts so they always seem to take care of it. It also helps to chat up the manager. They usually like to keep customers who buy $2000 sets of tires happy. I wouldn't recommend plugging one of these tires, but I have had a patch put on one with no problems. Also, I haven't had the surging problem, but have had to send my PCM back to Saleen for an update. It should not take more than 4 days; really 3 days but I always throw one day in for good measure.
Last edited by wclaytondean; Jun 28, 2008 at 01:33 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 155
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From: OKC
I know the feeling about the Saleen customer service. We USED to be a Saleen dealer. I stress used to be. They suck. We had a s281, it spent more time in our shop then on the street. Our tech drove it more then the owner. The vehicle kept leaning out, they sent us throttle body spacers, upper intakes, had the pcm reprogrammed.etc etc etc Oh it ate 2 motors. The first one Saleen sent a truck to us and picked up the vehicle and took the entire car. Got it back didn't run any better. Guy sold it. Another guy, sales man that worked here, bought it. Engine took a dump again. It sat in our back lot for YEARS. Saleen wouldn't do anything about it and the guy didnt want it. Heard it went to court and they finally sold the thing off our lot last year. Don't know how the guy made out but the last time i saw him he was driving a Viper. So if any of you guys are looking at buying a saleen i believe it was a 2001 red number 025. don't.
I hope your luck with them was better then ours.
I hope your luck with them was better then ours.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Colorado
Those tires are going to be a real pain to keep balanced.
I have Roush 20's and they're next to impossible to keep from nibbling a little when the temperatures change. 90% of the time they're smooth as butter, but once in a while they shake.
You'll need to get a road force balance done at a performance tire shop if you really want to get them dialed in. Road force simulates the road and requires special balancers. Once you do get the balance done, it should last about 10K miles if you're not running into curbs or major potholes.
EDIT: and if they're Goodyears, you won't be able to balance them, so prepare yourself for that.
I have Roush 20's and they're next to impossible to keep from nibbling a little when the temperatures change. 90% of the time they're smooth as butter, but once in a while they shake.
You'll need to get a road force balance done at a performance tire shop if you really want to get them dialed in. Road force simulates the road and requires special balancers. Once you do get the balance done, it should last about 10K miles if you're not running into curbs or major potholes.
EDIT: and if they're Goodyears, you won't be able to balance them, so prepare yourself for that.