I have a agazine @ work that has the article in it, they took a new S4 & did only a custom chip (raised the turbo's from 12 to 14lbs of boost) & some nice exhaust work & took it to a road coarse & flogged it. Performed without a hitch. They had also done some upgrades on the brakes etc... but for only & chip & exhaust that power level is pretty darn good! It will take anything (well allmost al vehicles) from a light with the all-wheel drive, then if you have 320 horses.... you will keep on going. In a few months when we fianlly decide to get my wife a new car I am looking into getting it (she wants a GS300-400 though). The car is beautiful also, here try this link to get some more info on it http://www.audi.com/java/models/mapframe/s4fram.html

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99' SVT Black Bolt NLOC #392
Clear Corner Lenses
Autometer Boost & Air/Fuel ratio Guages
best run 13.54 @ 101.35

**Unlike Lightning I will strike you twice**

 

These guys are right about the Saleen. The main differences between the S281 and regular mustangs are some handling improvements and k&N filter with intake. For the extra money you could get the 32 valve 320 HP Cobra convertible and then add a Supercharger for 100 to 150 more horses and still be under 40K with the ability to drop the top and at least 70 to 80 more horsepower than a supercharged S281 (Which would probably be over 40k if you can find one)

This is all just IMHO of course


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Chris Thomas
<A HREF="http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg" TARGET=_blank> </A>
1998 F-150XLT Flareside STX Sport Package, 4.6L Auto 3.55 Oxford White/Gray interior, Factory Anti-theft system
Picture: http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg
Homepage: Chris & Brandi's Universe
Mods: A.R.E. Decklid/Oxford White with gray fabric liner, K&N filter with Airbox Mod (removed silencer), Lowered 3" front/5" rear, Tinted Windows, GTS sloted taillight covers (painted Oxford white to match), Removed STX stickers
Audio: Kenwood Truck speakers with 10" woofers, Rockford Fosgate and Alpine Amps, Ford 10 disk CD changer
Future Mods: 20" rims and tires, True duals with Supertrap tunable mufflers, Superchip, Supercharger, Jacobs Ignition, and whatever else I can think of!!!



[This message has been edited by Chris Thomas (edited 03-15-2000).]

 

car & driver this month, the s281 sc, base 34,177 add 1K tires, 2.6K brakes ( best)350hp/410ftlb 13.8 @103 .92G ts 154mph

 

The nice thing about the Saleens is that if you get your hands on one of the supercharged versions, you'll have an SC Stang with a full warranty. Thats hard to find elsewhere.

 

Nathan,

While it is true about a warranty...

I'd like to know which dealer you (or I) would trust to work on/tune a 12psi blown 351W motor...or even the smaller 2v 4.6 motor.

So, its under warranty...great, now you can wait 4 weeks for them to work the bugs out instead of 1 week. Most techs will do a great job of working on production vehicles. I'm happy with Ford's service over the years (with the vehicles I take in to them...that would be 2 right now--the L and the SHO), but throw something at them like a Saleen car and I bet it would be a major headache for everyone involved.

No, I'd rather build it myself. Not only will the car run substantially quicker/faster, but it will be as or more reliable and when a bug-a-boo comes up, I'll have the know-how to fix it.

If you can afford a turn-key $60k SR-351 Saleen, then go for it. It's a good looking car with great seating, suspension, brakes and a lot of potential under the hood. And since you could afford such a car, make a quick trip to your trusted Mustang shop to tune it up _right_ and you'll get 50 more HP right off the bat. :-)

Just my $.02.

PS: And neither of those two vehicles are in the shop now...I meant to imply that those two are the only ones I'd take to someone else (Ford or otherwise) to work on. The two Mustangs are long out of warranty with too many mods to count.
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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3) http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html




[This message has been edited by Wes Tarbox (edited 03-15-2000).]

 

listen to yoda...yoda is wise. Or even a A-6...they bigger yet cheaper than s4.

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1999 Lightning
Sal's filter and Superchip
Red w/20% tint

2000 EB 4x4 Expy (wifey)
1986 Mustang SVO
1973 Ford Bronco
1977 Porsche 911 3.0
1998 H-D FLHTC, 2000 FLTR on order
2000 KTM Duke (Mucho Fun!)
1997 Buell S-1 Lightning (for sale)
1999 KTM 250 E/XC
1988 Ski Nautique
1995 SeaDoo GTX
1988 Yamaha Warrior

Too many toys! Anybody need to buy one?!?

 

I'd go with the Cobra! Well balanced between ride and performance, relitively cheap too.

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99 Lightning black #2022, cd,tow package,bed rug,roll-n-lock, stock
(13.73 @ 99.74)
98 Cobra coupe laser red
best stock et 13.43 @ 103
one run w/ 3.55 gears 13.34 @ 102 no other mods
former Chevy fan still have a few
72 SS454 11.6 @ 116 (slicks open headers)
68 Camaro 12.2 @ 116 (street tires closed exhast)

 

BRIMESTONE
Here is the story
I own a 1996 Saleen S281 SOHC. Yes it is a great performance car but it does have its downfalls. The price of the new Saleens, I would wait for a 2001 model S351 because they are discontinuing the 351 motor. Going with the 5.4 SC motor. As of now the have three different models. What they call S281(GT), the S281 Cobra(cobra)and the S351(!). I now know that these cars are well over priced, but it is a good investment. It is a great attention getter but the question they always ask "Is that a real Saleen"? That is why I am trying to sell mine to buy the Lightning. I have one waiting but have to sell the car first. As for the Cobra R, WHOOOOOO!, price tag of $55,000, 385hp, 385tq, 1.01g, 12.8 quarter mile. If you've got the money. The Saleens are not all they are cracked up to be. One year warranty, That's IT. I've had a terrible time with them about that. Let me end this, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!, building a cobra or a gt might be your best bet.
GOOD LUCK!

 

Well, I wasn't really serious about the post. The XKF is years away, well beyond your time frame, and nothing is locked in about it. It is vaporware right now. But the mock up at the LA auto show is one of the most beautiful vehicles I have ever laid eyes on. Ford, er, Jaguar spokesmen say price point is supposed to be &lt; Boxster S, performance &gt; Boxster S. What's not to like about that? Except I just took a major hit on house I am selling, very iffy if I can ever afford one w/o selling my L., and that's just not going to happen. Jag will not tow my boat.

 

I've been researching the S4 and it is truly an awesome car, something that I think would go well with a Lightning. Standard leather and suede interior? Bi-turbo V6? AWD? HID Lights? And yes it's true there's guys getting 300+ HP JUST from a chip. And then there's the automatic w/the "clutchless manual shifting" at no extra charge. Not a sports car, but definitely a Special Vehicle. Wonder if it could smoke a Cobra?

Mike

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99.5 Black Lightning
PowerSurge Cone Filter
JBA Jet-Hot coated headers
Flowmaster muffler
So-Cal Lowering Kit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
Watter Wetter
Lo-Jack

 

If it is anything but bone dry, they easily smoke a Lightning...

 

yup the S-281 is just a GT w/exhaust, ground FX's, wheels, and a Roots S/C (if you get it S/C)

Like most guys are saying, the Cobra is the best bang for the buck...

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Ford vs Chevy
www.fordvschevy.com
Moderator: Road Kill, Mustang vs F-bodies
2000 White F-150 Sport 4.2L 5-speed,3.55 gears
MODS K&N,Flowmaster 40 series.
superstang97@yahoo.com