Street Racing & Kill Stories - supposed to race a Saleen... someone help me out here

Hey, ive got a buddy that has a 1999 Saleen S281 M5 mustang. I have a 1999 SS M6. We are both stock. Who will win? I gotta know what i should do if you guys dont think i stand a chance. But i heard these things are pretty heavy for their power. Like 320hp i believe right? My SS is rated at 320hp too. Im not sure what kind of gearing he has on that, but its stock gearing, what ever that is. Do you guys know anything about these cars? Should i be frightened? Thanks!

Not too sure on the HP and weight numbers on a Saleen but it should be a drivers race. I heard somewhere that the older saleens are actually pretty slow though so im not too sure. Dont base anything on my opinions here.

I've raced one on the street. Not sure year. Probably same model as the one you're up against. They're about equal with us I say. Drivers race.

i beat an s281 ragtop in my ss lid & exhaust i put about a car and a half on him before he gave up

There are a few different stages of the saleens. I don't know if I have it all correct (since I think saleens are overpriced) but I think it goes like this...

Bottom of line saleen is a glorified GT (body kit, rims, lowered, 260hp no hp change)

Then there is the S281 supercharged (350hp) with all the above options. Mid 13's.

Now if it is the last of the bad boys it could be a 351 windsor in it. Last year they made the 5.8L saleen was in 99'. Those were no joke, from the dealer they were strong. But I doubt he has one. Those are very rare. So I think he has the 4.6 ones. But even with a stock SS you should win hands down. Besides they are not great for drag since all the handling suspension they have. My money is on you. -Mark

You should take him for several reasons. You have a better power band, your tranny will keep you IN your powerband better, and you have a more drag-friendly suspension as stated above, the saleens are more for track/twisties and are pretty much as stiff as you can make a msutang from the factory without feeding it a viagra the size of a hockey puck.

I am taking this from my buddies brochures (sp?) as he owns a 04 saleen s-281 (spurcharged version). The N/A 281's make 290 hp and 330 tq, while the supercharged ones are rated at 375 hp and 415 tq. Although these ar enumbers for the 2004's, I believe the same apply for the 99+ ones, not positive though. So basically if its an N/A 281 you should win, and if not then he should edge you out. Just race though and lets us know how it goes, and if you lose hell even more reason to mod your SS!

There are a few different stages of the saleens. I don't know if I have it all correct (since I think saleens are overpriced) but I think it goes like this...

Bottom of line saleen is a glorified GT (body kit, rims, lowered, 260hp no hp change)

Then there is the S281 supercharged (350hp) with all the above options. Mid 13's.

Now if it is the last of the bad boys it could be a 351 windsor in it. Last year they made the 5.8L saleen was in 99'. Those were no joke, from the dealer they were strong. But I doubt he has one. Those are very rare. So I think he has the 4.6 ones. But even with a stock SS you should win hands down. Besides they are not great for drag since all the handling suspension they have. My money is on you. -Mark

Yea those 351 saleens are absurd. I saw one a year or so ago at a local car show and it was sooooooooo sweet! I couldnt stop looking at the thing. I guess ford ditched the s-351 due to emissions regulations or something like that? Either way those things are beasts!

stay awawy form the SC one....good luck handing his ass to him

The N/A Saleen makes either 285-290 hp and has a 3.27 or 3.55 gear. Id think you take him pretty easily...

oh no, he is definately supercharged, ive heard it... he told me they only make 320 though.

If it's the one I am thinking of i would not worry, turd!

oh no, he is definately supercharged, ive heard it... he told me they only make 320 though.
Then he's lying to you! If it's a 1999 factory s/c'd Saleen S281, it's rated at 365hp with 7lbs of boost.

Maybe he meant they only made 320 cars that year.

guess im gonna have a hard time then, what should i do?

i think you ppl are overestimating these saleens. i've been around quite a few of them. the numbers i am finding are the 99 S281 supercharged was rated at 350 hp (which is around what the LS1 makes at the flywheel) and motor trend tested it to 13.4 1/4. i'm not saying it would run a 13.4 with a normal driver or that it can't perform much better than that (i've seen lots of mag tests of LS1s 13.3 or worse and quite a few showroom stock non 01-02 LS1s go 12.8). i'd just say that it can at least be a drivers race. i wouldn't be surprised at all if you were able to beat him, but you better be a good driver.

you would win