Roush S281E or S351
- Thread starter ponyguy
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03-s281
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stallion98gt
New Member
From reports in many mags i have from over the years it seems the s351 would be the winner. But its not as bad as it seems, (this is all theory from comparing separate articles). The E in Sportscar International magazine some 14 months ago posted a very low 12 with 116ish traps maybe 117 mph. The mustang publications basically got the same on street tires, but with some slicks dipped into the 11's if I remember correctly. That though was with the 425 version not the re-geard 445 hp version.
The s351 times all vary from crappy Motor trends 13.0 to muscle mustangs 11.77. But the theme in all of those was 120mph traps. At the strip I feel the E is better enginered to launch, and handle the twisties on a road course. But in the right hands, and assuming that nothing is wrong with the s351, it should win. But on the highway it would be all tail lights for the E.
I have known a few guys here in atlanta with 351's and it appears the E would be better to have day to day. Though one day i will own a black with gold decals s351.
The s351 times all vary from crappy Motor trends 13.0 to muscle mustangs 11.77. But the theme in all of those was 120mph traps. At the strip I feel the E is better enginered to launch, and handle the twisties on a road course. But in the right hands, and assuming that nothing is wrong with the s351, it should win. But on the highway it would be all tail lights for the E.
I have known a few guys here in atlanta with 351's and it appears the E would be better to have day to day. Though one day i will own a black with gold decals s351.
saleenster
Founding Member
solid snake, I like your avatar!
Never seen them go head to head, but sheer torque would be the reason the S351 supercharged model would be faster unless you have an NA model from 94 or 95. However, with the E model, one change of a pulley would surely even the odds and then some. The twin screw thats on the E has alot more potential then the S trim has. The more I read about the Extreme cars, the more impressed I become. Why not have both?
Never seen them go head to head, but sheer torque would be the reason the S351 supercharged model would be faster unless you have an NA model from 94 or 95. However, with the E model, one change of a pulley would surely even the odds and then some. The twin screw thats on the E has alot more potential then the S trim has. The more I read about the Extreme cars, the more impressed I become. Why not have both?
marcus95
Active Member
Well guys I drove as many examples of both cars before I purchased my S351 R-code. I only had 2 Extremes to drive and 3 examples of blown S351's. That was over a 1 year period.
I'll be honest I always wanted an S351 so that is what I had in mind before my quest for another Saleen. Remember the original R-code #'s stayed almost the same from 1994. 495-505 h.p. It's all about the car to hook up. It is a LOT more difficult to get my car to launch than an E car. MOre torque down low. The E that I did have a little more time in did impress me a lot. I did not get to really rip on the E. When I drove the 351 that I knew I was going to buy I told the guy "It's sold" so I really ripped on it. Some like the loud grinding of the centri blower, some find it embarrasing but I love it!
It's not like comparing apples and oranges. The E motor is smooth, more refined and rev's like a 911 compared to my car and felt a little more balanced than my car. The E is a lot easier to drive fast. It's true just pulley down an E car with no new tune and you can get 485 hp out of that thing. Let's not even start about the 03/04 Cobra and how how easy and cheap it is to mod.
Saleenster is correct about the potential of the that twin screw. For huge #'s I would be better off dumping my S-trim.
The S351's that I drove all felt pretty healthy and that extra torque just makes an S351 "feel" faster overall. Oh, one E I drove was an 02' ( 425 hp)and the other was an 03' (445) hp. I really could not tell the difference from the two. There are 6 years of technology between the two.
With new drag radials on my car and with it making around 440 stock at the rear wheels (505) at the crank and while mutilating the clutch I could get low 12's most of the time out of my car (before it threw a rod) ( 121 trap ) I have a set of slicks ready.
It is getting a new bottom end, some big fuel delivery and a power pipe ( 14-15 lbs. of boost) It should make high 500's at the rear wheels when its done.
All I can say is that both cars are insane to drive. I can't really say from a real guys perspective which one is actually faster. I lost sleep trying to decide between the two. I know that almost every mag that test's cars get different #'s everytime. It's all about the drivers and conditions.
Ponyguy are you still here??? I don't know how to settle this on once and for all except to get a bone stock "E" and a bone stock late model (97 upgrade) to go head to head. It is really too close to call.
I always wanted an S351 so that is what I went with. If I were going to make a decision on which one to purchase for a daily driver I would go with the E car. My car will always be a little more tempermental than I would like but it's all in the character. Thanks for letting me ramble.
I'll be honest I always wanted an S351 so that is what I had in mind before my quest for another Saleen. Remember the original R-code #'s stayed almost the same from 1994. 495-505 h.p. It's all about the car to hook up. It is a LOT more difficult to get my car to launch than an E car. MOre torque down low. The E that I did have a little more time in did impress me a lot. I did not get to really rip on the E. When I drove the 351 that I knew I was going to buy I told the guy "It's sold" so I really ripped on it. Some like the loud grinding of the centri blower, some find it embarrasing but I love it!
It's not like comparing apples and oranges. The E motor is smooth, more refined and rev's like a 911 compared to my car and felt a little more balanced than my car. The E is a lot easier to drive fast. It's true just pulley down an E car with no new tune and you can get 485 hp out of that thing. Let's not even start about the 03/04 Cobra and how how easy and cheap it is to mod.
Saleenster is correct about the potential of the that twin screw. For huge #'s I would be better off dumping my S-trim.
The S351's that I drove all felt pretty healthy and that extra torque just makes an S351 "feel" faster overall. Oh, one E I drove was an 02' ( 425 hp)and the other was an 03' (445) hp. I really could not tell the difference from the two. There are 6 years of technology between the two.
With new drag radials on my car and with it making around 440 stock at the rear wheels (505) at the crank and while mutilating the clutch I could get low 12's most of the time out of my car (before it threw a rod) ( 121 trap ) I have a set of slicks ready.
It is getting a new bottom end, some big fuel delivery and a power pipe ( 14-15 lbs. of boost) It should make high 500's at the rear wheels when its done.
All I can say is that both cars are insane to drive. I can't really say from a real guys perspective which one is actually faster. I lost sleep trying to decide between the two. I know that almost every mag that test's cars get different #'s everytime. It's all about the drivers and conditions.
Ponyguy are you still here??? I don't know how to settle this on once and for all except to get a bone stock "E" and a bone stock late model (97 upgrade) to go head to head. It is really too close to call.
I always wanted an S351 so that is what I went with. If I were going to make a decision on which one to purchase for a daily driver I would go with the E car. My car will always be a little more tempermental than I would like but it's all in the character. Thanks for letting me ramble.
Mark Cubberley
Founding Member
S351R"Animal"
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
S351R!
Off the showroom floor the S351 hands down. Traction does hurt it though. As for changing blower pullies it would make the E more competative. If you get one of the later S351's you can change blowers and not worry about the bottom-end. I've had T, YS, and X-trims on my 96 S351. I've seen over 30lbs of boost with mine. With the E you can only go so far with bolt ons. I have to confess that I am dying to get my hands on a 03 or 04 Cobra!
Off the showroom floor the S351 hands down. Traction does hurt it though. As for changing blower pullies it would make the E more competative. If you get one of the later S351's you can change blowers and not worry about the bottom-end. I've had T, YS, and X-trims on my 96 S351. I've seen over 30lbs of boost with mine. With the E you can only go so far with bolt ons. I have to confess that I am dying to get my hands on a 03 or 04 Cobra!
I am still here, just reading and listening.
I tend to lean to lean towards a little more day to day livabilty and sacrifice a few tenths here and there.
It also seems to me when you get into this league of acceleration say in the 12's, driver and conditions become a huge factor. That a couple tenths here and there don't really matter.
I am also a modular fan, historical signifigance of S351 cannot be denied though but as of now I am leaning towards the E.
I tend to lean to lean towards a little more day to day livabilty and sacrifice a few tenths here and there.
It also seems to me when you get into this league of acceleration say in the 12's, driver and conditions become a huge factor. That a couple tenths here and there don't really matter.
I am also a modular fan, historical signifigance of S351 cannot be denied though but as of now I am leaning towards the E.
s351rspeedster
New Member
I'm kinda biased....but the S351 would win hands down. As for reliablilty, you would think that the mod motor would be more reliable then the old pushrod......however, I drive my coupe daily and have not had a single problem with it other then traction 
-Robert C-
1997 S351 "R" White Speedster #01
1995 S351 "R" White Coupe #11
1985 Saleen White Hatchback #0140
Charter Member: SaleenClubOfAmerica
www.saleenclubofamerica.com
-Robert C-
1997 S351 "R" White Speedster #01
1995 S351 "R" White Coupe #11
1985 Saleen White Hatchback #0140
Charter Member: SaleenClubOfAmerica
www.saleenclubofamerica.com
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