What would you get? 07 Saleen s/c or 07 GT500
- Thread starter 96Forged281
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cycosarge
New Member
The GT500 has a lot more power potential than the Saleen, with a tune any pulley you can get to power levels that would blow the bottom end out of the 3V motor in the Saleen. The center exhaust in the Saleen is not fake though, they have a valve in the muffler that directs the exhaust out the center outlets at low rpm and out the turned down outlet at high rpm. The Saleen will probably handle better than a stock GT500 due to the weight difference but the GT500 will be quicker. I personally would go with the GT500.
Seems like your engine is doing fine with over 500rwhp right? So why couldnt a saleen with a smaller pulley do just fine?
Yes the Gt500 has more potential.
But overall Im only wanting low 12s out of whatever I get
snaggeltooth
New Member
Another vote for the Shelby. 5.4L 4V will knock down over 600rwhp with pully swap, basic bolt ons and tune. That's something you'll never see possible with the Saleen. And the Shelby is much less expensive if I recall correctly, is it not? 
Cycosarge must have a very good tune or has been lucky so far. There have been a lot of people blowing the bottoms out of their 3V motors making less power than him. If you want low 12s then a Saleen will be fine, but more people than not get bored with their power levels and want more. The GT500 would give you more room to grow since it has the forged bottom end. The GT500 also has a six speed as opposed to the 5 speed in the Saleen. Not a huge deal, but worth considering.
d.r.moss
New Member
I like both but I would say GT500. I got to drive a GT500 vert and fell in love with it. I bet if you hold on to the GT500 it will be worth alot more money in 30 years. Saleen could too though, who knows.
walter
Founding Member
Personally my choice would go something like this.
1) Saleen S281 Extreme
2) Shelby GT500
3) Saleen S281 Supercharged
1) Saleen S281 Extreme
2) Shelby GT500
3) Saleen S281 Supercharged
BJ1000RR
New Member
cycosarge
New Member
Yes, my engine is doing fine, but it's not stock either... it was, and it did fine, but I didn't take any chances so I rebuilt it with a forged kit. Anyway, the Saleen is TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get. Just buy a regular Mustang GT and mod it. You will get better power and handleing for less money invested. I got my GT because I wanted the glass roof. I couldn't have had a GT500, however, the dealerships at the time were still marking them up 20G. I'm NOT going to pay $62,000 for a car that lists for $42,000.
The 05 and early 06's did have a valve that would open and close upon varying rpm's. However, the valve kept sticking, so at first Saleen suggested that dealers put pins keeping the valve open. Saleen owners did not like this so Saleen then sent a revised system with a dual outlet, (1) turn down per side and the other directed toward the center valence. 3.5 years ago I worked at a Ford dealership (Saleen, Roush, GT500, and Ford GT advisor) and put at least 100 revised systems on. As good as the Saleen's look, the facia's and panels are poor quality. Early build (05-06) front sway bar end links loosen up causing a clunk in the front that kept coming back after 2K. The integrated gills in the headrest warp from heat. The rubber logo on the steering wheel would discolor and peel. The rear facia flaps in the center at speed. The rear valence extenders warp from heat resulting in noticable panel gaps. The black plastic panel at the rear is held on by 3M tape which comes loose and has fallen off a few cars. The rocker panels are so low that some speed bumps grab on to the plastic fasteners and rip them off. The hood and the handling (when everything is tightened up) are first rate. I am not a Saleen basher and these are not extreme examples I have given. If you ever need a Saleen replacement body panel, trust me they are expensive and rarely fit right without some modification. The big brake kit is notorious for squeaks and noticably doesn't stop all that much quicker. From the service side, Saleen is cheap and takes forever (1-2 weeks) to send a rep if their is a mechanical problem. They blame Ford first again and again. I had a customer who blew his engine with the 435hp SC. It took 4 months for a new engine w/ SC and Saleens "powerflash" calibration. The Gt's, and GT500's are for the most part very reliable and rock solid. Sorry for the rant, but they just are not worth it.
Stangninjak
Member
- Apr 16, 2004
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Look wise the Saleen will be unique. I personally do not like the looks of the GT500. The front fascia is nice, but thats where it ends for me.
The gt500 Engine wise and transmission ect will have a lot more expansion than the Saleen.
The gt500 Engine wise and transmission ect will have a lot more expansion than the Saleen.
kooldawg6
mine works really well and can take a fair amount
GT500 FTMFW
Great starting point! Decent in stock form with some suspension mods! Or the sky is the limit with $$$$$. I prefer the look of the Shelby as it has a very tough look with very little done
Tis why I added it to my car
Great starting point! Decent in stock form with some suspension mods! Or the sky is the limit with $$$$$. I prefer the look of the Shelby as it has a very tough look with very little done Tis why I added it to my car
Mr_Q
Founding Member
You can lop 250lbs off the front of a GT500 by switching the front suspension setup out for a Griggs SLA. 
That pretty much brings the weight bias back inline with the standard GT(Saleen).
That pretty much brings the weight bias back inline with the standard GT(Saleen).
