Need to replace the clutch and brakes on my 2000 s281 SC. For clutch I was looking at a SPEC stage 3. Is this compatible with the tranny in the saleen? I haven't gotten any definite answers except for a friend without a clue claiming saleens have "special transmissions and need special clutches". The other question I have is what brake pads fit on this beast. It has the upgraded brake package. I haven't found any place advertising what pads I need, and saleen doesn't return my emails. I don't really have time to call in the afternoon, so I'm hoping someone here has an idea.
I think the pads are the same as the ones that are sold in the 2000 Cobra R kit. So if you find places that sell that brake kit, they will likely have the pads as well. Just check some of the major places that advertise or have huge magazines. This may not be accurate but i have read that your brakes and the cobra r kit are exactly the same when it comes down to pad size. When my clutch went out, i had it upgraded only slightly, i forgot what it was, it has been so long, and i havent driven the car as much. But I do remember the clutch feeling a little tougher, but my 60 foot times dropped below 2.0 seconds.
CALVIN, Call Joe at Chicane 310.782.0063. http://www.chicanesport.com/index.html I forget what he put (pads) in my Brembo's (hawk???) but I do remember how much I liked how they felt compared to the pads that came in there. Also, the pads he installed threw little dust. A huge plus. I'm just assumung that is the "brake upgrade" you have on your car. Sorry I can't remember. I have the Alcons on my other car now. Insane is all I can say. Wait until I need new rotors. I'll probably really go insane then. As for your trans. Lot's of guys like to say "special transmission" when they don't know what they are looking at. There is'nt anything "special" about it. That's a tremec T-45 trans in there. Someone chime in if I'm wrong. You have quite a few choices depending on how much power you are thinking of adding in the future. I have heard rave reviews about the SPEC stage 3. Mostly good things. A few guys have complained that they had to re-learn how to drive with that clutch because it hooks so well. Also there are a few complains that you actually have to break in that clutch for a few hundred miles or so. ( lots of chatter and such) until it breaks in. Overall most guys like it. Don't kow for sure. i am not running a stage 3 Spec, just a motorsport clutch.
at this point I'd just be really pumped if I could find someone who would respond to emails. *crosses fingers on chicane* Thing is I work all day and by the time I'm done most places are already packing up for the day. It'd make my life a lot easier if I could find someone willing to correspond that way so I could just get my order in and be done with this.
The “’00 Cobra R” kit was not offered for the 2000 S281. You should have Saleen’s (superior) Alcon kit. Regardless, Joe should be able to provide pads for it. As marcus95 stated, you have the stock T45 transmission with the stock Ford clutch. Are you the original owner of the car?
bought it used with ~1800 miles on it. I emailed one of the guys at chicane, he told me to take a pic of the calipers and email it to him and he'd get me set up. I'm gonna get on that tommorrow. Thanks for the help.
Don't send Joe an email at Chicane, I've never gotten a reply from him. I had a hard enough time just getting him to return a phone call the couple of times I tried to get stuff from him. He knows his stuff, but he's very hard to get a hold of at times... I have a Spec III in my 99 S/C Saleen. Very grabby, chatters a bit at times, but it does grab. Definately more leg effort than the stock clutch. I have around 8K miles on it so far along with a couple of 1320 passes. I previously tried a Centerforce II, 500 easy break in miles, then went to the track with the car. 5th pass and it sheared half the disc. It was 2 weeks out of warranty, Centerforce said too bad... I might try a McCloud next time since they also have a good rep, but the Spec III works pretty well and will hold up to the torque that these cars have.
suprisingly enough, he replied to me immediately when I emailed him. Actually, three times yesterday. I just need to get some info to him and he said he'd get me hooked up. Good to hear the SPEC stage 3 is quality. What's the difference between the carbon/ceramic/kevlar? From what I read the carbon would be the best for this application. Any other comments about the three and which would be best. It's really just a weekend driver, doesn't really see any track time. Of course the occasional stoplight run, but not a lot of hard track driving.
With my 86GT (daily driver) I've gone through SVO, Centerforce, and D&D Performance's HD clutch kit that consists of McCloud/King Cobra combined parts. Currently I'm running Apex Motorsports clutch in my S-351. I like this one over them all. Pedal effort with the D&D kit got to be difficult in stop and go traffic. For brake pads, if you have Alcon's look into Porterfield pads. I've run these pads for open track events and they're great. On the street brake dust is minimal. On the track however you will get brake dust!!! Joe is a great guy!!! If you need something from Chicane give them a call rather than email.
Glad to hear Joe is being more responsive... he's got some nice stuff and he knows these cars as well as anyone out there. I bought the clutch from specclutch.com, part number SF483. Mine is also more of a driver, and it occasionally sees the track. I could have used the Spec II, but the torque rating is borderline for the numbers the M-90 makes. I figured after replacing it once and having to do it again, I didn't want to have to replace it again for a while. I don't mind changing the clutch on a T-5, but the 1 piece trans/bellhousing on the newer cars is a PITA when you are laying on your back in the driveway...
Hey SF Calvin, I got mine from http://diskbrakesrus.com/make/ford/mustanggtff.htm The complete set was abou 1000 bucks for all 4 wheels (new rotors, pads, calipers and stell brake lines) and they look awsome. The front is 13" drilled/slotted and rear also drilled/slotted. You can choose the color of the caliper and of the text on it
I thought that saleen stopped using alcon. I also remember reading in one of the magazines that when they stopped using the alcon kit, they switched to a kit that looked similar to the alcons, but was actually the same setup used, not offered, on the cobra r. Only difference would be the paint schemes. This is just what i remember, there is a good chance I am wrong, please inform me if I am.
Yes, you are correct. No more Saleen/Alcon brakes from Saleen. Too costly in the long run. The finest brakes I have ever owned though. That is why I have a spare set of calipers and rotors for my S351. The brembo's do great also. SFCalvin, that is what you have on your car if you have the "brake upgrade" for the S281. Joe is better with e-mails now. The best way is to keep ringing the phone during the day until you get him. The very best time to actually talk to him is around 6 p.m. PST.
quick update, calipers have MM on both ends in raised writing, non-colored. And say 146c on the left side as well below the MM, they say saleen in yellow across the middle. Again, it's a 2000 s281-e Can anyone identify the brakes by that?
This is not a great photo but the best I can find at the moment. I believe this '99 to have the Alcon setup. There should be two-piece rotors as well. These are the '00 Cobra R" Brembos. Saleen now sells the same kit, albeit with their yellow logo on the caliper. Also notice the single piece rotors. Again, this brake option was not offered in '00. I installed it later.
