Not really. Saleen is more into body kits than max speed, so a 285 HP Saleen S281 with 18" wheels, 100 pounds of plastic body kit, and maybe 25 extra HP would not be that much faster than a 99+ GT, if at all. If the driver was not experienced and afraid to bounce off his rev limiter and not willing to lose traction on the 1-2 shift, I couldn't see how a stock 99+ GT could hope to beat an S2000, so an S281 kill is well within reason. If the Mustang has lower gears than stock, it would be a whole different story, but with the stock 3.27 gears, there is no reason a stock S2000 with a good driver couldn't win.

The problem with Saleen's "Power in the Hands of a Few," is only a few know they are mostly show, with go being tossed in if you have enough money. I have a video with two guys in a RX7 beating a Saleen, and unless it was S/C, it ain't no big thing.

 

The S281 is a stock GT with some underdrive pulleys, a catback. some fender cold air, and 3.55 gears, and they do come with autos, and by the fact you pulled 2.5 cars it was probrally an auto. If it was standerd he could not drive, I am not saying you should have lost, but it would have been CLOSE!!! Good kill.

 

Saleen lists the 1/4 time for a 2001 S281 as 14.1@98. I am not REAL impressed. Of course, that is the same time they list for a Firebird T/A

 

Yea those times on Saleen.com are wack! I would say a coupe S-281, with a good driver could break 13.99, the gears help. I am willing to bet the Saleen you raced was an auto.

 

There was a nice little debate about the 281CI V8's from Ford on LS1.com The thread asks if the 4.6 V8 from Ford was a disgrace for American V8's.

It literally came down to a pissing contest of Litre/Horsepower. It is funny to see the domestic boys stooping to ricer excuses and pissing contests I stuck my nose in and said I have 98hp/litre and I didn't get many replies to that

Now, going back to the topic at hand.

Good Kill, it is very believable that you beat a S281. Those mustang as nice looking as they are, can be real dogs. The extra horsepower and gearing is suppressed by the extra weight and rotating mass.

At the local track (LACR) I commonly see newer Saleen S281 run anywhere from a 14.7 - 15.2

For S2000's, they normally run a low 15's to high 15's at this track. I dont recall ever witnessing one breaking into the 14's @ LACR.

My friends modded 02 GT with gears (3.73), headers, intake, exhaust, no cats, pullies, etc.. ran a best of 14.4 on Drag radials. Before you Ford guys start coming in, let me remind you that it was at LACR (Aka, California notirous sh*t track).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 99GT
[B]

Not really.

 

On the S281 just look on top of the dash board where they used to put the clock on the older mustangs and you will see a hump. If it's there it's a blown 281, thats where the pressure and temp guage are for the SC.