wonele67
04-05-2009, 07:34 AM
What was the stock HP rating of the 97 S281 ?? I've seen everything from 215 to 350.
The stock 1996-97 4.6 2-Valve GT was rated at 215hp. Saleen added a performance air cleaner, Borla cat-back, and Racecraft plug wires.
Saleen advertise the horsepower of their 1996-97 S281 at 220hp. Motor Trend, during their test of a 1996 model, rated it at 222hp
In 1998, Ford changed their cat-back exhaust (not relevant to the Saleen conversion) and I believe they (Ford) also changed the PCM program.
Bowling has the 1998 S281 listed in The Saleen Book having 225hp. Though I'm unable to quickly find a source.
The 1996-1998 SVT Cobra based S281s are a different topic, but those where in the low(er) 300 for hp.
The Supercharged 1998 SA-15 4.6 2-valve was rated at 390hp, according to the Bowling Book.
As a side note: I see there is a comment in the 1998 sales material with an announcement that Saleen planned to offer a Roots blower for the 1998 S281 as a regular production option, but as we know... the end-of-year SA-15 was the only model made as such.