Q: What did I buy? - 1999 Mustang

[IsItRealTho]

Not sure if this is real, but i jsut bought this 3 days ago for 2,200 It says saleen and all. It sounds supercharged... But my question is... Is it real tho. Like i have no clue if its real or fake. Ill post more pictures tomorrow but this all i have

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Most likely not. The front fascia and side scoops are incorrect. The hood is from a 2003 Cobra, but changing hoods is not that unusual. If you paid $2,200.00 for a real S-351, then you just made the deal of a lifetime! Did the seller say it was a real Saleen?

Here are a few things to look for, by the way.

(under the hood)
There should be a red swaybar, not black.

Look for a pushrod engine with a large intake manifold (it looks like a 5.0L engine, but the intake has a spacer welded in the collection chamber). If it has a rectangle shaped box on top of the engine with a pony on it, then it it s 4.6L engine. If it has six plug wires and an intake that looks like six fingers running into each other, then it is a V6.

There should be a silver and black plaque on the firewall that says Saleen, and has a matching VIN on it that matches your vehicle's VIN tag found on the dash on the driver side.

(Interior)
Look for white faced gauges that read "SALEEN" on the tach and speedometer. They will all be 200MPH. Also, what is the redline of the tach (they are lower on the S-351 than the S-281)?

There should be a tall MOMO shift knob, but it is not uncommon to have this changed out.

There should be floormats with the Saleen S-351 logo on the fronts only.

Look for a Saleen dash badge on the interior that is chrome, black, and red. It is molded plastic.

In the glove box, there should be a Saleen tire pressure decal stuck to the bottom of the glove box door.

(Exterior)
The spoiler will be a high rise pedestal wing.

The tailpipes will be an intercooled style, meaning that when you look inside them the tips will look like a tube inside a tube, separated with some steel veins.

Inside the vents in the side skirts and rear fascia, you should see some round hole mesh screens.

The side scoops will also have three openings, sort of resembling a Japanese fan partially opened.

The front fascia is definitely not correct. It is from a 2003-2004 Cobra.

(Suspension)
The car will have red lowering springs and yellow Bilstein shocks and struts. They be marked specifically for Saleen vehicles.

The wheels will have raised letters that say "SALEEN" just to the side of the valve stem.

There should also be a windshield banner that reads "SALEEN".

The rear of the car will have Saleen specific emblems on the L.H. side of the decklid.

These are justa few things to look for, but I can all but assure you that the car is not a real Saleen, much les an S-351. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Nonetheless, welcome to the club.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Incidentally, nothing can confirm this car is legit or not based on pics alone. It will take one of these guys to verify the build through Saleen to positively confirm it. Have your VIN handy to verify this.

[OxfordS281]

did you open the hood to look for a supercharger

[OxfordS281]

also looks like your front wheels stick out and your rear tuck in? maybe wrong offsets? the bumper doesn't look flush and the fender looks bent/ bowed like it was in an accident.

[IsItRealTho]

Alright i used a VIN Decoder. Turns out the guy who sold it to me tried to make it into a saleen. So yes its not a saleen. Tho he slapped lots of Saleen things onto the car. He also put a 40 year ani on the sides and also put s531 on the back as well. The car is truely a Mustang GT 99, what has my scratching my head is the noise it makes when i go 3k-7k rpm it. It honestly sounds like a supercharge in action. I look under the hood but don't see one. Not sure what one looks like honestly. But ill post a picture of the engine in a bit. Hang tight guys. Thanks for the replies.

[02saleen353]

Even with it not being a true saleen, thats a pretty good deal assuming its not a salvage title and runs

[IsItRealTho]

Originally Posted by 02saleen353

Even with it not being a true saleen, thats a pretty good deal assuming its not a salvage title and runs

Believe me thats baby flies, it goes 0 to 80 within 5 to 6 seconds. The guy told me his wife is forcing him to sell it. So i don't blame him for quick cash. I came in at the right moment i believe. But the cons... It has a few wiring problems. Such as the theft light, brake like flickers. The convertible button doesnt work nor the fog lights button. I mean i test the lights it works perfect. But i need to replace these. Any clue where i can get legit parts for this model?

[02saleen353]

For replacement parts I've always went to RockAuto.com, they have nearly everything most people need but I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for.

[IsItRealTho]

Originally Posted by 02saleen353

For replacement parts I've always went to RockAuto.com, they have nearly everything most people need but I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/mustan...arts-9904.html

Interior parts like these. They all need replacing. It's all wear and torn on here.

[IsItRealTho]

Originally Posted by 02saleen353

For replacement parts I've always went to RockAuto.com, they have nearly everything most people need but I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for.

Wow yes, This website is exactly what i need! Thanks man!

[SyberSaint]

That is a good price regardless.. LOL

[IsItRealTho]

Originally Posted by SyberSaint

That is a good price regardless.. LOL

Tell me about it... Thanks to the dudes crazy wife. I almost feel bad for him.

[IsItRealTho]

Okay im looking at tons of things. It says its a saleen and some say its not. Im going to type my VIN out for you guys to find out. I'm a mustang rookie just a heads up.
VIN# 1FAFP45X4XF114616
i hope i get some replies soon while its still daylight outside

[Coderedsaleen]

1FAFP45X4XF114616

1FA (Ford USA Passenger Car)
F (Driver & Passenger Air Bags)
P45 (Convertible GT)
X (4.6 260HP V8)
4 (Check Digit)
X (1999)
F (Dearborn, Mich)
114616 (Sequential Unit Number)

[Coderedsaleen]

2003/2004 Cobra front fascia, Hood
1999-04 V6 Side Scoops (Looks like there is damage next to the one in the pic.)
1999-2004 Saleen Side Skirts.

Did you buy this sight unseen? Nice project car if it has a clean title. CarFax has 24 hits on it.

[Coderedsaleen]

99-0252 VIN 616 is a hard top. No convertibles with the last 3 digits of your VIN.

[IsItRealTho]

See this is exactly why i am confused. Thats the correct vin. And yes the title is clean as well. I think this dude did a lot to it. but this is the vin right next to the door so i have no clue. Should i send you a picture to see the full sticker?

[IsItRealTho]

Originally Posted by Coderedsaleen

99-0252 VIN 616 is a hard top. No convertibles with the last 3 digits of your VIN.

http://mustangattitude.com/mustang/1999saleen.shtml

I went based on this s281 its claiming to be

[Coderedsaleen]

The VIN is correct as being P45 convertible, that is a Ford number not a Saleen number. There was no Saleen convertible built with your VIN# so it is not a real Saleen. Does it have a Saleen id tag in the engine compartment or on the lower shifter bezel? Does it have a number on the front bumper?

[Dave]

Hi and welcome to the Saleen Forums @ SOEC.org! Congratulations on your Mustang purchase.

Your Ford VIN, 1FAFP45X4XF114616, does not appear to cross reference with a serialized 1999 model year Saleen Mustang.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by OxfordS281

also looks like your front wheels stick out and your rear tuck in? maybe wrong offsets? the bumper doesn't look flush and the fender looks bent/ bowed like it was in an accident.

Ours do on #00-325, and they are real Saleen wheels. Something that has always bugged me.

Originally Posted by IsItRealTho

Alright i used a VIN Decoder. Turns out the guy who sold it to me tried to make it into a saleen. So yes its not a saleen. Tho he slapped lots of Saleen things onto the car. He also put a 40 year ani on the sides and also put s531 on the back as well. The car is truely a Mustang GT 99, what has my scratching my head is the noise it makes when i go 3k-7k rpm it. It honestly sounds like a supercharge in action. I look under the hood but don't see one. Not sure what one looks like honestly. But ill post a picture of the engine in a bit. Hang tight guys. Thanks for the replies.

Could be a cold air intake/high flow filter. They sometimes have a slight whistle to them. If you could post a pic of the engine bay, we can easily tell for you.

Originally Posted by IsItRealTho

Tell me about it... Thanks to the dudes crazy wife. I almost feel bad for him.

I wouldn't. Remember, he did sell it to you under false terms by saying that it was an S-351, or even a Saleen at all, for that matter.

Originally Posted by Coderedsaleen

2003/2004 Cobra front fascia, Hood
1999-04 V6 Side Scoops (Looks like there is damage next to the one in the pic.)
1999-2004 Saleen Side Skirts.

Did you buy this sight unseen? Nice project car if it has a clean title. CarFax has 24 hits on it.

The scoops are correct. V6 cars and GT cars shared the same side scoops. The exception was the 1999 Anniversary edition, which was standard in 2001 along with the hood scoop for GT models.

Can you find out what the Carfax tags are?

Originally Posted by IsItRealTho

See this is exactly why i am confused. Thats the correct vin. And yes the title is clean as well. I think this dude did a lot to it. but this is the vin right next to the door so i have no clue. Should i
send you a picture to see the full sticker?

Have you titled it in your name yet?

[OxfordS281]

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

Ours do on #00-325, and they are real Saleen wheels. Something that has always bugged me.

check your hub to see if its meant for a rear or the offset, what size tires do you have?

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by OxfordS281

check your hub to see if its meant for a rear or the offset, what size tires do you have?

Will do. I have wondered if they were swapped out front to rear. The tires are 255/35/18 and 265/35/18.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by OxfordS281

check your hub to see if its meant for a rear or the offset, what size tires do you have?

Thanks for the tip!

[Werecow]

If that was an S351, then it would have to be a salvage. Missing brakes, seats, body panels... still a great deal. An underhood shot would be helpful. But if Jim says the Vin doesn't check, then it probably isn't a Saleen.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by Werecow

If that was an S351, then it would have to be a salvage. Missing brakes, seats, body panels... still a great deal. An underhood shot would be helpful. But if Jim says the Vin doesn't check, then it probably isn't a Saleen.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but if it were an S-351, the VIN would show a V6 car anyway, not a GT.

[Coderedsaleen]

I was saying the scoops were wrong for Saleen body kits.

Any engine pics?

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by Coderedsaleen

I was saying the scoops were wrong for Saleen body kits.

Any engine pics?

Ah, gotcha. Where you made mention of them being V6 scoops threw me. Yes they are definitely not Saleen side scoops.

[Werecow]

Maybe, but I didn't think the newer ones were V6's, but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

Correct me if I am wrong here, but if it were an S-351, the VIN would show a V6 car anyway, not a GT.

[Coderedsaleen]

The 99 S351's were converted V6. That is what I read awhile back.