Began my search Cobra vs. Saleen
08-01-2009, 06:41 PM
#12
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 724
08-02-2009, 10:00 AM
#13
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: IL
Posts: 1,598
I don't think you can beat a 2003 or 2004 Cobra for getting to big HP numbers for the least amount of money and overall bang for the buck.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (1.8L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras
...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (1.8L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras
...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.
Last edited by mills281e; 08-02-2009 at 11:42 PM.
08-02-2009, 02:54 PM
#14
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 343
99 s351 would be a really sweet car and ultra rare. So rare I don't know if you would find one. How many where even made?
But if you're not getting an s351 which you're not becaue you will never find one, get a termi.
But if you're not getting an s351 which you're not becaue you will never find one, get a termi.
Last edited by bpark8824; 08-02-2009 at 03:03 PM.
08-02-2009, 02:55 PM
#15
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,169
I don't think you can beat a 2003 or 2004 Cobra for getting to big HP numbers for the least amount of money and overall bang for the buck.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (2.3L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (2.3L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras
...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.
08-02-2009, 05:01 PM
#16
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: yuma, az
Posts: 1,252
I don't think you can beat a 2003 or 2004 Cobra for getting to big HP numbers for the least amount of money and overall bang for the buck.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (2.3L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.
The best comparison from a new edge Saleen perspective would either be a 1999 S351 R (supercharged S-351) or a 2002 - 2004 S281 Extreme. Both have forged internals were rated at 495 HP and 425 (2002) to 440 (2003 & 2004) for the S351 R and Extremes, respectively. But, the Extremes dyno'd about the same as 03/04 Cobras did out of the box, so the Cobras were definitely under rated.
The S351 R would get you to 490 rwhp the quickest/easiest versus the Extreme or the Cobra. A few other assessments below:
(Most desirable to least desirable)
Tranny: all had T-56 6-speeds
Motor: Cobra (32 valve 4.6L) >/= S351 R (16 valve 5.8L) > Extreme (16 valve 4.6L) all had forged internals
Weight: Extreme > Cobra = S351 R
Stock Power: S351 R > Cobra = Extreme
Bang-for the buck: Cobra > S351 R > Extreme
Stock Fuel Delivery: Cobra > Extreme > S351 R
Suspension: Extreme = Cobra >/= S351 R (Extremes have full Saleen upgraded suspension plus boxed rear LCAs)
Brakes: Extreme = S351 R >/= Cobra
Rareness: (how tough one would be to find): Cobra > Extreme > 99 S351 R
Stock Supercharger: Extreme (2.3L Whipple) = S351 R (Vortech) = Cobra (2.3L Eaton M112)
Cost (what you can get a used for with < 20,000 miles): Cobra (24 K) > Extreme (31 K) = S351 R (31 K)
Lastly, if you want the best of both worlds, they made a few 03/04 Saleen Cobras
...but those sell for high 30's/low 40's with low miles.as for the engines the 4.6dohc is much higher tech but you can do a lot more for a lot less with the 351w so i wouldnt put the cobra engine over 351w and i would have to say that ive seen plenty of termis running around but i only seen 1 s351r at a dealership.
Last edited by pcs; 08-02-2009 at 05:21 PM.
08-02-2009, 05:25 PM
#17
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: IL
Posts: 1,598
doesnt the cobra's m112 mean its 112 cubic inches? therefore about 1835cc or about 1.8l and not 2.3l
i would have to say that ive seen plenty of termis running around but i only seen 1 s351r at a dealership. so its quite rare.
08-02-2009, 08:39 PM
#18
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location:
Posts: 204
Damn, totally good info, I didn't know some of the things I knew
HEY HAWK! naw man I ain't never selling the Z, I'm waiting on Jay Shev to finish building his 1300rwhp+ monster
I told him he should of stroked it though and made it into a 3.4 liter 
oh well...
I love termis, I like everything about'm! Didn't know they made a saleen cobra though whoa. Well I got most of the info down, apparently the cobra IS better than the saleen. I always thought saleen had the better car. Well now that I know I'm glad you guys shared your knowledge! I'll do some searching for the common upgrades people do to these cars.
HEY HAWK! naw man I ain't never selling the Z, I'm waiting on Jay Shev to finish building his 1300rwhp+ monster
I told him he should of stroked it though and made it into a 3.4 liter oh well...I love termis, I like everything about'm! Didn't know they made a saleen cobra though whoa. Well I got most of the info down, apparently the cobra IS better than the saleen. I always thought saleen had the better car. Well now that I know I'm glad you guys shared your knowledge! I'll do some searching for the common upgrades people do to these cars.
08-03-2009, 02:37 PM
#19
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 724
Damn, totally good info, I didn't know some of the things I knew
HEY HAWK! naw man I ain't never selling the Z, I'm waiting on Jay Shev to finish building his 1300rwhp+ monster I told him he should of stroked it though and made it into a 3.4 liter oh well...
I love termis, I like everything about'm! Didn't know they made a saleen cobra though whoa. Well I got most of the info down, apparently the cobra IS better than the saleen. I always thought saleen had the better car. Well now that I know I'm glad you guys shared your knowledge! I'll do some searching for the common upgrades people do to these cars.
HEY HAWK! naw man I ain't never selling the Z, I'm waiting on Jay Shev to finish building his 1300rwhp+ monster
I told him he should of stroked it though and made it into a 3.4 liter oh well...I love termis, I like everything about'm! Didn't know they made a saleen cobra though whoa. Well I got most of the info down, apparently the cobra IS better than the saleen. I always thought saleen had the better car. Well now that I know I'm glad you guys shared your knowledge! I'll do some searching for the common upgrades people do to these cars.
