Saleen is a reputation recognized for tuning a number of the juiciest Mustangs ever constructed. They are additionally recognized for creating the enduring S7, generally touted as considered one of America’s first supercars. But their experience would not finish there, for they’ve ventured exterior the world of muscle automotive tuning and supercar crafting to ship an all-American muscle truck that radiates angle.

Commissioned by Ford, the 2007 Saleen S331 and S331 Supercharged are a pair of highly effective pickup choices produced by the American tuning home as a form of religious successor to the favored F-150 Lightning. Both S331 fashions are constructed on the F-150 base, basically offering a dealer-installed efficiency and beauty improve package deal. Saleen utilized their confirmed methods and a focus to element to tailor a very distinctive car with the aptitude to put on the wavy “S” with confidence.

Sport vehicles are a giant a part of fashionable recreation and off-roading, but the development wasn’t in full bloom when the S331 hit the scene. The F-150 Lightning was among the many first to crack the mainstream dialog, and it largely sacrificed its rugged talents for efficiency. Those at Saleen did not perceive the aim of a pickup that could not choose something up. This directed their purpose to discover a stability between efficiency and goal.

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The American Muscle Truck Returns

In the early 2000s, Ford determined to take a hiatus from the F-150 Lightning performance pickup truck, their supercharged efficiency pickup, in favor of extra sensible, and worthwhile, ventures. This left supercharged lovers feeling misplaced, as the game truck snowball was simply beginning to acquire traction. Saleen, a recognized collaborator of the Blue Oval, noticed a possibility to fill the hole in demand. A restricted manufacturing supercharged pickup.

The venture served to maintain Ford on the reducing fringe of automotive ingenuity, as Saleen has roots in motorsports and superior tuning whereas including a uncommon basic to their catalog. The S331 debuted for the 2007 mannequin 12 months with a supercharged, and non-supercharged, choice.

The S331 did not instantly seize the viewers’s consideration. Still, those that discovered themselves behind the wheel of an S331 knew that these accountable for the creation of this car had been of the very best caliber by way of engineering. The S331 skilled harsh market depreciation, however ultimately stabilized and has develop into a uncommon merchandise sought out by collectors.

The S331’s V-8 Is Boosted By A Saleen-Built Blower

The S331’s 5.4-liter Ford V-8 is taken to the subsequent degree of nasty with the 2300cc supercharger developed in-house by the engineers at Saleen. Program Director, John Spruill, famous that the group browsed by numerous off-the-shelf picks earlier than developing a unit of their very own design. None of the out there blowers might ship the right quantity of enhance whereas minimizing waste, so the group took two Lysholm-supplied screws and constructed a singular, and intuitive, intercooled enhance system for preserving the V-8 respiratory cool.

2007 Saleen S331 Performance

(Source: MotorTrend: Road Test)

Saleen’s supercharger system limits wasted vitality, permitting the V-8 to carry out at decrease enhance stress. The 2007 Saleen S331 Supercharged options the Saleen-built supercharged Ford V-8, squeezing 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque out of the only overhead-cam mill. The naturally aspirated base S331 makes a decent 325-horsepower. Plus, it is paired with knowledgeable tuning and enhanced suspension.

Enhanced Suspension Allows All 450 Horses To Gallop

The S331 sports activities a somewhat eager stance. It seems barely lowered and able to pounce, but it stands tall sufficient to get its palms soiled. This is because of the re-tuned shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars, in addition to the sporty Saleen physique equipment. Tuned on the stiff facet, the suspension enhances physique management whereas cornering and retains the 5,500-pound hauler planted.

Saleen is adamant in regards to the capabilities of the S331 and what goal its design truly serves. For one, the supercharged powertrain is harking back to the F-150 Lightning and the times of drag racing pickups. Yet, the stance and physique safety communicate to the rugged nature of a pickup. John Spruill and his group noticed no motive a truck could not be each.

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A Work Truck That Can Race On The Weekends

A key a part of the venture mission was to buff the F-150 with out dropping its powerful capabilities. This means crafting a pickup that retains the towing and payload capacity of the F-150 whereas boasting near-sportscar-level efficiency. This is the place the before-mentioned stability comes into dialog. The design group behind the S331 made certain to make use of the F-150 Lightning’s “puff-duty” capabilities for example, or inspiration, to make the S331 a real workhorse with some kick.

S331 Retains F-150 Tow And Payload Rating

Both the bottom S331 and the supercharged mannequin provide various tow packages. These upgrades can enable the pickup to haul as much as 1,890 kilos and tow as much as 9,500 kilos relying on which package deal you select. This is greater than sufficient for the S331 to double as a employee and a dragster.

The pickup sits on massive 23-inch wheels sporting the Saleen emblem within the middle. These are wrapped in 305/40 BF Goodrich G-Force T/A Radials, providing excellent street grip and aiding in cornering composure. Though the S331 would not provide factory-equipped off-road tires, the BF Goodrich Radials pair with the towing package deal to make sure the pickup’s confidence when dealing with heavy masses.

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The S331 Sports A Saleen Body Kit With Stylish Accents

The 2007 S331 is constructed on the F-150 body. Yet, the Saleen design group took each alternative to embed their fingerprints with out making the pickup gaudy. This consists of distinctive entrance and rear bumpers with Saleen-style vent openings and contours, in addition to dual-side exhaust ports on both facet. The delicate, but assertive, design language present in Saleen’s previous creations shines by within the tasteful physique equipment. It would not give its intentions away instantly, but you realize the S331 is as much as no good.

The stamped aluminum hood encompasses a slight bulge to present the entrance finish a troublesome, beefy vibe. One notices the plastic grille, bumper guards, and diffuser. These are to present the pickup additional safety, in addition to to, as Project Director, John Spruill, so merely put “Keep it real”. Possibly encouraging house owners to place the S331 by the paces.

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Interior Keeps Ford Layout But Adds Saleen’s Signature Throughout

The inside is a major instance of utility. The easy structure of the gauges and knobs streamline the consumer controls, whereas the sprint shows essential data with little room for funky stats. Saleen installs their very own dash-mounted enhance gauges so as to monitor the state of the S331’s blower.

The inside consists of leather-based and arduous plastic paneling. Satin-aluminum accents break up the grey and black two-tone coloration scheme. These embrace the gear shifter, radio controls, door handles and controls, and door panel speaker covers.

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The Saleen S331 Is A Bargain Sport Truck That Works Hard

In phrases of uncooked efficiency, there are numerous choices to select from that may go from 0-60 MPH quicker than the 2007 S331. However, a lot of these sports activities truck choices will value you a reasonably penny. The S331 began at $55,549 for the supercharged variant and $45,549 for the bottom S331 when it first entered markets and has since gone down in price.

Nowadays, a correct instance may be discovered selling at auction for under $25,000. More are discovered going for lower than that, making the S331 a deal in at present’s sports activities truck market. On high of the excellent Saleen enhancements, the S331 can tow and haul sufficient to earn its personal fuel cash. It can even dash from 0-60 MPH in below seven seconds.

Exclusive Vehicle Privileges

The 2007 S331, as with many different Saleen creations, was made in restricted order. Only 398 made it to the showroom ground, 295 of them packing the supercharged V-8. This implies that in the event you personal a S331, you are probably the one one in not less than a 50-mile radius driving one. Plus, when of us see Saleen logos on a pickup today, they instantly name for a proof.

Modern Sport Trucks

Modern sport truck choices are usually on the costly facet. Exceptions like turn-key F-150 upgrade kits offered by Factory Five and sleeper upgrades like T&C Customs Sleeper F-150 can get you behind the wheel of a quick truck for much less -around $45,000 – $50,000 to be actual. Still, you would be paying extra for both a kind of customized pickups than you’ll for a factory-built Saleen S331.

Though the S331 would not possess that “go-anywhere” high quality, it does have the chops to enterprise off-road, given the situations aren’t tough. That stated, the S331 is not meant to climb rocks and sort out dunes. It’s a hard-working pickup with a feisty persona. Utility with a dose of pleasure.