Tom Rice's Designs On A Performance Project Pushed Him To An Over-The-Top Saleen S-351
Horse Sense: Tom Rice contacted Saleen for production information on his S351 and found it to be a T-code car, meaning it came from Saleen with a package that included leather interior, Saleen/Alcon brakes, and magnesium wheels. Saleen also pegged production of the '95 S351s at 126 units-the highest volume of any year S351.
Marysville, Washington's Tom Rice has been a Mustang junkie for years. For some, that might mean a young lifetime of fuel-injected fanaticism via the Fox-body assault of the '80s. However, Tom's enthusiasm began when the only ticket in town was the '60s-era stuff. He even has a tricked-out '67 fastback that was featured in one of the mid-'80s Mustang mags. But Tom aspired to own one of the pinnacle Mustangs ever built-one of Carroll Shelby's legendary creations.
From the beginning of his search, Tom was set on a red Saleen, and Ford's Rio Red topcoat fills the bill nicely. The carbon-fiber hood was an option on this particular car, while the SR rear wing is owner-added. Tom's contact with Saleen reveals his to be the only red '95 to carry both the T-code package and black and silver graphics. How's that for obscure information?
Fast-forwarding a couple of decades has hardly diminished the allure of the Shelby Mustang. For Tom, the late-model revolution caught his attention after stepping back from the car scene for a few years, while a subsequent interest in Saleen products put the thought of another vintage machine to rest. By the middle of 2000 he was in a position to make his purchase, and the search for a Saleen Mustang began. Tom was specific about what he wanted, with red paint, a leather interior, and 351 ci being the main requirements. No doubt the latter meant the field of candidates was fairly narrow, as just over 300 S351s were built during a production run that began in 1994.
Tom located a promising '95 S351 in Virginia via the Internet, and he flew cross-country to be sure the car was as good as advertised. Despite just 5,000 miles on the odometer, the rare Saleen had already seen some major revisions-a Hogan sheetmetal intake, Victor Jr. heads, an ACCEL DFI, and a Griggs front suspension. Fortunately the car turned out to be pristine. And, as the mods were in keeping with Tom's plans for a radical ride, a deal was struck.
A glance at the engine compartment explains what we're referring to in our title. Not only does the stroker Windsor develop big-time power, but it's also one of the most highly detailed late-model mills you're apt to see. Virtually everything is painted, polished, or coated, and the sheetmetal intake gives the engine a look all its own. Plain and simple, Tom is a detail maniac!
Anyone who's bought a used car can relate a surprise or two they found after the purchase, and Tom's experience was no different. Once the S351 found its way off the transporter in Washington state, Tom spent a week or so getting acquainted with the substantial street prowess of one of Saleen's best. Surprise number one came when he performed a routine oil change and found a large chunk of metal attached to the magnetic drain plug. For his peace of mind, he deemed a teardown as the only solution. Then came surprise number two. Instead of finding the expected stock 351 bottom end, Tom found himself staring at a 408-inch stroker with H-beam rods and a forged crank. Indeed, this was one Saleen that was modified from virtually day one, while the specifics of the engine had been lost in the shuffle of three prior owners.
Tom soon found the cause of the contaminated crankcase-inadequate clearance between the bottom of the distributor and the block. The block was still serviceable, however, so Tom resolved the problem and reassembled the engine taking into account a planned addition of boost. Ed's Automotive and Machine align-honed, decked, and O-ringed the block and installed ARP studs throughout. Further upgrades included a Probe billet main girdle, inverted-dome JE forged pistons, and a Comp Cams blower grind in preparation for a Vortech T-Trim.
With the engine properly squared away, Tom turned to Brad's Custom Auto for a rear suspension that would complement the already present Griggs front end. A Griggs torque arm and severe-duty Panhard bar are the major players here. They're teamed with Griggs conventional springs, Koni shocks, and Hotchkis control arms for now, with Griggs arms and coilovers planned in the future. Cornering prowess is assured, and when teamed with the Saleen-optional Alcon four-piston front brakes, it all makes for a formidable package.