As discussed in our main text, Saleen Speedlab's new 550 supercharger kit joins a couple of other S197 blower offerings already in the lineup, the 435 and 475 horsepower kits. The numeric identifiers refer to approximate flywheel ratings, thus expect a roughly 15-percent loss for rear wheel readings. Below is a synopsis of each kit, and we should note that Speedlab can install any of the kits for $1,250-including the slightly more labor intensive 550.
435 horsepower kit ($5,999): Saleen twin screw blower with all necessary components, 4.0-inch pulley for 4 psi. Stock PCM receives a Saleen flash tune.
475 horsepower kit ($6,499): All pertinent 435-horse components, plus colder spark plugs, 39# injectors, and Saleen airbox lid w/90mm mass-air housing and plumbing. A 3.87-inch pulley replaces the 4-inch pulley for 6-7 pounds of boost.
550 horsepower kit ($6,999): All pertinent 475-horse components, plus a belt tensioner reinforcer, Saleen/JDM custom tune w/SCT Xcalibrator, and Saleen fuel system (dual in-tank pump, fuel pump module, and wiring harness). A 2.87-inch pulley results in 10-12 pounds of boost.
With Saleen Mustang production now moved to Troy, Michigan, the former assembly facility in Irvine, California is pretty well the domain of Speedlab, the aftermarket arm of Saleen Inc. Here, a small group of speed freaks are developing an ever-expanding number of performance parts for public consumption, as well as "personalizing" (modifying) cars for dealers and retail customers alike. Just like our subject car, you needn't have a genuine Saleen to benefit from the expertise of the Speedlab team-they're happy to apply their wares to standard Mustangs as well.
Carlos Duran showed us around Speedlab's Irvine facility, a veritable performance minded candy store. This area had several S7 supercars in various stages of construction.
Of course carbon fiber is all the rage these days, and Speedlab is working with the stuff daily--a bucket seat shell and front splitters being but two examples.
Holes in these S197 hoods are part of Speedlab's R&D on a new shaker package, designed to be compatible with the company's superchargers.
We were impressed with the custom work Speedlab can offer their customers. Here, a New Edge convertible is in process on a complete repaint.
We were surprised and initially puzzled at the detonation we heard emanating from Weeks' newly blown '07. Hello, knock sensors? As it turns out, JDM turns off the knock sensors when the company put together a supercharger tune, relying instead on precise timing adjustments to keep detonation at bay. The why is due to the noise which superchargers tend to emanate. While sophisticated, the PCM doesn't distinguish between detonation noise and supercharger noise, and may unnecessarily retard timing by mistakenly confusing the two.