I've been in Irvine all week for training, and I remembered that Saleen is also in Irvine. As it turns out, the Saleen shop is literally only 1/4 mile from where I've been training all week! The Saleen store at Irvine Spectrum Plaza told me they give tours, so I managed to squeak in today. 
First off, let me say that I liked the photos of the PJ, but after seeing one (and sitting in one!) today, and talking to some of the engineers about it, I'm actually much more impressed with it.
The engine is indeed an Al 4.6 3v, bored 0.020" over and stroked to 5.0L. But, the engineer I spoke to (Andrew - very cool guy) said that the pistons are actually a forged in-house design, and the rods & crank are also forged. He also told me the heads are ported, and it has new cams. It's also high compression and has aggressive timing (but can take even more). Bottom line, it's got 400hp and 390lb/ft of Torque. The rear is still live axle, but with a Watts link.
The seats are NICE. Definitely better than stock, and have body-color (grabber orange) matched inserts front & rear. The short throw shifter also felt really good. Brakes are 14" rotors with Saleen 4 piston calipers. It has a 3.73 rear, and 19x9 front, 19x10 rear custom Al wheels.
(I also asked about a Saleen package for the GT500, but nobody had heard anything, and there was no GT500 anywhere in the shop.)
But enough with the talk - you want pictures, right? Well, they're only cam-phone, but hey - it's something! BTW - they're also currently assembling the first White S7 - it's got a black interior and a very cool pearl coat on the outside - it looks sweet. Too bad I don't have $550,000...
BTW - I have to leave Friday, but on Saturday afternoon Steve Saleen is having an autograph session at Irvine Spectrum plaza, with free PJ posters. IIRC, they also said you could take a PJ for a test drive (no idea on the details for that). AND - during the tour, they mentioned that they're supposedly GIVING AWAY a PJ this Saturday! Is anyone in CA gonna be around to see?
Interesting to note - they've got a BUNCH of PJs in progress, but apparently #500 is already completed... :shrug:
First off, let me say that I liked the photos of the PJ, but after seeing one (and sitting in one!) today, and talking to some of the engineers about it, I'm actually much more impressed with it.
The engine is indeed an Al 4.6 3v, bored 0.020" over and stroked to 5.0L. But, the engineer I spoke to (Andrew - very cool guy) said that the pistons are actually a forged in-house design, and the rods & crank are also forged. He also told me the heads are ported, and it has new cams. It's also high compression and has aggressive timing (but can take even more). Bottom line, it's got 400hp and 390lb/ft of Torque. The rear is still live axle, but with a Watts link.
The seats are NICE. Definitely better than stock, and have body-color (grabber orange) matched inserts front & rear. The short throw shifter also felt really good. Brakes are 14" rotors with Saleen 4 piston calipers. It has a 3.73 rear, and 19x9 front, 19x10 rear custom Al wheels.
(I also asked about a Saleen package for the GT500, but nobody had heard anything, and there was no GT500 anywhere in the shop.)
But enough with the talk - you want pictures, right? Well, they're only cam-phone, but hey - it's something! BTW - they're also currently assembling the first White S7 - it's got a black interior and a very cool pearl coat on the outside - it looks sweet. Too bad I don't have $550,000...
BTW - I have to leave Friday, but on Saturday afternoon Steve Saleen is having an autograph session at Irvine Spectrum plaza, with free PJ posters. IIRC, they also said you could take a PJ for a test drive (no idea on the details for that). AND - during the tour, they mentioned that they're supposedly GIVING AWAY a PJ this Saturday! Is anyone in CA gonna be around to see?
Interesting to note - they've got a BUNCH of PJs in progress, but apparently #500 is already completed... :shrug:
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