Modern-Day Supercharged Muscle Truck For Those On A Budget

Summary

• Saleen fills the gap in the market for a supercharged performance pickup with the limited production S331, a powerful and rugged truck that retains towing and payload capacity.
• The S331 features a Saleen-built supercharged V-8 engine, enhanced suspension, and a stylish body kit, combining performance and purpose in a unique and rare vehicle.
• While the S331 may not be the fastest sport truck on the market, its affordability, exclusivity, and ability to tow and haul make it a bargain deal for those seeking a hard-working pickup with a dose of excitement.

Saleen is a name known for tuning some of the juiciest Mustangs ever built. They are also known for creating the iconic S7, commonly touted as one of America’s first supercars. But their expertise doesn’t end there, for they have ventured outside the world of muscle car tuning and supercar crafting to deliver an all-American muscle truck that radiates attitude.

Commissioned by Ford, the 2007 Saleen S331 and S331 Supercharged are a pair of powerful pickup offerings produced by the American tuning house as a sort of spiritual successor to the popular F-150 Lightning. Both S331 models are built on the F-150 base, essentially providing a dealer-installed performance and cosmetic upgrade package. Saleen applied their proven techniques and attention to detail to tailor a truly unique vehicle with the capability to wear the wavy “S” with confidence.

Sport trucks are a big part of modern recreation and off-roading, yet the trend wasn’t in full bloom when the S331 hit the scene. The F-150 Lightning was among the first to crack the mainstream conversation, and it largely sacrificed its rugged abilities for performance. Those at Saleen didn’t understand the purpose of a pickup that couldn’t pick anything up. This directed their aim to find a balance between performance and purpose.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Saleen, Ford, MotorTrend, Bring a Trailer, and Cars & Bids.

The American Muscle Truck Returns

In the early 2000s, Ford decided to take a hiatus from the F-150 Lightning performance pickup truck, their supercharged performance pickup, in favor of more practical, and profitable, ventures. This left supercharged enthusiasts feeling lost, as the sport truck snowball was just starting to gain traction. Saleen, a known collaborator of the Blue Oval, saw an opportunity to fill the gap in demand. A limited production supercharged pickup.

The project served to keep Ford on the cutting edge of automotive ingenuity, as Saleen has roots in motorsports and advanced tuning while adding a rare classic to their catalog. The S331 debuted for the 2007 model year with a supercharged, and non-supercharged, option.

The S331 didn’t immediately capture the audience’s attention. Still, those who found themselves behind the wheel of an S331 knew that those responsible for the creation of this vehicle were of the best caliber in terms of engineering. The S331 experienced harsh market depreciation, but eventually stabilized and has become a rare item 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 next level of nasty with the 2300cc supercharger developed in-house by the engineers at Saleen. Program Director, John Spruill, noted that the team browsed through various off-the-shelf selections before constructing a unit of their own design. None of the available blowers could deliver the proper amount of boost while minimizing waste, so the team took two Lysholm-supplied screws and built a unique, and intuitive, intercooled boost system for keeping the V-8 breathing cool.

2007 Saleen S331 Performance

(Source: MotorTrend: Road Test)

Saleen’s supercharger system limits wasted energy, allowing the V-8 to perform at lower boost pressure. The 2007 Saleen S331 Supercharged features the Saleen-built supercharged Ford V-8, squeezing 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque out of the single overhead-cam mill. The naturally aspirated base S331 makes a respectable 325-horsepower. Plus, it’s paired with expert tuning and enhanced suspension.

Enhanced Suspension Allows All 450 Horses To Gallop

The S331 sports a rather keen stance. It appears slightly lowered and ready to pounce, yet it stands tall enough to get its hands dirty. This is thanks to the re-tuned shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars, as well as the sporty Saleen body kit. Tuned on the stiff side, the suspension enhances body control while cornering and keeps the 5,500-pound hauler planted.

Saleen is adamant about the capabilities of the S331 and what purpose its design actually serves. For one, the supercharged powertrain is reminiscent of the F-150 Lightning and the days of drag racing pickups. Yet, the stance and body protection speak to the rugged nature of a pickup. John Spruill and his team saw no reason a truck couldn’t be both.

A Work Truck That Can Race On The Weekends

A key part of the project mission was to buff the F-150 without losing its tough capabilities. This means crafting a pickup that retains the towing and payload capacity of the F-150 while boasting near-sportscar-level performance. This is where the before-mentioned balance comes into conversation. The design team behind the S331 made sure to use the F-150 Lightning’s “puff-duty” capabilities as an example, or inspiration, to make the S331 a true workhorse with some kick.

S331 Retains F-150 Tow And Payload Rating

Both the base S331 and the supercharged model offer varying tow packages. These upgrades can allow the pickup to haul up to 1,890 pounds and tow up to 9,500 pounds depending on which package you choose. This is more than enough for the S331 to double as a worker and a dragster.

The pickup sits on large 23-inch wheels sporting the Saleen emblem in the center. These are wrapped in 305/40 BF Goodrich G-Force T/A Radials, offering superb road grip and aiding in cornering composure. Though the S331 doesn’t offer factory-equipped off-road tires, the BF Goodrich Radials pair with the towing package to ensure the pickup’s confidence when handling heavy loads.

The S331 Sports A Saleen Body Kit With Stylish Accents

The 2007 S331 is built on the F-150 frame. Yet, the Saleen design team took every opportunity to embed their fingerprints without making the pickup gaudy. This includes unique front and rear bumpers with Saleen-style vent openings and contours, as well as dual-side exhaust ports on either side. The subtle, yet assertive, design language found in Saleen’s past creations shines through in the tasteful body kit. It doesn’t give its intentions away immediately, yet you know the S331 is up to no good.

The stamped aluminum hood features a slight bulge to give the front end a tough, beefy vibe. One notices the plastic grille, bumper guards, and diffuser. These are to give the pickup extra protection, as well as to, as Project Director, John Spruill, so simply put “Keep it real”. Possibly encouraging owners to put the S331 through the paces.

Interior Keeps Ford Layout But Adds Saleen’s Signature Throughout

The interior is a prime example of utility. The simple layout of the gauges and knobs streamline the user controls, while the dash displays important info with little room for funky stats. Saleen installs their own dash-mounted boost gauges so that you can monitor the state of the S331’s blower.

The interior is composed of leather and hard plastic paneling. Satin-aluminum accents break up the gray and black two-tone color scheme. These include the gear shifter, radio controls, door handles and controls, and door panel speaker covers.

The Saleen S331 Is A Bargain Sport Truck That Works Hard

In terms of raw performance, there are many options to choose from that can go from 0-60 MPH faster than the 2007 S331. However, many of those sports truck offerings will cost you a pretty penny. The S331 started at $55,549 for the supercharged variant and $45,549 for the base S331 when it first entered markets and has since gone down in price.

Nowadays, a proper example can be found selling at auction for under $25,000. More are found going for less than that, making the S331 a deal in today’s sports truck market. On top of the superb Saleen enhancements, the S331 can tow and haul enough to earn its own gas money. It can also sprint from 0-60 MPH in under seven seconds.

Exclusive Vehicle Privileges

The 2007 S331, as with many other Saleen creations, was made in limited order. Only 398 made it to the showroom floor, 295 of them packing the supercharged V-8. This means that if you own a S331, you’re likely the only one in at least a 50-mile radius driving one. Plus, when folks see Saleen logos on a pickup these days, they immediately call for an explanation.

Modern Sport Trucks

Modern sport truck offerings are normally on the expensive side. 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 fast truck for less -around $45,000 – $50,000 to be exact. Still, you’d be paying more for either one of those custom pickups than you would for a factory-built Saleen S331.

Though the S331 doesn’t possess that “go-anywhere” quality, it does have the chops to venture off-road, given the conditions aren’t rough. That said, the S331 isn’t intended to climb rocks and tackle dunes. It’s a hard-working pickup with a feisty personality. Utility with a dose of excitement.