your boy will love it
how much do engine upgrades hurt value?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
From: Duvall WA
how much do engine upgrades hurt value?
I have a 1970 big block and have been thinking about going with an upgrade to the heads and cam. The car is in very nice shape (restored about 10 years ago). I'm wondering if this would actually reduce the car's value and/or hurt it at car shows. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
From: Duvall WA
Yes. It's a pretty valuable car and I want to be careful not to do something that would reduce that value. And yeah, I'd like to be able to win some trophies with my son at the car shows along the way. That's what we bought it for.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I cant wrap my head around this.
No offense op sometimes wonder why some get in a hobby then keep themselves from enjoying it. (see these topics a lot)
I say wont hurt a bit
There are just as many buyers for cars with upgrades (some will see it as you spending the money so they dont have to) as there are purists.
Its your car you have to drive it...why would you not and worry about what some unknown person may or may not want?
No offense op sometimes wonder why some get in a hobby then keep themselves from enjoying it. (see these topics a lot)
I say wont hurt a bit
There are just as many buyers for cars with upgrades (some will see it as you spending the money so they dont have to) as there are purists.
Its your car you have to drive it...why would you not and worry about what some unknown person may or may not want?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,650
Likes: 1,827
From: Huntsville AL
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 3
From: Duvall WA
Well no, I didn't answer my question. I wanted to know specifically IF upgrading the heads and cam would reduce its value. If it would, then it's not the right move for me. But I was seeking expert opinions on the matter since I can only guess.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If you are going for the original look and value then yes it will hurt it. If your going for the fun factor no it will enhance it. I personally think the C3 is a slug in stock form. The L88 is the only one I would keep stock. Most 4 bangers can out run any stock C3. The suspension system is 40 plus years old and in stock form don't handle well at all. So would I modify it yes. The few shows I go to the stock ones all look the same. You see one you see them all. I like to see what guys or girls have done to make them better performers. I think you answered your own question though you do not sound like you want to stray from original. Value wise, mods done nicely enhance the car. Unless you have a real rare combo its just another BB Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Define expert. You have a bunch of enthusiasts here who enjoy their cars differently. As mentioned a cam and head swap can be undone. So can headers, as well as bolt on performance parts. My stroked original block 350, could be returned to original config. I could also respray the car its original green, and remove the ridetech coil over suspension, and ditch the wilwood brakes, and borgeson pwr steering and put the leaky factory brakes and power steering back on
Not trying to be a smart ***, but really, you can enjoy your car anyway you choose. If you want someone to tell you that it will hurt your cars value if you modify it, then I will tell you, it depends! In my case I know my car is worth more than a box stock base coupe.
Not trying to be a smart ***, but really, you can enjoy your car anyway you choose. If you want someone to tell you that it will hurt your cars value if you modify it, then I will tell you, it depends! In my case I know my car is worth more than a box stock base coupe.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
If you are going for the original look and value then yes it will hurt it. If your going for the fun factor no it will enhance it. I personally think the C3 is a slug in stock form. The L88 is the only one I would keep stock. Most 4 bangers can out run any stock C3. The suspension system is 40 plus years old and in stock form don't handle well at all. So would I modify it yes. The few shows I go to the stock ones all look the same. You see one you see them all. I like to see what guys or girls have done to make them better performers. I think you answered your own question though you do not sound like you want to stray from original. Value wise, mods done nicely enhance the car. Unless you have a real rare combo its just another BB Corvette.
THIS ^^^
I agree 100%.
They are boring as hell to drive stock.
Keep all of your factory parts, keep the lifters associated with the lobes on the cam they rode on, oil/grease everything up and wrap it/box.... Then put what you want on the car, you can still make it look fairly original for the shows and perform MUCH better.
Then if you sell the car, you can either sell it with all of the stock parts on the side or spend the time to return it back to stock yourself.
Odds are, if you are THAT worried about value depreciation or shaming from the NCRS guys, then leave it stock.
I do appreciate a "stock-ISH" look myself, however, I HAVE to have something that performs and is fun to drive, so I built a little bit of both.
You could put a nice set of aluminum heads on it, paint them orange, use stock valve covers, and use a nice factory aluminum intake (69' 427) and make some decent power...Or better yet, put an aftermarket aluminum intake on it and paint it orange. I like factory looking and FAST.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
A question for the OP- What do you mean by "value?"
one's judgment of what is important in life-
Or
estimate the monetary worth of
To me- if you had a collection of cars or buy and sell them then it's probably less important to you and the actual monetary worth would be a factor.....
HOWEVER- if it's a "splurge" in life- and you bought it to share with your son- Why do you really care what other people think- especially at a car show?
Would your son not enjoy helping you work on the car and fixing it the way you guys want it? Or would he rather spend countless hours looking for a correct radiator hose clamp thinking one day he's going to cash out?
Drive the dang thing- take your kid to the ice cream store- not some show where somebody's gonna say you have incorrect valve stem caps!!!
Enjoy it NOW-my father died when I was really young (11) and I still remember him giving me a dollar for helping him rotate the tires on his 1974 Super Beetle. Now that's a lasting value!!!
Richard
one's judgment of what is important in life-
Or
estimate the monetary worth of
To me- if you had a collection of cars or buy and sell them then it's probably less important to you and the actual monetary worth would be a factor.....
HOWEVER- if it's a "splurge" in life- and you bought it to share with your son- Why do you really care what other people think- especially at a car show?
Would your son not enjoy helping you work on the car and fixing it the way you guys want it? Or would he rather spend countless hours looking for a correct radiator hose clamp thinking one day he's going to cash out?
Drive the dang thing- take your kid to the ice cream store- not some show where somebody's gonna say you have incorrect valve stem caps!!!
Enjoy it NOW-my father died when I was really young (11) and I still remember him giving me a dollar for helping him rotate the tires on his 1974 Super Beetle. Now that's a lasting value!!!
Richard
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I actually get a bit sad when i see post like this,
And the answer to your question isnt a clear one,
If you have a rather rare car with options low miles etc and your long term goal is resale for as much as you can get perhaps you need to even stop driving it as purists like low miles, do you have or desire ncrs awards? Then mods that show or count off is a nono,
Did you buy the car to enjoy in the here and now, and perhaps sell it someday or leave it to your son then dont settle make it the car you and your son desire it to be,
Times are changing, most c3s are being modded, i heard the ncrs will have a modded class, so by the time if and when you do sell the car mods especially performance and handling just might get you more money...
But will give you more fun that you didnt settle
And the answer to your question isnt a clear one,
If you have a rather rare car with options low miles etc and your long term goal is resale for as much as you can get perhaps you need to even stop driving it as purists like low miles, do you have or desire ncrs awards? Then mods that show or count off is a nono,
Did you buy the car to enjoy in the here and now, and perhaps sell it someday or leave it to your son then dont settle make it the car you and your son desire it to be,
Times are changing, most c3s are being modded, i heard the ncrs will have a modded class, so by the time if and when you do sell the car mods especially performance and handling just might get you more money...
But will give you more fun that you didnt settle
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If its just a car show and not a NCRS event then it nots going to hurt judging. If you paint the new aluminum parts to match the rest of the car no one is going to notice. You may try leaving the aluminium unpainted or painted clear as I like that choice. If your building for horsepower then you should advertise the hp on the entry placard. Big hp numbers impress some people. Most likley you will be talking to fellow car lovers and they will like what you have done. Old motor parts survive fine in a box. No value lost.
You will get a few trolls at the show that may talk bad about your car if its nicer than thiers. That happened to me at a Hemmings motor news show. I just ignored him and he gave up and left.
You will get a few trolls at the show that may talk bad about your car if its nicer than thiers. That happened to me at a Hemmings motor news show. I just ignored him and he gave up and left.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 10
I am new to this group (current C4 ZR1 owner) and just purchased a 69 BB coupe, frame off restoration. The previous owner did some tasteful modification to engine and suspension. I had been looking to buy an all original car but this restoration was done to such a high level that I just couldn't walk away. I think it make the car more fun to drive and he gave me most of the original parts if I ever wanted to put it back to stock.
Rich
Rich
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
Decisions decisions..concern over judging at car shows sounds paramount to you.
A person can take this to extremes, trailering it to shows, never driven, heated garage, etc.
Any obvious changes to its original appearance will adversely affect the originality, if that is the class you are competing in.
Cam/lifter change in no way would affect that.
Heads can be obvious (aftermarket aluminum), but cast iron not so much.
These are obvious, and I'm sure you've already considered them..are you just wanting affirmation on your choice?
My best advice..you are the present care taker of your classic Corvette, do what will reap the most pleasure for you.
A person can take this to extremes, trailering it to shows, never driven, heated garage, etc.
Any obvious changes to its original appearance will adversely affect the originality, if that is the class you are competing in.
Cam/lifter change in no way would affect that.
Heads can be obvious (aftermarket aluminum), but cast iron not so much.
These are obvious, and I'm sure you've already considered them..are you just wanting affirmation on your choice?
My best advice..you are the present care taker of your classic Corvette, do what will reap the most pleasure for you.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 150
Likes: 42
From: mountains of N.E. Georgia Georgia
Every time a car is modified to the extent it can't be brought back to original, the originals that remain go up in value and the modified cars values go down. If the car can be returned to stock then it's value will be reduced by the cost to return to stock. Strictly from a value standpoint, stock original cars will always have a larger market than modified cars. It's a supply and demand thing. There are many more 79 Corvettes running around with incorrect starters, master cyl's, stereos etc. than bone stock cars. It's no problem to find a modified car but bone stock all original cars are getting rarer everyday.