Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 962
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From: Carlisle PA
Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine?
Ok,
To start with, most of you know my car is up for sale. I just got off the phone with a guy who said the car is awesome, but too much motor for him :( I've received 2 e-mails and one opinion along the same lines that I should consider changing the engine or at least detune it for it to sell.
I figure I'd have to change pistons/rings/rod bearings, cam/lifters, intake and carb. With only 500 miles on the engine, I'm sure bores are still in excellant shape. Other then that everything else can stay. I would keep the parts I take off and install whatever combination of their choice. The one thing is I would need the green backs in hand to do this, title would be transferred and then I'd do the work. Would this be a fair proposition or am I asking too much?
Thanks,
Keith
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 11:14 AM 10/18/2001]
To start with, most of you know my car is up for sale. I just got off the phone with a guy who said the car is awesome, but too much motor for him :( I've received 2 e-mails and one opinion along the same lines that I should consider changing the engine or at least detune it for it to sell.
I figure I'd have to change pistons/rings/rod bearings, cam/lifters, intake and carb. With only 500 miles on the engine, I'm sure bores are still in excellant shape. Other then that everything else can stay. I would keep the parts I take off and install whatever combination of their choice. The one thing is I would need the green backs in hand to do this, title would be transferred and then I'd do the work. Would this be a fair proposition or am I asking too much?
Thanks,
Keith
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 11:14 AM 10/18/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
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From: NC USA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (pats406nitrovette)
PurpleLS7 - What may be scaring folks away are the high CR and the 4.11 rear; sounds like they want a car that they could drive to the store and at the strip instead of just the latter. I'm sure with that CR that you have to run racing gas so maybe if you could offer to lower the CR to run on pump gas and change out the rear to maybe a 3.36 as a condition of the sale you might get some more interest. Just my .02! :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
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From: Springfield MA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (Marks69BB)
Keith- sorry to hear that you aren't havin great luck yet.
I think that (having recently been in the market) your price for what you have is right on the money. Realistically, anyone who is looking for a cruising car in a custom color/paint job, would love your car. The problem is, like others have said, most people want a car a little more manageable on the roads. Maybe the rear gear change would be a better swap since the engine could still put out the power and you could drive it on the highway.
If you aren't in a rush to sell it, I'd hold on to it until spring rather than pulling apart the strong engine.
Just my opinion. Good luck.
I've sent out your email to a friend in Atlanta who is looking for a vette. :D
I think that (having recently been in the market) your price for what you have is right on the money. Realistically, anyone who is looking for a cruising car in a custom color/paint job, would love your car. The problem is, like others have said, most people want a car a little more manageable on the roads. Maybe the rear gear change would be a better swap since the engine could still put out the power and you could drive it on the highway.
If you aren't in a rush to sell it, I'd hold on to it until spring rather than pulling apart the strong engine.
Just my opinion. Good luck.
I've sent out your email to a friend in Atlanta who is looking for a vette. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,268
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From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (phoenix)
Sell most of the parts on Ebay, or even remove the engine and stick in a replacement block from GM Performance? Nothing fancy, just a dependable engine with GM warranty might help lure potential buyers who, ike stated above, just want to go to car shows, drive on the highway with pump gas, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (thejaf)
What kind of gas do you need to run? I like your car . Couldn't you just change the head gaskets to lower the CR to about 10.5 ?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (thejaf)
As above, does 12.25:1 cr require racing fuel? That would seem to limit the use of the car and the potential buyers more than anything else. I have thought about taking a trip out your way to have a look/see, even tho I am not a serious buyer at the moment. How many hp and 1/4 mile times in current state?
my thoughts: Anybody with half an imagnation would have snapped up your car already. Dont be modest, what would the engine alone cost to duplicate? MJ
[Modified by MNJack, 12:06 PM 10/18/2001]
my thoughts: Anybody with half an imagnation would have snapped up your car already. Dont be modest, what would the engine alone cost to duplicate? MJ
[Modified by MNJack, 12:06 PM 10/18/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
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From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (thejaf)
IMHO, I wouldn't change a thing. You (and many others) are the victim of a very poor sellers market as a result of a weak economy and the terrorism event. People are just not buying big ticket items especially recreational stuff. The Big 3 car manufacturers can't even give cars away with 0% financing!! The danger is you may do all the things to make your car more docile and palatable to the soft core hot rodders and you may still have no luck selling it. In other words, I believe its the environment not the product.
Case in point, I've got a all most brand new, beautifiul '96 Trans Am Ram Air WS6 w/all options and only 30K miles and in six months I haven't been able to generate any substantial interest priced at $1000 under private seller blue book value.
You have an excellent car that is very reasonably priced. Just hang in there and the right buyer will come along.
Good Luck....Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 12:06 PM 10/18/2001]
Case in point, I've got a all most brand new, beautifiul '96 Trans Am Ram Air WS6 w/all options and only 30K miles and in six months I haven't been able to generate any substantial interest priced at $1000 under private seller blue book value.
You have an excellent car that is very reasonably priced. Just hang in there and the right buyer will come along.
Good Luck....Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 12:06 PM 10/18/2001]
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From: B'Ville NY
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Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (70PurpleLS7)
Keith I fell in love with your car the moment I saw it ! I saw suprised to see that your selling it :( . You've got a beautiful vette that should bring in what your asking.
The compression is probably a bit high for many people. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to engines, but could you just take the pistons out to have them fly cut with maybe a thicker head gasket to lower the CR ?
Good luck :) .
The compression is probably a bit high for many people. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to engines, but could you just take the pistons out to have them fly cut with maybe a thicker head gasket to lower the CR ?
Good luck :) .
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (mdsmith)
IMHO, I wouldn't change a thing. You (and many others) are the victim of a very poor sellers market as a result of a weak economy and the terrorism event. People are just not buying big ticket items especially recreational stuff. The Big 3 car manufacturers can't even give cars away with 0% financing!! The danger is you may do all the things to make your car more docile and palatable to the soft core hot rodders and you may still have no luck selling it. In other words, I believe its the environment not the product.
Case in point, I've got a all most brand new, beautifiul '96 Trans Am Ram Air WS6 w/all options and only 30K miles and in six months I haven't been able to generate any substantial interest priced at $1000 under private seller blue book value.
You have an excellent car that is very reasonably priced. Just hang in there and the right buyer will come along.
Good Luck....Mark
Case in point, I've got a all most brand new, beautifiul '96 Trans Am Ram Air WS6 w/all options and only 30K miles and in six months I haven't been able to generate any substantial interest priced at $1000 under private seller blue book value.
You have an excellent car that is very reasonably priced. Just hang in there and the right buyer will come along.
Good Luck....Mark
But you have built a very nice C3, and it will sell as is, it just will take a little time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Huntersville NC
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (BSeery)
Keith, I see what you are thinking about doing is not detuning the engine in the hopes of making it easier to sell, but offering to detune the engine after somebody buys it from you. If that is what a buyer wants, then you should definitely do it! If somebody is willing to pay you for the car, give you the cash, and take the title, your proposition is more than fair - ie you do the work and keep the parts you remove. But certainly don't invest time and $ in modifying it simply to broaden its market appeal. MJ
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Carlisle PA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (MNJack)
Keith, I see what you are thinking about doing is not detuning the engine in the hopes of making it easier to sell, but offering to detune the engine after somebody buys it from you. If that is what a buyer wants, then you should definitely do it! If somebody is willing to pay you for the car, give you the cash, and take the title, your proposition is more than fair - ie you do the work and keep the parts you remove. But certainly don't invest time and $ in modifying it simply to broaden its market appeal. MJ
That is exactly what I would propose, detuning/changing the parts after the person gives me the cash. I'd let them choose the combination they want and go from there. The money from the sale would buy the parts and I'd keep the old items.
I'm using .040 head gaskets currently, I guess I could go with .060 gasket (I think I have that right) to lower the compression but it wouldn't do anything great.
In reference to 1/4 miles, dyno estimates... Never did the dyno thing, although I've been tempted when the Carlisle flea markets are in town.
Last year we ran one 1/8 mile race, made it 3 rounds, my best time was 8.59 at 88 mph, came off the line at idle, with 2.2 60' times. That was with BFG Radial TA's, and short shifting at 5000 rpm. Anything above that proceeded to light up the tires. When we raced it, yes I ran racing fuel. Normal street driving I normally just run 94 Sunoco with a can of Octance Boost. Car idles steady at 900rpm and is God forbid - quiet.
I don't know, guess I'm just a little disheartened because I though I'd have a lil easier go at this then I'm having. I just gotta have more patience. :yesnod:
Thanks for all those that responded.
Keith
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 1:33 PM 10/18/2001]
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Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (70PurpleLS7)
I wouldn't detune it either. Who's to say the buyer would be happy with what you've done afterwards. The it could put you in the hot seat.
Hey if you want to trade - I'm game! My car is a total kittycat in comparrison! - I'm really not kidding either!
Hey if you want to trade - I'm game! My car is a total kittycat in comparrison! - I'm really not kidding either!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (Mike69)
You say that the engine only has 500 miles on it and you were drag racing it last year? Are you a person who doesn't believe in breaking in the engine. I personally wouldn't buy a car with only 500 miles and has been raced . Do you only race the car and don't drive it on the street?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 962
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From: Carlisle PA
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (73Ken73)
You say that the engine only has 500 miles on it and you were drag racing it last year? Are you a person who doesn't believe in breaking in the engine. I personally wouldn't buy a car with only 500 miles and has been raced . Do you only race the car and don't drive it on the street?
If it were a stock motor in a everyday driver then I would agree, but it isn't. I broke in the cam using normal procedures drove the car for 200 - 300 miles and prior to racing it asked the owner of the machine shop his opinion on break in. He said for the amount of miles on the motor and the fact I'm using Moly Rings I should be fine.
As far as you not buying a car with an engine that only has 500 miles on it and was raced once for a total of 6 runs all 1/8 mile - that's your option, am I twisting your arm????
In response to you accusing me of only racing the car, and not running it on the street. I've never claimed the car was a daily driver, I built the car I wanted to, yes I went to the extreme, but it's what I wanted. You don't know me from Adam, and would appreciate in the future if have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself.
Keith
[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 7:02 PM 10/18/2001]
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From: Valdosta Georgia
Re: Help!!! - I need opinions.... Detune the engine? (70PurpleLS7)
Keith, if someone is willing to pay up front and you are willing to do the work, there is nothing wrong with your proposal. When all parties are happy with adeal, that makes it a good deal. Are there any larger chamber heads available that would lower CR without disassembling everything. I have a friend with a 70 LS6 in a 67 Chevelle that drives it everywhere he wants to go. Has for 5 years. Do what you want to do or are willing to do, thats all that counts. Hershey :cool:
