Convertible Vehicles - Thinking About Modding, Opinions Wanted

I going to write this for the people like me who are ADD,lol.

I am an older dude that uses the T/A for occasional rides with the wife and as a third fun car.

Right now it is 100% stock down to the paper filter, except SFC's

I want more power but how I use the car is 90% cruising country roads slow and quiet, 10% fun.

Its the 10% part that I want full bolt-ons H/C/I, etc.

Have guys that modded lost that cruisability?
I miss my 98Z with a LM2 and stall but it really wasn't fun to cruise around after that. It was fun everywhere else though.

My other thought is buying something fartsy like a SL500 or keeping the T/A stock and buying a hard top F-body for fun.

Thanks in advance.

maybe some diffrent rims, lowering, headers and exhaust, full bolt ons.

I think your last sentence is the way to go.
So few stock 'verts are left and to mod it does nothing for the value or your 90% cruising mode. Get that hardtop and mod it any way you like if that is what you want to do. The higher mileage examples are going for cheap right now (under $10,000) and you will lose very little in the long haul except your mod money. That would be your fun car. Either way, good luck!

Modded mine with a variety of mild mods (in sig), with the goal of a little more kick and better handling with no daily driver penalties. While I could have gone with more aggressive stuff, I'm pretty happy with it.

start with bolt on's and a tune to pick up a little more power and see how you like it. If you want more, Heads/cam etc. Most important, set a goal and stick to it.

agree with post above, get a good game plan, i think it will be sometime before these cars are worth anything,they might go up in price a lil but they will never be classic value,honest you can do whatever you want and still keep the drive feel the same, if i could start over i would have just got a procharger ,cam,exhaust,ccw wheels and a few lil other odds and ends. it depends on what you want out of the car , its pretty easy to go over board

I'm not as concerned with affecting the value as I am with noise and driveability. What NC01TA said makes the most sense but I was thinking of another alternative. Full headers, catted Y, stock cat-back with a E-cutout for when I want to make noise.
Do the e-cut outs hold tight or is there exhaust leakage?

You won't affect the value if you mod the car. You bought the car to enjoy it so mod away and as stated, get a goal and find the best way to obtain it.

My vert is really a one of two car and it's modded to the hilt. It's a garage queen but does get taken out on weekends when nice. I have no regrets modding it. Love the 460 ponies to the tires.

I went with Lid, full exhaust, LS6 H/C/I, 3.73 gears and it kept the Cruise-ability...the magnaflow bullets help keep the car quiet as to not arouse un-needed attention. (stall optional but it does make it a little more fun on an A4)

Suspension was stiffened with Bilstien Shocks and Hypercoil 2" drop but I might have gone 1.5 to save me the scrapes up the driveway. Panhard, LCA's kept it to a nice stiff ride but didn't get too stiff that I threw out my back each time. its more comfortable with the 16x8 50 series wheel/tires but looks nicer with 17's+ wheels/tires

just a simple basic layout that I've stolen from other members over the years..works for me...and possibly others but your goal is what you set and will make you happy.

You won't affect the value if you mod the car.

Completely inaccurate and I hope that 7998 ignores your statement. He mentioned he wasn't worried about value but it still must be considered in the BIG picture. Modded cars are very difficult to sell for decent money and are bringing just low to average price guide book values when, and if, they do sell. They appeal to a very limited young male market in most cases and selling them is quite a task. This young market usually has no money to pay top dollar for a modded car. On the other hand, 'stock' examples appeal to many, including women, middle aged buyers, and also that same young male market, either to keep stock or to mod as one wishes. They also have the perception that these stock examples are not abused, whether true or not. This is the true 'value', including absolute top retail prices for low mileage examples, in keeping a car stock. Don't believe me?? Read a few pages of the 'What's It Worth' section to read the heartbreak that owners have in trying to sell clean, low mileage, heavily modded cars. Their cars are worth so much yet the offers are not even in the ballpark. Very few are getting anything back on their mods original cost. Not even the old notion about getting back 25-33% of the cost. It rarely happens. Not in these times. Just a complete 'money pit' or 'black hole' right now. Modding a car indeed hurts the value and severely limits the buyer's market when the time comes to sell. When you mod, you do it for yourself and your own enjoyment ONLY! To think otherwise is a mistake.

Very damn accurate. He is talking about exhaust and bolt ons. Not a 25.2 cage and a 2900lb race car!!

Anything you will do you can undue in the opposite manner that you put it on. Please don't not mod the car for fear Of value. I bought my car to enjoy it and drive it. Not a investment that may or may not be worth the 35k it cost new in 50 years from now.

To think that you bought a car for a investment opportunity shOuld prove that you have some of the worst investment ideas out there.

i agree with nc01ta, any mod will make a car loose value. If you dont mind though, i say do bolt ons. It will be a lot more fun to drive.

I agree it does effect the value somewhat but like I stated that isn't a main concern of mine. I took a nice long ride yesterday with the top down with the wife and decided to hold off on the mods for now. I like being quiet when I'm doing my parade route like ride.

I am 42 and I built the crap out of my ws6 convert over the last 10 years. Now, I really regret it. I have over $30K in it and I dont drive it all that much. I know I will never get my money back and I decided my son can have it when I am dead. For what its worth, when you start to mod its hard to stop. Then the thing will thousand dollar you to death.

Gave up on switching it for a vette?

I am 42 and I built the crap out of my ws6 convert over the last 10 years. Now, I really regret it. I have over $30K in it and I dont drive it all that much. I know I will never get my money back and I decided my son can have it when I am dead. For what its worth, when you start to mod its hard to stop. Then the thing will thousand dollar you to death.

I know, I've been down that road before.

Gave up on switching it for a vette?

I gave up on everything until after the holidays. But my current Autotrader/Classified fantasies have been leaning towards a Jaguar XKR, SL500/55, C6 Vert, 911 Cab, or keep the T/A and buy a nice luxury SUV.
I still love the way my T/A looks, but I want a new toy, I'm sure 99% of us can relate to that.

I'd put a Procharger on it and tune it for about 500 rwhp. Completely stock driving feel until you get into it some (No converter or headers neccessary). Don't do WOT kickdowns, don't force traction by drag racing with sticky tires and the drivetrain will probably hold up. You will love the car and it will outperform those other cars your looking at.

My e-cutouts fell apart so I made metal caps and they are manual now. I have seen newer versions that look a lot stouter.

I'd put a Procharger on it and tune it for about 500 rwhp. Completely stock driving feel until you get into it some (No converter or headers neccessary). Don't do WOT kickdowns, don't force traction by drag racing with sticky tires and the drivetrain will probably hold up. You will love the car and it will outperform those other cars your looking at.

My e-cutouts fell apart so I made metal caps and they are manual now. I have seen newer versions that look a lot stouter.

One of the last times I had the car out I described to my wife in great detail the benefits of FI, she didn't buy it.
Also 90% of my driving is "parade" route cruising on crappy back roads which I think would create a lot of heat with a FI set-up. That is also one of the reasons why in all likelyhood I wouldn't buy the XKR, that and it's British and was owned by Ford.

You just have to pick your poison. A modded car will not be worth nearly as much as a stock car like other have said. A modded car will be appealing to a bunch of 20 somethings fresh out of college who will give you 5k for your car that you spent 40k on. On the flip a stock car probably won't be worth much more. F-bodies aren't exactly rare cars. All the options and collectability don't mean anything to joe blow. Joe blow will just see it as a 10 year old car that isn't worth anything. Selling it to people who understand what it is will get you good money, but those people are hard to find. I have seen cars sit in the classifieds here for at least 9 months before anything even happens with them. In the end just do what makes you happy. Listening to a bunch of guys that troll around on the internet shouldn't influence your decision :jest: Yes, I am including myself as one of those guys that trolls around on the web ha ha.

You just have to pick your poison. A modded car will not be worth nearly as much as a stock car like other have said. A modded car will be appealing to a bunch of 20 somethings fresh out of college who will give you 5k for your car that you spent 40k on. On the flip a stock car probably won't be worth much more. F-bodies aren't exactly rare cars. All the options and collectability don't mean anything to joe blow. Joe blow will just see it as a 10 year old car that isn't worth anything. Selling it to people who understand what it is will get you good money, but those people are hard to find. I have seen cars sit in the classifieds here for at least 9 months before anything even happens with them. In the end just do what makes you happy. Listening to a bunch of guys that troll around on the internet shouldn't influence your decision :jest: Yes, I am including myself as one of those guys that trolls around on the web ha ha.

Well if we didn't troll around the interwebs there would be no Ls1Tech :D.
While I am not easily swayed by a strangers opinion about what I should do or how I should spend my money I do value and take into consideration other opinions.
Example, when Taphee6 talked about spending a ton off money on his car it reminded me of the time I bought a brand GTI VR6. I threw ton's of cash at the thing trying to make it the car I really wanted, a base Z28 with t-tops, roll down down windows and a 6-spd, in red.
Not that he was saying that is what he did but it remended me of that.
And there has been many others in this thread that have offered good points or posted something that made me ponder something I hadn't considered.

I understand your thought process...think this through and do what is really going to make YOU happy. All this talk of value and investment is ill placed when talking about these cars(my '02 SLP convrt is mostly stock, but is getting heads/cam/intake to go with headers and Bembos and wheels)...enjoy them in the manner and build YOU enjoy.

Unless it's red with a V12, it probably won't appreciate.

I'm old school and you can't have a car too low, too loud or with too much horsepower. That said, you can modify greatly by simply keeping the old parts and the ability to return the car to stock...the best of all worlds!

Want valueless? Try my one owner '93 TBird with a Vortech 32V (built), auto changed to a Viper 6 spd, carbon fibre driveshaft and on and on and on..oh yes, 560 RWHP...people don't even know what it is, but it is so damn much fun!!!

Good Luck

I understand your thought process...think this through and do what is really going to make YOU happy. All this talk of value and investment is ill placed when talking about these cars(my '02 SLP convrt is mostly stock, but is getting heads/cam/intake to go with headers and Bembos and wheels)...enjoy them in the manner and build YOU enjoy.

Unless it's red with a V12, it probably won't appreciate.

I'm old school and you can't have a car too low, too loud or with too much horsepower. That said, you can modify greatly by simply keeping the old parts and the ability to return the car to stock...the best of all worlds!

Want valueless? Try my one owner '93 TBird with a Vortech 32V (built), auto changed to a Viper 6 spd, carbon fibre driveshaft and on and on and on..oh yes, 560 RWHP...people don't even know what it is, but it is so damn much fun!!!

Good Luck

Passion trumps value any day, at least it should if your a real car guy. I was just looking on e-bay at 1950's convertibles and many of them had $50k+ restorations and $20-$30k buy it now's.
Btw I would love to see the T-bird. I had a '94 S/C, loved that car and I always loved different and unique rides.

I see you had a possible thought about a 911 cab in one of your other posts. Just be aware of the 996 models (years 1999+). There were problems, and expensive ones. Get a newer 997 or if you appreciate the 'air-cooled' version, a 993 from model years 1995 - 1998). The reason I went with the 993 many years ago was the old car feel (basically unchanged since the late 60's) of the 'air-cooled' and re-sale factor. You pick one up, a nice 50,000 - 60,000 mile example, for $30,000+ today and in 3 years you can sell it for the same $30,000 provided you haven't put an extra 50,000 miles on it. The 'stock' good ones are getting tough to locate. Again, best of luck to you!

IMO these cars will never hold their value unless its a stupid low mile special edition (Anniversary editions, GMMG cars etc.) I picked up my stock 98 vert with nothing wrong with it for 5K. So mod to your hearts desire. But since you asked for a strict cruiser I would do something along the lines of a short stick for your shifter ($60), stock LS6 heads/springs ($400), small cam around a LS6, LPE GT 1-1, TR cheatr ($100-400), P/P throttle body ($50), BBK longtubes and ORY ($350) and a SLP Dual/Dual or magnaflow (150-300). So high end around $1400 excluding bolts and gaskets for a reliable OEM setup that should dyno around 370-380 easily and still knock down great gas mileage. Im doing something along those lines to mine except Im doing a 4000 stall in my auto and some gears

Mine is modded every which way (not especially extreme in
the heads & cam dept and backed off on the exhaust for
drivability / tunability) and is perfectly enjoyable (unless you
like to listen to flute music at low volume as you accelerate).

I wouldn't worry about collector value.

I see you had a possible thought about a 911 cab in one of your other posts. Just be aware of the 996 models (years 1999+). There were problems, and expensive ones. Get a newer 997 or if you appreciate the 'air-cooled' version, a 993 from model years 1995 - 1998). The reason I went with the 993 many years ago was the old car feel (basically unchanged since the late 60's) of the 'air-cooled' and re-sale factor. You pick one up, a nice 50,000 - 60,000 mile example, for $30,000+ today and in 3 years you can sell it for the same $30,000 provided you haven't put an extra 50,000 miles on it. The 'stock' good ones are getting tough to locate. Again, best of luck to you!
If I were to get a 911 cab it would probably be a 993 for most of the reasons you stated, that and imo they are by far the best looking generation to date.
I would also be interested in 964's and later the later 80's. It is one car I always wanted and liked. Something like this would be perfect.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=309726762&dealer_id=69606&car_year=1995&systime=&doors=&model=911&search_lang=en&start_year=1985&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=&rdm=1324652283577&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2002&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=PHILADELPHIA_SO&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=75000&color=&address=19054&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=33000&make=POR&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=60&standard=false

I have heard the 3.4's had problems with water/oil mixing, and I have a hard time getting past their Boxster styling.

IMO these cars will never hold their value unless its a stupid low mile special edition (Anniversary editions, GMMG cars etc.) I picked up my stock 98 vert with nothing wrong with it for 5K. So mod to your hearts desire. But since you asked for a strict cruiser I would do something along the lines of a short stick for your shifter ($60), stock LS6 heads/springs ($400), small cam around a LS6, LPE GT 1-1, TR cheatr ($100-400), P/P throttle body ($50), BBK longtubes and ORY ($350) and a SLP Dual/Dual or magnaflow (150-300). So high end around $1400 excluding bolts and gaskets for a reliable OEM setup that should dyno around 370-380 easily and still knock down great gas mileage. Im doing something along those lines to mine except Im doing a 4000 stall in my auto and some gears

That is actually a decent set-up.

Mine is modded every which way (not especially extreme in
the heads & cam dept and backed off on the exhaust for
drivability / tunability) and is perfectly enjoyable (unless you
like to listen to flute music at low volume as you accelerate).

I wouldn't worry about collector value.

I do on occasion listen to some Jethro Tull.
To tell you the truth there is 2 things that I don't like about the car.
1. The seats are uncomfortable and so is the seating position.
2. It isn't a fun car to drive and I'm not sure that modding it would fix that.

I do love looking at it at and think its lines still hold up well to this day.
I love the fact that the roof goes down.
I like the torque too.

I'll send you a pm about the 993 on autotrader.

Whenever I start modding my car I'm going to be keeping all of the stock parts. I'm going with H/C/I/E because the car will be a nice day cruiser/warrior and I'm just not into FI and I WANT the car to be loud like a muscle car should. Enjoy the car however you wish. Sounds like you should go with a procharger in your situation. Plus it would be much easier to revert to stock from a procharger once you go to sell the car (if that happens). Demod the car to get the most out of it. Aftermarket parts sell easy and fast.

Do you want to go with motor/power mods? Or appearance/looks?

Man I gotta say this. If you want to go fast then mod it. But there is no end to modding. We always want more and that means $$$$
I completely entertain the idea of keeping it stock. You will never go wrong selling a stock car later down the road. Once modded, a car is only attractive to those who want a car to mod and not to mention the fact that modding does not really increase the value to anyone other than the current owner.
If you plan on keeping the car forever and you have the bug, Mod it.
If you plan on selling down the road. Keep it stock.

I have several highly modded cars and they do have draw backs when driving around town......all of them are manuals. However, I have a C5 Z06 that has a maggie and long tubes. There is absolutely no diffence in the way it drives........until you want it to.......125 HP on tap whenever you want it.
Otherwise you wouldn't even know it was molded........and I'm a really old fart......56. My wife can still drive it. I also added a QTP cutout that can be programmed to be closed or open at different levels.

It's not cheap........but the smile on your face is worth every penny!!!!!

One simple mod will make the car a lot more fun to drive w/o affecting parade style cruising one bit.

You have an M6. Put a 4.1X gear in it with a solid spacer. Once that's in, get the PCM adjusted to make the speedo accurate and turn off cat overtemp protection and lean out PE to right around 13:1. Makes the car tons more fun w/o exhaust noise/leaks and major PCM mods.

Yes, the electric cutouts leak, at least mine do, & in a convertible it's a lot noisier than a hardtop/t-top.

modd it up ! verts dnt weight more than 1000 pounds more than a hardtop..same shit..their just like 300 pounds more i think not more than 500..mines weights 3700