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Many of them say, like "Only 500 miles since upgrades"
So, why would they be selling?
Do most of these upgrades turn out to be not what they had in mind?
Could be several different reasons, including what you've mentioned above about the car not being what they hoped it would be, or just being too much of a handful to be used the way they hoped. But it's not always something negative like that. Most heavily modded cars aren't someone's primary transportation, so they don't get driven much and are usually the first thing to be sold if money suddenly gets tight. 500 miles doesn't sound like much, but that's about how much I drive my '98 Z28 in a two year period. This limited use is not because anything is wrong with the car, quite the opposite in fact - it's so nice that I worry about taking it most places so it's nothing more than a toy that really only goes to car shows. Same for my '71 and '74.
Ultimately, I don't think there's any ONE reason why these cars get sold with low mileage on the build. I think what matters more is that you find something to fit your own personal expectations and requirements, keeping in mind that heavily modified cars are usually going to have some quirks that a stock car wouldn't (though even a stock car is likely to have some quirks at this age, since the newest one is over 20 years old). What is your priority with this purchase? Something super reliable to daily drive? Something much faster than stock? A show car? Some combination of these things?
Haha...spoken like the true owner of a dinosaur car! I am with you on this, I made the mistake of rebuilding the entire braking system on my '71 to stock specs, which included front drums. Arcing machines are about as easy to find as a rotary dial pay phone around here, so it took me forever to get the shoes hand-sanded to the point of matching braking power side-to-side. It's still not 100% perfect when they get really hot, but I think that has more to do with the questionable quality of the shoe material (of which there was only one option still in production).
Why didn't I do the front disc brake conversion? Great question. I wish I had a great answer!
...but I think that has more to do with the questionable quality of the shoe material (of which there was only one option still in production)...
You hit it there - when I was still doing the disc conversion we sold quite a few kits to customers that did as you. They did not realise the new shoe materials were rubbish, especial for Fords.
All I know from being on many forums for about the past 10+ years is that there are constant questions about mods and "Why doesn't my car run right?". It really gets silly asking these questions when the owner doesn't even know the full story of what has been done with the car. How can anyone answer? From new Challengers to old Porsches it's always the same thing. These situations end up with far too many unhappy owners.
I'm a 'stock' guy for the most part and never have to wonder what was done to my cars. My strongest suggestion is to buy a 'stock' car and build it yourself. There will be no questions and you will have the personal knowledge of what has been done. Also, and this is important, is the question of abuse. Any car can be abused in any form but the odds sure tilt towards heavily modified machines. Do you really want to lay out serious $$$ and then have a 'money pit' on your hands?
One final thought. I have seen heavily modified cars at car shows and cruise-ins owned by older guys that like to 'show' what they have but don't drive the cars hard at all. Garage kept gems that are waiting for the next owner to enjoy. You would be amazed at how many Hellcat owners there are that have never even attempted to use the '2nd key'. If you can locate one of those modified or high horsepower cars that have never seen the drag strip or perhaps not even 80 mph, that would be sweet! Good luck!!!
If I was to buy a 2002 Camaro with a bunch of mods I would need to see all the receipts for parts. Receipts for the install if not done by the current owner. I would want to see the chassis dyno paper work. All paper work on the machine shop work.
Two things on the first post. Bored LS1. Bored out how much? Next is the 4000 stall TC. How is that going drive?
Just .02.
Of all of the modifications in the OP the only ones that may free up some horsepower are the intake. Suspension upgrades are nice, but add very little to the performance of the car. Good shocks, good brake pads, not much else needed.
I personally would not touch a car with this many upgrades/mods. You have to ask yourself, why were they done? What did they get out of all that money? It is like someone had a lot of money to spend on bragging rights.They have probably introduced more issues than they hoped to improve.
My stock 2002 aluminum block LS1 is practically bullet proof at 161k miles. Doesn't leak a drop of anything anywhere and burns no oil, maybe 1/2 quart in 1/2 a year. Had it over 150 mph just yesterday.
I would not touch that car with at 10 foot push rod.
Of all of the modifications in the OP the only ones that may free up some horsepower are the intake. Suspension upgrades are nice, but add very little to the performance of the car. Good shocks, good brake pads, not much else needed.
I personally would not touch a car with this many upgrades/mods. You have to ask yourself, why were they done? What did they get out of all that money? It is like someone had a lot of money to spend on bragging rights.They have probably introduced more issues than they hoped to improve.
My stock 2002 aluminum block LS1 is practically bullet proof at 161k miles. Doesn't leak a drop of anything anywhere and burns no oil, maybe 1/2 quart in 1/2 a year. Had it over 150 mph just yesterday.
I would not touch that car with at 10 foot push rod.
Why were those mods done? I believe the answer is to not be “slow.” What did he get out of all that money? The answer is an alleged extra 100+ horsepower to the rear tires or so. Is it a smart buy? Eh, probably not. Especially if the seller is asking far above what you would pay for a stock one in similar condition plus what it would cost you to do the same mods. Like if he’s adding another $10k-$15k or whatever to try and recuperate, what he spent on the mods then it’d be a no go for me.
I see it all the time. Cars with 500 to a few thousand miles after a big build for sale. Why? I'm still not sure I understand it, despite the explanations above.
Everything he lists sounds good. Does the car run right? No telling.
Personally, I look for stock, although external bolt-ons and a tune wouldn't turn me away. Or even a DOD delete on a G8 with a reasonable cam. Any more than that is a no-go.
I see it all the time. Cars with 500 to a few thousand miles after a big build for sale. Why? I'm still not sure I understand it, despite the explanations above.
Everything he lists sounds good. Does the car run right? No telling.
Personally, I look for stock, although external bolt-ons and a tune wouldn't turn me away. Or even a DOD delete on a G8 with a reasonable cam. Any more than that is a no-go.
I agree to what you say.
What would you consider a reasonable Cam? Few examples?
The only reason to buy a car with lot's of mods is that you are most likely going to pay pennies on the dollar compared to what the previous owner paid for the parts and labor the parts if not installed by previous owner.
If you don't know these cars and mods VERY well, you either need to get someone to go with you that does or go with a low mile, stock car. I think RPMWS6 hit the big reasons and I'll add one:
1. Money got tight
2. The car didn't run quite right and tight money prevented a proper fix
3. It did get fixed but people get tired of messing with them. Particularly, you often need TWO shops for a modified car - one to do "normal" stuff and one to do "hot rod" stuff and be prepared to ping pong back and forth. Unless you have a lift and full tool set, you're still VERY likely to need a shop from time to time.
Even a stock car is going to be showing its age now so if you intend to drive it often, be pickier and be willing to pay more for a good one. A modified car is amazing bang for the buck if the car was built right but you better be ready for the ride. We can all give you a WAG on specific cars but if you don't have someone to help you inspect the car that KNOWS these cars, skip it. Given that you didn't seem to know that the heads and cam are where the power is at ("only mod for power is the intake"), you've got an uphill battle getting to know this car enough to take care of it. If money is tight, skip the heavily modified car...it will take you backwards.
11-29-2023, 09:48 PM
Question on LS1 Upgrades: Happy owners, or Not 
I am with you on this, I made the mistake of rebuilding the entire braking system on my '71 to stock specs, which included front drums. Arcing machines are about as easy to find as a rotary dial pay phone around here, so it took me forever to get the shoes hand-sanded to the point of matching braking power side-to-side. It's still not 100% perfect when they get really hot, but I think that has more to do with the questionable quality of the shoe material (of which there was only one option still in production).
