Low Mile GT500 with Mods > Concerns?

Hey guys, starting a separate thread related to my other GT500 vs 03/04 Cobra thread.

I learned today that the car has a smaller Steeda pulley (2.65?) and Steeda cold air intake. It only shows 15K Miles on the odometer. My first thought is that it shouldn't be a concern, but then again.....the fact that it's modded the previous owner liked to go fast....or at least faster than stock.

It's the nature of these beasts I guess to be modded, though I still see plenty for sale that are not.

The sales person I'm dealing with seemed oblivious to the fact the car had been modded and custom tuned. He's agreed to call the previous owner who turned it in (bought an F150 from the dealer) to ask when and where it was tuned. I'm hoping I can then follow up with the shop that did it....or at least research the shop a bit to see how reputable they are.

Thoughts?

If you're leaning toward getting it, I would probably play it safe and order a Tune from Lund or VMP right away and drive it gently in the mean time. That said, a pulley and intake/tune ect. light mods would not scare me away from buying a clean low mileage Car.

saving money !!! as long as it is not a Bama tune

lol, Bama tune.... greatest crime against Mustang owners.

It honestly wouldnt scare me in the slightest. These engines are pretty robust. Aside from terrible tuning or being run HARD on crappy fuel, it shouldnt be an issue.

Ha, no doubt. I believe my car has a Bama Tune on it.. Dyno graph showed afr's off the chart, so..well into 9's.


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I read your post 3 times & didn't see a question to answer. Are you trying to talk yourself into buying a lightly modded car vs stock?

COOL COBRA said:

I read your post 3 times & didn't see a question to answer. Are you trying to talk yourself into buying a lightly modded car vs stock?

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Yeah, that's basically it; wondering given the fact that the car doesn't come with much background re: tune, if it's something to avoid and just buy a stock car and then start modding myself, so I know who did what tune wise. The car is out of state, which makes this more challenging (4 hr. plane ride) in knowing the real condition of the car, other than a video and pictures.

Race Red Boss said:

Yeah, that's basically it; wondering given the fact that the car doesn't come with much background re: tune, if it's something to avoid and just buy a stock car and then start modding myself, so I know who did what tune wise. The car is out of state, which makes this more challenging (4 hr. plane ride) in knowing the real condition of the car, other than a video and pictures.

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.
The 1st rule on buying a " modded " car is complete documentation.
The fact that your not dealing with the previous owner directly just adds a layer of unknowns.
I wouldn't travel 4 hours, hoping to be happy with the end result......just me !!!

Its a good ting I have no plans to ever sell my car. Everything that's been done to it, its the equivalent to the Black Plague apparently lol.

The other thing you want to do is to see if you can get the tuner/programmer that was used.

Biggest reason is your stock tune is down loaded in it and you will need it someday if you go back to stock settings

1badsho said:

The other thing you want to do is to see if you can get the tuner/programmer that was used.

Biggest reason is your stock tune is down loaded in it and you will need it someday if you go back to stock settings

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Thanks. I've asked the sales guy to ask the previous owner if he still has the programmer. My guess is he probably kept it and will/has sold it? If he's still got it...I want it as part of the deal.

I would imagine with the smaller pulley and CAI installed, going back to stock is not an option....without putting the pulley/CAI back to stock? Neither of those stock components come with the car....

What are your goals for the car? Stock? Modified?

Most likely, even if your goals currently are to keep the car stock you will soon fall victim to the mod bug. These cars are a lot of fun stock from the factory but with an upgraded supercharger and cooling system they are absolute beasts.

I would try to get the stock handheld tuner from the previous owner or have the dealer install a stock pulley and intake tube and Flash it back to stock for you.

I wouldn't be too concerned with the extremely low level of mods currently on the car. A slightly smaller pulley and it new intake tube are hardly hardcore mods. In fact, I would personally consider the car basically stock as is.

Race Red Boss said:

Yeah, that's basically it; wondering given the fact that the car doesn't come with much background re: tune, if it's something to avoid and just buy a stock car and then start modding myself, so I know who did what tune wise. The car is out of state, which makes this more challenging (4 hr. plane ride) in knowing the real condition of the car, other than a video and pictures.

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That being said, I'd more than likely search for a bone stock car. They are out there.
You might have the itch to get a car sooner than later, I know the feeling. But in the end, piece of mind would out weigh the time you had to wait.
Light mods are pretty harmless in most cases. But not knowing how the car was driven afterwards is a crap shoot.
Good luck with the search.

If you really like this car, the color, options etc Id get it.

I would first get the dealer (on them) to reprogram the ECU to stock and install a factory CAI. Stock and most up to date calibration for the year from Ford. Dealer cost for a new drop in factory intake system is $500. If they aren't willing to do this to make the sale, find a new place to deal with. $500 plus a few hours shop labor is pennies when it comes to making a sale.

From there, plan your mods how you want them.

***edit*** apparently 07-09 factory intakes are... 2x more expensive than 10-14.....

pros and cons getting a modded car vs stock
I have owned 2 GT500's; one was a stage 1 pulley only and CAI
The next car was a Stage III with a VMP GEN II Blower, VMP TB and other goodies
Bottom line if you get a modded car get one from someone you know or the forum knows. We are like brothers and sisters ..... we know those who take care of there modded cars and those who dont.
You can always play the safe route and get a low mileage car .... cant go wrong there and than mod it yourself as you see fit

Thanks guys for all the ideas and suggestions/thoughts. Dealer sales guy emailed me today to say the owner who turned the car in was the 2nd owner and was not the one that modded the car and was not provided the hand held when he bought it. I really like the car because of the low miles, but.....I think to be safe I'd have to buy a handheld and take it to a local tuner and get the car checked out.

Oh, and the original tires are still on the car and have enough tread to pass the safety test....despite being 12 years old. Something I'd have to change for sure as well. I wondered if the seller might have had another set wheels/tires on the car and then swapped the originals back on when he traded it in?

Does anyone know what happens to the factory tune in a case like this? Does it still exist in the car's ECM or was it swapped out when the car was originally tuned and stored on the handheld? How would you ever set the car back to stock if you needed to?

See my above post, but it would need to have a Ford dealer reflash ECU. Its a simple process. If its got a cold air intake in there, Id tell the dealer this "Ill buy this car, but you have to reprogram the ECU to factory and you need to install a new factory air intake system."

If they want to sell the car to you, and extra $500-$600 is nothing to them to make the deal.

lexustech48 said:

See my above post, but it would need to have a Ford dealer reflash ECU. Its a simple process. If its got a cold air intake in there, Id tell the dealer this "Ill buy this car, but you have to reprogram the ECU to factory and you need to install a new factory air intake system."

If they want to sell the car to you, and extra $500-$600 is nothing to them to make the deal.

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I think they would have to also install a factory Supercharger pulley as well. If I decide to buy the car, I think I'll have no choice but to take the car to a local tuner and have them check it out to ensure the current tune is good/conservative. I have to believe the car has been tuned for quite some time since it was already that way when the 2nd owner got it. I have a video of it's initial startup, walkaround and a few blips of the throttle. Sounds good.

I have assisted a number of folks make informed purchases.

It doesn't cost much and you get the peace of mind that have had professional vetting done, before you make a very expensive mistake.

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Race Red Boss said:

Yeah, that's basically it; wondering given the fact that the car doesn't come with much background re: tune, if it's something to avoid and just buy a stock car and then start modding myself, so I know who did what tune wise. The car is out of state, which makes this more challenging (4 hr. plane ride) in knowing the real condition of the car, other than a video and pictures.

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You're obviously thinking of modding what you buy, if stock, so minor mods as found on this low mileage GT-500 should not be a concern. In the end, though, you have to be down right comfortable with buying it, or any other GT-500. If you have ANY qualms about the distance from you, tune source, condition, options, color, etc. then you're best waiting until you find the one that DOES make you feel comfortable. JMO.