I need advice

I’m looking to purchase a terminator coupe. I found a nice car with the following mods.
2.93 steel lightning pulley.

I’ve done some reading on pulley/tune and stangshifter FAQs but feel like I don’t understand the risks or cons or if there are any for buying this car the way it sits with a 2.93 and 10+ year old tune.

Im thinking of seeing if ford or a shop can do a compression/leak down test before purchase. It seems like the mods are minor and pretty safe?

I’m trying to stay with a minimally modded car but most of these being 17 yrs old have a few things done to them. The last thing I’d want though is have problems due to pulley/tune so what is the best way to proceed to ensure the car is still healthy and/or what does your wisdom recommend?

At least do a compression test. Gave me a piece of mind when I bought my modified cobra.

2004 Cobra 2.9 Whipple

That’s definitely minimally modded. Just do the compression and leak down and that will give you your answer

Like everyone else said, compression test. When I bought this car, it had a catback, off road mid pipe, JLT intake, mail order tune and 2.76 pulley. Minimal mods. I did a compression test, it went well and I bought the car. 2 years later, car is still running fine with no problems.

I would not be afraid of a pulley only car.

I would however get a leak down test or compression check at minimum. I've been burned 2 times because I was impatient and wanted to get a deal done. I would want get one done on a bone stock car just as much as a modified car.

DO NOT SKIP GETTING THE HEALTH OF THAT MOTOR CHECKED or you'll ended up paying more in the end... been there, done that....two times.

**edit** I also wouldn't be too concerned with the age of the tune.. Tunes just don't go bad.. Would it be a bad idea to have it looked over by someone you trust? sure.

Okay, the seller is going to take it to his local Ford service center for a compression test. Do they need to do a leak down as well? Is there o ly one type of compression test?

A service advisor mentioned two types which I was not aware of.

a leak down would be preferred.. likely more expensive.

It will measure the compressed air leaking air out of each cylinder. With this test you can also tell where it is leaking from. ie, past the rings, valves, gaskets..

Compression test can hide symptoms and can possibly test good when there is an underlying problem.. For example, when I had broken ring lands in cylinder 7/8 the compression still showed within 10psi of the other cylinders. After doing a leakdown I could hear the compressed air in the pvc system indicating I had excessive blowby. Compression check didn't catch that, the leak down did.

My most recent purchase I just did the compression check its better than nothing! At least gives you an idea of how the motor is doing

How many miles?


If it fails these test.

It may be a good thing for some who can repair it on their own. 5k price drop easy

I had to learn after warranty ran out.

Drivers side valve seat drop twice.
I’m on 3rd head.
Car had many miles

Good luck

Definitely try to get a leak-down test done. It's really in the best interest of the seller, even if you don't buy it. Most savvy buyers would want it and a compression test. That said, I'll echo what others have said as far as those really basic mods. They're very safe. The 2.93 provides a nominal boost increase. The tune, ten years old, should be checked, either by the buyer or a tuner.

The car has 12k miles. Unfortunately it's in another state so I have to do as much homework long distance which makes it a little harder. I was wondering if it'd be better to have the seller go to Ford service or a performance shop?

Where is the car located? That might help determine your question

Yeah, your location is important because in some cases a non-dealer performance shop might not be available. Which would mean the seller would have to use a dealer. Maybe the seller will ONLY use a dealer. You'll have to talk to him.

just fyi, tunes don't go bad

Tunes are stationary....if it was tuned properly even 17 years ago.....the software itself hasn't changed.

What can and will change over time are the hardware components.....the main concern being fuel pumps. Fuel pumps do not last forever and will lose functionality and delivery over time. Even on garage queens it can happen. If AF has not been monitored....and fuel pumps lose their oomph....you could still damage a ring with even the simplest of setups.

Compression/leak down cheap insurance

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I purchased my car from Cincinnati. Guy I purchased from used a shop call Cinci speed I believe. Its been like 10 years though, so no clue if they're still around.

I'll look for them. Thank you.

Any other legitimate shops?

Lee blankenship is just down the road outside louisville. One of the best in the country

C6zhombre, speaking of tunes. I am looking at buying a 2004 mystichrome cobra that it looks like you may have owned. Could we connect via PM?

c6zhombre said:

Tunes are stationary....if it was tuned properly even 17 years ago.....the software itself hasn't changed.

What can and will change over time are the hardware components.....the main concern being fuel pumps. Fuel pumps do not last forever and will lose functionality and delivery over time. Even on garage queens it can happen. If AF has not been monitored....and fuel pumps lose their oomph....you could still damage a ring with even the simplest of setups.

Compression/leak down cheap insurance

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