Need Help!!

[Shadrack]

I'm going to look at a Fox Body tomorrow. Honestly, I wouldn't know a GREAT car if I seen one, but I would be able to spot a GOOD car.

I think it's worth what i'm getting it for, but still would like to have other opinions.

Here's the details.

'90 Black LX Coupe (original color was DSG)
2" cowl hood
Headlight/Taillight blackouts
Centerline Warrior rims (4 lug)
Black Interior
No A/C or Stereo
Oil pressure and water temp gauge on dash (no tach)
No guages in Inst. panel work (unhooked) besides fuel guage
Comes with a Car Cover
5.0 converted to Carb
Holley Systemaxx Aluminum heads
Weind Aluminum intake
Holley 750 cfm carb
cammed
Hooker headers, x-pipe and flowmasters
Aluminum radiator with electric fans
Full MSD igition
lowered 2"
5 spd / 3.73 gears (not for sure about posi traction)

Stays to be a very strong running car. The car ran a 13.20 with a slipping cluth as well as missing third gear, on street tires.
I'm just questioning the quality of the carb swap and the possible electrical issues.


This is my first car, i'm 19 and jumping into this head first. I need some help/opinions. Post up what you all think is it worth that way I will see if i'm getting a decent deal.

Thanks

 

[RsStanG1987]

3 grand

 

[Shadrack]

 

[RsStanG1987]

Why how much does they guy want for it?Are you planning on using it for a daily driver or just a toy?

 

[RsStanG1987]

Also how do you know the story about the track is true?

 

[ECU5.0]

dont do it...youll regret it. i know because i was set on having a mustang about two years ago and jumped on the first one i could find...turned out to be the worst idea ever. guy couldnt produce a title and the car ended up having way more problems than it seemed. just keep your money in your pocket and find one that really jumps out at you. look at a bunch of different ones and see which one stands out the most. good luck

 

[RsStanG1987]

Also try to buy a bone stock one.

 

[Shadrack]

Car has a clear title, and i've looked at several.


The strip story is true, because several of the people on another board/forum is the one that told me about the car. A couple was there to witness the run and SHE even told me she has the time slip somewhere. It hasn't been down the strip in 3 years and she's only drove it to town and back since. SHE has since had the carb rebuilt, and the clutch cable replaced (Clutch itself is fine).

This will be a toy only, not a daily driver. Something I can take to the strip and run some decent numbers with. Although I may take it to school and play a little too.

$4500 is the price.

Paint is good, just needs a good wax job and there is a small chip on the hood.

 

[RsStanG1987]

Dont buy it it been beat on and your gonna get in over your head. if the clutch was slipping the whole way im sure it would be glazed over and have to be replaced. Just dont buy it. The interior isnt complete. Its gonna have wiring problems. Im sure it may be a hack job. If you buy it your gonna put a lot of money into it. Your better off buying a clean car with little or no mods and moding it your self.

 

[rd]

If you want a toy oriented car, can afford the car and some money for repair, go for it.

In order, in my experience, if the body is straight, no dents, and the paint is decent, thats the most important thing. Bodywork is expensive.

Then, focus on the interior, making sure all the details are there, ashtray door, trim, headliner, no rips in the seats, the glovebox works, and the lights, wipers, heater work, etc. This stuff will eat money if you have to buy much of it.

For any used car, plan on fixing the brakes, some tie rods, etc, and getting it aligned soon.

Then the drivetrain. This is probably the easiest thing to fix, upgrade, etc. It would be best if it already has a traction lok in it. Need to check.

Also make sure you are not getting into smog trouble.

Pricewise, at $4500, you can buy a stone stock car and mod it cheaper, unless there are some high quality parts there. Little less and you would have a decent hot rod toy. To me, this price level is starting to get into cars that have well thought out mods, quality engine and drivetrain stuff. May depend on where you are, too.

I just bought an 89 notch for my daughter, $500, running. Lots of dents, and I spent two days in salvage yards getting interior stuff, and had to do a heater core, the brakes, swap in another A4LD, and install a muffler. I now have a $1000 four cylinder with ac and working overdrive. And 21 mpg.

In contrast, I have just over $6000 in the 82 GL hatch that I bought for $50 as a hot rod toy.

 

[QDRHRSE]

5.0's are legendary for they torqueyness and a carb sort of ruins that and trades it for more peak power. Unless your building a 9 second car I don't see a carb as the way to go. If I were to buy a carbed car it would be an old Mustang/Camaro/Nova/Chevelle. When you buy a 5.0 half the allure is the fuel injection.

 

[Euphoric306]

QDRHRSE is right about the carb/SEFI tradeoff



4500 was asking price for mine... i paid 3800


listen to these guys, they know what theyre talking about

 

[Shadrack]

Welp, went to looked at the car. Interior is complete (minus the stereo delete). The a/c knobs and everyhing are there, just the compressor was removed. No tears in the seats, or the door panels, etc.. Power windows/locks still work properly. Interior has factory looking panels covering the stereo panels, etc. Body has ZERO rust and has no dings or dents that I could find. It does need a new paint job, the clearcoat is flaking up on the hood and small various places on the car. From a distance, it looks awesome. It had a slight oil leak (around the valve cover) and was dripping on the headers causing a little smoke. It is a hydraulic roller/rocker motor with underdrive pullies. Idles smooth, has plenty of power for me. It's got tons of High End HP!! New valve cover gaskets will be needed i'm almost positive. Looks like of the bolts has backed out or something because it's only leaking in one area. Carb is a Holley double pumper 750 cfm carb, with complete MSD igition. It's been properly converted to carb, has an electric fuel pump in the tank, and has a pressure regulator with a guage at the carb itself. The car has zero wiring issue's and looked to be professionally done. I found the lo-down on the car when I got there. The woman that had the car bought it from a guy in Bowling Green, KY that had connections with Holley. Holley is the ones that did all the conversions and building of the car right in the Holley shop (they swapped the FI, put the cam, heads, an intake in the car). I can actually believe that story because there are no loose wires just randomly handing, etc., The oil leaking was the only major catch to it and managed to bring it home for $4000.

I'm happy with it, and i'll start rebuilding this winter (complete paint job). And just an all out good cleaning. I'll try and post pics soon.

 

[RsStanG1987]

If the car were so good why did she sell it?

 

[Shadrack]

If the car were so good why did she sell it?

Getting married next month, and just moved into a new house with her fiance and thier new little boy.

 

[RsStanG1987]

Thats what the guy said i bought my first stang off of an the engine went that day.

 

[Shadrack]

Thats what the guy said i bought my first stang off of an the engine went that day.

Oh well........ That's the risk you take. Sorry to hear that your engine went. You win some, you lose some.
I'm happy with the car, that's all the matters. Some may think it's a POS, some may think it's awesome, I think it has a lot of potential. Again, it's a street/strip project, it's not suppose to be perfect and plated with gold.