I know the general answer to this question is NO. What you put into your truck, you have a hard time getting out of it. I know that when it comes to bolt on's but is that true with a built motor?
My question is for the people getting built motors, heads, cams and blowers if they plan to keep the trucks forever, or what...
If they NEED to at any time can they sell the truck "as is" and get anything more than factory cost for it?
The reason I ask is because I toss around the idea everyday of getting a built motor, and doing some engine work and putting on a bigger blower. My first step would be getting a built tranny with a stall. Then I'd do the block, cams and heads. Then I'd put on a bigger blower. I just know that when you do one thing, you have to do a bunch of other things... That's why I don't want to put myself in a position where I do some things, I can't get out if I need to. I know the value of the truck shouldn't go down any, I just don't see myself getting much for it if I ever need to sell it (with built motor, trans, and a blower...) Can anyone tell me if you can sell the truck later down the road and get some of your money back if you find the right buyer?
Thanks, Shane

 

If I were looking for a used Lightning I would more than likely consider this a neg. To me that says it has been used and abused.

Just my opinion. But you know what they say about opinions...

Mike

 

I'd say that you probably wouldn't get more money from a truck with a brand new built engine compared to a truck with a stock engine which has been in there 30K miles. I think that these trucks are selling for around 15-20K used with mods.
You get more money if you sell the truck in original condition. Most people don't want a truck which has been modded and raced. If there are no mods and the truck looks stock then someone would pay more money for it.
Personally I wouldn't pay much for a truck which has been modded unless it was a really good deal. Especially since you don't know if the odometer has been fooled around with.

 

well i would consider this a plus if i was buying it. as long as im sure it was taken care of. ie proper break in, oil changes, etc... id be willing to pay more with it. but not everyone feels the same, it depends on whos doing the buying i suppose

 

I think it depends on who's buying it. If it's done right, it can be worth more. If you are trading it or selling to a non-enthusiast, it's worth less.

There was a built 02 Harley truck that recently sold for around $40k.

A while back, I debated on selling my truck for an 03 Cobra to build. I can tell you first hand there is a market.

 

I agree. You and I may feel the same way but someone else may look at it and think, the truck was raced every weekend, and has been driven real hard... Some may not want that.
But some may if you can form a relationship or a form of trust with them and walk them through everything. And show them everything was done right, and the truck was raced yes, but...
I think if you find the right person, like myself, and if I had the money at the time, I'd pay a little extra for some mods....
Thanks, Shane

 

That's what I thought. I just wanted to make sure. Still it doesn't justify putting $15g into your truck... having a 10 second daily driver is what justifies it right?
Shane

 

Food for thought................

I modded a 99 C5 with $4000 in simple bolt ons. Held on to her for 2.5 years and sold her for $4000 above the going retail rate. I kept all the documentation and the buyer actually called the tuner to talk about my car and the mods that were made. In the end I got every penny I spent in mods and I was able to enjoy it for a couple years.

Personally, my L is a work in progress. It's sole purpose is to be a fun weekend toy that over time will get faster and faster. I am not planning on getting my money back, but there are enthusiasts out there that want a finished project and are willing to pay for it if you have the documents and references to back you, you will be ahead of the game.

D-Day

 

Maybe if you sell to a person, you might get some money back. But if you are trading in w/ a dealer, forget it.

If you're confused, look at some "hot rod" mustangs. Figure up the money they've done on mods, then look at what they're going for.

Don't spend the money if you can't afford to lose it!!!

 

It's hard to compare our trucks with a fox body. If you modded a fox body in their day, they were worth more. As they get older and in less demand, the price goes down. For instance, if you look at a newer or latest generation modded Supra, Cobra, Saleen, Corvette, etc. you will see that it does improve resale as long as you aren't trading. You aren't going to recover all your money, but should get some back.

But like it was mentioned before...if you plan on selling anytime soon, don't go too extreme. Bolt on's are great, but once you start digging into the motor it's hard to recover.

 

Any money spent on "goodies" is generally not worth anything in terms of resale. Most of the time it actually brings value down.
The type of person who might want those extra goodies usually can't afford it.
A vehicle is only worth what a financial institution will loan on it.

 

That's what I was thinking. Thanks, Shane

 

If you keep the stock parts like heads, cam, blower... Is it worth the labor to put your stock stuff back on if you need to try to get some of the money back for it.
I know you'll get more money for ported heads, than selling the stock heads. Same with a twin screw blower over your eaton. I just dont know how much you'd get back.
Or you could leave it on, and hope to find a buyer who is looking for all that stuff on a truck.
You'll be out the block, cams, and all the install cost really. Then whatever the difference is you sell the parts for vs what you got them for new.
Anyone put a chunk of money into their trucks, then have to get rid of it a year os so later? Do you just chalk it up as a loss and get what you can for it?
Thanks, Shane

 

sometimes when you have a well thought out plan, you can re-coup some of your mod money, as this yound lad learned to do with his former "ho-hum" 85 honda


and guess what,, it's for sale right now!!!

 

Along the lines of the topic. With a built motor, will you get past emissions? (w/ cams, high boost, chip, long tubes, heads)
Does that have anything to do with failing? Thanks, Shane