“Chip was intentionally burned” mod???

[JC-RH]

Hello everyone. I have my eye on an 03 Cobra with 55k miles. While the seller says it drives great, he mentioned it needs spark plugs and new coils. Also, he made the following comments:

“The chip was intentionally burned to allow for greater speed and HP.”

and

“I took it to a Ford dealership, and they quoted $1,000 to put it back to normal.”


Is this common practice? I’ve never heard of this “mod.” Should this be a definite red flag, or something that can be sorted with relative ease?


Thanks everyone!

 

[01yellercobra]

Tuners used to burn chips that were installed in the J port or the ECU. In order to go back to stock all that is required is removing the chip.

If a handheld device like an SCT X3 was used you'll either need the tuner to be able to flash it back to stock or go to the Ford dealer as mentioned.

Those wouldn't be red flags for me, but I would get it checked out by a good tuner.

 

[Roots-type]

Given this limited information, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the seller is either ignorant or playing ignorant. Based on this alone, I'd have to take a hard pass.

If the car has an aftermarket chip, then of course it's been 'intentionally burned' for more performance. That's what chips are for. And if it runs good, why take it to ford to see how much to flash the ecu back to stock? Another red flag.

And how's a car going to 'run great' and still need new coil packs and plugs? Makes no sense.

 

[JC-RH]

Thanks you guys. I also wanted to mention he stated:

“The computer needs replacement once the horsepower was increased to up to 450.”

 

[Blkkbgt]

It sounds like was either tuned with a handheld or it has an old chip on the J3 port.

The handheld is obviously common but a chip not so much especially these days. His terminology is suspect in my eyes.

The real red flag for me is his claim that the plugs and coil packs need to be replaced.

HOW does he know that and why do all the coil packs need to go? The plugs are understandable but the coils don't make sense. Usually they are replaced one at a time.

 

[Blkkbgt]

Thanks you guys. I also wanted to mention he stated:

“The computer needs replacement once the horsepower was increased to up to 450.”

Lol really? This guy has got to he a complete idiot.

 

[Blkkbgt]

@JC-RH have you met the seller in person by chance?

 

[JC-RH]

@JC-RH have you met the seller in person by chance?

Not in person. I only spoke to him on the phone earlier today. The car itself looks like it has been well taken care of. Price is somewhat reasonable, but this whole thing has me on the fence. I just don’t want to regret it in the long run.

 

[ashleyroachclip]

It sounds like was either tuned with a handheld or it has an old chip on the J3 port.

The handheld is obviously common but a chip not so much especially these days. His terminology is suspect in my eyes.

The real red flag for me is his claim that the plugs and coil packs need to be replaced.

HOW does he know that and why do all the coil packs need to go? The plugs are understandable but the coils don't make sense. Usually they are replaced one at a time.

In all these years , I may have had to replace , a handful of coils .
Mostly because some one wanted them replaced , or very few , that actually failed.
Usually boots and springs , fixes a misfire from ignition .

 

[HPLouis]

How long has he had this Terminator?
What is his experience with Terminators?
I'm betting he doesn't know too much about these cars and just got it because it was the cool car to have or he's just riding the Terminator wave.
When I got my Mystichrome, the prior owner kept telling me the car had a lower pulley. The car had the Metco idler set so he didn't understand that a lower was the crank, not a lower idler pulley, like he was calling it. But, this was the prior owner's first Terminator and he didn't know anything about the car. He just saw it and thought it was a cool color and had the money to buy it.
He doesn't know anything about chips, etc. Also, what mods does the car have? Who did the mods? Prior owner or him? Probably not him since he's going to the dealership.
About the plugs and coil packs? Who told him they need replacing? I bet when he went to the dealership about reflashing the car, they also told him he needs to change the plugs and coil packs. When I brought in my 47,000 mile Raptor to the dealership for a state inspection, they were pushing me to change plugs and coils too. Of course I didn't but they kept pushing.

 

[CobraBob]

Where is the car located? Can you check it in person? That would be a key so that you can get the questions answered, do a compression check, etc. If it is not possible to check it out in person, I'd lean towards passing on this one. JMO.

 

[Blkkbgt]

Not in person. I only spoke to him on the phone earlier today. The car itself looks like it has been well taken care of. Price is somewhat reasonable, but this whole thing has me on the fence. I just don’t want to regret it in the long run.

What's the milage on it?

Would it be possible to get the car inspected before buying?

I'd really want to know about the coil packs. If the engine is hurt he may think the issue is with the coils. This isn't too far fetched considering his terminology and lack of basic understanding regarding these cars.

Honestly there is a good chance this guy is just one of those incompetent fake car guys that spews BS to look knowledgeable. I've ran into more that a few of them in my time and they seem to be even more common now thanks to FB and other social media. I had a dip shit at a gas station tell me he had 6 inch pistons in his vette.

If it's well taken care of and the guy is just stupid it could be a good buy. You may also be able to talk him down due to his stupidity.

 

[JC-RH]

Where is the car located? Can you check it in person? That would be a key so that you can get the questions answered, do a compression check, etc. If it is not possible to check it out in person, I'd lean towards passing on this one. JMO.

The car is in VA…about 1,000 miles away. I always hear that a compression test is recommended on these cars. Is this done at the dealer, or can it be done at a 3rd party shop? Also, what’s the average price on this service?

 

[JC-RH]

I also want to add that the current owner has owned it for almost 4yrs.

 

[CobraBob]

The car is in VA…about 1,000 miles away. I always hear that a compression test is recommended on these cars. Is this done at the dealer, or can it be done at a 3rd party shop? Also, what’s the average price on this service?

It can be done at a 3rd party shop. It is inexpensive but will depend on the shop's fee schedule. A 3rd party shop can also give the car a condition check. I guess you'll have to decide if this car is worth the drive, or you might decide simply to move on to the next prospective car.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

The car is in VA…about 1,000 miles away. I always hear that a compression test is recommended on these cars. Is this done at the dealer, or can it be done at a 3rd party shop? Also, what’s the average price on this service?

Id try to see if there's a shop near the owner that knows mustangs to look it over and do a compression test. It's pretty easy on these cars, I would think an hour or so labor should cover it.

 

[JC-RH]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate everyone’s input as I navigate through the whole pre-purchase process.

 

[JC-RH]

How does the engine bag look? Mostly stock? Anything by that would worry you?

 

[03cobra#694]

Pulley and an idler is all I see. Hard pass from me.

 

[03cobra#694]

Oh yeah, dirty ass air filter. Aftermarket, K and N.