Insight Wanted - Possible Purchase in the Works

[DJG]

So I've been long considering the purchase of a terminator - Since selling my Z06 a couple of years ago... In any case, I feel as though I've stumbled across a deal I shouldn't pass up. However, I'm not as well versed in these monsters as, I figure, most of you are, so I'd like your opinions before jumping.

I found an 03 with 7,950 original miles on the car and a fairly extensive laundry list of what I consider to be desirable mods. They are as follows:

- Ford Aluminator Long Block with 1,200 miles since install (*EDIT* Comes with just the factory block - Crank, rods, pistons, heads, etc. were parted out. That wasn't clear in his ad.)
- Ported factory Eaton w/2.65 pulley
- Tubular K-member
- Coil overs up front, Adjustable shocks out back
- 26 spline Centerforce DFX and MGW shifter
- IRS rear brace
- Level 5 rear axles
- 6 point cage with removable side bars and back bar
- Bassani mid length headers w/ high flow cats
- SLP Loud Mouth Exhaust
- SLP Line Lock
- Cross drilled rotors...

I may be missing a few things, but you get the point.

All of this for an asking price of $20,000! Is that as good of a deal as I feel like it is, or am I just on the wrong page? Anything I should be made aware of/watching out for given these mods?

For the record, I plan to use this car for street/track use. Probably about 8,000 street driven miles per year, probably some drag racing, and quite a bit of road coursing once I do some suspension work.

Your insight/advice/opinions are greatly appreciated - Thank you, in advance.

 

[wjjeeper]

No don't do it.
Just send me the contact info.

 

[MoKo_03SVT]

20k seems like a good deal, considering the low miles, and all of the mods.

i'd be somewhat cautious, and definately look her over very well (along with a loooong test drive)before buying. no telling how hard she has been beat on.

i'd say as long as she checks out clean, that its a pretty good deal! =]

 

[4.6snakedoc]

+1 on a good deal,but check the car very very well. Take someone with you that knows track cars.

 

[Montanasvt]

as long as the title is clear, thats one hell of a deal...

 

[DJG]

I'm pretty well versed on track cars - Owned/built quite a few in the past. More wondering if there's anything vehicle specific, considering these mods, I should watch out for. I guess the guy's an ex ford mechanic and in his 40's, which is somewhat reassuring - If it were someone in their 20's, I'd be a little more concerned (even though I'm 28).

Thanks for the responses thus far!

 

[rotor_powerd]

Factory motor pulled out for the Aluminator in favor of weight for track duty?

 

[MoKo_03SVT]

listen for any odd noises on the test drive.

listen for things like..."the clunk" (clunking noise when shifting gears, clunking from pressing on the gas after coasting for a sec, etc.)....does the vehicle pull to/from either side? does it stall randomly? any funny noises coming from the steering rack when you turn the wheel?

a lot of these noises seem to come stock on cobras....but i wish i would have checked for some of them when purchasing my car, because mine makes some of the noises mentioned (the clunk, and creak in steering)

 

[bdunner]

If this guy is located in Elma I have spoke with him and almost bought it myself. I spoke with someone who knows the owner and he wouldn't hesitate in picking up the car. The only 2 reasons I didn't pick it up was the color (wife wanted the red fire) and my wife thought I would like a project that "I" built. I picked up a totally stock 2004 with 13K. I would jump on it if you want a modified car!

 

[SpectorV]

wasnt there an issue with the Aluminator blocks wearing a spot on the block from the crank pulley?

 

[MBoyle1]

sounds like a great deal!

 

[zinc]

sounds like a great deal. Extremely low miles- extra 4 thousand dollar motor just in case- shit check for body damage and call it good. worst case you slap that extra motor in

 

[timspony]

Sounds like a real good deal...gotta check it out!

 

[Jomo1994z71]

I agree...great deal, however, check it out real good...especially the motor...sounds to me it was run hard at the track with those mods, so that's where I would be a little worried...get him down to 18,000 and call it a day...

 

[DJG]

If this guy is located in Elma I have spoke with him and almost bought it myself. I spoke with someone who knows the owner and he wouldn't hesitate in picking up the car. The only 2 reasons I didn't pick it up was the color (wife wanted the red fire) and my wife thought I would like a project that "I" built. I picked up a totally stock 2004 with 13K. I would jump on it if you want a modified car!

How funny - That's the exact car. And you know what, I'd love to build my own as well, but if I can buy one that's already had all of the work done at a fraction of the cost, I can't financially justify not doing so. Thanks for the input!

 

[DJG]

wasnt there an issue with the Aluminator blocks wearing a spot on the block from the crank pulley?

I'd definitely like to hear more about this - Any additional info would be greatly appreciated. I'll be doing my own due diligence, as well.

Thank you for making this point, whether it really is a problem or not - This is the kind of info I'm looking for!

 

[Knoxville COBRA]

sounds like a hell of a deal! One thing i would be cocerned with is why he needed a new motor with only 7k miles on it,But im sure its fine.

 

[mikeshimek]

seen the car and met the guy at the track and he is super nice. i didnt like the stripes on the bottom and the roll cage but for 20k thats a hell of a deal.
if you check in the local section there are a couple other guys from elma that could probably tell you more

 

[Jroc]

Thats a hell of a deal.

A few of the first Aluminators had some problems, and Ford Racing wasn't wanting to fix them, but I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker if your getting a perfectly good factory bottomend with it. Even is the motor did go bad you could use the aluminum block to build a better motor than the Aluminator. If the Aluminator has a fair amount of miles on it and its still running strong I wouldn't worry about it. I think most the ones that had problems became apparent when the motors were pretty fresh and only running for a for minutes.

 

[Qwk GT]

I'd think its a good deal, but why replace a perfectly good factory longblock. I know it saves weight, but thats pretty expensive to do so, and a good amount of work. I'd really wonder if he blew something, rebuilt the factory longblock and added an aluminator.