buying 97 Sho, need advise

[kipp438]

Hi great web site here! I hope to visit frequently if I buy this SHO. Anyway I made a long post but apparently wasnt logged in and lost it, i will try to shorten this up. Im looking at buying a 1997 Sho with 100,000 miles for $4000. It is in overall good shape with expected wear and tear. The tranny is smooth and tight. I have read alot on cam welding here and v8sho.com and figure I will do this asap. I see when I look and the engine, the cylindrical things on the top of the engine have been marked "1, 2, 3, 4" etc. Does anyone know whay type of work may have been done to the engine based on these marks. If it has already been welded, then thats a bonus, but Im not counting on it. On my extended test drive the AC quit. The small used car dealer/mech shop said they would fix it. Is this a concern? Also, does anyone know of a place that welds cams near Minneapolis, MN? I see the closest one listed at v8sho.com is "Performance Plus" in Madison WI (about a 6 hour drive) but my concern is the post says "they got a quote from there but dont know if they actually have done it before". Also on their website, it looks like they take appointments one day per month, and it fills up within 2 hours.

Does this car sound like a good deal? I did in fact get them down from $5999 to $4000.
Any info or advise would be greatly appreciated on the deal, the cam welds, or anything! Thanks everybody, I cant wait to be the newest SHO owner!!

 

[SHOGrabber]

Performance Plus is the place you WANT TO GO. They will check the whole thing over when there and tell you what you need. They know what they are doing. Doug the owner done a seminar at the convention last year in Madison,WI. Not sure what you are saying is marked 1,2,3,4. Anytime the AC don't work on any car it is a concern. Have them fix it so you don't have to pay for it. It don't sound bad for the price. But even cheaper is even better. It's hard to say when you can't see the car.

 

[kipp438]

thanks

Thanks for the info. I will check out performance plus. The shop did say they will fix the AC for me before I buy it. The dealer showed me all of his files on the car, and has $3925 into it, auction bill, and some electric work with the power windows and interiot light they fixed. He seemed like a straight shooter as far as salesmen are concerned. The tranny feels good, no hesitation and seems to shift at the right times. I will definately make an appointment to get the cams welded asap, but can I drive it in the mean time? I read that some cams go without warning, but some tick first, is this true?

Oh, and the 1,2,3,4 is marked on the top of the engine, must be intake ports?? so Im assuming the engine had been apart before. (I am not a mechanic)

Thanks

 

[97V8SHO]

Might have had a coil or 2 replaced and the person that did it marked em so they wouldn't forget what the cylinder #'s are, for next time.

It sounds like a good deal. If you really want to know if the cams have been done, just take off the front valve cover and check them out.

 

[Glue Maker]

If you really want to know if the cams have been done, just take off the front valve cover and check them out.

You make it sound so easy

 

[DavidT]

FWIW:
first "major" AND free mod: remove ENTIRE saxacone assembly, leaving the air inlet hole in the airbox OPEN. You won't regret it!

2nd mod: (about $150) Flowmaster 40 seriers installed.

Good luck on your purchase!

 

[SHOGrabber]

FWIW:
first "major" AND free mod: remove ENTIRE saxacone assembly, leaving the air inlet hole in the airbox OPEN. You won't regret it!

2nd mod: (about $150) Flowmaster 40 seriers installed.

I agree here, but I think the second thing would be put in a K&N Air Filter then the muffs.
P.S. I would remove the saxacone instead of cutting it out. Just incase you need or want it later or someone else.