Ported Heads and Cam Affects Car Value

[Victor96]

I'm considering getting ported heads and cam but do you think my car would take a big hit on value if I should sell it in the future. I have a 1996 Blue and white GTS with 20,000 miles. I don't have plans on selling the car but one never knows what life throws at you.

[Vipes]

I'm considering getting ported heads and cam but do you think my car would take a big hit on value if I should sell it in the future. I have a 1996 Blue and white GTS with 20,000 miles. I don't have plans on selling the car but one never knows what life throws at you.

I don’t think it will hurt the value if the build is done right from a reputable shop, especially a build from one of the big 3 or 4 names in the viper community. With that being said you will eliminate about 75% of the prospective buyers and the car will probably take longer to sell. I sold a heads/cam gen 3 and I got a few thousand over market value because of the mods but it took 4 months to find the right buyer. I don’t regret modding since a heads/cam viper is an absolute blast to drive.

[ilyas]

I recently bought a 97 blue/white GTS with 24k miles with Greg Good heads and cam, and did not pay extra, but also did not pay any less because of the mods. I was however a bit nervous and extra cautious buying a car modified this much though, as I'm sure any other buyer would be. I do think you're reducing your pool of buyers a bit, but there are plenty of people wanting a HC viper too.

[Victor96]

I don’t think it will hurt the value if the build is done right from a reputable shop, especially a build from one of the big 3 or 4 names in the viper community. With that being said you will eliminate about 75% of the prospective buyers and the car will probably take longer to sell. I sold a heads/cam gen 3 and I got a few thousand over market value because of the mods but it took 4 months to find the right buyer. I don’t regret modding since a heads/cam viper is an absolute blast to drive.

Yes it would be done by Dan Cragin in SoCal. It would need to be smog legal so I wouldn't be making as much horsepower as some other more aggressive head/cam setups.

[plumcrazy]

cant imagine anything dan builds hurting value

[mitchdob]

Dan did mine (2000 ACR). It will not hurt value.

Anything Dan builds will only increase value in the future, as besides being a master engineer.... he has a major case of "Viper OCD". He'll go through every inch of your car. You won't be disappointed.

[RedTanRT/10]

Victor, I don't think adding the heads/cam is going to detract value from a 20k mi Viper. Modification detraction's occur most from visible items, (wings, wheels, interior add-on's, paint color change, etc.) and lack of maintenance.

Keep the stock cam and all the other take-off parts (finding a used set of G2 heads is easy and cheap).

Make sure to keep all the documentation and receipts from Dan Cragin. Dan's well known and respected in the Viper community (and on the web) so folks will know it was quality work.

Who knows, in 30 years the Cragin name might have the same appeal as Yenko, Baldwin Motion and others on the auction block???

[BrianACR]

Victor, I don't think adding the heads/cam is going to detract value from a 20k mi Viper. Modification detraction's occur most from visible items, (wings, wheels, interior add-on's, paint color change, etc.) and lack of maintenance.

Keep the stock cam and all the other take-off parts (finding a used set of G2 heads is easy and cheap).

Make sure to keep all the documentation and receipts from Dan Cragin. Dan's well known and respected in the Viper community (and on the web) so folks will know it was quality work.

Who knows, in 30 years the Cragin name might have the same appeal as Yenko, Baldwin Motion and others on the auction block???

:t1236: Totally agree with this.

[venum4u]

Dan also did my 02 GTS, Ca smog legal

[Victor96]

Dan also did my 02 GTS, Ca smog legal

If you don't mind me asking, you mentioned that your head/cam was smog legal, but have you had any issues with passing smog. I would hate to pay so much money and have problems passing smog. I had Dan install headers that were smog legal and they did pass, but I was nervous about passing until the day my car got tested.
Also, being that it was smog legal did you feel a significant increase in power?

[venum4u]

If you don't mind me asking, you mentioned that your head/cam was smog legal, but have you had any issues with passing smog. I would hate to pay so much money and have problems passing smog. I had Dan install headers that were smog legal and they did pass, but I was nervous about passing until the day my car got tested.
Also, being that it was smog legal did you feel a significant increase in power?


Car passed smog inspection, no problems. At time of inspection ( H/C, headers & random tech high flow cats). Instant results, 520 rwhp car also have 3:55 gears

[Victor96]

Car passed smog inspection, no problems. At time of inspection ( H/C, headers & random tech high flow cats). Instant results, 520 rwhp car also have 3:55 gears

I have same gears, with headers and hi flow cats as well. So would be just about identical to what you did to your car. Did your idle get a lot rougher with the H/C?
Thanks for all the info.

[venum4u]

No, car is very smooth at idle, Dan did an excellent job

[mitchdob]

Mine is also CA smog legal. Also 3:55 gears. Dan sorted the car from no cats to hi flow cats. Its a H/C car with Belanger headers. Also dealt with any side sill heat issues with install of Inconel side heat shields and vents.
No (seemingly) loss of power though have not put on a dino.