Burgundystang said:
OK, one last question and then ill leave you guys alone, I just talked to my dad and one of his main concerns is that if we do start changing things up the value of the car when we go to sell it will decrease. What do you guys think about that? Obviously it will depend on who we can find to buy it and what they want but in general what do you think? If the value does not decrease do you think that we would be able to get back what we put in as far as mods go? Thanks
You're entering a dangerous area here... No matter what you've heard, no matter what you've read, historically, 99% of folks that restored or modified their vintage Mustangs won't even break even when/if they go to sell. The other 1% are rare, highly desirable models like K-code GTs, Shelbys, Cobra Jets, etc... However, it is usually true that vintage Mustangs have maintained or gained value better than most cars, which is often why they are talked about as investments. The idea is that at some point there is bound to be a breaking point where the money you've put in will be equalled by the market value of the car.
That said, the market and value of modified cars, done just "right", has started to change this. It is still a rare experience, but the "right" car, with the "right" mods, done just "right", sold to the "right" buyer, has actually brought more money than the typical market value for that particular car. Look at the last year of Mustangs&Fords and Hemmings Mustang magazines for examples and to get a better sense of what I'm talking about here...
Doing mods and their effect on value is a complex (and sometimes complicated) thing. One approach used by many other folks in your position, and one of the best ways of dealing with this issue, has been to only do mods that are easily (relatively) returned to original. Basically, anything that can be bolted on or is a bolt-on replacement for an original item usually fits this description. For example... you replace the stock lame 2V intake with a nice Edelbrock/Holley combo. If going back to original is a concern, its just a simple matter of switching back. This is an easy example, especially since its would only take an afternoon to do. My point is that you have to draw the line for what you think is relatively reasonable to reverse. Sure, a transmission can be swapped, but is that "reasonable" to have to swap back to original when the time comes??? For some folks, yes; for others, no.
Also, there are certain mods that are unlikely have much of an effect on value one way or the other really, like a cam swap or head porting (as long as they're done correctly). When a motor is rebuilt, the originality of the crank, rods, pistons, bearings, pushrods, etc. seems to be less of a concern. Fewer folks seem to care if the crank in your 289 2v motor is NOS as opposed to a correctly machined/resized replacement, as long as it functions correctly. And those that do care are probably more concerned about whether the crank is forged or cast or what the overall stroke is, etc... That, or they're one of those concourse types that wants everything NOS.
So, you can see that your goal of hidden horsepower is not necessarily in conflict with value or originality. If you mod something, just keep the original components too. If you're like me, the only tough thing about this is finding enough storage for the extra tranny, intake, exhaust components, sway bars, steering wheel, radio, etc., etc., etc...