OK, so at the risk of totally outing that I'm a noob to the various members on here that I am talking to about buying their TT coupes, here it goes... such is the cost of doing things right the first time.

I have an 04 AT Coupe and have decided that I want to sell it and buy an already TT'ed coupe (My reasons for not doing it myself are many but include the fact that I don't have the time and I'm in the wrong part of the country to have it done well and be at all involved in the process, and that the car I have just isn't the base I'd want to start with, among many others). However, the swamp of options is treacherous and I don't want to make stupid mistakes or buying decisions.

I'm in a similar situation to that of ITNKICN in that I've decided I want a big boy car, but my knowledge of the required subject matter is lacking. However, I've decided not to go through the multi-year headache of his experience and find one that's done. I know a surface level bit about the subject matter, but honestly, it'd be pretty easy to take advantage of me right now I want to change that before I make my decision. I've done some reading on the board, but there's only so much I can understand. I'm begging to be educated, lay it on me

Basically, I want to know what I should be looking for in a FI purchase. I'm looking for 500whp+. Injectors this, fuel system that, PSI this, tune that. What should I be looking for and what should I be wary of? What questions should I be asking? One thing I seem to have learned is that Greddy setups are the favorites -- Am I wrong? Should I strongly favor a Greddy setup or is it more a matter of opinion? Absolutely any advice or insight on the topic is appreciated. I'm tired of feeling like I sound like an absolute joker when I'm asking questions (Example - I don't want this to be me: "Ur car can haz turboz?! Haz lotz horzepowerz? Me likez and wantz lolz plz take mah moneyz" )

 

Huh??? 400 or 500? well, what are you looking for?

 

There's nothing YOU can actually do besides physically look at the setup. I would recommend taking the car to a professional tuner to have everything checked out. You also want to find out if the previous owner has the paperwork proving everything that was done to the car and find out if the shop that built/tuned it is reputable.

 

As with buying any car, knowing the history is the most critical thing. Whether it's the owner or a shop that did the install/tune, somebody needs to be able to tell you it's history. With FI, knowing who tuned it can make or break the deal. Call the shop up, talk to the tuner about the particular car, their reputation (and future business) is on the line, so they'd likely not lie about their work. If it's been a while since the tune, getting a dyno and diagnostic from the tuning company would be worthwhile.

 

Greddy being favorites is matter of opinion, they are good and make good power but they are not water cooled so if you are racing they are not that good and they are journal bearing witch is good if they need rebuilding because journal bearing are cheap to buy/rebuild but ball bearing are better turbos IMO.

I would take the car to a shop get a dyno run done if the owner says it makes 600whp and it puts down 450whp either he is a liar or something is wrong with the car. I almost bought a 500whp G back in 06 but decided to build mine instead I planned to have it dynoed and the AFRs and power numbers checked. Anyway the car I was going to buy put down 430whp and the owner was saying 500+whp

Leak down and compression check wouldnt be a bad thing either.

 

I would HAVE to have receipts. Then talk to the shop that did the work. Then get an independant inspection and dyno like slyvan said.

I don't think I would buy one from someone who did their own installation.I would also have $5-8K set aside for emergency rebuild...which any FI owner really needs to have.

What part of the nation are you in??

 

Thanks guys, all very good suggestions though difficult to coordinate from a distance. Im from ohio, which seems like the middle of nowhere as far as reputable and top notch shops are concerned.

 

how far away is dynosty in lexington? They are damn good.

 

Is it a car from this site?

 

I have 5 options on the table right now, and yes all from this site. At least 3 of them from users with positive rep here for their FI work.

 

I see 3 for sale in the classifieds, nothing that impresses me much though

 

Only one of them is in the classifieds.

 

I know, knowing what I do, what got ME into FI and which car finally pushed me over the edge was a single ride in Dustin's car- Red35...

Rumour is that he's selling or at least interested in selling. I know if I were in a position to buy, considering what I've been through, that I wouldn't hesitate for one second to go that route instead. The guy has one of the nicest Gs on the site, tastefully modded and tricked out in a way that would be like baby bear's porridge: Juuuuuuuuust right.

I can't speak for whatever you have on the table right now but if he's got his up for sale I'd be taking a really long, hard look at it.

 

As others have said, consult the shop that will be looking after it, because it will require looking after. Be prepared for car transport costs if you don't have local expertise available.

 

Ya his car is one of the nicest G35s around, everything has been done right on red35's car. I would jump on that car I have heard he is thinking about selling but I haven't seen anything official. His and meatbags are the two I would buy if I didn't have one already....mine might even be for sale this summer after I get it tuned I want something more family friendly maybe an SUV.