What is this atom worth? Looking for direction

[KyleE]

Guys,

I'm very new to Atom research.

However, I found an Atom that is caked over in dust in a garage that may be for sale. I haven't spoken to the owner yet, but since it's been sitting, I'd assume there may be some interest in selling.

It has a GM Ecotech Supercharged engine. I'm not sure which model Atom it is, but I'd assume rather old. By what engine is in it, can we learn anything about it? It only has a few thousand miles and has been used on the track. Any idea what it may be worth? I'm hoping to learn more about it this week, but this may be a great buy that can be redone over the winter.

Also, is the Ecotech supercharged engine a good engine compared to the new K24?


Thanks for the help in advance.


--Kyle

[McFred]

It's worth what someone will pay for it and what the current owner will sell it for. Without a on option list the perceived value will vary widely.

The Ecotec's not a bad drivetrain. Plenty strong, comes with a supercharger already and can be tuned up pretty well. I'm not sure if the newer K24's have been released with a SC option yet.

Seems that the biggest issue with the Ecotec was the efficacy of the aftercooler. If the intake air temps skyrocketed the GM ecu will pull a lot of timing raising EGTs through the roof ruining exhaust systems. This was a bigger issue with the "300hp" tune. I think the lower states of tune were more tolerant. Of course the known issues for Brammo/Ecotec chassis have been published as well as a variety of methods to fix them.

If you're intending to just tour on the street then the car will be about as reliable as any.

Contact the owner and ask them if they're even willing to sell. If you intend to register it on the street you might investigate the process for your state beforehand.

[bolus]

try to get the last 3 digits of the VIN/serial number. We might know the history of the car. mileage? its an undriven ecotec atom it will be a good car. depending on the age may need some minor fixes to take care of some issues the early cars had.

[McFred]

Looks like you posted some pictures.
Differences between the Atom years - UPDATED PICTURES

What I can tell from the pictures are the following "options"

Koni "sport" semi-adjustable shocks
Wilwood pedal assembly
brake bias adjuster
Rollbar
3" 5-point belts
parking brake
lighting kit
at least one tow hook
battery disconnect switch
Hytech exhaust ($$$)
Individual seating option
Bubble windscreen
Mirror upgrade (including Autobahn blindspot mirror)

No idea about the brake package or the state of the engine tune and other Brammo oversights. Nonetheless, it'll be a decent car assuming the high output Ecotec glitches are addressed.

[bolus]

Terry probably knows when the sparco's went in. but I'd say that's an 80-100 range VIN. replaced exhaust suggests the owner took care of any of the lingering issues but most would be resolved by that VIN range. The rod ends should be the better ones. The dash wont have the glitch in that production. Probably the only thing to double check is the fuel tank gaskets and the rear hubs. Without an CF I'd price it in the $40-50k range assuming no damage. You'd get a good quality of car if you got that one

(I'd replace the dash with a new Atom 3 dash with gun sights though. the half bubble / half giant gun sight isnt working for me)

[silver]

Looks like you posted some pictures.
Differences between the Atom years - UPDATED PICTURES

What I can tell from the pictures are the following "options"

Koni "sport" semi-adjustable shocks
Wilwood pedal assembly
brake bias adjuster
Rollbar
3" 5-point belts
parking brake
lighting kit
at least one tow hook
battery disconnect switch
Hytech exhaust ($$$)
Individual seating option
Bubble windscreen
Mirror upgrade (including Autobahn blindspot mirror)

No idea about the brake package or the state of the engine tune and other Brammo oversights. Nonetheless, it'll be a decent car assuming the high output Ecotec glitches are addressed.

sorry I never got an update that you posted pics on the other forum, but Mcfred covered most of the things above

Here's what you want to know.

is the air intake the accordian style factory or "roto-molded"....or after market
has the tune been changed from stock
has the CEL been hooked up on the dash
**probably most important** have the fuel tank filler neck gasket / fuel pump gasket been checked / replaced
most important due to difficulty of replacement and problems it can cause if not repaired timely...notable symptom rough acceleration under partial throttle...or worse.
"intercooler" fan set to blow up not down


any other improvments from stock?

what I can tell is since he's replaced his exhaust that probably means his factory one blew up which is common so you'd save about $2000 on that...hopefully he fixed a few other issues or upgraded a few other things.

these car's run hot in the air intake temps which basically means without a lot of work, you'll be getting around 200whp or less while driving.


Depending on what has been done to the car of the above list, I would say nothing done, $50k, all done $55k, more done to it $60k or higher.

IF it was absolutely stock with under 500 miles, I would value it lowest of all...and probably would not buy it.

[bolus]

fan issue and intake issue would have been fixed by the time of the sparco's. No one had their CEL's hooked up (nor would want to without a tune)

[silver]

fan issue and intake issue would have been fixed by the time of the sparco's. No one had their CEL's hooked up (nor would want to without a tune)

Yeah I'm not spending a huge amount of time recalling what dates were what, or explaining why I'm posting certain things like the CEL.....until we get more info from the OP then it's worth more time for explanation.

[Terry Kennedy]

fan issue and intake issue would have been fixed by the time of the sparco's. No one had their CEL's hooked up (nor would want to without a tune)

FWIW, I'm running a CEL on the stock Brammo tune and have no codes thrown. I actually did AtomFest I with a code reader attached all the time to prove it to people.

[Terry Kennedy]

Terry probably knows when the sparco's went in. but I'd say that's an 80-100 range VIN.

First (sample) Sparcos were on A2RTE2SBT6A000013. Sparcos were offered as a general option starting at 018. Most cars after 031 had Sparcos. 045, 049, 080 and 083 were the only cars after 030 to have Recaros. 19.5% of Brammo cars have Recaros, 41% have Sparcos, 1.5% have a carbon fiber bench seat and the rest are fiberglass bench.