C 4 info needed

[Debra P.]

I am looking to buy a C 4 to use for play time with my local car club here in Phoenix, Desert Corvette Assoc.GREAT CLUB! What would be the best years of C 4s for me to look into. The knowledge of NCRS about anything Corvette can't be denied. I would feel more confidant while looking with some input from you guys.
Why a C 4 ? It is what I can afford right now, or I'd get an 05, I think they are great looking.
Thanks as always,
Deb
NCRS 42699

[Wayne P.]

Re: C 4 info needed

Go to at least a 92 to get the LT-1 engine. If you can swing the extra bucks the 96 LT-4 with 6-speed would be even better. All these cars are great rides for the money!

[William C.]

Re: C 4 info needed

Depends on what you are aiming for, the LT-1 is faster than the L-98, but also comes with some maintenence complications (optispark) that make it more troublesome. The L-98 is reasonably quick (about on a par with a 67 327/350) and solidly reliable. Anything after '87 is better than the earlier cars in terms of squeeks and rattles and suspension harsness, as these were upgraded each year. Personal taste and your pocketbook are really the only considerations in the late 80's thru the end of C-4 production.

[Jim T.]

Re: C 4 info needed

I would look for a 96 LT4 convertible, second choice would be a 96 LT4 coupe. The 96 Gran Sports would be nice, but are more expensive. The end of the year C4 has all the C4 improvements brakes and sound insulation. There are some low mileage ones availble. Catch a demostation ride in a 96 LT4, the 330 HP engine is a real performer and highway mileage is real good. I would not buy one that has been modified though. I have had mine since it ws new and it has not had any repairs, it also is not daily driven, mostly highway miles on trips.

[Joe C.]

Re: C 4 info needed

Debra:

Stay away from '84 with Z51 (excessively high spring rates).
Stay away from '86 with aluminum heads (initial head gasket leak problems).
Stay away from all early C4 with 4+3 (Doug Nash) manual transmission (premature and excessive upshift into overdrive).

Although the Crossfire engine in the 1984 is a nice package, it is really much weaker than the L98, producing 205HP versus 230 for the cast iron head L98 (later upped to 240 with aluminum heads, then to 245 with reduced exhaust restriction).If you intend to autocross your Corvette, then I suggest the L98 engine(used from 1985 to 1990), which has huge amounts of torque..........much more so than the LT1. Beginning mid 1986, aluminum heads were installed, and there were sealing problems at the heads. This was addressed with TSB for early, and gasketing for later production. The early C4 ( AKA "flat dash" 1984-1989)is inherently more of a racer, mainly because they have much stiffer suspensions than the later models, and less sound deadener. The inherent ride harshness and quirky steering just IMHO make them feel much more "high strung". The drawback to the 1984-87 models, is that the front steering geometry caused a very annoying "hunting" phenomenon, which requires constant steering correction at on-center cruising on rutted pavement. This problem was fixed in 1988 with "zero scrub radius" steering knuckle configuration. The early automatics (700R4) have lower 0-60 and quarter mile times than the manual equipped models.

Bottom line for autocross/gymkhana:

Recommend an L98 equipped Corvette, with manual transmission. I am not sure what year the Getrag gearbox made its debut, but if you MUST get the Doug Nash, then there IS an easy fix available to bypass the electronic overdrive shift point.

Bottom line for drag racing/cruising:

Recommend any 1991 - 1996 with LT1/LT4

Joe

[Joe C.]

Addendum:

Debra:

I MIGHT have misstated on the Getrag gearbox. I meant to say "ZF", which was a true 6 speed, introduced around 1990 (I am not sure exactly which year). The Getrag might have come later, in the C5.

What do I own? 1985 with 700R4 and Z51.
Personal favorite? 1990 "hybrid Corvette" Last L98, goodbye video arcade dash.

Joe

[Debra P.]

Re: Addendum:

Thanks Joe, I really cannot comprehend your response to my email. Did you look at the link I sent to you. The car I am looking at is a Grand Sport, 1996 with the LT 4 you like, so that is good enough for me. I will get a NCRS guy in Indiana where the car is to help me look at it. Thanks once again for all your help.
Deb

[Joe C.]

Re: Addendum:

Debra:

You might have me confused with someone else, because I did not yet respond to your email! I will, though when I have more time and can do a better job for you (probably tomorrow morning). But while I have you here, please tell me which G.S. on the website that you are looking at.
A short answer for you, is that most 1996 Grand Sports are bought and held by "collectors", and not too many of them are raced. You can see by the listed prices that they generally command higher prices than "ordinary" 1996 Corvettes. And, oh yes, I like the 1996 Grand Sport, but I would probably take very good care of it.

Joe