1992 C4 Chevrolet Corvette: LT1 and LT4 Engine, Pricing, and Peformance
General Motors introduced a new small block motor in 1992 to utilize in their Chevrolet Corvettes, which brought to mind the original small blocks from the 1970’s. This new “LT1” was a 350 cubic inch (5.7 L) powerplant that had a two-valve, pushrod configuration and featured an innovative “reverse” cooling system. This cooling system cooled the cylinder heads first, then the cylinders. The result was cooler cylinder temperatures and higher compression. The new 300 hp LT1 was the basic engine used in the 1992-1996 Corvettes.
The LT4, available as an option on 1996 Corvettes, provided better
performance in the form of more horsepower (330 or 250 kW) and more
torque 340 lb. ft. (461 Nm). The motor accomplished this through a
number of engineering upgrades, including improved cylinder heads,
intake manifold, camshaft, and aluminum rocker arms. The LT4 came with
all 1996 C4 Corvettes that were ordered with a manual six-speed
transmission. The LT4 engine added $1450 to the price of a new Corvette
in 1996.