tobijohn

As I understand it, pretty much the only difference between the 95 LT1s and 96 LT1s is OBDI vs OBDII (although both have the OBDII connector). Is there any reason to prefer one over the other? TIA...

Fuzzy Dice

For me, there would be one huge reason...with the OBD II you can tune and change settings in the computer with a laptop and software...I have to burn a new chip for each change on my 93...

RRT vette

vetteric

I believe '93 was the last year they used replaceable chips. '94 and up have programmable flash memory. The '94 and '95 even have the OBDII type 16-pin connector under the dash, even though they are OBDI. What's nice about OBDI is if you get a "check engine" light, you don't need a scanner to read trouble codes, you can use a paperclip to short two pins on the connector and the codes will display on your digital dash.

I think in general OBDI is less sensitive to heavy modding. But I've heard in some areas, OBDII is easier to pass inspections with, assuming your "check engine" light isn't on.

Corvette Kid

Correct, '94 and up are indeed programmable. My '95 has the 16 pin connector though which is the OBD II type, the 12 was the earlier type. It flashes codes by connecting pin 4 to pin 12. In my area, anything pre OBD II doesn't even have to pass an emissions check.

redwing76

I don't know about OBD1, but on my ODB2 its easy to find a problem with a autoscan, also resetting the check engine light is only a button away.
I have a Actron CP9135 autoscanner, from www.amazon.com it retails for $89.95.
My problem was an easy fix, loose gas cap set a code.

If its a OBD1 or 2 you should buy a autoscanner.

bdvdvh7

I think mine has the OB1 KIN OB.

95wht6spd

95 and older don't have to pass emission here in NC starting this year, just a visual!

vetteric

You're right, my '94 also has the 16-pin connector, which is the OBDII type. For some reason when I wrote that, I was thinking OBDI was 6-pin and OBDII was 12-pin, which of course is WRONG.

redwing76

Does that mean theres no smog there?
Here its the 73 and earleir that don't have to test, so all of the cranksters drive the old junk with a mile high trail of smoke comming out the back.

A late model car 2000 and later will almost always be in compliance.
Its the early cars that pollute not the newer cars? I don't get it?

carguru

Yep, I just had '95 done on Saturday. Just a safety inspection. However, there is talk of bringing it back next year with the dyno system.

Mike_88Z51

With the complexity of the C4 it is a good idea to have some type of scan tool no matter if it is OBD1 or OBD2. As to the better of the two versions, one advantage to OBD2 is that you can get a Generic OBD2 reader/scan tool and it will do some basic reading of ALL OBD2 vehicles. The pre-OBD2 vehicles used manufacturer specific protocols that differ so widely, no one I know of makes a generic OBD1 scanner. Even with OBD2, the manufacturers used their own protocols, but since the Federal OBD2 mandate spelled out a lot of specific guidlines that applied to all vehicle manufacturers, the scan tool manufacturers were able to deal with the differences knowing that the vehicle makers could not just change things on a whim. A decent generic OBD2 scan tool should work to some minimal level with both a 96 Vette, a 97 Honda, a 2000 Vette, and a 2004 Jeep.

4REGT4

On my 95 OBDI (with OBDII connector) I can use my laptop with Datamaster to get codes and MANY MANY other readouts... of course there are other ways to get codes and such.... but I did my entire tune-up through PCMforless with e-mailed programs and loaded them up myself with the laptop and sent back the Datamaster results to get it dialed in - - -

---but more importantly I believe I have read that people will PAY to have their OBDII reverted to OBDI because they can get more power out of an OBDI....I don't know the facts on that, but I figure its relevant in looking at for the posted topic.

tobijohn

OK, let me rephrase this: Two identical Vettes, both in the same condition, both with the same mileage. Are the disadvantages of a 95 LT1 OBDI or the advantages of a 96 LT1 OBDII worth paying the average $1000-$1500 difference in price between the two (according to NADA, TMV, KBB)? Keep in mind, no emissions testing in Florida and only possible performance mods would be Stage I/II heads, Hot Cam kit and higher stall TC and possible LTs. TIA...

Mike_88Z51

Every C5, C5-Z06, C6, and C6-Z06 is OBD2. It hasn't stopped them from making power or choked off aftermarket part supplies. I personally would prefer the OBD2 over the OBD1. When comparing a 95 OBD1 LT-1 to a 96 OBD2 LT-1, the physical systems are almost identical, but OBD2 gives you a bit more info to work with. Not that much of a parameter difference between a 95 and a 96, even though they are different OBD systems.

If both cars were otherwise completely the same including price, I'd choose an OBD2 car. If the only difference was the OBD systems and a price difference of less than $500~$600, I'd get the newer 96 over the older 95 and consider the OBD2 advantage a bonus. At a difference of more than $600, I'd get the the cheaper (OBD1) car.