I'm thinking of selling my C4 this spring. After nearly 2 years, and 18k I'm strongly considering yanking the race motor out, sticking a stockish motor in and trying to get as much as I can for the fully restored car.

I'm thinking of getting a 73-77 4spd coup. Anyone want to lend their
experience in directing me?

I figure the C4 handles a lot better, steers better, brakes better. But it's not as pretty. It's a pita getting in and out of. The interior is ehh. (digital dash).

Would I be going backwards by going to a C3?

-- Joe

 

I would have to say that your pros-and cons- are accurate. You are probably going backwards in performance (and gas milage)... but there is nothing like the look of a c3 style vette. A c3 isn't all that easy to get in and out of, but at least you don't have that large sill plate to step over.

But it is really up to your personal tastes. For me, I graduated HS in 1983. So in my mind late '70s and early '80s vette is what I wanted, so I purchased a '79.

Good luck in what ever direction you go in.

 

Have you ever tried getting in and especially, OUT of a C4? A C3 is a piece of cake in comparison.

 

I've owned 4 Vettes, 3 sharks and a C4. When the C4 first came out I had a laundry list of items that kept me from getting one until every item had been addressed in the '92 model. So, IMHO a C3 wouldn't really be a step back from an earlier C4, especially if you like to mod/upgrade cars (it'll certainly pose some good projects for you). And I certainly agree that no C4 ever looked as good as a nice shark...

 

Yea, I've gotten in and out of a c4 before. The problem I have with the c3 is that I'm 6'2", and my head is up against the t-top when they are in.

 

I'm 6 foot tall 1 foot wide and two inches thick. I love C3's but they do feel cramped compared to a C4. Mainly due to the back glass being right there behind me. I love C4's especially version 2.0, 91-96. I certainly would not consider a C3 a step backwards more of a step sideways. I would not be able to leave a C3 stock though. They are seriously lacking in performance compared to the later generations. However, companies like VBP make your life easy when it comes to addressing the short comings of the C3 which you are fully aware of. I'd look to put an LSx or LTx in on for sure. Or what I think would be very cool would be to build a LT-1 spec motor, solid cam and all, and put after market EFI on it. That's just me though.

One thing that is positive is that as the steel bumper sharks become more valued and sought after, so do the 73 and up cars. I have yet to see the C4 prices rebound, especially the early cars. So in ten years time, the C3 your thinking of buying could easily be worth more than the C4 you walked away from.

 

I felt more cramped in my friends C4 than in my C3. And after I lowered my C3... a lot... it is a PITA to get in and out of. Also, after I installed the racing seats I had to remove the headliner for head room. I'm 6'2"

Stick the race motor in the C3.

 

Keep the C4, and buy a C3. Thats not a joke. Think about your options on this. The amount of money that you may spend buying a stock motor to put into the C4, along with the labor costs, my be close to that of a decent 73-77 vette. Work out the money details, and you may find it is closer to reality than you think.

kdf

 

I've owned a C3 for 29 years(78 SA L-82 4 speed)..raced it in autocross in the 80's,then took it around the country on many road trips since then......once,a friend loaned me a C4 (87 Vert) and first thing,my wife hated it...we drove it for 5 months..I was not all that high on it either...(although I would not mind having a 93 6 speed...)
We now have two C3's....I bought a 69 coupe/502 4 speed and we really enjoy both of these rides....one for crusin..and the other for the pucker factor...



Rich

 

I own both,..two BB 73's and a 96 LT4. To me, they're simply different cars, all of which I love for different reasons. Here are some observations, FWIW:

1) There's no better deal on a used car in the world than a C4,..where can you get this much performance for less?
2) If you don't like to tinker and tune, forget the C3
3) Cabin heat often an issue with a C3
4) C3's are often emissions exempt (thank gawd)
5) C3's are heavier
6) C4's have over-drive trannies
7) C3's more prone to rot,..in places you won'te be able to see,..repairs are difficult or costly
8) C4 more reliable
9) C4 suspension much more refined
10) More C4 parts are found at your Chevy parts counter than C3
11) C3 will attract more idiots who walk up and have to tell you about the L-88 Vette he had in 1969,..only it was an L-48 in 75.
12) C3's enjoy a much bigger aftermarket

Again,..FWIW

 

Thanks for the posts guys.

The motor in the C4 is about 460-480 HP. I'd probably drop that into a C3.

I guess my biggest problems with the C4 have been:

The getting in and out.

The interior. I hate the interior, and there just is no options. You can't replace the dash cluster with a normal mechanical one unless you want to MAKE one, which none of the DIY clusters look great.

Sound. It is 10 times LOUDER in the damn car than outside. I have simple, true dual exhaust, h-pipe, turbo mufflers. Outside the car it sounds quiet, and 'beautiful' as I've been told when I get on it. Just nice and mellow. Inside the car, I have to SCREAM at my passenger. The CD player hasn't been used since it was installed.

Handling wise, it outperforms any Fbody I ever owned hands down. Car turns on a dime. Stops on a dime.

I guess I have more thinking to do. My problem is, I bought a C4 in May of 2006, and fully restored it before I actually drove it. Once I started driving it (1500 miles total!) I realized I kinda hate the thing. I think it looks beautiful, paint wise, the 91+ body I put on it, etc. Not as beautiful as a 73-77 however. And the interior is just. 80s dumb. I hate the digital dash. hate it. I don't like how I'm sitting on the ground, yet the center console is like halfway up to my shouldars. (and I'm 6'0).
With a helmet on (track) my helmet touches the targa top.


Anyone local to me with a C3 (vertical rear window) that can take me for a ride and check out your car? I'll buy you a six pack and gas card?

-- Joe

 

This is a good list. I realy like number 11, actually had that happen to me...

 

If you park at a beach or in a fairly visible place always leave 5-10 extra minutes to get rid of all the people wanting to tell you their life story when you get back to the car. I know that sounds terrible but you get some real idiots.

I have both a '70 cpe and a '90 cpe

You definitely need to be a bit of an extrovert if you drive a C3, my 70 turns every head, every one snap snap snap you can hear the necks snapping, although the ones I love the best is when they only look out of the corner of their eye because they feel a little insignificant in their boring piece of junk car. I love having both because some days I just prefer going under the radar a bit and driving the C4.

I have told many people that have C4's that if they think people look when they drive a C4 they should try driving a C3. I have had a lot of unusual cars and by a massive margin the C3 turns more heads. It turns more heads than any $100,000+ supercar guaranteed.

With regards to getting in and out the C4, it is WAY harder to get in and out of, I am in my early 20's and am involved in fitness for a living and I find it a challenge to get in and out of the C4 some days. It is a combination of the high rails and the seats being set so far down.

If the rear vertical glass makes you feel claustrophobic you can convert it to be removable (like it is standard for my '70). I have rarely ever had the t-tops on or the rear glass in on my '70. I have never put the rear glass in actually, it doesn't matter if it is not in when it rains. No rear glass really makes the airflow like a vert through the cabin, unlike my '90.

Keep us posted if you get a C3!

 

I think most people would agree that we own cars not only to amuse ourselves, but others too. We love it when people recognize and admire our cars, kids or adults. It really makes you feel good.

With that said, I hardly ever got comments about my C4 as I have with one of my C3's. Honestly just about EVERYTIME I take one out I get a cool comment.

I say take the plunge....if you can keep both great, if not find a good C3 and you won't be disappointed!

 

Bluntly said, I am about 12 years ahead of you, had a used '87 I mistakenly bought in '92 or so with some 60k miles on it....

spent over 2 grand in MY parts cost alone to keep it on the road, and still did not fix some coming/existing problems which would run thousands....dumped out, and bought my '72 here and never looked back, except for the technology aspects....

rack/pinion steering, DPFI, Roller engine, o/drive auto, wider-lower wheels tires, superior brakes (hydroboost), plastic rear spring, and ditching the over engineered electronic aspects that make the C4s a total nitemare.....

most allways, simpler is better...

MY car has NO Nader controlls at all....not ONE, except the steering wheel ignition switch....and dual master cylinder....

 

You might find this interesting 77 w/ FE-7 handling.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77facts.htm
A standard of comparison is needed. A good standard of handling is the Road & Track slalom course.
77 Corvette sets new record in 77 with 63.6 mph. "hampered by stock air pressures"

Surprisingly, R & T did not try or publish performance with increased air pressure. They were aware stock air pressures were meant to keep the less astute out of the weeds.

Later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.

For reference, Mario Andretti turned 63.4 in a 1999 Corvette.

The 84 Corvette (however not all C4s) did better. So many complained about the 84 stiff suspension that rates were reduced.

 

As mentioned in other posts I too have both. C3 hands down wins the styling award here!! From a handling standpoint C4 wins. Although both cars are Vettes they are night and day when you stack them against each other. Make the decision that you feel most comfortable with or get both!!!

 

Interesting. On the C4 note, from the articles I've read on the lone 83 survivor, it rides even harder than the 84s.

 

My (early)c-3 handles much better now with the z-52 C-4 suspension!
There is no comparison.It solved the problem for me.I too had a C-4 that I sold. It was a nice driving car that was kinda a turd in the Hp area.I felt like I would allways be limited on the things that I could do to it.I did love to just get out an drive it though.after I started on the 71 I checked into all of the the performance upgrades for it and was amazed at the money one could rack up in one with just a few goodies. I was thinking about how the c-4 handled and how I liked the setup on it and BLAM!I knew what to do.I'm a fabricator and do it yourself kind of guy so it was alot cheaper for me to do that hopping up the c-3 stuff!(Just another way that you could go.)