Matching Numbers
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 631
Likes: 61
From: Amherstburg Ontario
Matching Numbers
I'm currently in the market for a 1992 to 1996 C4 and before I buy I want to ensure the engine is the original one that came with the car. Can someone provide some guidance of where I can find the engine pad on this vintage vette and how I can make sure I get a numbers matching car. Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Since the block of the LTx is essentially the same as all earlier SBC's the numbers should be on a pad just forward of the passenger side head.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 631
Likes: 61
From: Amherstburg Ontario
Thanks for the reply. Would that be closest to the firewall or front bumper. Also is the number stamped on the pad supposed to be the same as the last six numbers of the VIN? Do you know if the pad is osbcured by anything mounted to the engine? Thanks for helping a newbie. I appreciate it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,133
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
At some point G.M. stopped doing the number matching thing,when I dont know.The closest thing you will find is a date when the motor was built,this will correspond when the car was built,at least thats the way it is in my 84.Date code on the motor is 4-24 and car was built in May.To find the motor stamp it should be on pass side in front of the head.I could be wrong on the later cars.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 35
From: Bedford Mass
Georgie,
I guess too many years NCRS has made a "tool" out of me,
but I even checked the numbers on my '96 when I bought it.
The location the other members gave you is correct.
To view the numbers however you need a strong flashlight
and you have to kind of really lean over inside the fender-well
to see anything stamped there.
On my car, {number 8712} which was built in December of 1995
I could only see the assembly date of the engine which was
clearly visible on the pad. The vin number is on the lower portion
of the pad and there was something obstructing the view.
Mine said something like "V1223ZXA" which would mean it was
assembled on December 23rd, and was a 350/300 H.P. auto.
Corvette engine. If you get one you would like to buy and
have a question on its' originality, e-mail me what you find and
I will decode it for you.
These C4's will never be Collector items really but it is nice
to know if the engine is original or not...
I hope this helps,
Mark
I guess too many years NCRS has made a "tool" out of me,
but I even checked the numbers on my '96 when I bought it.
The location the other members gave you is correct.
To view the numbers however you need a strong flashlight
and you have to kind of really lean over inside the fender-well
to see anything stamped there.
On my car, {number 8712} which was built in December of 1995
I could only see the assembly date of the engine which was
clearly visible on the pad. The vin number is on the lower portion
of the pad and there was something obstructing the view.
Mine said something like "V1223ZXA" which would mean it was
assembled on December 23rd, and was a 350/300 H.P. auto.
Corvette engine. If you get one you would like to buy and
have a question on its' originality, e-mail me what you find and
I will decode it for you.
These C4's will never be Collector items really but it is nice
to know if the engine is original or not...
I hope this helps,
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by ZR-1 Mark
I guess too many years NCRS has made a "tool" out of me, but I even checked the numbers on my '96 when I bought it. The location the other members gave you is correct. To view the numbers however you need a strong flashlight and you have to kind of really lean over inside the fender-well to see anything stamped there.
On my car, {number 8712} which was built in December of 1995
I could only see the assembly date of the engine which was
clearly visible on the pad. The vin number is on the lower portion
of the pad and there was something obstructing the view.
Mine said something like "V1223ZXA" which would mean it was
assembled on December 23rd, and was a 350/300 H.P. auto.
Corvette engine.
On my car, {number 8712} which was built in December of 1995
I could only see the assembly date of the engine which was
clearly visible on the pad. The vin number is on the lower portion
of the pad and there was something obstructing the view.
Mine said something like "V1223ZXA" which would mean it was
assembled on December 23rd, and was a 350/300 H.P. auto.
Corvette engine.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by MetalVette
I would get the 96, it's the best c-4. I know because I own one, you get a c-4 with all the bugs out and if possible go for the LT4 engine option, trust me you won't be disappointed.
get a 95 unless you want a 6sp then a 96 might be the choice then again the lt4 was a slapped together at the last minute engine that is noisy and gives more problems that lt1 and auto lt1s still are quicker and you don't feel the 30 more hp unless your in very high rpm's still given all that if i was a manual kind of guy 96 is the choice but if you want auto 95 is the best
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by pionexxxx
wrong, 95 is 95 and 96 are 99% the same car except in 96 they went to obdII which sucks butt and they used that dexcool coolant which was worse to besides that 95 and 96 lt1 cars are the same.
get a 95 unless you want a 6sp then a 96 might be the choice then again the lt4 was a slapped together at the last minute engine that is noisy and gives more problems that lt1 and auto lt1s still are quicker and you don't feel the 30 more hp unless your in very high rpm's still given all that if i was a manual kind of guy 96 is the choice but if you want auto 95 is the best
get a 95 unless you want a 6sp then a 96 might be the choice then again the lt4 was a slapped together at the last minute engine that is noisy and gives more problems that lt1 and auto lt1s still are quicker and you don't feel the 30 more hp unless your in very high rpm's still given all that if i was a manual kind of guy 96 is the choice but if you want auto 95 is the best