Question about Build Dates????
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Question about Build Dates????
Hello all,
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.
Im looking at buying a c4 early next year....it needs to be 15 years or older for me to be able to personally import it and keep it Left Hand Drive
(as there is no way for anyone, not even this crappy government that Im going to cut and ruin a corvette - stupid laws!!!!!!
)
So, if I want one next year (2006) it needs to be 1991 at the latest.
However, Ive been doing alot of reading, and thinking, and it would be cool to get an LT1 (50hp increase from the L98 !)....first year of the LT1 is 1992.
Now, my question is, when are the earliest Build dates of the 1992 vettes? were there any with 1991 build dates? (some other cars, for example volvo, have their build date started the previous year).
I don't think I could wait a whole other year until 2007.
So just thought Id ask.
Thanks for your help.
cosmicvette
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.
Im looking at buying a c4 early next year....it needs to be 15 years or older for me to be able to personally import it and keep it Left Hand Drive
(as there is no way for anyone, not even this crappy government that Im going to cut and ruin a corvette - stupid laws!!!!!!
)So, if I want one next year (2006) it needs to be 1991 at the latest.
However, Ive been doing alot of reading, and thinking, and it would be cool to get an LT1 (50hp increase from the L98 !)....first year of the LT1 is 1992.
Now, my question is, when are the earliest Build dates of the 1992 vettes? were there any with 1991 build dates? (some other cars, for example volvo, have their build date started the previous year).
I don't think I could wait a whole other year until 2007.
So just thought Id ask.
Thanks for your help.
cosmicvette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Hello all,
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.
Im looking at buying a c4 early next year....it needs to be 15 years or older for me to be able to personally import it and keep it Left Hand Drive
(as there is no way for anyone, not even this crappy government that Im going to cut and ruin a corvette - stupid laws!!!!!! )
So, if I want one next year (2006) it needs to be 1991 at the latest.
However, Ive been doing alot of reading, and thinking, and it would be cool to get an LT1 (50hp increase from the L98 !)....first year of the LT1 is 1992.
Now, my question is, when are the earliest Build dates of the 1992 vettes? were there any with 1991 build dates? (some other cars, for example volvo, have their build date started the previous year).
I don't think I could wait a whole other year until 2007.
So just thought Id ask.
Thanks for your help.
cosmicvette
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.
Im looking at buying a c4 early next year....it needs to be 15 years or older for me to be able to personally import it and keep it Left Hand Drive
(as there is no way for anyone, not even this crappy government that Im going to cut and ruin a corvette - stupid laws!!!!!!
)So, if I want one next year (2006) it needs to be 1991 at the latest.
However, Ive been doing alot of reading, and thinking, and it would be cool to get an LT1 (50hp increase from the L98 !)....first year of the LT1 is 1992.
Now, my question is, when are the earliest Build dates of the 1992 vettes? were there any with 1991 build dates? (some other cars, for example volvo, have their build date started the previous year).
I don't think I could wait a whole other year until 2007.
So just thought Id ask.
Thanks for your help.
cosmicvette
'92's started production in the late summer/early fall of 1991. As I do not have available to me the exact dates of the build, I'd suggest you contact the Corvette Museum and talk with some of the more knowledgeable folks up there. I'm sure they can give you production run numbers by the month.
Good luck on your search. BTW, I loved my time in your beautiful country. Was there for a few months in 1977, Darwin to Alice Springs, to Sydney/Richmond and back up the Gold Coast to return to Darwin. Whatta place!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Don't let the rated HP of the L98 frighten you away.
Though the '91 was rated at 245chp, removing the frisbee from the water pump pulley will release another 10chp for 255chp total.
A little exhaust work (remember the L98 had a single cat whereas the LT1 had a dual exhaust system) along with some tuning of fuel flow and air intake and you will be close to 300chp and outpull the bone stock LT1. Also the LT1 has the opti-spark that is notorious for issues if gotten wet and may be hard to replace in your locatio.
Actually any C4 from '89-'91 will be a fine performer that will respond very well to simple bolt-on performance mods.
Good luck with the search.
Though the '91 was rated at 245chp, removing the frisbee from the water pump pulley will release another 10chp for 255chp total.
A little exhaust work (remember the L98 had a single cat whereas the LT1 had a dual exhaust system) along with some tuning of fuel flow and air intake and you will be close to 300chp and outpull the bone stock LT1. Also the LT1 has the opti-spark that is notorious for issues if gotten wet and may be hard to replace in your locatio.
Actually any C4 from '89-'91 will be a fine performer that will respond very well to simple bolt-on performance mods.
Good luck with the search.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by MyOtherCar
'92's started production in the late summer/early fall of 1991. As I do not have available to me the exact dates of the build, I'd suggest you contact the Corvette Museum and talk with some of the more knowledgeable folks up there. I'm sure they can give you production run numbers by the month.
Good luck on your search. BTW, I loved my time in your beautiful country. Was there for a few months in 1977, Darwin to Alice Springs, to Sydney/Richmond and back up the Gold Coast to return to Darwin. Whatta place!!!
Good luck on your search. BTW, I loved my time in your beautiful country. Was there for a few months in 1977, Darwin to Alice Springs, to Sydney/Richmond and back up the Gold Coast to return to Darwin. Whatta place!!!
Im so keen on getting a c4!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by 65Z01
Don't let the rated HP of the L98 frighten you away.
Though the '91 was rated at 245chp, removing the frisbee from the water pump pulley will release another 10chp for 255chp total.
A little exhaust work (remember the L98 had a single cat whereas the LT1 had a dual exhaust system) along with some tuning of fuel flow and air intake and you will be close to 300chp and outpull the bone stock LT1. Also the LT1 has the opti-spark that is notorious for issues if gotten wet and may be hard to replace in your locatio.
Actually any C4 from '89-'91 will be a fine performer that will respond very well to simple bolt-on performance mods.
Good luck with the search.
Though the '91 was rated at 245chp, removing the frisbee from the water pump pulley will release another 10chp for 255chp total.
A little exhaust work (remember the L98 had a single cat whereas the LT1 had a dual exhaust system) along with some tuning of fuel flow and air intake and you will be close to 300chp and outpull the bone stock LT1. Also the LT1 has the opti-spark that is notorious for issues if gotten wet and may be hard to replace in your locatio.
Actually any C4 from '89-'91 will be a fine performer that will respond very well to simple bolt-on performance mods.
Good luck with the search.
Now Ive got alot more to think about!
Is a L98 engine is easier to work on than an LT1 (is that correct?)? And with those few mods you mentioned it sounds very promising.
Ive heard about the Optispark problems, but it didn't put me off.
Im getting so excited about a c4. This forum is great.
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Hello all,
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.......
cosmicvette
Just had a question regarding build dates of c4 vettes.......
cosmicvette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by tonymax2
If you research the law, I suspect you will find that the "model year" is the date they go by. It wouldn't matter weather it was built in the fall of '91 or the spring of '92--it's still a '92 to "the man".
I will ofcourse tripple check these things before I hand over any money..for sure...don't want them sending the vette back (at my expense) when it arrives cause its 14 years and 360 days old..rather than 15 years if you know what I mean!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
OK, there are some pros & cons between L98 & LT1:
-the L98 has no opti spark issues to deal with
-changing plug wires with the L98 dist is much easier than with the LT1 opti spark
-the L98 engine is 21lbs lighter than LT1
-the LT1 has a dual exhaust system which is more efficient
-when upgrading the LT1 dual exhaust the dual cats flow much better than the single cat on the L98, if visual emssions is an issue for you
-the LT1 has (I believe) an electric AIR pump which provides less power drain than the L98's belt driven unit
-Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) was std in '92 and NA in '91
I think the '91 & '92 Vettes were available with similar options so differences were mainly between engines and the ASR available in '92
BTW, '89 was the last year for the MAF intake, for the digi dash and for the tilt/tele steering wheel. If these features are appealing you might consider getting an '98. Because of these features, I consider '89 to be the best Vette with L98 engine.
Have fun searching for your Vette. Though one may agonize over several decisions it's all good as you will soon own a Corvette.
-the L98 has no opti spark issues to deal with
-changing plug wires with the L98 dist is much easier than with the LT1 opti spark
-the L98 engine is 21lbs lighter than LT1
-the LT1 has a dual exhaust system which is more efficient
-when upgrading the LT1 dual exhaust the dual cats flow much better than the single cat on the L98, if visual emssions is an issue for you
-the LT1 has (I believe) an electric AIR pump which provides less power drain than the L98's belt driven unit
-Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) was std in '92 and NA in '91
I think the '91 & '92 Vettes were available with similar options so differences were mainly between engines and the ASR available in '92
BTW, '89 was the last year for the MAF intake, for the digi dash and for the tilt/tele steering wheel. If these features are appealing you might consider getting an '98. Because of these features, I consider '89 to be the best Vette with L98 engine.
Have fun searching for your Vette. Though one may agonize over several decisions it's all good as you will soon own a Corvette.
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