90 vs. 91 faults???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 28
From: Kingman, AZ
90 vs. 91 faults???
i'm debating between a 90 or 91. possibly even a ZR1. aside from all the obvious cosmetic differences, i have heard that the 90's are the ones to stay away from because all the electronics such as relays etc. are made by bosch. in the 91 model year g.m. changed suppliers and the 91's were more dependable and reliable. i know people with 90's and they had nothing but horror stories about "this relay and that relay" and alot of electronics going bad because of bosch products. anyone out there have any "two cents" worth on this matter or any other faults??? 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,212
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by bumperkar kid
i'm debating between a 90 or 91. possibly even a ZR1. aside from all the obvious cosmetic differences, i have heard that the 90's are the ones to stay away from because all the electronics such as relays etc. are made by bosch. in the 91 model year g.m. changed suppliers and the 91's were more dependable and reliable. i know people with 90's and they had nothing but horror stories about "this relay and that relay" and alot of electronics going bad because of bosch products. anyone out there have any "two cents" worth on this matter or any other faults???
I have seen some 90's w/ tachometers that were "off" - may be those "gremlins" you mention
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 0
From: walkersville md
I have a 90, i love it....i dont really care for the "updated" front end, and square tails.... but it grows some.... my 90 had 117K on it b4 i decided to modify the entire car. perfermed flawlessly.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
I have a '91. 110,000 Miles.
NO Oil consumption. Run GREAT.
The Bose BLOWS Big Time. A pure piece of JUNK. A two buck transistor radio would be better.
The tach is way,way off calibration.
Everything else A-Ok.
NO Oil consumption. Run GREAT.
The Bose BLOWS Big Time. A pure piece of JUNK. A two buck transistor radio would be better.
The tach is way,way off calibration.
Everything else A-Ok.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I have an '85, cant really compare, but its closer to a '90 in terms of electronics and stuff. I think all C4's are great cars, but it all depends on your tastes. Do you like the electronic "Atari" dash? Do you like the 80's or 90's style exterior? However, no matter what year you get, its true, the Bose system sucks. I think it sounds great, but its not reliable and swapping out the system can be a pain. By the way, thats a good idea with just putting a radio in the car 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
great to hear from owners of 1990 vettes without these problems mentioned in the first post.
I've also got a 90, but I can't yet comment on if there are any of these mentioned problems (cause its still on its way across the Pacific).
Which back do you like best? the rounded of the 91 or the squarer one of the 90?
The reason I chose 1990 was because of the updated interior with the older style body. Sweet!
I've also got a 90, but I can't yet comment on if there are any of these mentioned problems (cause its still on its way across the Pacific).
Which back do you like best? the rounded of the 91 or the squarer one of the 90?
The reason I chose 1990 was because of the updated interior with the older style body. Sweet!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Acton, MA 1990 ZF6 Coupe, Z51
I have a 1990, 50K no more problems than any other year, also no less problems than any other year 
I have replaced the ECM and CCM but no problems with wiring, relays, etc., think that stuff is exaggeration...
As far as 90 vs. 91, get what you like, they are basically the same car, L98 motor in both...Differences are in the rear facia, wheels, etc., also 91's base cars did not have the center high mount stoplights, which I always thought looked add-on....
Good luck.....
I have replaced the ECM and CCM but no problems with wiring, relays, etc., think that stuff is exaggeration...
As far as 90 vs. 91, get what you like, they are basically the same car, L98 motor in both...Differences are in the rear facia, wheels, etc., also 91's base cars did not have the center high mount stoplights, which I always thought looked add-on....
Good luck.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
1990 here
I agree w/others here. Cuisinart said it best; "these are 15 year old parts". It really doesn't matter if it is a bosch, delco or whatever. Parts can, and will fail over time. With that said, I can't say I have any complaints. And yes the bose I had was basically junk (again I think all of us suffer with this issue).
My tach is actually pretty close compared to the scanner, until you floor it (sometimes was strange). I have fooled w/the tach filter and added a shift light and now is pretty good . I am not so sure the std. tach in any of these are very good. Personally the only diff. I see is the bumpers and side mouldings.
My tach is actually pretty close compared to the scanner, until you floor it (sometimes was strange). I have fooled w/the tach filter and added a shift light and now is pretty good . I am not so sure the std. tach in any of these are very good. Personally the only diff. I see is the bumpers and side mouldings.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by Hippiehead025
I have a 90, i love it....i dont really care for the "updated" front end, and square tails.... but it grows some.... my 90 had 117K on it b4 i decided to modify the entire car. perfermed flawlessly.
I've had no problems with my '90 other than the BOSE...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
The reason I chose 1990 was because of the updated interior with the older style body. Sweet!
i've had little electrical problems over the last 2 years i've had mine, nothing major. 74,000 miles; mileage however has less of an impact as age itself does.
the only problems i've had:
- main cooling fan had to be replaced (went out when the fusible link behind battery went out)
- rear defrost timer isn't working right, although i replaced the timer relay.
yup, the tach reads about 300 rpms higher than reality.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
90 vs 85
I had an 85 that had w/130000 miles that had alot of problems, some electical, I now have a 1990 six speed w/89000 and other than a new alternator and battery, it has been trouble free (knock on wood!). Just realize going in that you will have to junk the Bose, but all the info to change it out yourself is here on the forum.
Randy
Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I have one of the first 90's (#36 off the line) and did have to replace the instrument cluster to fix a floating tach. Other than that not a relay one or any other electronics have failed. Like others have stated, the early 90's are unique with the early C4 styling and new interior. I'm not a big fan of the square tail lights and to me round just says Corvette so I like it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 28
From: Kingman, AZ
all you guys have been more than helpfull. i guess no matter which year i go for, it's still a corvette. the best damn sportscar on the planet. bar-none!!! keep the responses coming!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bumperkar kid
all you guys have been more than helpfull. i guess no matter which year i go for, it's still a corvette. the best damn sportscar on the planet. bar-none!!! keep the responses coming!!!
