some C4 questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
some C4 questions
Hey everyone, I've been lurking around these forums for a while the past few months since I decided I was going to buy a C4 this summer and you guys seem to know a great lot about these cars I've got a lot of good ideas from you all but there are a few questions I still have.
1) How bad is it to drive it around for one winter?
(My old car which I was planning to use in the winter when I bought the C4 got into a crash, this means my parents are giving me 5k to help me buy a car of my choice and that helps to get the C4 yet it means I'll have to drive it around for a winter.)
2) If I'm planning to switch the engine for better performance would it make much difference between buying an '85 and say a '90 (in terms of performance not dash, interior stuff etc.)
Those are my two biggest concerns. Other than that I'm very excited to get a Corvette and I love the C4. Now to get through this last advanced calculus exam on saturday and ace my job interview on monday. I hope to post more around here and get to know you all even though I don't yet own a C4.
1) How bad is it to drive it around for one winter?
(My old car which I was planning to use in the winter when I bought the C4 got into a crash, this means my parents are giving me 5k to help me buy a car of my choice and that helps to get the C4 yet it means I'll have to drive it around for a winter.)
2) If I'm planning to switch the engine for better performance would it make much difference between buying an '85 and say a '90 (in terms of performance not dash, interior stuff etc.)
Those are my two biggest concerns. Other than that I'm very excited to get a Corvette and I love the C4. Now to get through this last advanced calculus exam on saturday and ace my job interview on monday. I hope to post more around here and get to know you all even though I don't yet own a C4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Can't speak to the "real" winter issue, I live in Florida and winters here are nice.
What type of engine swap are you planning? If you're planning a stroker, an aftermarket performance engine or an LSx swap, then I don't think it will really matter all that much. An Lsx swap is going to require cutting, welding, fitting and fabrication no matter what year you have. There a real good thread on here on the subject. Do a search for it.
Otherwise, most people will tell you to buy the latest model you can afford. They got progressively better as they went along.
Good luck with your new acquisition.
What type of engine swap are you planning? If you're planning a stroker, an aftermarket performance engine or an LSx swap, then I don't think it will really matter all that much. An Lsx swap is going to require cutting, welding, fitting and fabrication no matter what year you have. There a real good thread on here on the subject. Do a search for it.
Otherwise, most people will tell you to buy the latest model you can afford. They got progressively better as they went along.
Good luck with your new acquisition.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
hmm okay, thanks for the quick responses yeah it's a "real" winter here in Canada 
I'll see how well I manage my money otherwise I will be at University next winter so I might take the people's Chariot (aka bus) for a couple months.
as for the engine I was planning on anything really just would like to build it up myself from a short block for the experience. But I'll look around then. Thanks.
I'll see how well I manage my money otherwise I will be at University next winter so I might take the people's Chariot (aka bus) for a couple months.as for the engine I was planning on anything really just would like to build it up myself from a short block for the experience. But I'll look around then. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,376
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
C4's and Canadian winters will not mix well. Plan on getting a winter beater. They are too light in the rear and the tires are too wide to be effective. Plus you don't need to added worries of somebody hitting you.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
If you average less than 4" of snow on a fall, then not a problem. Driving on packed snow is easier than plowing through the fresh stuff, but I usually wait till the plows come.
Salt on the roads is not an issue and as one member put it, by the time it is an issue, we will all be dead anyway.
The biggest hinderance of driving a Corvette in snow is the tires. Most of us won't put snow tires on, and the wide tires we run are not well suited for the snow. But other than that, it's the same as driving any other car in the snow.
As for the engine swap, no need for that. Depending on how much you want to spend(vs how much you have to spend), get the latest you can afford. They only got better as time went on.
LT1 cars can be had in the $10,000 range and slightly higher depending on condition.
The L98 cars especially the earlier ones can be had for less, but even so an engine swap is not needed, there are plenty of 11 second L98's out there that are still street driven and some quicker ones as well.
Salt on the roads is not an issue and as one member put it, by the time it is an issue, we will all be dead anyway.
The biggest hinderance of driving a Corvette in snow is the tires. Most of us won't put snow tires on, and the wide tires we run are not well suited for the snow. But other than that, it's the same as driving any other car in the snow.
As for the engine swap, no need for that. Depending on how much you want to spend(vs how much you have to spend), get the latest you can afford. They only got better as time went on.
LT1 cars can be had in the $10,000 range and slightly higher depending on condition.
The L98 cars especially the earlier ones can be had for less, but even so an engine swap is not needed, there are plenty of 11 second L98's out there that are still street driven and some quicker ones as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: The burbs of Denver CO
I'm with Mojo. If you absoutely had to have one, go with a 92 or newer with an LT1 and the traction system, which functions similar to an all wheel drive in that it controls wheel slippage. And the LT1 had a substantial horsepower increase.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
hmmm okay, yeah more than 4" of snow here lol I'll store it for the winter.
as for the engine it's not so much just the power but I'm in mechanical engineering and I wanna get some hands on experience so I wanna actually build a motor up from a short block, I know it'll take a while and I need to do lots of reading but I like that kinda stuff.
as for the engine it's not so much just the power but I'm in mechanical engineering and I wanna get some hands on experience so I wanna actually build a motor up from a short block, I know it'll take a while and I need to do lots of reading but I like that kinda stuff.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
I have a '93 as a DD and we get some snow here. Not a problem the last two winters, which admittedly were not too severe. Key to me was buying decent ultra-high performance all-season tires. I put the Kumho ASX's on mine and I concur with the good feedback ratings these things got on Tire Rack: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=ECSTA+ASX. Good for up to 3-4 inches of snow if your are careful and don't have steep hills. And very good performance on dry pavement.
For the odd big storm, just telecommute (or use the "People's Chariot"
)Good luck!
