Need some C4 advice...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Need some C4 advice...
I got a 2002 Z06 about two months ago. Tonight I let one of my best friends (a major gearhead who helped my restore my 71) drive the car, and he's hooked. He wants something like my Z, but he can't spend that much. So I said he should get a C4 and modify it. He really can't afford to drop more thant 7,000-8,000 dollars on a sports car right now. I figure he could buy an 80's C4, and then mod the heck out of it later. What I'm looking for is the best route to acheiving Z06-like performance from a C4, with an initial layout of less than 10,000. Any advice, experience or suggestions you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Scott
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Need some C4 advice... (LymanSS)
i'm sure he could get something in the 85-88 range for that much money, $5-7000 for the car, and still have enough to do some bolt ons like headers and/or exhaust. But it will cost him a lot more to catch you.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 452
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From: The Dark Side of the Moon
Re: Need some C4 advice... (vader86)
I checked http://www.Autotrader.com and see that you can get some late 80's coupes for 7k or so but the miles are kind of high. Lots of upgrade options, but I don't know about taking it to the Z06 level.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,578
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From: Antioch IL
Re: Need some C4 advice... (Shawn93PoloConv)
For that kind of money, it will probably have to be an L98 car, unless someone is giving away a 92+. I love the low end torque these motors make, but it ain't nothin' like Z06 performance. But...he'll be able to drive a Vette with great stoplight to stoplight performance while he's saving the bucks to mod it.
Go for it. :)
Go for it. :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,257
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From: NJ
Re: Need some C4 advice... (art91)
Don't listen to these guys there L98 haters. It's a 350 same as the Z it will just take more to get to your level. Cam, intake, gears, exhaust, chip and heads. Will make good power for him. If he's a Mech it shouldn't cost him much to do since he can do it himself.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 0
From: Antioch IL
Re: Need some C4 advice... (LayZ)
Don't listen to these guys there L98 haters. It's a 350 same as the Z it will just take more to get to your level. Cam, intake, gears, exhaust, chip and heads. Will make good power for him. If he's a Mech it shouldn't cost him much to do since he can do it himself.
We all said, go for it.
I love my car, but it's power band is the opposite of a Z06. I would have to disagree about "It's a 350 same as the Z". The LS-6 might be the same displacement, but that's where the similarity ends. Your list of mods include everything but the block, crank, and pistons. I don't argue about the list, but it's not that cheap. To get to the Z06 level would probably require a "stroker" motor. That's my plan for the future. :)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: Need some C4 advice... (art91)
Nic e thing about L98's they are Gen I motors.. Tons of parts for them..
Of course the TPI intakes are limited but everything else has a wide variety.
Of course the TPI intakes are limited but everything else has a wide variety.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Re: Need some C4 advice... (-=Jeff=-)
Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to be looking around for a good deal on an 84 or 85. I figure he'll bolt on some performance heads (I may have some spare trickflows he can use), swap the cam, and hog out the intake as much as possible, and he'll have something pretty quick. I know he'll want to get rid of the crossfire if he gets an 84. Anyone know how hard it is to install a tpi system on a crossfire car? If anyone knows of really good deals on early C4's, please let me know. I'm not looking for a show car...something that needs work is ideal if it's cheap, and it's not missing tons of obsure parts. Oh...manual too. By the way....is the 4+3 any good at all? I've never heard a good thing about it (despite the fact that it seems like a great concept). Thanks again for the info.
Scott
Scott
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Orange County California
Re: Need some C4 advice... (LymanSS)
Lyman,
He may be be able to find a very good deal with something in an 85 that is already ready to go. when I was shopping for a vette, i found a very cool '85 with a all the mods, but I was looking for an LT1. When I decided that I wanted it, it was sold. I didnt know it was a good deal till later. Like right about now. The '84's and '85's are not so popular, but many of them have great work done to them. I think you have the right idea by advising your friend to get an '85.
He may be be able to find a very good deal with something in an 85 that is already ready to go. when I was shopping for a vette, i found a very cool '85 with a all the mods, but I was looking for an LT1. When I decided that I wanted it, it was sold. I didnt know it was a good deal till later. Like right about now. The '84's and '85's are not so popular, but many of them have great work done to them. I think you have the right idea by advising your friend to get an '85.