I was thinking about how our C4's compare to its great predecessors, the C2 Corvettes. From my casual research, it appears that many stock L98 and LT1 Corvettes are actually faster at 0-60 and in the 1.4 mile than their C2 327 engine counterparts. Top speed is a given in the C4's advantage.

Yet popular opinion of most seems to think the opposite? At local car cruises, most casual observers turn their noses up at C4's, but yet drool over the C2's. And I love C2's, as I owned a great '66 in my youthful days. Many think C4's are not nearly as fast as C2's but I disagree. Stock to stock comparison of performance should earn the C4's more respect in comparison. Even the mighty 427's were not much faster, if at all, than the LT4 and LT5 motors in the C4's.

But I just wanted to get other C4 owners ideas about this. Have you guys noticed this disregard for our C4's performance? It really doesn't matter though, as most C4 owners are aware of their Corvette's underestimated performance. Now that the C4's are 20 years and older, I feel they deserve more respect as their C2 predecessors.

 

It's a total disregard for C4s period, and it's widespread. Not just performance.

Most compare them to either todays Corvettes or ones from the past.

They should be looked at as the cars they were in their day.

Guess it's just our little secret how much fun these cars are.

 

I don't think people drool over mid-years because of their 0-60 performance.

 

 

Hope you don't mind a newbees opinion. But as a owner of countless small and big block muscle cars over the years, I'v found that the C4 i just bought has great power and is great from 0-60 as well as fast!
And thats stock with a 4 auto.
I am Verry impressed with the stock power and handling on this car.
It will get my moded TA, And seems like a great platform to really keep it simple and not hard on the wallet to really make it a sleeper you don't want to tangle with as well as enjoying a great FEEL of the car and cockpit that is growing on me every day.
Just my opinion. I'm a new vette owner lol, so sorry if this was alittle off topic just wanted to share my opinion compaired to other cars i have owned.

 

Heres my opnion on the subject, which may not amount to much, but here goes. I have a red '66 BB 427/425, vert with side pipes, knock off wheels, 4 speed, all the good stuff sitting next to a mildly modded '96 GS in my garage. The '96 will walk the '66 in the 0-60, 0-100, 0-140, 140-0, 100-0, and 60-0 everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. Get into the twisties and the '66 will not even think about keeping up. The GS is much more comfortable to drive, has a/c, decent stereo, cruise control, etc. I love both cars, but for me the GS does it so much more so than the '66 for me. I was raised around vettes my life and the first time I saw a GS, I knew someday I would own one. The '66, my father and I restored years back and has not been driven much since then. It now resides in my garage. I call it my 401K.

I have had both cars at numerous shows, and down here where I live, there seems to be no shortage of mid years at the shows, but there is always only one GS when I show up with #163. So it tends to get alot more attention than the '66.

The '66 is 7 years older than I am too, which may be another reason why it just dosent grab me like the GS. Now both cars are fun to drive and I enjoy both in different ways. At this point though, I am a little scared to drive the '66 alot as I would hate to get into an accident with it. I usually take it for evening drives with the wife to dinner or something.

Not really sure if this answers any questions, but this is how I feel on the subject of C2 vs. C4.

I am looking at adding another 427 (C6) to the collection though. I seem to like the even numbered generation vettes for some reason.

Heres the cars....

 

Nice! I'll take the one on the left please

 

For the right amount of money, its yours.

 

My TA And All the change you find in the seats?





Actually its for sale

 

The '66: Power nothing but the motor.
The '88: Power everything but the motor.

The '66 is quicker and probably faster although at fairly high speeds I find myself more along for the ride than driving. The '88 is much more confidence inspiring at high speed.

 

First: GS 163 and Nassau, those are great looking Mid-Years!!!

I also hear the above statement from C3 Big Block owners. "Is great up to about 85 MPH" Do they become unstable at high speeds? How about a today's suspension upgrade like the ones they do in MuscleCar TV?

I say this again, In April 1976, thanks to a 1972-4 speed it's the reason I'm a Corvette owner today. I still remember that day after school

"Mom, that car is fast, he was doing over 100 MPH" and all hell broke loose

 

The front end gets lighter the faster you go. It isn't a suspension problem as much as it is an aerodynamic one. A chin spoiler would do wonders for high speed stability.

 

Hit the nail on the head. I love my LT4, but I drool over chrome-bumper C3's. I'm gonna own one one day. I don't even care about the engine, but I'll take the 427 if I get a choice It's all about looks with C1,2,3's

 

I was never sure if I was driving the car or the car was driving me at high speeds, as far as C2's or early C3's go.

 

My father owns a 78 L48 auto (his first Vette), he loves that car, the lines and the sounds. Then he bought a 93 Ruby (what I own) and the performance and driveablilty was night and day. He still has the 78 but now has an 06. He compares the 06 to the 93 just like he compared the 93 to the 78.

 

Have had many high power C-2's with right tires can accelerate equal or better, but in all other areas the C-4 is a far superior car, anyone who has had a C-2 above 130+mph will know what I mean! Doesn't mean I will ever be able to not appreciate any good looking C-2!! And I would much rather work on a C-2 than a C-4. JMHO

 

C2 and C4 are my favorite vettes

And GS163.. I was already jealous enough when I saw you had a GS on FM5's.. NOW YOU PUT THIS ON ME TOO!!

Good god man, I envy you.

Adopt me?

 

Great pairs of Corvettes guys. The C2 and C4 together is a great combo in any garage. Thanks for the great photos and insights.

 

right,or wrong, the C-4 recieved a very poor rep because of the very early 84 and 5s. Most dont think in literal lines about how chevy improved the car ,year to year. A stock 84 is a slug compared to later year C-4s. some of this may be a hangover from the late c-3 cars,which a kid on roller skates could out run. Back in the day, no one messed with the c-1 fuelie vettes..they were just to quick.The one I drove to highschool (a 61 fuelie),the top end was scARY as hell..it was like a small boat in a hurricane, just drifted everywhere.(130,140 mph). C-2s came out,and it wa all over for the c-1s. Same happened when the c-3s came out. That didnt happen with the c-4s.You aw c-4,and folks just yawn...caue they JUST DONT know how fine these cars are.As for looks..sorry, the clasic looks of a c-2 coupe just gets my heart thumping. Dont get me wrong, I like ALL vetts..

 

In general the C4 is faster, better handling and more fuel efficient than a C2. The C4 really marks the beginning of the modern era and deserves alot more respect than it gets. My C1 handles and rides like a 54 Chevy but I really enjoy it. My mid year is a very balanced car with great acceleration and has classic lines. My 68 has the 427/390 big block and makes lots of low end torque. In general the newer cars are more refined but the older cars give you a feeling of nostalgia the newer cars can't deliver.