Hi guys. First let me just say that you all have a very nice site here. Very well organized and informative. With that being said I have a couple of quick questions for you.

I am very interested in buying a C4 corvette sometime within the next 3-4 months. I have done quite a bit of research but there are still quite a few things I do not understand. I am looking at spending somewhere around 16k. Now from what I have seen, that should be plenty to get a solid c4 with relatively low miles, correct?

Also, what year did Chevrolet begin putting to LT1 into the vettes? And is it worth buying an LT1 C4 over an L89 C4?

Another question, what are the main differences between the different trim packages. For instance, a zr1?

Lastly, do these year corvettes have any common mechanical problems?

Thanks in advance for all of the help guys.

-Lucas

 

You can get one heck of a nice 96 LT4 for that or less.
Got a pretty clean/sound black ZR1 Id let go for that, has some miles on it if that bothers you. (shameless plug)

84 Crossfire eng
85-91 L98 TPI end
92-96 LT1 eng
96 LT4 offered
90-95 ZR1 LT5 eng, 6 spd only

 

You should be able to get a very nice C4 for 16k. If you wana spring for a few thousand more, you might be able to get a ZR-1.

The LT1 is in 1992-1995 Corvettes and also in 1996 Corvettes with the automatic transmission. It was rated a 300hp all years. The L98 is in 85-91 Corvettes with hp numbers climbing from 230 in 1985 to 250 in 1991. If you have 16k to spend, you shouldn't even consider an L98 unless you want an older car that is slower in stock trim. The LT4 is basically LT1 with much improved valvetrain and intake. It is rated a 330hp (although most would put it closer to 340-350) and was in all 1996 Corvettes with a 6 speed. But to answer your question, yes, I would definitely get an LT1 over an L98.

Other things to consider:

The 1989 and older vettes have the much, much more dated styled interior. The 1990-1996 interiors are much, much more mordern with subtle styling changes on the 94-96 improving it more.

The ZR-1 is the granddaddy of all C4s made from 1990-1995. New, they almost cost twice as much as a regular vette. They have the LT5 engine-completely different than the engine in the regular vette. Rated a 375hp on 1990-1992 models and 405hp on 1993-1995. The engine was designed by Lotus and manufactured/assembled by Mercury Marine. I believe it is the only Corvette produced to this day that was 4 cams, 32 valves. They look pretty much like a normal C4, but there are subtle exterior differences. ZR-1's are about 4 inches wider than a regular C4 of the same year model. This was to accomodate the huge rear tires. You could probably get an early ZR-1 with high miles in $16-18k range. There are MUCH more 1990-1991 ZR-1's than any other year-so they are usually much cheaper. You could probably get an early model VERY clean, low mileage ZR-1 for the mid to low $20k's. Bottom line, ZR-1's are exotic. The LT5 is known to be a VERY durable, almost bullet proof engine. But, if it does break, parts are VERY expesive and hard to come by as it has been out of production for many years and the aftermarket isn't very big unless you have LOTS of $$$$ to spend. LT1's and LT4's have a much bigger aftermarket. Not as big as it once was with the LS engine's now are the top dogs, but pretty big nonetheless.

Many people on here will tell you to spring a little more and get a C5. You could probably get a C5 with high miles for 16k. But if you are willing to spend in the low 20s, you could get a VERY clean, low mileage C5.

C5's are much, much more refined than the C4's. Their preformance is hands down better in pretty much every category. They are quieter, much roomier, more comfortable, and just flat out a better dailey driver.

C4's can be noisey, squeaky, and rattlely as it frame/chassis dates back to the early 1980s. The frame isn't as rigid as a C5, but the C4's handling is still phenominal compared to even older 'vettes. One of the biggest complaints about C5's not doing as well as a C4 is the interior. The C4 feels like a fighterjet cockpit. You might hear people on here say you "wear the car-you don't get into it". The seats are very deep and hug you much better than a C5-and C4's have much less interior room. In short, the C4 feels much more like a sports car. The C5 seems too pedestrian. It may sound mean saying this, but it's almost like they designed the C5 and C6's to accomodate obese people. A 400lb person probably wouldnt fit in a C4-or they would probably be uncomfortable to say the least. C4's are also a lot harder to get in and out of compared to C5's and C6's due to the very deep cockpit...you "fall in, and climb out".

I assume you are set on a C4. Unless you don't like manual transmissions, I would look hard for a 1996 6 speed with an LT4. You can probably find a heck of a nice LT4 for that.

 

I actually prefer a manual trans. So your opinion is i should look for a 1996 with the LT4 and 6 speed trans?

 

Also, unfortunately this will most likely be my daily driver. If you guys, for some reason, suggest I do not use this as a DD i could always buy a junker but that just means more insurance costs. I believe in enjoying your vehicle no matter how nice it is, so either way ill will be driving it alot.

 

My 1994 isn't my dailey driver. It could be, but the lack of interior room might get tiring after a while. Oh, I assume you have driven a vette before. Like all true sports cars, they ride very rough, especially the C4's. You'll feel every bump in the road and your front spoiler shroud under the bumper will scrape the ground/get knocked off completely when turning out of parking lots, driving over speed bumps, pulling up too far in a parking lot and hitting the tire stop, etc. It don't ride like a Cadillac.

Yes, I would go after a 6speed with an LT4.

 

Assuming you are decided on a C4 and a 6 speed a '96 LT4 indeed! The collective wisdom of this forum is to purchase the newest you can afford. And as stated earlier in this post your budget should permit you to locate a nice LT4.

This is a buyers market, so be sure you settle on the vette you want as there will be multiple selections available.

Good Luck!

SAVE THE WAVE

 

ok thanks alot guys.


So does these specific year vettes have any serious problems?

 

First, I highly recommend finding an LT4. That being said, the only real problem with the LT1/4 engine was the placement of the distributor. It's called the Optispark and uses essencially a camshaft driven laser light to effect timing. Camshift driven and optical timing make it a great invention. The down side was placement. They had to put it right under the water pump. You know the story about water and electricity I assume. In mid 1994, GM put an air vent tube from the intake manifold to blow air into the opti to keep it dry. So if you get an LTx C4, make sure it's vented. Mine survived a waterpump failure with no trouble. It's actually pretty durable.

Oh, and my personal experience is that the LT4 is every bit as quick as a stock LS1 C5.

 

I can't add anything to the advice given so I will give you an idea of a good place to start looking. Since you are close enough, there is Chevy-Vettefest coming up in 3 weeks in Chicago. If you are not familiar with this show you should be, it is the biggest winter time show/swap around our area. There is usually a good selection of Vettes for sale there. If you are not familiar with Vettefest then go to your search and type in Vettefest to learn about it. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

 

Cuisinartvette... your shameless plug has earned you a PM