What years?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
What years?
I would love to pick up a C4 hopefully in the near future. I love the digidash and buzzsaw wheels (hey Im an 80's child...these just SCREAM 80's!!!
) So what years were both of these options. Im pretty sure the digidash came out with the C4 in 84, as did the wheels I think??? But not sure when they got away from the digital stuff in favor of less...temperamental gauges
Also, is there a good website with a timeline for C4 options? The C5 was easy, there werent nearly so many years or options! Thanks for the info
) So what years were both of these options. Im pretty sure the digidash came out with the C4 in 84, as did the wheels I think??? But not sure when they got away from the digital stuff in favor of less...temperamental gauges Also, is there a good website with a timeline for C4 options? The C5 was easy, there werent nearly so many years or options! Thanks for the info
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Digidash 84-89
Wheels varied in those years, 84-87 turbines, 88-90 (90 was non digidash) cuisinarts. 90 looked like the 89s but didnt have a center cap, the lug area was recessed (better looking imo) There was another wheel some 88s had cant remember what they are called. Buzzsaws came out in 91
Wheels varied in those years, 84-87 turbines, 88-90 (90 was non digidash) cuisinarts. 90 looked like the 89s but didnt have a center cap, the lug area was recessed (better looking imo) There was another wheel some 88s had cant remember what they are called. Buzzsaws came out in 91
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Good info there! Maybe Im a bit confused on the wheels, so someone set me straight. The wheels on these cars are what I THOUGHT were commonly referred to as "buzzsaw's" http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1984-corvette2.htm Is this not correct?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,058
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
between cross fire and the poor initial design of the C4, my personal suggestion would be to avoid the early year C4's. the 84 in particular had a reputation as being a real dog suspension wise if no other reason. keep in mind that the digital dash can be very costly if and when repairs are required. i'm not certain about the dates mentioned above as far as what years had digital dashes, because my 93 convertible had a digital dash and i presume it may have carried through the C4 life to 1996 (but that is a guess on my part).
the later you get into the C4 generation, the more improvements had been made from the 1984. there was an engine improvement between the 92 and 93 model years (increased HP) and if you are looking for a vert, 94 was the first year for the glass convert top window.
if you have never really spent any time with a C4, i suggest you try to find a friend who has one, etc. they are a real pain in the rear to climb out of as you sit below the "frame" rail. on the bright side, in my opinion, the seats were really well made and very comfortable.
the later you get into the C4 generation, the more improvements had been made from the 1984. there was an engine improvement between the 92 and 93 model years (increased HP) and if you are looking for a vert, 94 was the first year for the glass convert top window.
if you have never really spent any time with a C4, i suggest you try to find a friend who has one, etc. they are a real pain in the rear to climb out of as you sit below the "frame" rail. on the bright side, in my opinion, the seats were really well made and very comfortable.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
I don't mind the digital dash, but the early C4 digital display is a bit crap by todays standards. Dakota do a replacement digital dash for the early C4 which uses the original bezel, and seems to be a relatively straight-forward swap. The Dakota not only has all the regular information like tacho, oil pressure, water temp etc, it uses all OEM sensors except for gear position to display what gear you are in for an auto, as well as other cool stuff like performance timing (0-60, 1/4 mile speed etc) and programmable speedo for when you change diff gears. They also look alot cooler than the stock unit - definitely on the shopping list for when I get my C4. The only downside is that you lose the factory cruise control, but you can get a cruise control module from Dakota which works with the digital gauges. Not cheap (around $990), but I reckon it would be worth it.
srs244: I agree that a C4 is a bit of a pain to get in and out of, but drive a Lotus Exige for a day when you are over 6' tall, and getting in and out of a C4 suddenly seems a whole lot easier.
srs244: I agree that a C4 is a bit of a pain to get in and out of, but drive a Lotus Exige for a day when you are over 6' tall, and getting in and out of a C4 suddenly seems a whole lot easier.
Last edited by Quinny; Jul 10, 2009 at 12:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
The '84 has a simplistic yet very effective suspension. Auto cross and infields all over the US see '84s and '85 Z51s dominate.
The '84 suspension was so aggressive that the STOCK '84 was as aggressive as the '85 Z51. Not to mention what you got with an 84 Z51. They "complaint" in '84 was that the suspension was "too stiff" if there is such a thing, so GM backed off the "Race ready" suspension in '85 and beyond. I guess trophy wives were the squeaky wheel that got the attention as it sure wasn't the Racers back then NOR today.
Not to mention that since the first misunderstood impression of the Crossfire, that engine package has proven to be very reliable (optishort anyone?) Is the '84 a bit under powered? Yes. Can that be addressed?? Don't even start that topic as it always winds up with CFI-EFI arguing truth against the entire forums misinformation.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
I love this forum! Anyway, I am fully aware of the shortcomings of the early C4's. I do have a few friends who have later models and have riden in/driven them. I also have a C5 Z06. So the C4 will not be for performance...Im not too concerned with that. When i want to go fast I drive the Z. Im also aware that the digital displays are a bit "finicky". I am prepared for that. And to be honest, I really dont care what suspension it has...every C4 I have ridden in has been rough. I expect that. But Im not going to use it as a track car or anything....just a fun driver. I know the early years were a bit sluggish, And If the car I get needs engine work anyway, Ill look into a small cam or something to wake it up a bit. But again, not a big deal. I just think they look cool as hell
Here is the dash I want (best pic I could find with a quick search)
And these wheels:
It looks like these wheels were 84-87??? And are referred to as "turbines"? Is this correct?
Here is the dash I want (best pic I could find with a quick search)
And these wheels:
It looks like these wheels were 84-87??? And are referred to as "turbines"? Is this correct?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Here is a link to different years with the different wheels just scroll to the bottom for the years. the wheels offered in 88 were a one year only from the looks of things
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet89.htm
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet89.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
I love this forum! Anyway, I am fully aware of the shortcomings of the early C4's. I do have a few friends who have later models and have riden in/driven them. I also have a C5 Z06. So the C4 will not be for performance...Im not too concerned with that. When i want to go fast I drive the Z. Im also aware that the digital displays are a bit "finicky". I am prepared for that. And to be honest, I really dont care what suspension it has...every C4 I have ridden in has been rough. I expect that. But Im not going to use it as a track car or anything....just a fun driver. I know the early years were a bit sluggish, And If the car I get needs engine work anyway, Ill look into a small cam or something to wake it up a bit. But again, not a big deal. I just think they look cool as hell
Here is the dash I want (best pic I could find with a quick search)
And these wheels:
It looks like these wheels were 84-87??? And are referred to as "turbines"? Is this correct?
Here is the dash I want (best pic I could find with a quick search)
And these wheels:
It looks like these wheels were 84-87??? And are referred to as "turbines"? Is this correct?
yesLater years had either salad shooters or saw blades
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,794
Likes: 2,706
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C4
Dont listen to all the negitivity about the early vettes. I own a very undeserible 89 with the l98 truck motor.
I like my 89. I bought it new. It has been a fantastic car. 237,000 miles plus. My family and friends like it. I like my atari dash. No problems. I like the truck motor because it has low end torque.
And the best part is NO OPTI SPARK...
Here is mine. I love it. Bash on this...
Corvette Mike
I like my 89. I bought it new. It has been a fantastic car. 237,000 miles plus. My family and friends like it. I like my atari dash. No problems. I like the truck motor because it has low end torque.
And the best part is NO OPTI SPARK...
Here is mine. I love it. Bash on this...
Corvette Mike
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Here is a link to different years with the different wheels just scroll to the bottom for the years. the wheels offered in 88 were a one year only from the looks of things
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet89.htm
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet89.htm
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Dont listen to all the negitivity about the early vettes. I own a very undeserible 89 with the l98 truck motor.
I like my 89. I bought it new. It has been a fantastic car. 237,000 miles plus. My family and friends like it. I like my atari dash. No problems. I like the truck motor because it has low end torque.
And the best part is NO OPTI SPARK...
Here is mine. I love it. Bash on this...
Corvette Mike
I like my 89. I bought it new. It has been a fantastic car. 237,000 miles plus. My family and friends like it. I like my atari dash. No problems. I like the truck motor because it has low end torque.
And the best part is NO OPTI SPARK...
Here is mine. I love it. Bash on this...
Corvette Mike
Seems to be a lot of hate for the early C4's!
Hopefully that will work in my favor!Great lookin Vert
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Concord, California
Vette-Kid
That is the instrument cluster you want. Very 80's, very cool. Especially at night!
The wheels you like are the "turbine" wheels from 84-87.
Enjoy. I have a '88 and love the 80's style dash. Its been rebuilt for $300 and $100 in labor, but its as good as new.
The wheels you like are the "turbine" wheels from 84-87.
Enjoy. I have a '88 and love the 80's style dash. Its been rebuilt for $300 and $100 in labor, but its as good as new.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,134
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Yep,prices are in the toilet.The dash is 85-89.The wheels are 84-87.There is a slight difference in the wheels other than paint but for the most part they look the same.Other than replacing 2 bulbs in the dash I had no problems in the 22 years that I owned an 84.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Wayne NJ
Digidash 84-89
Wheels varied in those years, 84-87 turbines, 88-90 (90 was non digidash) cuisinarts. 90 looked like the 89s but didnt have a center cap, the lug area was recessed (better looking imo) There was another wheel some 88s had cant remember what they are called. Buzzsaws came out in 91
Wheels varied in those years, 84-87 turbines, 88-90 (90 was non digidash) cuisinarts. 90 looked like the 89s but didnt have a center cap, the lug area was recessed (better looking imo) There was another wheel some 88s had cant remember what they are called. Buzzsaws came out in 91
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia