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Old Nov 15, 2009 | 10:43 PM
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Default LT4 question

Former C3 owner here and I''m getting the itch again. Came across pics of a nice 96 LT4 listed for what looks like a great price. Before I drive 2 hours to look at it, I was wondering about something. Are these cars really that special so that modifying them would ruin the value? I'm one of those that just can't leave well enough alone, if you know what I mean.
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Old Nov 15, 2009 | 11:26 PM
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The LT4 was the top rated engine installed in the C4 Corvettes, (except for the LT5 that was available only in the ZR1s of 1990 - 1995). The LT4 was only produced for the 1996 MY and all LT4s are 6 speed cars. If you're worried about ruining the value by modifying one, don't. Unless you're looking at a Grand Sport, these cars will not become collectors' items like the C1s, C2s and early C3s. So mod away. Just keep it tasteful.
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Old Nov 15, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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Buy it and mod it unless it is a super low miles garage queen. I used to have one and it had no trouble hanging with the C5 guys and gal that I ran with.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetteronw
Buy it and mod it unless it is a super low miles garage queen. I used to have one and it had no trouble hanging with the C5 guys and gal that I ran with.
Its got 60k miles and priced between kbb.com private party and trade in.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by jrzvette
Just keep it tasteful.
I love the way it looks as it sits now, silver with the silver zr1 wheels.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:08 AM
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what does an lt4 weigh compared to c5 and c6?
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
what does an lt4 weigh compared to c5 and c6?
A bit more. LT4 car is around 3325 ish, where as most C5's are under 3300 (3250 range). The Z06's are lighter, and the anniversary edition Z's with the light hood are even lighter.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Mojave
A bit more. LT4 car is around 3325 ish, where as most C5's are under 3300 (3250 range). The Z06's are lighter, and the anniversary edition Z's with the light hood are even lighter.
Thats not too much of a penalty.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
I love the way it looks as it sits now, silver with the silver zr1 wheels.
that would be a collectors edition.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 01:07 AM
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Go for it!
There are plenty of bolt-on mods to be made. What ever you change on it, just save the original parts.
Problem solved.

Also, the silver only came on 96 Collector Edition cars. It should have the "Collector's" chrome badges, red intake w/ "GrandSport" TB cover, 13" frt. brakes and Dana 44 rear end, as well.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 08:53 AM
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Is it possible to put longtubes on an lt4? I saw an engine r&r thread last night where the guy used shorty headers, not longtubes.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
Is it possible to put longtubes on an lt4? I saw an engine r&r thread last night where the guy used shorty headers, not longtubes.
Yes.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 10:04 AM
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If you buy one, it's then YOUR car and you can do anything you want with it.
The Black Book lists the 1996 C4 coupe at 3298 pounds. A vert will be somewhat more, and options can change the actual weight of your car.

LT4's are nice, but don't expect to feel the extra power in daily driving; the additional horses are there only in the last several hundred rpm.


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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 01:39 PM
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There were too many of these made to make them truly collectible imo. Having said that I want to mod mine while keeping it as stock as possible, just out of respect for the marque (Hotcam, TB and port/ polish). If I wanted to really mod the crap out of it I'd start with a base LT1.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 02:42 PM
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There is nothing collectible about the 96 Collectors Edition.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
Former C3 owner here and I''m getting the itch again. Came across pics of a nice 96 LT4 listed for what looks like a great price. Before I drive 2 hours to look at it, I was wondering about something. Are these cars really that special so that modifying them would ruin the value? I'm one of those that just can't leave well enough alone, if you know what I mean.
In 20 years maybe, people keep forgetting no one wanted 427's and 454's 30 years ago because they were gas hogs and had hot floor boards when driven, and were looked as just old used chevys.

Like any Corvette Its going to have greater value in resale unmodified, but if you want a fun car to drive an LT4 is one hell of a bargain now.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 04:09 PM
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What type of mods??

I'd say, mod it! The value will not change if done right. To some, it might be worth a bit more, to some less.

As mentioned before, you will not tell much difference until you get in the 4500+ rpm range. After that, there is a difference.

IMHO, don't mod a Grand Sport , but everything else is fair game.
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Old Nov 16, 2009 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by johnnymo63
Also, the silver only came on 96 Collector Edition cars. It should have the "Collector's" chrome badges, red intake w/ "GrandSport" TB cover, 13" frt. brakes and Dana 44 rear end, as well.
All LT4´s has red intake w/ "GrandSport" TB cover, 13" frt. brakes (on all 95-96) and Dana 44 rear end, as well.

Go ahead and look at it and buy/modify it as you like.
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Old Nov 17, 2009 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by PLRX
There is nothing collectible about the 96 Collectors Edition.

They made a ton of those cars. Go have fun and mod that beast! You'll love the longtube headers, trust me.

Watch this little clip...it's my car.

http://1stclassmailing.com/LT4baby.MP4

Mods:
LT headers, high flow cats, Corsas, electric water pump...made 341 rear wheel horsepower, but sounds like the gates of hell opening up over 4000 RPMS.
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Old Nov 17, 2009 | 03:36 PM
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[QUOTE= They made a ton of those cars.

Yep, 5412 to be exact; Z15 RPO. And the more of them that get modded creates more of a future collectible advantage for those that remain 100% stock.

trebor
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