C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Interesting C4 thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:14 PM
  #21  
Shawnksf's Avatar
Shawnksf
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 6
From: Daly City California
Default

my partner has a c5 and i have a c4 he traded his c4 in for a c5 years ago yet every now and then when we are driving my c4 "i miss my '96" escapes his mouth. i just laugh, but we have both to enjoy so it works. one of my dislikes are the roofline of the c5. i love the z06 roof with that sharp cut off though
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:42 PM
  #22  
dogfish246's Avatar
dogfish246
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by drmrman
Count me in on that now too! I couldnt resist... The complete false fasts that were being thrown around were just rediculous!

With most LSx guys its ALWAYS "Oh.... you have an LTx... Oh... You cant make power with that..." Blah blah! Drives me nuts! HAHAH

LT1 300hp/340tq

LS1 350hp/365tq
^^^ LS1 Camaros and TA's 325hp

NOT THAT IMPRESSIVE for how they talk about them!
I think the power part is their soft spot because if they dont have power over a C4, what else do they have? The engine is one of the greatest parts of the C5 so saying its not that much more powerful than a C4 is gonna get C5 owners going.
I hear what your saying with the HP difference. I was at a Corvette run and I was easily able to keep up with the C5s (non Z06). I was proud that a C4 was still able to hold its own!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:54 PM
  #23  
96 Vette CE's Avatar
96 Vette CE
Banned Loser
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,423
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Default

Originally Posted by drmrman
Count me in on that now too! I couldnt resist... The complete false fasts that were being thrown around were just rediculous!

With most LSx guys its ALWAYS "Oh.... you have an LTx... Oh... You cant make power with that..." Blah blah! Drives me nuts! HAHAH

LT1 300hp/340tq

LS1 350hp/365tq
^^^ LS1 Camaros and TA's 325hp

NOT THAT IMPRESSIVE for how they talk about them!
I remember in the late 80's a bunch of my buddies went to the strip with their cars, i didn't make it that day,one of them had a 1970 Nova with a 454 that he dumped tons of money into and back then they used to write your best time on the back window of your car. He came back with a best time of 14.5 written on the rear window crusin' around town and we were all like WOW. Today my '96 can do better than that from the factory, boy how times have changed.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:58 PM
  #24  
RedLS1GTO's Avatar
RedLS1GTO
Race Director
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Default

Originally Posted by drmrman
Even at the track... They are pretty darn close....
Depends on what kind of track you are talking about...

A C4 isn't even close to the same league as a C5 on a road course.

Also, while the LS1 might only be slightly more HP than an LT1/4 stock it is incredibly easy to make power out of them. What has to be done to make a 500hp LTX that is still reliable and drivable? The answer is A LOT whereas you can build a 500hp LSX without even thinking about it.

The LS engines are amazing in what they are capable of and are a HUGE step over the LT1/4. You can make insane power, they are bulletproof reliable, they are amazingly efficient, and they are still easy to work on.

Don't get me wrong, I love all Corvettes and I love my C4s but from a purely mechanical standpoint the jump from C4 to C5 was huge in every aspect of performance.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 02:29 PM
  #25  
bac22's Avatar
bac22
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Default

I always find it odd that there are just some vette owners who will slam any model year other then their own model year? Simply put, people who do that are not true vette owners and are the same ones who find the wave to be nothing more then a nuisance.

But I will say my LT4 had no problem taken an 97/98 LS1 9 times out of the 10 either straight line and on a road course. That clearly changed in later years when they improved the LS1, but at least in the LT4 case it gave early model year C5's a run for its money!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:06 PM
  #26  
mattwalker87's Avatar
mattwalker87
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: deltona fl
Default

i wonder how many of the guys who only stated what they dislike actually owned a c4?

and besides. when i pull up to any side gas pump i want, jump out of the cockpit of my 89 ls1/t56/c5z06 braked, roll bar equipped, air ride front suspension( tried coilovers, the roads here suck to much) i realize im 22, and not in a mid life crises like the c5 i just parked next to.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:18 PM
  #27  
dogfish246's Avatar
dogfish246
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by mattwalker87
i wonder how many of the guys who only stated what they dislike actually owned a c4?

and besides. when i pull up to any side gas pump i want, jump out of the cockpit of my 89 ls1/t56/c5z06 braked, roll bar equipped, air ride front suspension( tried coilovers, the roads here suck to much) i realize im 22, and not in a mid life crises like the c5 i just parked next to.
Hang on, does Hokies83 have another account?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:35 PM
  #28  
socalman's Avatar
socalman
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Originally Posted by mattwalker87
i realize im 22, and not in a mid life crises like the c5 i just parked next to.
I'm just going to think you borrowed your Dads car
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #29  
RedLS1GTO's Avatar
RedLS1GTO
Race Director
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Default

Originally Posted by mattwalker87
i wonder how many of the guys who only stated what they dislike actually owned a c4?

and besides. when i pull up to any side gas pump i want, jump out of the cockpit of my 89 ls1/t56/c5z06 braked, roll bar equipped, air ride front suspension( tried coilovers, the roads here suck to much) i realize im 22, and not in a mid life crises like the c5 i just parked next to.
Wow. How could anybody argue with that? Obviously C4 > C5.


...and apparently I have been in a mid life crisis since I was about 25.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 04:16 PM
  #30  
tombrammer's Avatar
tombrammer
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 55
Default

For me it's a matter of money. I could buy a c4 for about 7gs or the same mileage but newer c5 for about 16gs. Either one would be a very nice car but I just like the looks of the c4 much better, the c5 is too rounded looking. Anyway I buy a vett to modd so if I buy (which I did) the c4 for 7g I still have 9gs to mod with, thats a lot of mods for essentially the same dollar wise car. One more reason, those 315s on the rear of a c4 just look great, I'm not sure but I don't think they will fit the same on a c5. If I had tons of money I'd get a c5 just because they are so much more advanced but I would always miss not owning a c4.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 04:20 PM
  #31  
Bronze85's Avatar
Bronze85
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 679
Likes: 18
From: Vernon Hills Ill
Default

C5- too rounded with a 91 Firebird front end
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 04:57 PM
  #32  
RedLS1GTO's Avatar
RedLS1GTO
Race Director
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Default

This thread really is pretty hilarious. C4 guys always get all bent out of shape when somebody says something bad about their beloved cars but have no problem saying negative things about the C5.

Arguing things like looks is pointless since it is nothing more than an opinion and they are all different. Personally I think the C5 FRC/Z06 body is one of the best looking Vettes ever made. Obviously not everybody shares the same opinion as me.

From a mechanical/performance standpoint there isn't a single area in which the C5 didn't improve on the C4 and rightfully so... the point of a new design is to improve on the old one. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the C7 will improve on the C5/C6 design as well. (Yes I am putting the C5/C6 together since they are the same frame, etc.)
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 05:15 PM
  #33  
j-vette's Avatar
j-vette
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 2
From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
From a mechanical/performance standpoint there isn't a single area in which the C5 didn't improve on the C4


That's why chevy made 'em. Hard to sell a new year model when it's no better than those that preceded it.

Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 05:31 PM
  #34  
F22's Avatar
F22
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Default

C5 comparison nothwithstanding, how about early C4 vs. late C4. If there's ONE thing I wish the 95' (Red One) had, that the 87' has (Blue One) is the parking brake release!

I love the click and release on the early C4's, versus having to crank up the handle hard until your tired thumb can get it to release. What were they thinking when they redesigned this!!!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 08:26 PM
  #35  
Sweet 90's Avatar
Sweet 90
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Default

Originally Posted by mattwalker87
i realize im 22, and not in a mid life crises like the c5 i just parked next to.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 08:28 PM
  #36  
Old87owner's Avatar
Old87owner
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Seattle / Tacoma area Washington
Default

A lot of the comparing is just downright unfair to be honest.

Compare an 80, 81 Vette to and 87 and the 87 wins mostly due to techonology of its day. Things have come a great way since the 84 first appeared in early 83.

The electronics in my 87 are very rudimentary and bulky compared to the computers of today in the c5 and 6. The car manufacturers were learning how to deal with the emissions reguirements of their day. They did a fairly good job imho.
Sure I dont have the raw horsepower or as much torgue, but I have enough to find my car a total blast to drive. That is the ultimate test, do you like to drive it.

When I start my 87, I dont turn her on, she turns me on

Also.. the only other Vette I would even consider is anther 86 to 90 Convertible or a 73

So in the end, you end up comparing red delicious apples to yellow delicious apples. I just love my red delicious apple 87.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2010 | 08:36 AM
  #37  
drmrman's Avatar
drmrman
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 46
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
Depends on what kind of track you are talking about...

A C4 isn't even close to the same league as a C5 on a road course.

Also, while the LS1 might only be slightly more HP than an LT1/4 stock it is incredibly easy to make power out of them. What has to be done to make a 500hp LTX that is still reliable and drivable? The answer is A LOT whereas you can build a 500hp LSX without even thinking about it.

The LS engines are amazing in what they are capable of and are a HUGE step over the LT1/4. You can make insane power, they are bulletproof reliable, they are amazingly efficient, and they are still easy to work on.

Don't get me wrong, I love all Corvettes and I love my C4s but from a purely mechanical standpoint the jump from C4 to C5 was huge in every aspect of performance.
I agree! I am totaly in agreement with that! The fact is though... Stock for stock. c4/c5 coupe is NOT that much further off from eachother in term of performance... If you want to talk about modding thats a whole other ball game! Of course the C5 is slightly more refind and more "high end" when it comes to the feel of driving it. But in every right it should be because its the C4's younger more genetically moddified brother! But the notchy, cockpit, race car feeling of the C4 can not be beat! I feel like Im driving a throaty 60's muscle car with with the comfort and options of a new style vehicle! I know this is all opinion based... But still to me... The C4 isnt NEARLY as shabby as the way a lot of c5/c6 owners talk about them!

Reply
Old Jun 25, 2010 | 09:28 PM
  #38  
kenv's Avatar
kenv
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
We have no need to worry... Hokies and Disarray are arguing the C4 side.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:52 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE