C4 wheel interchangeable?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
They will bolt on (and you can use the 84 lug nuts) but the offset is different. The 1988 and later 9.5x17" wheels have a 56mm offset while the 84-87 wheels used a 38mm offset. This means that the later wheels will sit 3/4" (18mm) further inside the wheel well compared to the '84 wheels.
The 3/4" doesn't seem like a lot, but it will be noticeable. But the later wheels and tires should not rub anywhere.
The 3/4" doesn't seem like a lot, but it will be noticeable. But the later wheels and tires should not rub anywhere.
Race Director
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Pro
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From: Atco Raceway in between Pa & Nj 13.073 @ 106 MPH
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Woodbury MN
Thank you very much. I just looked at a 1985 this afternoon. It was in OK condition but not good enough for my first Corvette. Hopefully I will be looking at an '86 this week that looks a lot better on Craig's list. I will probably have a thousand more questions through all this. Again, I appreciate any advice out there. Jay
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Carencro LA
I would stay away from the 84 and it's CFI, but no reason to skip over a L98 car. No factory Corvette is brutally powerfull anyway, and you will have to build your own if you want that.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Woodbury MN
I'm looking at buying a 1988 C4. the car has intermittent flickering or shorting out of the digital dash. It also has headlights that won't come all the way open until the car warms up. Are these two things an easy and affordable fix? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Jay
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
Welcome to the Forum Jay. As mentioned take your time choosing your car and buy the lowest mileage, newest one you can afford. As with any car, the last year usually finally has all the bugs worked out. Seems in every year model with the C4 there are things like one year only parts that are hard to find or certain problems with this system or that one. Do your research and make your decision. This forum is a wealth of info and using the search function will aid you in making your decision. It will be faster than waiting for someone to answer the question you have. Most likely all the new owner/prospective buyer questions you will have are already been answered a thousand times. Read what is there and then ask questions about the info you have gathered.
Good luck with your purchase and make sure you post a pic of it when you get it home.
Good luck with your purchase and make sure you post a pic of it when you get it home.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43
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From: Montreal QC
With regards to the bargain basement model being a money pit. Any C4 is better than no C4. You're not buying the car to taxi the kids around in, so pick up the one that blows your skirt up the most and you can afford to pay for. Project cars can be fun too. Enjoy!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: El Paso Texas
With regards to the bargain basement model being a money pit. Any C4 is better than no C4. You're not buying the car to taxi the kids around in, so pick up the one that blows your skirt up the most and you can afford to pay for. Project cars can be fun too. Enjoy!
That said, rehabbing a ratty one will get you up close and personal with your car. You'll know every nut and bolt when you're done, and will have a real personal connection with the car. Just don't ever plan on getting even a decent fraction of your money back. These are not 1970 Boss 429 Mustangs or '63 split window coupes were dealing with here. They're just fun old cars with a lot of bang for the buck.
My advice to n00bs is always the same....take your time, drive as many as you can before signing on the dotted line. You'll be glad you did.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43
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From: Montreal QC
True, as long as you're going into it with the mindset of it being a labor of love and aren't concerned what it will cost. The mantra I use with C4's is that it is always cheaper to buy a nice one than rehab a ratty one.
That said, rehabbing a ratty one will get you up close and personal with your car. You'll know every nut and bolt when you're done, and will have a real personal connection with the car. Just don't ever plan on getting even a decent fraction of your money back. These are not 1970 Boss 429 Mustangs or '63 split window coupes were dealing with here. They're just fun old cars with a lot of bang for the buck.
My advice to n00bs is always the same....take your time, drive as many as you can before signing on the dotted line. You'll be glad you did.
That said, rehabbing a ratty one will get you up close and personal with your car. You'll know every nut and bolt when you're done, and will have a real personal connection with the car. Just don't ever plan on getting even a decent fraction of your money back. These are not 1970 Boss 429 Mustangs or '63 split window coupes were dealing with here. They're just fun old cars with a lot of bang for the buck.
My advice to n00bs is always the same....take your time, drive as many as you can before signing on the dotted line. You'll be glad you did.
There is a incredible amount of knowledge on this forum. Take advantage of it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
If all you care about is making it drivable, your statement might be true.
If you have to rebuild one of these, interior and paint alone will cost you more than the car is worth in most cases.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
x2 Don`t just buy the first thing you see. figure your budget & get the best car you can for that money. If you know anybody with a C4 take them with you when you go to look at a car. These cars can get real expensive, real fast. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Buy this book. You can get it for a good price at www.half.com
The only problem with it is that you will begin to lust after the ZR-1, the Grand Sport LT4, the Corvette Challenge, and the Callaway C4s. You will gain a lot of knowledge though.
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Specs...5541050&sr=1-1
The only problem with it is that you will begin to lust after the ZR-1, the Grand Sport LT4, the Corvette Challenge, and the Callaway C4s. You will gain a lot of knowledge though.
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Specs...5541050&sr=1-1
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 62
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From: Woodbury MN
My first Corvette
First of all thanks for all the wisdom many of you have shared in response to my questions. After looking a countless Corvettes on line and five in person (four I drove) I made the decision. The 1985 I bought is a 9 on the 1 to 10 scale. It's so much better in condition then the others it wasn't even close. Since it's the end of the season the price was right. it has 90,000 miles and has a 4+3 transmission. So far everything is working well. I will post some pictures when I figure out how to do it. Jay
