C4 for racing
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
NASA HPDE: "Cars without fixed roofs are required to have roll bars."
Does this mean the Corvette targa top needs a roll bar or will NASA consider the base Corvette ok for racing?
Id expect it to be, I just need to be sure. I dont want a roll cage at this point
Does this mean the Corvette targa top needs a roll bar or will NASA consider the base Corvette ok for racing?
Id expect it to be, I just need to be sure. I dont want a roll cage at this point
Last edited by tav8ws6; Sep 12, 2011 at 03:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
Likes: 707
From: WI
The targa will be fine. You can do HPDE and TT with NASA without a cage.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
Hey everyone!
Ive been looking to get into track racing events. For starters, it would be basic driving schools and track day events, nothing too extreme yet until I learn more about driving and racing.
So Ive been looking at cheap RWD manual cars to get my foot in the door with and use as my starter track car and it dawned on me that the C4s are older and cheaper now and they would be a great choice.
Ive been looking at 92-92 C4s that are around $7grand and less. Ive found some potential cars, but before I even get close to looking at any, how well will the C4 serve my purposes? Ive read it handles well, and the engines reliable. But will their age force me to spend thousands in repairs? How are C4 parts pricing and availability? What mileage do LT1s typically have to be rebuilt at? What type of modifications must I make before racing (stainless steel brake lines, trans cooler)?
I want a cheaper car that if something breaks on it wont be a heart break, just toss it in the garage and get to work.
Thanks alot!
Ive been looking to get into track racing events. For starters, it would be basic driving schools and track day events, nothing too extreme yet until I learn more about driving and racing.
So Ive been looking at cheap RWD manual cars to get my foot in the door with and use as my starter track car and it dawned on me that the C4s are older and cheaper now and they would be a great choice.
Ive been looking at 92-92 C4s that are around $7grand and less. Ive found some potential cars, but before I even get close to looking at any, how well will the C4 serve my purposes? Ive read it handles well, and the engines reliable. But will their age force me to spend thousands in repairs? How are C4 parts pricing and availability? What mileage do LT1s typically have to be rebuilt at? What type of modifications must I make before racing (stainless steel brake lines, trans cooler)?
I want a cheaper car that if something breaks on it wont be a heart break, just toss it in the garage and get to work.
Thanks alot!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
One of the first things on the to do list: Frame Stiffeners
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
One of the first things on the to do list: Frame Stiffeners
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
Jack up the car before installing the C4 No flex frame stiffener bar system and you will not be able to open and close either door or hood. With the C4 No flex frame stiffener bar system installed you should be able to open either door or hood with the car jacked up.
That's funny... my car lives on jacks and I have never, not once had a problem opening the hood or doors.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I didnt realize my typo. I want a 92-96. LT1 and the newer body style. Ive read about the vented opti spark, but Ill just worry about it when the time comes. Of course, the newer the car the better, but if its within the years I want, I wont be too upset...but Ill be checking the market out for a while before I jump on anything.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I think they mean if you lift one end of the car and leave the other on the ground. You have yours very nicely leveled (or so it looks!) Other chassis stiffeners arent made anymore as it seems, just this new one.
With the F-Bodys everyone recommends subframe connectors immediately. I put them on just for the longevity of the car. Better handling was just a plus!
With the F-Bodys everyone recommends subframe connectors immediately. I put them on just for the longevity of the car. Better handling was just a plus!
Last edited by tav8ws6; Sep 12, 2011 at 09:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
I have my car off the ground 1 side at a time constantly, bleeding brakes, changing wheels, fixing random crap, etc. Yes, in that pic it is level but usually it isn't.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
When dealing with Corvettes, the quicker you get rid of the F-Body mentality the better.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Oh, Im well aware of Corvettes and F-Bodys, but Ive been reading that this is helpful. Especially when the targa tops off to reduce twist. The C4 was supposed to be a T bar roof. And the C4 frame is seen as "flimsy" depending on who youre talking to.
Ill certainly take your word for it though. Have you done any frame stiffening modifications to your car?
Ill certainly take your word for it though. Have you done any frame stiffening modifications to your car?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Oh, Im well aware of Corvettes and F-Bodys, but Ive been reading that this is helpful. Especially when the targa tops off to reduce twist. The C4 was supposed to be a T bar roof. And the C4 frame is seen as "flimsy" depending on who youre talking to.
Ill certainly take your word for it though. Have you done any frame stiffening modifications to your car?
Ill certainly take your word for it though. Have you done any frame stiffening modifications to your car?
My car has a 4 point roll bar (not a full cage) and a camber brace up front. Nothing else in the lines of chassis stiffening. I have never felt it flex. It actually feels every bit as solid in that regard as the C5s that I have been in.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
One of the first things on the to do list: Frame Stiffeners
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
http://www.vette2vette.com/product/8...ner-bar-system
Im going to make carbon fibered spare tire delete brackets and become a millionaire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
FYI, all '95-96 cars will have J55 brakes. And there was no Z51 between 91-95, just Z07 which has adjustable shocks.
Also keep in mind C5 brakes are not very expensive, and are a much thicker rotor. If you could find like a rough LT4, gut it a bit, throw some C5 brakes on, I bet it would be a blast. Trans coolers don't seem to be common/needed on the ZF.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 55
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From: Waynesville Ohio
Just a note. The C4 was never to be a T-top car. That was the one of the reason's there was not a 1983 model. GM execs were adamant to get rid of the T-top design against engineer wishes. That is why there is a nice healthy metal roll bar that ties the frame together. GM history of the corvette explains a lot about the C4. If not for the C4, the C5 and C6 would not be what they are today. My .02.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Youre right, it wasnt supposed to be a t-top, but it was supposed to have a t-bar for rigidity under the targa roof. Thats what I read...cant verify any of it. Ill try to find the link.
http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles...e-tighten-up-1
http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles...e-tighten-up-1
Last edited by tav8ws6; Sep 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Skip the underbody braces. It's a placebo. The stiffest part of a C4 is the frame right where those attach, why would you need to stiffen the stiffest part of the frame?
When you are on track you will definately want to run the top on, though.
When you are on track you will definately want to run the top on, though.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
Likes: 707
From: WI
Get some seat time it will make the greatest difference. So will big sticky tires. Wheel bearing maintenance will go up though! I originally wanted an LT1 car but have been happy I went with the L98 for a long time. After a rebuild it has been a very good engine. No opti, easy to tune, etc. Get a bunch of camber it really makes the car turn. I cut the conical a-arm spacers since taking all the shims out only got .9° which is pretty typical.
You want less weight not more frame devices. They are expensive for what gain will be had. Try them later and report back.
Here is a thread about top on or off and not finding a gain:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...on-or-off.html
You want less weight not more frame devices. They are expensive for what gain will be had. Try them later and report back.
Here is a thread about top on or off and not finding a gain:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...on-or-off.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Is the selective ride control something good to look for or will it only cause me problems?
Are any of the ride selectors good? Did it change for 1996?
Can a change of shocks eliminate the ride selector but still make it good to use for the track?
Are any of the ride selectors good? Did it change for 1996?
Can a change of shocks eliminate the ride selector but still make it good to use for the track?
Last edited by tav8ws6; Sep 14, 2011 at 06:49 PM.