Basic C4 questions by C5 owner
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
what is it with zinc additive to oil? factories no matter what brand say don`t add anything to oil, gas, trans fluid. whats up with that? never use ant kind of "sealer" for leaks.fix it right.
Last edited by tntwolt; Jul 1, 2012 at 09:23 AM. Reason: crap, hit post button by accident, sorry.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
You didn't say if you're keeping the C5 or not. That would make a difference in answering your question.
If you keep the C5 then an 85 to play around with would be fun. But personally I would not replace a C5 with an 85 C4. If I had the run of the mill C5 I would replace it with an LT4 in heartbeat. But I wouldn't replace my FRC for any C4 only because of it's uniqueness.
The body styling of the 84-90 and then 91 to 96 is a preference thing. I like them both. I kinda prefer the nose of the 91-96 but I'm partial to the concave/squared back of the 84-90. It looks more covrvettey to me.
The best L98 is 89-91, imo, and is a perfectly fine engine to do 99% of what most of us do, and thats' drive down the road with an occasional spirted influence.
If I was concerned about bragging rights and pushed my car then I would want an LT4, 1996.
Back to your question, if it's a good deal and want another playtoy, I see nothing wrong with the 85. If it's going to be your only vette then I would look newer. Unless of course it's going to be a garage queen/show car then it would be fine.
Oh yeah, the LT1 and LT4 will get better fuel mileage.
If you keep the C5 then an 85 to play around with would be fun. But personally I would not replace a C5 with an 85 C4. If I had the run of the mill C5 I would replace it with an LT4 in heartbeat. But I wouldn't replace my FRC for any C4 only because of it's uniqueness.
The body styling of the 84-90 and then 91 to 96 is a preference thing. I like them both. I kinda prefer the nose of the 91-96 but I'm partial to the concave/squared back of the 84-90. It looks more covrvettey to me.
The best L98 is 89-91, imo, and is a perfectly fine engine to do 99% of what most of us do, and thats' drive down the road with an occasional spirted influence.
If I was concerned about bragging rights and pushed my car then I would want an LT4, 1996.
Back to your question, if it's a good deal and want another playtoy, I see nothing wrong with the 85. If it's going to be your only vette then I would look newer. Unless of course it's going to be a garage queen/show car then it would be fine.
Oh yeah, the LT1 and LT4 will get better fuel mileage.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Jul 1, 2012 at 12:47 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Was on another thread... a C4 spreadsheet on the transitions though the years.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...post1581207618
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...post1581207618
Last edited by Bandit's C4; Jul 1, 2012 at 01:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colorado
I don't own a C4, but I'm out right now looking for a Vette probably a C5, but maybe a C4. There are two recommendations the mechanics gave me. Watch out for early aluminum heads because they can develop leaking head gaskets and buy a later model with the LT1 enging. If you've got a line on a cherry 85, I wouldn't let the LT1 thing enter the equation if your getting it at a good price and you like it.
About the C5, Roadbike56 is correct. The first half C5, 1997 to 2000, is less desired than the second half, 2001 to 2004 where many improvements were made and a few more HP. Some 2001s had high oil consumption, something about the piston rings from the factory but were later resolved. My original intent was to pick up a 1990-95 ZR1 but I came across my C5 and loved it right away and as some have pointed out here, the C5 is a more refined Corvette with improved ride and a stock LS1 is not much below the 90-95 ZR1 in HP and easily matched with minimal bolt ons! I still like some of the features however of the C4, always will.
Best wishes to all and yes I wave at all Corvettes! Long live the C4!
Last edited by KN6VV; Jul 1, 2012 at 07:53 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
Get a 90-95 Corvette ZR-1. Some will tell you to not get the "slow" ones from 90-92, but let's be honest: none of these ZRs are outrunning much of what is being offered today. It's more about the car overall. I'm willing to bet the low mileage 85' owner may be asking, when coupled with a few thousand more, can net you the most important C4 Corvette. If you want an engine with great response, high winding, and a visual masterpiece underhood, get a ZR-1.
And that's coming from a non ZR owner who oh so wishes he was! One of the most pivotal Corvettes in this car's 60 years. I love the TPI Corvettes but they fall on their face not long after you jab the throttle. After driving a ZR-1 I tuned up for an owner, I wish someone could have stitched me into the seat. It was a 91' one of the "slow" ones but the sounds it makes coupled with the long hood, clutching in and grabbing some gears while breaking the tires loose, who the hell cares if it doesn't have Dunn heads or it's a few mph slower through the 1/4.
That being said, the 1993 may be the best bet. It has the better interior (personally) of the "slow" models but has the 405 hp of the more desirable later ZR-1s. Then throw in the Ruby 40th package optioned ZR and you're probably set, though mine would be black.
And that's coming from a non ZR owner who oh so wishes he was! One of the most pivotal Corvettes in this car's 60 years. I love the TPI Corvettes but they fall on their face not long after you jab the throttle. After driving a ZR-1 I tuned up for an owner, I wish someone could have stitched me into the seat. It was a 91' one of the "slow" ones but the sounds it makes coupled with the long hood, clutching in and grabbing some gears while breaking the tires loose, who the hell cares if it doesn't have Dunn heads or it's a few mph slower through the 1/4.
That being said, the 1993 may be the best bet. It has the better interior (personally) of the "slow" models but has the 405 hp of the more desirable later ZR-1s. Then throw in the Ruby 40th package optioned ZR and you're probably set, though mine would be black.
Last edited by 1985 Corvette; Jul 1, 2012 at 08:15 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
Get a 90-95 Corvette ZR-1. Some will tell you to not get the "slow" ones from 90-92, but let's be honest: none of these ZRs are outrunning much of what is being offered today. It's more about the car overall. I'm willing to bet the low mileage 85' owner may be asking, when coupled with a few thousand more, can net you the most important C4 Corvette. If you want an engine with great response, high winding, and a visual masterpiece underhood, get a ZR-1.
And that's coming from a non ZR owner who oh so wishes he was! One of the most pivotal Corvettes in this car's 60 years. I love the TPI Corvettes but they fall on their face not long after you jab the throttle. After driving a ZR-1 I tuned up for an owner, I wish someone could have stitched me into the seat. It was a 91' one of the "slow" ones but the sounds it makes coupled with the long hood, clutching in and grabbing some gears while breaking the tires loose, who the hell cares if it doesn't have Dunn heads or it's a few mph slower through the 1/4.
That being said, the 1993 may be the best bet. It has the better interior (personally) of the "slow" models but has the 405 hp of the more desirable later ZR-1s. Then throw in the Ruby 40th package optioned ZR and you're probably set, though mine would be black.
And that's coming from a non ZR owner who oh so wishes he was! One of the most pivotal Corvettes in this car's 60 years. I love the TPI Corvettes but they fall on their face not long after you jab the throttle. After driving a ZR-1 I tuned up for an owner, I wish someone could have stitched me into the seat. It was a 91' one of the "slow" ones but the sounds it makes coupled with the long hood, clutching in and grabbing some gears while breaking the tires loose, who the hell cares if it doesn't have Dunn heads or it's a few mph slower through the 1/4.
That being said, the 1993 may be the best bet. It has the better interior (personally) of the "slow" models but has the 405 hp of the more desirable later ZR-1s. Then throw in the Ruby 40th package optioned ZR and you're probably set, though mine would be black.
4.4
13.3@105 or so...
181 mph
MT had some '94s and '95s that were iffy. also a '91 that went head to head v. Porsche 930 Turbo (964) w/315 hp
4.9
13.6@102
176 mph
