you have two hoods - one from a 1990 corvette and one from a 1991. they are pure stock as delivered by the factory. the hoods are stand alone, and not on the cars. both are steel blue (i used steel blue because it's a color that was only offered on the 90-91 model years). the question is, what is the difference between the two hoods? first correct answer gets a

 

Hood prop holes?

 

the emblem

 

BINGO - we have a winner - here's your

i really thought it would have taken longer than that....

1991 emblem -



1990 emblem -



i posted this thread because, from another thread, i was surprised how many C4 owners didn't know the differences between the 88-89 wheels and the 1990 wheels. every C4 owner should know at least one difference between every year C4.

 

Good info!

 

You kind of embarassed me. I realized that I don't know at least one difference between each of the years. Used to be so easy to know the difference between years of a bunch of different car brands. Hope this doesn't mean dementia is setting in. Do you have examples of the easiest way to tell the difference in years?

 

 

well, i'm no expert on all C4 years, but this is how i tell the difference (assuming stock and without interior/exterior mods). some years have unique colors, e.g., copper metallic in 1994. there are probably many differences, some under the hood, but this is the easiest for me and my quick identifier:

1984 - obviously the X-fire - "crossfire injection" on the fender trim, curved down tailpipes

1985 - TPI - "tuned port injection" on the fender trim, straight tail pipes
both 84 and 85 have black accents on the wheels.

1986 - first year for the center mounted stop light - the wheels have natural color wheel accents.

1987 - pretty much the same as 1987, but the wheels have gray accents on the wheels.

all 84 through 87 have the same style wheels, only the accent colors differ.

1988 - new style wheels - 16 inchers are unique, and one year only, new optional 17 inch wheels (large center cap)

1989 - new style seats, standard 17 inch wheels - same as optional 17 inchers offered in 1988

1990 - last of the early C4 body, first year of the late C4 interior, one year only wheels - seats are the same as the 89 model. i feel the 1990 model is the most unique c4.

1991 - first year of new body style, last year for the TPI. interior pretty much the same as 1990. color configuration of emblems changed. new style wheels (salad shooters). 91 mufflers have dual outlets (like all L98's)

90 and 91 interiors have gray trim bezels w/ orange lettering

1992 - first year for the LT1 - interior trim bezels in black with orange lettering. new LT1 exhaust tips

1993 - 40th anniversary emblems - last year for orange lettering on gauges and bezels

1994 - new seats, white lettering on interior gauges and bezels. 91-94 have the same fiender gills. the only way i can tell the difference between the 1992 and 1994 corvette is by the interior

1995 - new fender gills

1996 - area between front fog light/turn signal assemblies, and side markers is not blacked out.

 

Same here used to know them all on sight. Now just remembering the difference between C1 to C6's is good enough for me.

 

I agree

You're right. If you make it a 1990 ZR-1 then you really have a unique C4. The 90 Z had the "old" body style front end with the "new" body style rear end. (Of course the Z rear was wider too).

One way to tell a real Z is to look for the spacers between the reverse lights and the license plate.

 

im brand new to c4's, so im right there with you. the only differences i know are is it has the digital gauges and 6 spd, its an 89. if it had crossfire its a 84. thats bout it for me

 

Here's a spreadsheet I compiled on the major differences...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...post1581207618

 

I didn't know that AMAZING.

 

Just want to add.

1st year for 6 spd.

Wheels changed to "sawblades", (painted).

92 wheels are painted and 94s are machined finish.

Red intake on LT4s and only year for "Grand Sport" and "Collector's Edition".

 

Let's not forget that the 1990-1993s didn't have mass airflow sensors.

 

92 was the only LT1 that came with magnesium valve covers, 93-96 had composite.

 

They used two different inner door handles for the 1984 model year.

 

so which one came with the "wing" on back? always thought it was overdone.

 

Actually I think the '91 is more unique due to it being the only newer body style with the L98, well except for the LT5

 

Aren't the '84 seats unique to that year. Bolster wear prompted an emergency redo for '85. Also, if memory serves me, you can distinquish '90 ZR-1s from '91s by the square tail pipe tips.