Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 442
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From: Kingsport TN
Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes
As a current owner of a C3 (red 82), I am looking forward to adding to my collection with a C4 purchase some time in the next few years. I really like the 91-96 body style with the rounded rear clip. Since these 6 years look basically the same to me, can someone tell me the basic differences between these 6 years and what year would be the best to buy for a daily driver? I guess my question is why pay more for 96 if a 91 is just as good for a daily driver?
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Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
Big difference between 1996 and 1991.
1991 had the L98 engine(last year for it)
1996 had the LT1(automatic) and the LT4(manual)
1996 was also OBD II
The interiors are slightly different. 1990-93 had a glove box on the dash where the 94-96 had an airbag and the arm rests became the glove box.
The other differences were in the console as well as the different coloring of the letters on the radio and other controls.
In 1995 the C4 came standard with the J55 "Big Brake" package.
1991-92 had painted sawblade wheels where the 93-96 had the polished machine finished look.
There are a slew of other differences, but those are the major ones.
Bottom line is buy the latest one you can afford.
1991 had the L98 engine(last year for it)
1996 had the LT1(automatic) and the LT4(manual)
1996 was also OBD II
The interiors are slightly different. 1990-93 had a glove box on the dash where the 94-96 had an airbag and the arm rests became the glove box.
The other differences were in the console as well as the different coloring of the letters on the radio and other controls.
In 1995 the C4 came standard with the J55 "Big Brake" package.
1991-92 had painted sawblade wheels where the 93-96 had the polished machine finished look.
There are a slew of other differences, but those are the major ones.
Bottom line is buy the latest one you can afford.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,760
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
91- L98 motor, awesome low end torque, great stoplight warrior, great if you don't do much highspeed highway driving. Same interior style from 90-93
92- introduction of the LT1, very good smallblock, really comes to life where the L98 leaves off, great for highway speeds. Also the addition of ASR (traction control) Slight interior changes, mainly trim color
93 - pretty much unchanged from 92
94- Interior updated, seats, dash, trim, and door panels passenger side airbag added in place of glove box.
95- Exterior side panels changed everything else pretty much the same as 94
96- LT1 standard for automatic cars, LT4 standard for manuals. LT4 was a hopped up version of the LT1 with a "rated" 30 more hp and a redline raised to 6300 rpm. Also the Grand Sport model which was available in manual only.
90-95- LT5 equipped ZR-1 375 hp from 90-92 and 405 hp from 93-95. The car is 3 inches wider than a standard corvette body. Available in manual only.
[Modified by BiZ, 10:49 PM 7/7/2002]
92- introduction of the LT1, very good smallblock, really comes to life where the L98 leaves off, great for highway speeds. Also the addition of ASR (traction control) Slight interior changes, mainly trim color
93 - pretty much unchanged from 92
94- Interior updated, seats, dash, trim, and door panels passenger side airbag added in place of glove box.
95- Exterior side panels changed everything else pretty much the same as 94
96- LT1 standard for automatic cars, LT4 standard for manuals. LT4 was a hopped up version of the LT1 with a "rated" 30 more hp and a redline raised to 6300 rpm. Also the Grand Sport model which was available in manual only.
90-95- LT5 equipped ZR-1 375 hp from 90-92 and 405 hp from 93-95. The car is 3 inches wider than a standard corvette body. Available in manual only.
[Modified by BiZ, 10:49 PM 7/7/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
91 had 245 hp and the 92's went to the LT1 300 hp. From 92 on each year the LT1 remained the same hp but improvements were made each year suppositively for durability. The optispark changed to a vented style in 94 or 95, which helped it to be a little more durable. In 93 they started with the PKE car entry system, this unlocked the car when the driver would walk up with the key fob in his pocket without having to push a door open button. In 94 they quit selling cloth seats and all were leather plus a passenger side airbag became standard. In 95 the larger brake package became standard on all vettes, not just the Z07 and ZR1 models. In 96 you could get an LT4 330 hp engine if you buy a 6 speed only. Also the computer changed to the more complex OBD2 type.
This is just a short list of changes or improvements (depending on what you want ) they made in the Corvettes. All in all they are all great corvettes. :cheers:
This is just a short list of changes or improvements (depending on what you want ) they made in the Corvettes. All in all they are all great corvettes. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (CowboyNVette)
Theyve covered it, try to get the 96 6speed if you can, otherwise get the newest you can afford.
If you buy a 92-96 model, id ask the owner if hes replaced the Optispark and/or water pump before. You cant get the LT1/4 engine wet.
If you buy a 92-96 model, id ask the owner if hes replaced the Optispark and/or water pump before. You cant get the LT1/4 engine wet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Lake George NY
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Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
ive had 78, 86, 92 and have a 96 LT4 now. By far the 96 blows them all away, but if you want a daily driver I would go with the 94 if you can swing it. It has the newer body style and interior. If not, they are all good cars, but I would definately go with a 94 or later if possible. If you cant swing a 94 then I would get a 92 or later so that you have the updated interior.
JMHO.
vr,
Volt
JMHO.
vr,
Volt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,760
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
Dangit, jwatty I just noticed that you are from Kingsport TN. I lived in Rogersville 27 miles west of Kingsport for a short spell. I have family up there. As a matter of fact my brother is moving back up there next week. Looks like I will have more family up there now.
[Modified by BiZ, 11:32 PM 7/7/2002]
[Modified by BiZ, 11:32 PM 7/7/2002]
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Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
They're all Corvettes. Just buy one! Go with the newest you can afford, and use common sense. 1996 was the best year, all bugs worked out from previous years.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: Advice needed on differences between 91 - 96 vettes (jwatty)
From 95 to 96 (for the LT-1)... stronger torque convertor, slightly revised cam, a few more NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) mods, ODBII mods (4 O2 sensors, crank position sensor, etc.)...
GM was an a mission for increasing quality on the 95-96's. They failed miserably compared to imports, but succeeded quite well compared to their own earlier bretheren. As far as C-4's go, they can't be beat.
I've owned an '84 and '86 also... let's just say they kept my mechanical skills quite sharp.
GM was an a mission for increasing quality on the 95-96's. They failed miserably compared to imports, but succeeded quite well compared to their own earlier bretheren. As far as C-4's go, they can't be beat.
I've owned an '84 and '86 also... let's just say they kept my mechanical skills quite sharp.