c4 troubles?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: just South of the Zoo Michigan
c4 troubles?
I am looking at buying a 1985 Corvett. My boss told me today that she heard there were a lot of problems with one of the years in the 1980s. is this true? which year? any advice before I purchase it?
thanks,
Johnny Diamond....new member.
thanks,
Johnny Diamond....new member.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 475
From: New Jersey
Johnny, hang around here and read up a bit. If you can get us a more detailed description of what you are looking to buy we can offer advice.
The 1984 Vette is likely what she is talking about. As the first C4, they had some first-year kinks that got worked out later. But none of them are critical. Like any '80s GM, paint and materials quality were not quite what they should have been.
If I am not a wrench, I buy the newest, best C4 I can get my hands on. My advice.
The 1984 Vette is likely what she is talking about. As the first C4, they had some first-year kinks that got worked out later. But none of them are critical. Like any '80s GM, paint and materials quality were not quite what they should have been.
If I am not a wrench, I buy the newest, best C4 I can get my hands on. My advice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: just South of the Zoo Michigan
came across '85. Purple, i assume not original paint. with stripes/flames on side starting at vent behind wheel. 140,000 miles. very clean with black interior. belongs to someone I know.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: just South of the Zoo Michigan
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
The are well documented problems on C4 that are going to happen because of age regardless.
Some as simple as a quick rewire, replace a hose or a relay ;some more complicated
and /or expensive
No year has a certain problem that would prevent you from buying it ,updates were constantly done so later years are " better " than earlier so buy the latest model you can afford
FWIW ,
84/85 have a stiff suspension and ride hard which may not be to your liking
The O/d on the 4+3 man trans is expensive to fix so you need to know it is sound preferably with proof it has been serviced at the correct factory recommended intervals
( every 12K )
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
I would imagine that if the car is good running condition today, that most of those "factory gremlins" have been worked out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Just a couple of things to be aware of with an 85. It was the first year for tuned port fuel injection. As such, it was the only year with the 870 chip for the computer. Following years used a different chip that took more "samplings" from the sensors and therefore made many more and faster adjustments to fuel/air mixtures.
Is this an automatic? If the trans has not been rebuilt recently, then your at the point where it will need to be soon. You would be looking at $2500-$3000 to have that done.
I liked my 85 and had no issues with the 870 chip. I was lucky to find someone that could program it. I ended up have two chips burned. One for daily driving and the other for the 1/4 drag strip.
Is this an automatic? If the trans has not been rebuilt recently, then your at the point where it will need to be soon. You would be looking at $2500-$3000 to have that done.
I liked my 85 and had no issues with the 870 chip. I was lucky to find someone that could program it. I ended up have two chips burned. One for daily driving and the other for the 1/4 drag strip.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
Also the 85 did NOT have a stiff suspension unless it had the Z51 option. Many improvements were made on the suspension in 1985 and later.