LT1 or LT4?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
Except of course that's traction-limited. As always, power is the only number that matters in acceleration. And yeah, I agree the L98 is basically slaughtered in all measures that actually matter. I will agree with Cool Runnings that TPI looks better, though! But yeah, the LT4 is significantly more powerful than the LT1 and lays waste to the L98.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I think it is interesting to see how much variation there is between tests.
For example the L98 6 speed should be no different between the coupe or convertible, but they show 5.6 to 6.3 or 0.7 difference.
The LT1's show 5.1 to 5.7 or 0.6 difference
The LT4's show 4.9 to 5.45 or 0.55 difference.
I think that is why so many of these tests are hard to base performance off of. You don't know the conditions at the time, the driver's skill, etc.
From my experience with owning 3 L98's, 3 LT1's, and 1 LT4 in Corvettes, I believe the LT1's out perform the L98's and the LT4 out performs the LT1. At the higher rpms, the difference is more noticeable, but it seems to me that there is a difference in the lower rpms too.
For example the L98 6 speed should be no different between the coupe or convertible, but they show 5.6 to 6.3 or 0.7 difference.
The LT1's show 5.1 to 5.7 or 0.6 difference
The LT4's show 4.9 to 5.45 or 0.55 difference.
I think that is why so many of these tests are hard to base performance off of. You don't know the conditions at the time, the driver's skill, etc.
From my experience with owning 3 L98's, 3 LT1's, and 1 LT4 in Corvettes, I believe the LT1's out perform the L98's and the LT4 out performs the LT1. At the higher rpms, the difference is more noticeable, but it seems to me that there is a difference in the lower rpms too.
Interesting how stoplight to stoplight, the L98 is as quick as the LT4 (close anyhoo).
L98 Road Test
Motor Trend
April, 1990
Automatic
0-60..................5.7
6-speed coupe
0-60..................5.6
6-speed convertible
0-60..................6.3
--------------------
LT1 Road Tests
Car and Driver
March, 1995
0-60..................5.1
Road & Track
February, 1994
0-60..................5.7
Motor Trend
May, 1996
0-60..................5.6
--------------------
LT4 Road Tests
Car and Driver
September, 1995
0-60..................5.1
Road & Track
February, 1995
0-60..................5.2
Vette
August, 1996
0-60..................5.45
Motor Trend
May, 1996
0-60..................4.9
L98 Road Test
Motor Trend
April, 1990
Automatic
0-60..................5.7
6-speed coupe
0-60..................5.6
6-speed convertible
0-60..................6.3
--------------------
LT1 Road Tests
Car and Driver
March, 1995
0-60..................5.1
Road & Track
February, 1994
0-60..................5.7
Motor Trend
May, 1996
0-60..................5.6
--------------------
LT4 Road Tests
Car and Driver
September, 1995
0-60..................5.1
Road & Track
February, 1995
0-60..................5.2
Vette
August, 1996
0-60..................5.45
Motor Trend
May, 1996
0-60..................4.9
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 9
From: Menifee California
As I mentioned I did have a 94 auto for years and never tried the LT4, but from all the research I did and the feedback I'm getting here (much appreciated) i want to switch to manual LT4 for a keeper. Since I'm not in the states I guess test drivig it is out of the window that's why I wanna cover as much info and details as possible before buying one.
What would be the value range for a good condition 96' Lt4 with mileage let's say below 75k.?
What would be the value range for a good condition 96' Lt4 with mileage let's say below 75k.?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
And thanks all for the infos.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 9
From: Menifee California
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 696
Likes: 73
From: Columbus, OH
B17Crew
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 9
From: Menifee California
Congrats on two nice C4s! Would have to be a new thread but, would really be interested in hearing your impressions of the driving differences between the LT-4 and LT-5. With being able to balance a nickel on the intake of the LT-5 with the engine running leaves me the impression it’s a very “smooth” engine.
B17Crew
B17Crew
I was actually planning on doing a thread like that soon. Only owned the cars for one week. So probably another few days and I will. Stay tuned!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 57,132
Likes: 90
From: Kennesaw, GA www.96LT4.com
Former Moderator
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
CI3 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Ask We Gone about the LT4s...I got to run with him up the highway and we were both running about 50. I had him til 80 or so, but the LT5 took over and just walked away. The LT5 is a beast once it starts to breathe.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 9
From: Menifee California
I'm gonna have my buddy drive my lt4 while I drive my lt5. Interested to see how it's gonna go...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
His car posted 314hp at the rear wheels, mine posted 311.
Last edited by rocco16; Mar 18, 2017 at 11:31 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 696
Likes: 73
From: Columbus, OH
B17Crew