1996 LT4 question/advice
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
1996 LT4 question/advice
I recently came across an opportunity to buy a 1996 collectors edition. The seller bought it at an auction several weeks ago. He knows nothing about the car, but he claims it runs like a dream. Car pics he sent look great. I ran the VIN online and no accidents or anything, but it is a "Not Actual Mileage" title & lists it as having an odometer discrepancy. Also listed as having been a fleet vehicle in 2001 & 2002. My second red flag is the engine pics. Looks like an LT4, but why isn't the intake runner red? I am worried someone opened the engine up and did amateur surgery on it. It is a long drive for me to go look at this vehicle, and I'm working a lot of overtime lately. Pursue it, or walk away now? Any advice or information would be helpful.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
If it's an automatic, then it's probably an LT1. The throttle body plate that says "Grand Sport" would be pretty easy to add. Also, you can look inside the oil cap and check for "LT4" embossed in the cylinder head.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Take a look for the sticker that has the RPO codes on it (either on the driver door or the inside of the center counsel) which will tell you the engine that it came with. From your pictures, you have a LT1.
Racer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 350
Likes: 74
Is it auto or M6? All 96 c4’s with a manual got the lt4, and the lt4 was simply not an option with the auto. All lt4 intakes are also red, and I can’t imagine someone taking the time to strip the paint off one to make it look like an lt1.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
To add to what RUU and billshroeder mentioned:
8th Character of the VIN
P = LT1
5 = LT4
The intake in your picture is clearly not an LT4 intake, and as mentioned that "Grand Sport" throttle plate is easy enough to add.
Also, the transmission is a pretty good sign, but also not impossible to swap.
The VIN tag however would tell you if it left the factory with an LT1 or LT4
8th Character of the VIN
P = LT1
5 = LT4
The intake in your picture is clearly not an LT4 intake, and as mentioned that "Grand Sport" throttle plate is easy enough to add.
Also, the transmission is a pretty good sign, but also not impossible to swap.
The VIN tag however would tell you if it left the factory with an LT1 or LT4
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
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It is a 6 speed manual transmission. 8th digit of the VIN is a 5. I'm really trying to avoid a long trip for nothing. Thanks to everyone for the info. I'm beginning to think there was an engine swap, or some odd surgery done to the car somewhere along the way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,865
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From: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, L.A California
yeah. I’d stay away from that car. Maybe the LT4 went bad and someone replaced it with an LT1.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 294
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From: Massachusetts
I'd run far away from that one, unless it's so incredibly cheap you can't loose, but it certainly is interesting.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
I'd run far away from that one, unless it's so incredibly cheap you can't loose, but it certainly is interesting.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
something stinks in Denmark...... RUN
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I'd run far away from that one, unless it's so incredibly cheap you can't loose, but it certainly is interesting.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
I do not see EGR which does indicate it's an LT4 (but who knows). I can also see headers on it with the air injection system removed. Pretty par for the course, I did the same to mine when I put headers in but the lack of a red intake is having me scratch my head. The pictures are tiny but it looks like a couple things are out of place from factory indicating the engine was pulled and replaced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 545
From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
It is definitely NOT worth taking the chance. This has more questions than "Question Mark and the Mysterians". (A weird band from the 1960s whose claim to fame was the one hit wonder "96 Tears" - which you may be crying if you buy this C4)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
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From: South Dakota
The car was originally a 6 speed LT4.
However, the aluminum color intake casts a lot of doubt that it is still and LT4.
I would pull the oil fill cap and look inside for roller rockers and the "LT4" lettering cast into the head. The seller may be able to provide a picture like that if you are a long distance away.
My guess is like was suggested that it may be a motor swap to an LT1.
If it is an LT1 you may still not want to rule it out. An LT1 6 speed is still a very nice combination and it could be a great car. However, be cautious about what all has been done and expect pricing to match what it really is, not what it originally was.
It also depends on what you want. For example a toy, a driver, a collector, laws about motor swaps/emissions etc.
Good luck.
I have a collector edition LT4 6 speed and I also have a '95 LT1 6 speed. They are both nice cars.
However, the aluminum color intake casts a lot of doubt that it is still and LT4.
I would pull the oil fill cap and look inside for roller rockers and the "LT4" lettering cast into the head. The seller may be able to provide a picture like that if you are a long distance away.
My guess is like was suggested that it may be a motor swap to an LT1.
If it is an LT1 you may still not want to rule it out. An LT1 6 speed is still a very nice combination and it could be a great car. However, be cautious about what all has been done and expect pricing to match what it really is, not what it originally was.
It also depends on what you want. For example a toy, a driver, a collector, laws about motor swaps/emissions etc.
Good luck.
I have a collector edition LT4 6 speed and I also have a '95 LT1 6 speed. They are both nice cars.