Trading 87 for 96
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
Trading 87 for 96
Hey everyone,
I have the opportunity to trade my 87 corvette for a 96, almost 10 years newer about about 100k miles on the vehicle.
I’m tempted since I am liking the HP increase and the interior update to the 90s and all, service history is good, but I am wary since I’m not positive on the known issues for later models.
Do the LT4s have issues with the distributors and the water pump basically destroying them? I’d appreciate some input from some guys that know better on the later models and engine as to what I really need to research into.
Thanks
I have the opportunity to trade my 87 corvette for a 96, almost 10 years newer about about 100k miles on the vehicle.
I’m tempted since I am liking the HP increase and the interior update to the 90s and all, service history is good, but I am wary since I’m not positive on the known issues for later models.
Do the LT4s have issues with the distributors and the water pump basically destroying them? I’d appreciate some input from some guys that know better on the later models and engine as to what I really need to research into.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
I had an 89 vert and now have a 92 6 speed. I prefer the older 89 body style, but would rather have the HP of the 92. So I went with a 92. Mine has a 185k miles. It is actually a little easier to work on the opti on this than the distributor on an L98. IF you remove the distributor on the L98 there is a procedure to re-time it. You have to disconnect a sensor, time it, reconnect, etc. On the 92-96 the opti only installs one way. Timing is done by the computer. You can program a chip for the LT1s using a laptop and about $200 worth of hardware. I am in the process of figuring that stuff out. You get better MPG than the L98 with the extra 50 hp in the LT1s.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 291
From: Farmington MO
I have an LT4. I haven't had any issues with it that aren't/ weren't normal wear and tear. Opti and water pump have both been replaced during my ownership, and probably didn't need replacement. Drank the kool aid about Opti's early during my ownership when I didn't know better. I am happy to own the LT4 - no regrets here.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
I have an LT4. I haven't had any issues with it that aren't/ weren't normal wear and tear. Opti and water pump have both been replaced during my ownership, and probably didn't need replacement. Drank the kool aid about Opti's early during my ownership when I didn't know better. I am happy to own the LT4 - no regrets here.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
I had an 89 vert and now have a 92 6 speed. I prefer the older 89 body style, but would rather have the HP of the 92. So I went with a 92. Mine has a 185k miles. It is actually a little easier to work on the opti on this than the distributor on an L98. IF you remove the distributor on the L98 there is a procedure to re-time it. You have to disconnect a sensor, time it, reconnect, etc. On the 92-96 the opti only installs one way. Timing is done by the computer. You can program a chip for the LT1s using a laptop and about $200 worth of hardware. I am in the process of figuring that stuff out. You get better MPG than the L98 with the extra 50 hp in the LT1s.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
I really like the 6 speeds o/d. It is a .5 which means you get really good mpg on the freeway. It has 3.45 gears and does under 1700 rpm doing 70 mph on the freeway. The auto is a .68 o/d so with 2.59 gears in the auto they are higher rpms than the 6 speed with 3.45s. I got 27 mpg driving her home 500 miles doing 80.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 291
From: Farmington MO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 291
From: Farmington MO
I had about 80,000 miles on the car. It developed a serious misfire a few times, shortly after startup. I listened to any number of keyboard Chicken Littles telling me, "It's the Opti." And, "If it's not the Opti now, it's going to get you." So rather than do any verifying, I fired both barrels at once and had Opti, water pump, plugs, wires, intake manifold gasket, FPR, and some other little shizz all done at once. That was a little over 4 years and 20,000+ miles ago. Problems I've had with the car since then had nothing to do with any of the above. If I were buying a non-ZR1 C4 today, I would look first for another LT4. Failing that, my next choice would be LT1 with manual trans. Not scared.Good luck with whatever you do, or don't do.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Hands down LT1/ LT4
No bashing the TPI system was purposely developed for low RPM torque. GM superseded the torque thrill.
This system should have been installed in trucks. Trucks would have sold out.
GM also did a blind / masked car test drive/s in the development of the LS engine. Drivers had no clue if they had a L98, LT, LT5 all drivers casted in the votes the TPI provided the most "SOTP" driving experience aka thill. The OHV won hence transfering to the LS design.
TPI taking on the LT. two completely different intake, Cam designs.
No bashing the TPI system was purposely developed for low RPM torque. GM superseded the torque thrill.
This system should have been installed in trucks. Trucks would have sold out.
GM also did a blind / masked car test drive/s in the development of the LS engine. Drivers had no clue if they had a L98, LT, LT5 all drivers casted in the votes the TPI provided the most "SOTP" driving experience aka thill. The OHV won hence transfering to the LS design.
TPI taking on the LT. two completely different intake, Cam designs.
