1996 corvette
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1996 corvette
Are all the 1996 corvettes with the 6 speed manual transmissions equipped with the LT4? Or is it just the collector edition silver ones? Is there any other differences? I’m going to check out a 96 and before I do I want to verify.
thanks!
thanks!
Le Mans Master
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From: St. Charles MO
Is there any other differences? I’m going to check out a 96 and before I do I want to verify.
If you're looking at a manual, the LT4's extra power and RPM range is meaningful. These cars are delightful to drive stock, feeling very much like an LS1. If the C4 ever becomes truly collectible, these will probably some of the most desirable of the non-wide-bodies.
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Yes, all manuals have the LT4.
I'm not aware of any mechanical differences between base 96s and Collectors Edition 96s. The CEs sure look nice though! As for 96s compared to earlier years, yes. The 96 introduced full, true OBD2 to the C4 for the first time. The PCM of that car has additional diagnostic capabilities vs the 94/95 PCM, although they share the same architecture. You cannot use the same free/cheap software to calibrate the 96 as you can with the 94/95, but there is still one option available for that (Jet DST). If you don't plan heavy mods, this doesn't matter. If you do, you can also swap in the 94/95 PCM and tune that instead. The new OBD2 entailed the use of a crankshaft position sensor on the LT1 and LT4, but that's a trivial difference. They also have post-cat O2 sensors to help the PCM diagnose poor cat function. I think the rear trailing arms in 96 were update to some kind of composite material, and their bushings are a different size. Offhand, that's all the differences I can think of.
If you're looking at a manual, the LT4's extra power and RPM range is meaningful. These cars are delightful to drive stock, feeling very much like an LS1. If the C4 ever becomes truly collectible, these will probably some of the most desirable of the non-wide-bodies.
I'm not aware of any mechanical differences between base 96s and Collectors Edition 96s. The CEs sure look nice though! As for 96s compared to earlier years, yes. The 96 introduced full, true OBD2 to the C4 for the first time. The PCM of that car has additional diagnostic capabilities vs the 94/95 PCM, although they share the same architecture. You cannot use the same free/cheap software to calibrate the 96 as you can with the 94/95, but there is still one option available for that (Jet DST). If you don't plan heavy mods, this doesn't matter. If you do, you can also swap in the 94/95 PCM and tune that instead. The new OBD2 entailed the use of a crankshaft position sensor on the LT1 and LT4, but that's a trivial difference. They also have post-cat O2 sensors to help the PCM diagnose poor cat function. I think the rear trailing arms in 96 were update to some kind of composite material, and their bushings are a different size. Offhand, that's all the differences I can think of.
If you're looking at a manual, the LT4's extra power and RPM range is meaningful. These cars are delightful to drive stock, feeling very much like an LS1. If the C4 ever becomes truly collectible, these will probably some of the most desirable of the non-wide-bodies.
thanks for the info I think the price is good on it it’s just under 30k miles. What would you say a fair price to pay for a clean classic white/red 96 LT4 car? I don’t know much about these as I’ve only owned a 2002 z06 and that was cammed and tuned so it made considerably more power. I’m tempted to pick it up I just don’t want to overpay or be disappointed. I’m not expecting ls6 power but I just know these are a bit more “ “finicky”. They used 1500 more parts on the c4 if I recall over the introduction of the c5 generation.
Le Mans Master
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From: St. Charles MO
Sorry, I'm not a good judge of price. The only C4 I've owned was heavily modded and bought under special circumstanced. JD's post is probably a good guideline. As far as driving, it really should feel a lot like a stock 97 LS1 C5 in terms of engine power and manners.
