So I am researching buying a Corvette, it will be my first. I have owned over 100 vehicles, I do all of my own work always have. My first taste was in the late 80's as a HS kid. My dad worked at dealerships and brought home a fairly new then '84 auto which he let me drive. I remember spinning it in an intersection (deserted) when I romped on it taking a left. Second drive was 10 years later my then Father in law had an '89 coupe auto. Enjoyed that as well.

So my goal is to have a drivable 500 hp C4 coupe with a manual. It will be a toy car, weekend car but I will want to drive it a fair amount. I am set on the newer interior and six speed trans so 1990+. I see disdain for the optispark system and seems there isn't a really good solution and if I want ~500hp I am doing some engine building. ASR seems like another thing to avoid so is it easier to just buy a TPI can and build the engine? Something like a 4-bolt truck block AFR heads, cam, headers but then you run into what kind of intake on it? Parts seem to be getting old and somewhat scarce for a build like this. I would like everything to work like it did, gauges, AC etc.

Or does it make sense to start with an LT1/4 car? Maybe just a procharger and I am pretty well there? Does it make sense to build the gen2 motor like the gen1? Do you still run into a restrictive stock intake on these?

I kind of like the idea of a ZR1 too. Spending a lot more up front and then I see Haibeck's 510 is a $15k package... That brings total outlay in the $40-50k range at which point I would be seriously tempted to go C6 Z06.

Just looking for a little guidance on how to get where I want to be from those who have been down this road. I would love to put the hurt on my sons Terminator Mustang but I will be forever outgunned on that front. His "break in" tune made over 950hp at the wheels and he will probably go for 1200-1300 soon. Just want something fun, drivable and able to shred tires when needed. What do you guys think?

 

A few things.

500whp in a c4 is going to be absolutely nuts. 500whp is a lot in a more modern c6, and in the much more analog and less advanced chassis and suspension c4, it will be nuts in a bad way. Just keep in mind that a narrow body c4 with 300-330 HP is already pretty slidey, they're not gonna take another 300hp and just hook. They're gonna spin everywhere, all the time, and be nearly undrivable on anything but the most aggressive tires.

If you really want to go forward with this, I'd do a ZR1. At least that way the power is going to come in higher up, and the rear track and tires are wider and will have a chance to hold up a little better.

 

Oh come on... It wont be nearly that bad, I have been getting rides in a 2003 Mustang with double the power I am talking about. It is in no way undriveable but maybe dangerous for the uninitiated. I have years of road course racing and drag racing experience in some seriously fast cars under my belt. Part of the allure of a powerful C4 is the less refined nature. I used to have to drive my built Buick GS on drag radials so I wouldn't spin at every light so again, pretty familiar with what I am shooting for.

 

Then why ask us ???????????

 

Did you read the question? Pretty sure nobody, including you, has made ANY attempt to answer it... so that is why I am asking.

Just wanting to know if there are more pitfalls modding an L98 car or LT1. Doesn't seem like a particularly odd request but I am obviously new here. I thought this might be a group of enthusiasts. I have seen some pretty good posts here. Not sure what to think anymore.

 

Think whatever you want. You're just mad you're not liking what you hear.

L98s are a 250 hp motor. Nobody builds them to 600hp, it's not cost effective vs swapping in an LS. An LT1 is a 300hp motor, there's a few people that mod them pretty heavily, but again, it's not super cost effective and there's a lot of "learning it as you go" since it's not a widely supported platform. You could maybe get a centrifugal blower kit, but it's hard to find someone to tune them outside of PCM of NC.

The LT5 cars are the easiest to make power out of because there's a small cottage industry for it, but as you pointed out, it's pricey. But you'll probably be spending that much to make that kind of power out of the other cars in the end too.

IMO, you need to decide if you're chasing a number or chasing a thrill. If you're chasing a number, start with a C5 or C6. You can get WAY more parts for them and go WAY further with them for less money. Those chassis will better handle that kind of power too.

If you're chasing a thrill and you want that analog feel, buy an LT1 car, get a Lloyd Elliott heads and cam package, maybe a ported intake manifold, and some headers. That'll make the car a total handful and you'll have to put crazy aggressive tires on it and it won't be any fun anymore other than the thrill of having to pedal it everywhere. Or if you really wanna have fun, get the LT1 car, sort the suspension, throw some long tubes on, and buy some cheap performance tires and have a blast without going that fast. No, it won't be as good for bragging. But it'll put a smile on your face every time you drive it like a jackass and use it around a turn.

 

"You're just mad you're not liking what you hear." Well, that happens when you ask a question and instead of answering the question people like you choose to offer opinions that were never solicited. Not mad by any stretch but irritated. If you don't know, don't bother posting. Do you really think you are going to convince me the car won't be any fun? Why would anyone bother with a line of thinking like that?

So I am not really interested in your response since you clearly are not one who has modified one of these cars. You allude to the fact that some have. Shame they have not responded in your place, it might actually start a helpful conversation. Instead you want to beat this dead horse notion that you know what is good for me... That friend, is highly unlikely.

I know I could get an LS car and make more mods more easily. I think the C5 is one of the ugliest cars ever built and the C6 doesn't suit me much better. We have two new vehicles at home if refinement and features are what I want. I love this idea that putting power in a C4 will make it a horrible car. How about all of the built C3's with suspensions designed in the '60's? I bet all those guys hate the fact that they built fast cars in primitive chassis'. lol

FINALLY some quasi helpful info in one of your posts. I will look up Lloyd Elliot and see if these packages still exist. Vey sketchy info on intakes, what to use, where to buy anymore. Still it seems you do not have the knowledge base I was seeking but thanks for trying to convince me building a fast Corvette will be too scary for me.

 

If you've already decided on a C4 at least make the track as wide as possible and get all the rubber on. ZR-1 OR plain C4 with wide wheels and flares. My bone stock C4 six speed was noticeably easier to drive fast with the ZR-1 wheels and tires on it. I like it better with the stock tires though.
Sounds like you know what you want - find the right C4 and just do it. When I was 15 we built a go kart with skinny tires and installed a kawasaki 500 2 stroke motorcycle engine and hand clutch and shifter. Probably the scariest thing we ever "drove". Go for it.

 

Just find a well sorted LT1/LT4 car, add a supercharger and long tube headers and you will have all the fun you can handle. In the Pacific Northwest we still have tuners that can make it run very well. It will drive well mannered until you push the skinny pedal to the floor, then enjoy the smile it will put on your face. Of course if you turn the traction control off make sure your insurance is paid up because C4s with that kind of horsepower get real squirrelly.
The opti can be an issue but it is talked about more than it actually happens especially on the vented opti.

 

I have a ZR-1 but will admit to make bigger power it'll be MUCH cheaper with a LT1. I'd do the Lloyd Elliot stage 2 stuff mentioned above, heads and cam. Maybe little nitrous if you're trying for more power but that'll be a decent bit.

Could always pull the LT1 and rebuild and get new rotating assembly for more displacement. I'd think you could get 500hp without too much difficulty. 500rwhp may be a little more difficult.

I want to make more power with my LT5, not a lot of aftermarket upgrades beyond bolt ons. From there it's porting factory stuff and expensive billet cams. Increasing displacement is possible with re-grind of the crank (up to 391 maybe?) but from there it's expensive billet crank options for displacements above 400ci.

 

Okie dokie. Good luck. Let us know what you build.

 

I sent you a Private Message about a steel blue 1990 project with a bunch of good parts I have.