Which is a better chassis, C4 or C5??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
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From: Edison NJ
Which is a better chassis, C4 or C5??
i was thinking about it lately and i realized i've heard a ton of great things about the C4 chassis design, you see them at tons of track events and hear about the superior handling and balance and all, but which chassis is better, the C4 or the C5?? i'm not looking to start an opinionated debate here, just looking for factual info on both chassis that would make one superior over the other.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Depends on what you want to do.
The C4 is better suited for drag racing over the C5, but the C5 with it's hydroformed frame rails makes it superior for stiffness.
There are a few other advantages the C5 has over the C4, but I'll take the C4 looks anyday and for my purposes, the car handles just fine.
The C4 is better suited for drag racing over the C5, but the C5 with it's hydroformed frame rails makes it superior for stiffness.
There are a few other advantages the C5 has over the C4, but I'll take the C4 looks anyday and for my purposes, the car handles just fine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Edison NJ
well, if i somehow ever pull the money together, i'd like to have an all around nice car that hauls...suspension, bolt ons, and a supercharger. hey, you're in lakewood! i'm like 40 minutes from you...i was searching posts and saw pics of your car, if you're ever not busy can i come down and check it out, maybe you can take me for a ride in it...i still haven't been in one, too used to mustangs and f-bodies.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
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From: Tracy CA
C-5 is a better handling package stock to stock.
Looks? I like the C4 body better overall - but I do like that huge butt of the C5. C4: There are no better headlights EVER. that 180 just does something for me.
Power? I wasn't impressed with the C5 auto. I have the LT1 stick.
Braking? C5 hands down. No matter what option you have on the c4.
Price? Bang for the buck you can't beat a C4 right now. Just make sure you know how to work on a car. Sucks if you're selling - great if you're buying.
Looks? I like the C4 body better overall - but I do like that huge butt of the C5. C4: There are no better headlights EVER. that 180 just does something for me.
Power? I wasn't impressed with the C5 auto. I have the LT1 stick.
Braking? C5 hands down. No matter what option you have on the c4.
Price? Bang for the buck you can't beat a C4 right now. Just make sure you know how to work on a car. Sucks if you're selling - great if you're buying.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by nighthawk355x
well, if i somehow ever pull the money together, i'd like to have an all around nice car that hauls...suspension, bolt ons, and a supercharger. hey, you're in lakewood! i'm like 40 minutes from you...i was searching posts and saw pics of your car, if you're ever not busy can i come down and check it out, maybe you can take me for a ride in it...i still haven't been in one, too used to mustangs and f-bodies.
Go check out the Northeast section for Supercharger John's Monster Mega Mash BBQ (I'm the cook).
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
The C5 starts with a stiffer, MUCH stiffer frame. This is very important in that it improves the function of everything connected to it. Just as one example, the car will handle as well and better than a C4, with a more subtle ride. So given equal ride quality, the C5 will handle better and so on....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,639
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
C4 is good compared to most cars, but the C5 is 2 or 3 times stiffer. I put on the Camber brace and Cross-bar and it is very rigid now.
Mojo,
Why is the C4 better for drag racing, don't you want a stiff frame to prevent the motor from twisting the frame with a lot of HP and to help put the power down?
Mojo,
Why is the C4 better for drag racing, don't you want a stiff frame to prevent the motor from twisting the frame with a lot of HP and to help put the power down?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
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From: Edison NJ
Mojo, thanks for the invite, sounds like a plan!
thanks for all the input guys, i know i'm not going to have the $$ for a C5, i'm only 22 and still in school with a crap part time job. if/when i get one, it's definately going to be a C4, just wanted to see how i'd fare against a C5. i really want an all areound badass car. i'd like to keep it to minor bolt ons...full exhaust, lowering springs, rims/tires, cold air kit, maybe a supercharger...i want a car that has great street manners and can be driven daily, but i want to kick ***! any ideas for a good mod list?? i already have a basic list, but any advice would be welcome.
thanks for all the input guys, i know i'm not going to have the $$ for a C5, i'm only 22 and still in school with a crap part time job. if/when i get one, it's definately going to be a C4, just wanted to see how i'd fare against a C5. i really want an all areound badass car. i'd like to keep it to minor bolt ons...full exhaust, lowering springs, rims/tires, cold air kit, maybe a supercharger...i want a car that has great street manners and can be driven daily, but i want to kick ***! any ideas for a good mod list?? i already have a basic list, but any advice would be welcome.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 161
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From: Toronto Ontario
The type of mods depends on the year of the C4. L98 or LT1?
When you do buy a C4 (which I hope you do) do a search in archives, read a ton of posts and copy some proven packages based on how much money you want to spend.
When you do buy a C4 (which I hope you do) do a search in archives, read a ton of posts and copy some proven packages based on how much money you want to spend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
For me, the biggest shortcoming in my C4 are the precats. I want to run a Ca emissions legal high performance car. 
Unfortunately running clean is not enough, the car must also pass visual. I am resigned to swapping long tube headers for a stock exhaust system for the Ca bi-annual smog inspection. What an incredible nuisance. But outside that, I don't see building a clean running 400-500 hp engine with that generation technology as any problem at all. 
That leaves a lot of cool alternatives.
Unfortunately running clean is not enough, the car must also pass visual. I am resigned to swapping long tube headers for a stock exhaust system for the Ca bi-annual smog inspection. What an incredible nuisance. But outside that, I don't see building a clean running 400-500 hp engine with that generation technology as any problem at all. That leaves a lot of cool alternatives.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by mitchcole
Braking? C5 hands down. No matter what option you have on the c4.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by GeosFun
For me, the biggest shortcoming in my C4 are the precats. I want to run a Ca emissions legal high performance car. Unfortunately running clean is not enough, the car must also pass visual. I am resigned to swapping long tube headers for a stock exhaust system for the Ca bi-annual smog inspection. What an incredible nuisance. But outside that, I don't see building a clean running 400-500 hp engine with that generation technology as any problem at all. That leaves a lot of cool alternatives.
Unfortunately running clean is not enough, the car must also pass visual. I am resigned to swapping long tube headers for a stock exhaust system for the Ca bi-annual smog inspection. What an incredible nuisance. But outside that, I don't see building a clean running 400-500 hp engine with that generation technology as any problem at all. That leaves a lot of cool alternatives.The LT1 motors Do Not have precats to cause a problem. LT1 cars do have a full dual exhaust setup stock, with the main cats being 3 way catalysts. But, if you want to swap out the stock cast iron manifolds, and you have to keep full stock appearance (CA smog style), then the best you can do is shortie headers. You'll leave some HP on the table if you mod the car.
I am running smog legal in Maryland with aftermarket cats and long tube headers. My car would not pass CA smog **** rules however.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
Emissions gotchas depend on the year car. Precats problem applies to 91 and earlier cars only.
The LT1 motors Do Not have precats to cause a problem. LT1 cars do have a full dual exhaust setup stock, with the main cats being 3 way catalysts. But, if you want to swap out the stock cast iron manifolds, and you have to keep full stock appearance (CA smog style), then the best you can do is shortie headers. You'll leave some HP on the table if you mod the car.
You are right, mine is a 1988.
Even company's such as Hooker that make shorties with the smog hookups do not have an EO #. 
I do not know how strict the Ca smog stations are on that one. I'll find out. I know of one Ca car in particular in this forum that made a major effort at Ca smog compliance in his engine program. It is a clear testimony to any one who thinks smog equip in general is a major obstacle to HP. 
It is not.
The LT1 motors Do Not have precats to cause a problem. LT1 cars do have a full dual exhaust setup stock, with the main cats being 3 way catalysts. But, if you want to swap out the stock cast iron manifolds, and you have to keep full stock appearance (CA smog style), then the best you can do is shortie headers. You'll leave some HP on the table if you mod the car.
You are right, mine is a 1988.
Even company's such as Hooker that make shorties with the smog hookups do not have an EO #. I do not know how strict the Ca smog stations are on that one. I'll find out. I know of one Ca car in particular in this forum that made a major effort at Ca smog compliance in his engine program. It is a clear testimony to any one who thinks smog equip in general is a major obstacle to HP. It is not.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
Originally Posted by nighthawk355x
i'm hoping for an LT1, they started in 92, right?
Forced Induction gets expensive quick. It's best to build the engine up to the application and at that point the thousands start to add up.
Perhaps the C4 is better for the dragway because it's looser frame allows better weight transfer to the back?
The C4 is still an amazing machine; they can handle right up there with the S2k's and other performance japanese imports, they can out accelerate them and have a higher top speed; all for about $10k.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Edison NJ
i don't want to go nuts with it, just a base model vortech maybe, and cats aren't a problem, i'm going to run without them anyway...i know a guy who passes my cars through NJ inspection with anything.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
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From: Edison NJ
well, i have to spend $2500 on my car in a month or so for an Accel dfi computer/install and dyno tune, so the dyno isn't a problem. why, is it that hard to tune a s/c LT1? i don't want to run monster boost or anything, i just want a daily driver with full bolt ons and a base vortech pushing maybe 8lbs or so of boost. i want reliability and i want to haul *** for a street car, my mustang is nice, but it's "too much" on the street...i really wanted to use it daily, but my mechanic keeps telling me i'm out of my mind. so i want to get a C4 and make it maybe a mid 12 sec car that hooks on the street. i wanted to use a blower because i'd like to keep it mostly stock except for chassis/exhaust/intake work, to keep the reliability there. and this is all a dream right now, i have nothing saved at this point, but it all has to start somewhere... 
Last edited by nighthawk355x; Jun 20, 2005 at 05:49 PM.