Performance comparison between earlier and later c4 corvette models
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
is it true that the later model c4s (1992 i think to 1996) are already tuned up pretty good where if you buy cold air, exhaust, chip it will not raise the hp and torque dramatically. If so if you put performance upgrades like such in an earlier model c4 will it be similiar or even greater in horsepower, etc.
The LT1 has a less restriction intake manifold, and exhaust system. The computer and sensors are more sophisticated and I believe they even changed the firing order to get a little bump. Some refer to all these as a better tuned motor.
All of these changes make the LT1 harder to respond to changing those items, but an air filter will help either equally. You'd need to upgrade the manifolds/exhaust on the L98 just to get them approx equal. (Note: a performance chip isn't an upgrade).
The only real advantage of the older vette is the long-tube intake pulls air/torque a hair better at the lowest RPMs. In a race, the L98 would win for a few feet. Changing the gears could change that.
Of the things you mentioned, the exhaust is the only thing that most would consider as "dramatic". Even then, noticable is a better word.
gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Oct 26, 2007 at 12:27 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 765
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From: Houston Texas
The firing order, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, has not changed since the first Chevy V8 was built.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Not to beat this horse anymore, but the only time I have ever seen this type of thing happen - dirty T.Body/carb-while using a K&N, on either cars or bikes, is if there is a problem with the seal of the filter, so dirty air can 'by-pass' going thru the K&N, or any other filter. It is easy to happen, and not realize it is so. This is what 30+ years of using K&N's on both cars and bikes tells me! And no, I have no connection to K&N.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I thought is was with the optispark and that is improved torque a little (i.e., 20ish ft/lbs).
Feel free to refresh my memory....
gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Oct 26, 2007 at 11:15 AM.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 222
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From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
"Just do this: hold your K&N and a paper filter up to the sun and see the difference."
It's not that simple! Yes I know what K&N's - and paper type filters - look like, inside and out. It's not that simple. The filtering principles are very different. One thing I, at least, have learned in life - is that the eye's can deceive! I am happy with my many K&N's over the years, and will continue to use them happily, and recommend them. Others are free to make their own choices, of course. Good luck to them. Cheers.
It's not that simple! Yes I know what K&N's - and paper type filters - look like, inside and out. It's not that simple. The filtering principles are very different. One thing I, at least, have learned in life - is that the eye's can deceive! I am happy with my many K&N's over the years, and will continue to use them happily, and recommend them. Others are free to make their own choices, of course. Good luck to them. Cheers.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
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From: Pasadena Maryland
I know the early LT1's (92, 93) are batch fire(Left bank injectors fire together and right bank injectors fire together) The 94 started with sequential fire(each injector fires on it's own). I am not sure it makes more power, but I have heard it idles better. I do not know about any other changes?