Performance comparison between earlier and later c4 corvette models
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 321
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Performance comparison between earlier and later c4 corvette models
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.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
You won't see any change with new air cleaner designs or airfoils. The K&N air filter will give better flow but at the expense of less filtering capabilities. Hence , the saying, "K&N at the track and paper on the road"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
The TPI intake totally sucks. LT1 intake is much better, and can easily be ported to work pretty well. I would say buy the newest car you can afford. The reason the LTx cars don't respond as well to cheap bolt ons is the factory stuff is pretty good.
LTx with a cam and headers will definitely smoke an L98 with just cam, headers, and stock intake.
LTx with a cam and headers will definitely smoke an L98 with just cam, headers, and stock intake.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 222
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From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
Look, one of the very first things I did with my late-86, when I bought it new in May 86, was to install a K&N filter on it. Why? - because for many years I had been using K&N filters on all my hi-po motorcycles.and was impressed with them, including the filter aspect! Although my bikes were street driven mostly, I knew that K&N filters were used by many people on their off-road bikes, cars, and trucks. Everything I knew about them said A1, including their filtering aspect. Btw - I am still using that original K&H on my 86 Vette(with a couple of filter cleanings in between, of course). Mechanics who have looked at my engine over the years have commented on how clean the internals are. My 2 cents. Ciao.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
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.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,114
Likes: 2,780
From: Charlotte N.C.
Tom, a properly cleaned and oiled K&N will filter better than a stock paper element filter...
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
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From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Look, one of the very first things I did with my late-86, when I bought it new in May 86, was to install a K&N filter on it. Why? - because for many years I had been using K&N filters on all my hi-po motorcycles.and was impressed with them, including the filter aspect! Although my bikes were street driven mostly, I knew that K&N filters were used by many people on their off-road bikes, cars, and trucks. Everything I knew about them said A1, including their filtering aspect. Btw - I am still using that original K&H on my 86 Vette(with a couple of filter cleanings in between, of course). Mechanics who have looked at my engine over the years have commented on how clean the internals are. My 2 cents. Ciao.
Lets just say, K&N saved our trucks engines from a LOT of dirt and mud intake where as our friends with a paper filter had some serious engine issues due to stuff getting past the paper filter.
The pic I am thinking of has one side of the filter totally caked with sludge and mud from a total engine submersion under water. The inside of the filter looks brand new clean with not a single spec of anything inside it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
I think if you put cold air, exhaust, and a chip on a Cross-Fire car, that will not make it similar or greater in horsepower to a stock LT4.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I ran a paper filter (AC Delco) when I first bought the Vette. I, too, thought the best air filter out there was a K&N. So, I installed a brand new K&N. After running it for a little over a year, I was removing the airfilter assembly to get at the throttle body. I was shocked at how dirty the throttle body was. Then I started to compare the paper filter and the K&N. I held them up to the sun and the K&N looked like a screen compared to the paper filter. Just my observation. Yes, the K&N will give less resistance to the flow of air, but at a cost. Sorry guys if I'm not part of the party line.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
I used to have a 90 6 speed coupe, and a 92 6 speed coupe, and my girlfriend has a 86 A4 coupe. Honestly there doesn't feel like a big performance difference between my 90 and her 86. The 92 felt like a different car though. I like the suspension on the 86 the most, as it's the stiffest, but the power of the LT1 is better than most modified L98s (seeing as most people just do headers/catback etc...) Of course, if you're going to start changing intake manifolds and all then all bets are off, but as far as mildly modified cars go, the LT1 cars have a big advantage.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
Hi Evan,
I ran a paper filter (AC Delco) when I first bought the Vette. I, too, thought the best air filter out there was a K&N. So, I installed a brand new K&N. After running it for a little over a year, I was removing the airfilter assembly to get at the throttle body. I was shocked at how dirty the throttle body was. Then I started to compare the paper filter and the K&N. I held them up to the sun and the K&N looked like a screen compared to the paper filter. Just my observation. Yes, the K&N will give less resistance to the flow of air, but at a cost. Sorry guys if I'm not part of the party line.
I ran a paper filter (AC Delco) when I first bought the Vette. I, too, thought the best air filter out there was a K&N. So, I installed a brand new K&N. After running it for a little over a year, I was removing the airfilter assembly to get at the throttle body. I was shocked at how dirty the throttle body was. Then I started to compare the paper filter and the K&N. I held them up to the sun and the K&N looked like a screen compared to the paper filter. Just my observation. Yes, the K&N will give less resistance to the flow of air, but at a cost. Sorry guys if I'm not part of the party line.