C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

c4 performance

Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:02 AM
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quick question for you guys. I just purchased a c4 and a proud new corvette owner. I have owned and worked on alot of cars and am happy a corvette is now one of them. I have an 87 L98 auto that has 22k miles. Its been in the family for years and my dad seldom drove it. With that said i took it for a drive and it seems lacking in power from what i remember. I cant really slip the tires loose from a dead stop. I remember driving this car when i was younger and it having much more power. Question is can a stock L98 C4 light them up or am i not remembering correctly? I was going to do a basic tune up plugs, wire, ignition, fuel and air filter to see if that helps. Any help is appreciated.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:11 AM
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Somtimes they seem quicker when youre younger. lol

Not always on burning them from a standstill. Depends on rear gear tire, road etc. Personally I think burnouts are ghey much rather hook and go.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:12 AM
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It can yes, if its tuned up and running good. Do the routine stuff and see what you get.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:26 AM
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i agree that being able to burn out does not make a car fast and i would rather hook up and go. I just remember that if floored from a dead stop that car would slip the tires easily. I just want the car running at its best knowing that i have power if i want it. being its been sitting for years except for the ocassional starting and idling i am guessing a tune up will help. Car is bone stock new tires but they are not anything special. Guess its good to know that a stock L98 can light them up if running good. Car only has 22k miles so i want it running like it only has that many.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 08:46 AM
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New tires? Compounds have changed in 24 years.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 10:27 AM
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yes the tires are new in the last few years same size as factory tho. I understand compounds have changed alot as has everything else. Just seems lacking in the power but i will take care of all of the routine stuff and see how it goes. Anybody driven a stock L98 lately that would know what it can or cannot do and how it should perform?
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 10:43 AM
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That car will need injectors as the new ethanol fuel will eat them up. I'd go for the tune up. 22k miles is really low...it will probably start to run better the more you drive it
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 10:50 AM
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so your saying along with the tune up put new injectors in? Any specific ones or will oe replacements work? thanks for the help. There are a few gas stations in the area that do no have ethenol in thier premium blends so i will make sure i only fill up at those
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 11:07 AM
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I agree 100% on injectors and you should contact Jon at http://www.corvetteinjectors.com/
made a huge difference in throttle response and driveability on my 69,000 mile 88. Something else I have noticed since owning this car is that I do believe every one has a bad catalytic convertor causing problems so have those tested at a muffler shop. When I got mine it wouldn't spin the tires at all either and had already been given a basic tune up by previous owner. Now with exhaust fixed and new injectors it spins tires fairly easily.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 11:11 AM
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I would suggest you do some exhaust mods after the tune up, good bang for the buck.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
I would suggest you do some exhaust mods after the tune up, good bang for the buck.
I am beginning to think the catalytic convertors on these cars cause a lot of the performance problems people are experiencing.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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The C4 L98 exhaust is pretty restrictive. 3 Cats, 2 Y pipes and mufflers with only one working outlet.

Remove the precats, put in a new hi-flow main cat, install true dual outlet mufflers, and it will run better.

Last edited by BADDUCK; Jun 18, 2011 at 12:03 PM.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by quinten
so your saying along with the tune up put new injectors in? Any specific ones or will oe replacements work? thanks for the help. There are a few gas stations in the area that do no have ethenol in thier premium blends so i will make sure i only fill up at those
Its not required to put new injectors in, not unless you check out what the fuel pressure is doing after shutdown.

But yes the injectors do wear out with time and ethanol additives. You have 22lb/hr injectors and you would be better off staying with the same size but an updated design to take the ethanol.

And you do not need premium in an 87, it'll be worse on your mileage to run 93 octane in that car.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:31 PM
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Ok so I won't put anymore prem fuel in the car. As far as replacing the cat(s) should I just replace the main and leave the pre cats? Kind of want to keep the car stock for now no made due to the miles and condition so I am not looking to put on a performance exhaust yet. I contacted jon about the injectors and will hopefully hear from him soon
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:37 PM
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It'll probably need a new front Y pipe and a new main cat at its age.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:42 PM
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Anyone know where to get a decent quality and price front y pipe and cat combo?
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:49 PM
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Corvette central has a lot of exhaust stuff. If you don't have to pass a visual inspection I would get a Y without cats, cheaper and will run better.
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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I had a pretty much stock 87 and it would spin wheels pretty easily from a 10-15mph roll.

It was a 4+3, but I NEVER dumped the clutch in it. Just jumping on it in first or second would have it sideways [unfortunately]
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by F0RMULA
I had a pretty much stock 87 and it would spin wheels pretty easily from a 10-15mph roll.

It was a 4+3, but I NEVER dumped the clutch in it. Just jumping on it in first or second would have it sideways [unfortunately]
Hell Yeah!!! My 88 is the same way...don't ya love that power!
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Old Jun 18, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by quinten
Anyone know where to get a decent quality and price front y pipe and cat combo?
If you use the link below, you too can get 15% off anything over $100 and includes free shipping from AutoAnything.com. They carry plenty of exhaust kits and parts. Just bought my Corsa Catback thru them and save over $140.

http://autoanything.extole.com/a/clk/CvSLL

The link is good till the end of the month (end 1 July) I believe.

For that level of purchase, you could certainly save some money, or get something better within your budget given the discount.

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