C4 track car
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 945
Likes: 32
From: WV
C4 track car
I intend to buy a c4 for track duty, and prefer newer. That said, I have found two candidates: a 96 LT4, but with base suspension and exhaust; and a 93 LT1 Z07 with headers. Both are ZF6.
So what are the pluses and minuses of each? Will it be less expensive to upgrade the suspension and exhasut of the 96, or the engine of the 93?
I am a newbie to the track, but I want a car that can be modded to grow with me as my skills improve.
So what are the pluses and minuses of each? Will it be less expensive to upgrade the suspension and exhasut of the 96, or the engine of the 93?
I am a newbie to the track, but I want a car that can be modded to grow with me as my skills improve.
Last edited by emptnest; Mar 17, 2014 at 06:36 PM. Reason: Correction
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
A hot cam swap in the LT1 car would be cheaper than suspension upgrades to the LT4, and likely net you more hp.
If it's really going to be a track car, you're probably going to replace all the suspension on either car anyway...and likely go through the motor too...so I'd buy which ever car is in better overall shape.
If it's really going to be a track car, you're probably going to replace all the suspension on either car anyway...and likely go through the motor too...so I'd buy which ever car is in better overall shape.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 881
Likes: 24
From: Coquitlam BC
A hot cam swap in the LT1 car would be cheaper than suspension upgrades to the LT4, and likely net you more hp.
If it's really going to be a track car, you're probably going to replace all the suspension on either car anyway...and likely go through the motor too...so I'd buy which ever car is in better overall shape.
If it's really going to be a track car, you're probably going to replace all the suspension on either car anyway...and likely go through the motor too...so I'd buy which ever car is in better overall shape.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 859
Likes: 17
From: Houston TX
I intend to buy a c4 for track duty, and prefer newer. That said, I have found two candidates: a 96 LT4, but with base suspension and exhaust; and a 93 LT1 Z07 with headers. Both are ZF6.
So what are the pluses and minuses of each? Will it be less expensive to upgrade the suspension and exhasut of the 96, or the engine of the 93?
I am a newbie to the track, but I want a car that can be modded to grow with me as my skills improve.
So what are the pluses and minuses of each? Will it be less expensive to upgrade the suspension and exhasut of the 96, or the engine of the 93?
I am a newbie to the track, but I want a car that can be modded to grow with me as my skills improve.
Your modifications will be dependent on the type of track events you plan to run anyway.
I'm assuming you're trying to stay in a certain budget but if I were you, I would also look into a C5 Z06 before I bought a C4 as a track car. I have been tracking C4s for years and I love the cars, but if I didn't already have them and were looking for a solid platform, that is where I would start.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 859
Likes: 17
From: Houston TX
All 96 Corvettes have 13" brakes, so the brakes are the same on both cars.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 945
Likes: 32
From: WV
Please keep the comments coming
My goals on the track are just to have fun, and to learn to use the full capability of the car. Competition is only with myself, not other drivers. I guess that would make me more a hobbyist than a racer.
Ignoring future mods, starting budget is under $10k, and the lower the better (to pay for those futuremods).
Ignoring future mods, starting budget is under $10k, and the lower the better (to pay for those futuremods).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
My goals on the track are just to have fun, and to learn to use the full capability of the car. Competition is only with myself, not other drivers. I guess that would make me more a hobbyist than a racer.
Ignoring future mods, starting budget is under $10k, and the lower the better (to pay for those futuremods).
Ignoring future mods, starting budget is under $10k, and the lower the better (to pay for those futuremods).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,702
Likes: 3,470
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Have you tracked cars before or will this be your first one? If you are learning pick either one and leave it alone. Learn the car and how to control it at speed before making changes. A well handling car will be easier to control at first but teach bad habits and be harder to control when you pick up speed.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: IN
I ran into the same problem. I bought my first car and was always at the track. what I did was kept the car all stock(89 6 speed) I learned every in and out of the car, now that I understand the car I'm making improvements to better my self at the track.
keep us updated on how it goes!!
keep us updated on how it goes!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,253
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley CA
I'm assuming you're trying to stay in a certain budget but if I were you, I would also look into a C5 Z06 before I bought a C4 as a track car. I have been tracking C4s for years and I love the cars, but if I didn't already have them and were looking for a solid platform, that is where I would start.
LT4 if you go the C4 route.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I agree LT4 and 96. You will change the suspension components as you progress in either car. If the LT4 doesn't have the J55 brakes, it isn't much if you know where to look to convert them. There are higher rate springs available versus the Z07 also.
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
Having gone from a street C4 to a track C4, built entirely by myself, I highly recommend purchasing a car that's already done. It will cost roughly 2-3 times more to build than to buy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
I would get the LT4, stiffer springs are not the fast way around a corner.
Soft springs with good shocks & LARGE sway bars = fast corners.
Run it as is until your able to get all it has to offer out of it. If you stay with it you will want coil overs, Banski (sp) rear linkage, better brakes/tires etc. You can add HP, a gear, cage etc later.
Suggest a driving school so that self taught methods that will be 100% wrong will be eliminated.
Soft springs with good shocks & LARGE sway bars = fast corners.
Run it as is until your able to get all it has to offer out of it. If you stay with it you will want coil overs, Banski (sp) rear linkage, better brakes/tires etc. You can add HP, a gear, cage etc later.
Suggest a driving school so that self taught methods that will be 100% wrong will be eliminated.