C4 best performance upgrades
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
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C4 best performance upgrades
Hello, this is my first post on this forum and I've recently decided to buy a C4 corvette. I'm 18 and I've never bought a car before so this will be my first. I originally looked at a 2014 Mustang GT but there were issues with the car and that fell through. So I decided a C4 Corvette would be the best option! As you can tell, I like American muscle and a big V8. For reasons such as the gas milage and appearance, coming from a toyota sequia limited. Now to the question. What would be the best year to get because currently I'm looking at a 1988 with 39,000 miles and great interior. And secondly, what would be the best mods to get on it horsepower wise, because I know very little about cars however I'd like to know more. Thank you for your time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Welcome,
A TPI system with very low miles that's as good as new. Nice find!! Well a 350 is not really a big engine. But it can moded to produce 450hp fairly easy. Simple mods exhaust, Throttle body coolant elimination, cold air kit, used billet pulleys, 180 stat, a ECU tune GM slacked off. left a large margin to gain.
92 - 96 LT1 has 300hp higher RPM range vs TPI 240hp low torque system
A TPI system with very low miles that's as good as new. Nice find!! Well a 350 is not really a big engine. But it can moded to produce 450hp fairly easy. Simple mods exhaust, Throttle body coolant elimination, cold air kit, used billet pulleys, 180 stat, a ECU tune GM slacked off. left a large margin to gain.
92 - 96 LT1 has 300hp higher RPM range vs TPI 240hp low torque system
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Nov 19, 2014 at 11:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check the condition of weatherstrip along the door glass and acoss the WS header and bow as well as the hatch.
Verify all "features" (headlights, radio, heater/AC, seat adjustments, etc.) operate smoothly.
If you are going to turn wrenches pick up a copy of the Shop Manual red 2-part set by HELM.
You can get 300chp w/o breaking the bank; if you want to push 400chp it will cost a "tad" (full exhaust,cam,heads,intake) more...
Do you plan to race the car?
Verify all "features" (headlights, radio, heater/AC, seat adjustments, etc.) operate smoothly.
If you are going to turn wrenches pick up a copy of the Shop Manual red 2-part set by HELM.
You can get 300chp w/o breaking the bank; if you want to push 400chp it will cost a "tad" (full exhaust,cam,heads,intake) more...
Do you plan to race the car?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9
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Right now I'm not looking to take a car to the drag strip haha. I might take it once to see my top speed but other than that I don't plan on taking it every week. However, I don't have any experience with fixing cars up as this will be my first car.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
Not true he can purchase a ZR-1 with 400+ HP standard.
If you can't get a ZR-1 then get a lt-4. If not then I would personally go for a '91 l98 with a six speed.
Good luck!
If you can't get a ZR-1 then get a lt-4. If not then I would personally go for a '91 l98 with a six speed.
Good luck!
Check the condition of weatherstrip along the door glass and acoss the WS header and bow as well as the hatch.
Verify all "features" (headlights, radio, heater/AC, seat adjustments, etc.) operate smoothly.
If you are going to turn wrenches pick up a copy of the Shop Manual red 2-part set by HELM.
You can get 300chp w/o breaking the bank; if you want to push 400chp it will cost a "tad" (full exhaust,cam,heads,intake) more...
Do you plan to race the car?
Verify all "features" (headlights, radio, heater/AC, seat adjustments, etc.) operate smoothly.
If you are going to turn wrenches pick up a copy of the Shop Manual red 2-part set by HELM.
You can get 300chp w/o breaking the bank; if you want to push 400chp it will cost a "tad" (full exhaust,cam,heads,intake) more...
Do you plan to race the car?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,097
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
An 88 with 40k would probably be a good choice to get. My usual advice is get the newest one in good condition that you can afford.
Then you need to drive it 6 months before you do anything to it. Buy a Helm Manual for the year, others can be helpful but you must have the Helm. You will need to spend money on maintenance issues that always come up with a car driven frequently.
Go to a corvette club meeting and listen to some other C4s before you buy exhaust systems.
Then you need to drive it 6 months before you do anything to it. Buy a Helm Manual for the year, others can be helpful but you must have the Helm. You will need to spend money on maintenance issues that always come up with a car driven frequently.
Go to a corvette club meeting and listen to some other C4s before you buy exhaust systems.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
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The reality is I have enough money to buy any car I want but I don't want to spend boat loads before I even go to college. So I wanted a nice car, big engine, cool look, that could also be decent on gas and lastly the insurance wouldn't kill me. So yeah I could get a new c7 but the c4 would suit me better (plus the back window opens )
)
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Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
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I have enough to buy a C7 Z06 twice over. However I have college and am trying to think of my future. But anyways, to the original question. I found some 90s and even some C5s, however they go up by the thousands as the years go.
Instructor
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 419
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From: Bel Air Maryland
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
It sounds like you've found a nice '88! The C4 'vette does have some very attractive features, and it sounds like you are making some very wise decisions. Don't let a bunch of jealous guys give you any s**t! You'll be surprised how nice that '88 is! The later cars are so much more complicated, it's difficult to do your own wrenching! You'll learn as you go, so get that Factory Shop Manual (FSM) (published by Helm), and you'll be fine! Don't jump into a bunch of mods right away. I agree with vader86. Enjoy the car!!
And good luck with college!! Let us know what you decide about the car. (Hint: Keep your good fortunes to yourself to avoid hard feelings.)
And good luck with college!! Let us know what you decide about the car. (Hint: Keep your good fortunes to yourself to avoid hard feelings.)
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Nov 21, 2014 at 09:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
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Yeah I mean the reality is my mother passed away a few years ago and left me about $200,000. That money has grown and this is my 18th year old birthday present from them. So, yeah I could get a c7 but thank you Roy. I'm trying to make a very educated decision.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 5
From: Bel Air Maryland
Good for you. Now let's stick to the subject, which happens to be Corvettes not money. A lot of people have money, but they don't use this forum as a platform for sharing information inappropriate for public consumption.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2014
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Thanks, I don't like boasting at all. But some people feel bad cuz they don't have it. So back to the thread. If I were to go with the 88 'vette what would be my first steps on the way to power gains?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 110
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Next headers & full exhaust.
If its an auto trans car a custom tune & maybe 1.6 roller rockers then leave it alone.
If a manual trans car you need to address the intake, heads & cam otherwise you will be shifting @ 4800 rpm when the TPI runs out of breath.
88 manuals have the 4+3 Doug Nash trans. 89 up use the ZF 6sp.
Good luck.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Shadow Hills California
Headers
I have an '87 and I love it, but I think it could have a bit more *****. I was thinking about long pipe headers, but I reckon I would have to do the whole exhaust from tip to toe, and that may be costly. I do need a rear Y pipe, but I patched it for now because I dont want to replace it only to find that I have to waste it if I go with headers.