TPI and $3500...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
TPI and $3500...
Hi guys,
I am seriously considering trading my 99 T/A for a 1991 C4. The dealership has agreed to give me $3500 and the C4 in exchange for my TA. Its a 1991 Polo green 6 speed car with 53,000 miles.
I drove the vette and... Don't get me wrong, it runs pretty good, but I don't think it will produce the same track times as my TA. If i turn around and put the $3500 right back into the car, what kind of gains could I expect?
Is that enough to go through the whole motor? Or something like a heads and cam package?
The car is going to be a semi-daily driver that mostly pays the part of a street fighter. Ocassional track use, and an ocassional spirited drive through a twisty canyon.
Thanks!
I am seriously considering trading my 99 T/A for a 1991 C4. The dealership has agreed to give me $3500 and the C4 in exchange for my TA. Its a 1991 Polo green 6 speed car with 53,000 miles.
I drove the vette and... Don't get me wrong, it runs pretty good, but I don't think it will produce the same track times as my TA. If i turn around and put the $3500 right back into the car, what kind of gains could I expect?
Is that enough to go through the whole motor? Or something like a heads and cam package?
The car is going to be a semi-daily driver that mostly pays the part of a street fighter. Ocassional track use, and an ocassional spirited drive through a twisty canyon.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Re: TPI and $3500... (neat)
drag racing times?
well, the ta has you beat in that category....
but with that $3500 in your motor you can be up to par real quick.
and if you want some real "track times" take the vette out to your local scca (autocross) meet. The ta will be seeing taillights all day long. it can run quick in the straight line, but it doesnt handle nearly as well when it comes to the twisties. :D
well, the ta has you beat in that category....
but with that $3500 in your motor you can be up to par real quick.
and if you want some real "track times" take the vette out to your local scca (autocross) meet. The ta will be seeing taillights all day long. it can run quick in the straight line, but it doesnt handle nearly as well when it comes to the twisties. :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: TPI and $3500... (neat)
I agree. The independent rear suspension is worth .5 g's by itself, or so I have read. But I also have heard the IRS rear end soaks up a little power too. But if you put that $3500 in the right place, going fast anywhere shouldn't be a problem. Remember, the 'Vette will always be a 'Vette. The T/A will be just a car they don't make anymore.
BIG JIM
BIG JIM
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: TPI and $3500... (BIG JIM 54)
Damn that was kind of a harsh statement about the TA, "just another car they don't make any more." I agree that it isn't "America's sportscar", but it has its place as an icon to American youth. Anyway, I digress...
So what gives? Anyone got some advice on where to put the $3500?
So what gives? Anyone got some advice on where to put the $3500?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: TPI and $3500... (neat)
Your current heads are called D-ports and can flow enough air for 350hp unported. That said, i would have them ported.
Add a Superram, Accel 219 cam, 1.6rr, longtube headers (ceramic coated) and a good catback exhaust (Borla, B&B, Power Effects, Flowmaster). You should be in the 12s and might even have some money left over.
Add a Superram, Accel 219 cam, 1.6rr, longtube headers (ceramic coated) and a good catback exhaust (Borla, B&B, Power Effects, Flowmaster). You should be in the 12s and might even have some money left over.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: TPI and $3500... (vader86)
Basically what he said :)
Catback I wont agree with... I dislike mufflers :)
custom rear Y with no mufflers, or custom true duals (~$700 probably) would be my choice.
:cheers:
Matt
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Do you wanna spin high and make peak numbers, or spin lower (shift around 6000) and make more broad numbers? With the ZF6 you can take advantage of a higher spinning engine if you want to, but I would suggest replacing some of the bottom end parts which will cost more.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 595
Likes: 9
Re: (Sharky Guam)
If I were you, I would check out the C4s for sale, and try to figure out the market value of the vette for your area. Then add the $3,500 and see if it's close to what your TA is worth.
Sorry to say, but the vette's a vette, a TA's not going to hold it''s value. I have an 88' vette with 119k, and its' a great car that has some relative value. I have a friend with an 89' TA GTA that has basically the same driveline with about 145k on the clock and they can't give it away.
Sorry to say, but the vette's a vette, a TA's not going to hold it''s value. I have an 88' vette with 119k, and its' a great car that has some relative value. I have a friend with an 89' TA GTA that has basically the same driveline with about 145k on the clock and they can't give it away.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Re: (mooncricket)
depends on what you mean by "relative value"; prices on our mid-eighties vettes are what they are- pretty weak.... amazing to leaf thru Trader Online and see some of the prices that the cars AREN'T selling
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: (mooncricket)
I dunno about the TA and value. Its tough to say what's going to happen to a 4th gen seeing as they don't make them anymore. Especially an LS1 power'd WS6. What's your vette worth? My TA is about 3 years old and worth about 70% of what I paid for it, what was the hit your vette took after three years? Not flaming, just asking.
As far as fair market value, the C4 and $3500 are worth a little under the wholesale of my TA. That's OK though, the salesman needs to make a buck too.
All the guys on thirdgen.org think I should keep the TA. I dunno, try to set your vette love apart for a minute and think about a 10 year old vette v.s. my TA objectively. Part of me really wants the vette. The cost of mods alone is a HUGE point in the vett's favor. I dunno, arrgh.... :boxing
As far as fair market value, the C4 and $3500 are worth a little under the wholesale of my TA. That's OK though, the salesman needs to make a buck too.
All the guys on thirdgen.org think I should keep the TA. I dunno, try to set your vette love apart for a minute and think about a 10 year old vette v.s. my TA objectively. Part of me really wants the vette. The cost of mods alone is a HUGE point in the vett's favor. I dunno, arrgh.... :boxing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
Likes: 0
From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: (neat)
buy a superram $1150, long tube headers from TPIS or lingenfelter $650 high flow cat $200, cat back exhaust $400, 1.6 roller rockers $250 {like comp pro mags} air cleaner like K&N or TPIS foam $45, tune up $100-$150, change the fuel filter, wires, oil, plugs, check all sensors, inspect wheel bearings for wear. it's normal for the rears to have a very very slight hint of play, i just replaced one last night with a brand new one & there's a small small hint, fronts should be tight however. hmm...what else?? i think that about does it, the stock TB will work fine with the stock cam & heads so a 52 is pretty much a waste. some programing might help also, a 160deg therm and your fans comming on early would round out the bolt on package.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Re: (gtsyellow)
It's a hard choice you have. Objectively, your LS1 F-body is faster in the quarter than the Corvette you're looking at, and all things considered, the '99 car will hold together better than the C4 - the '99 TA's build quality is better than the C4.
The C4 can be made faster than the TA, there are more and better power and handling mods available, and you'll get to hang out with the Corvette guys at the cost of having a lot of people assume you must be a rich bumhole or trailer trash, depending on the visual appeal of your car.
So..do you want to be a 'rich bumhole Corvette driver' in a fast car, or an 'immature boy-racer Trans Am driver' in a fast car?
The C4 can be made faster than the TA, there are more and better power and handling mods available, and you'll get to hang out with the Corvette guys at the cost of having a lot of people assume you must be a rich bumhole or trailer trash, depending on the visual appeal of your car.
So..do you want to be a 'rich bumhole Corvette driver' in a fast car, or an 'immature boy-racer Trans Am driver' in a fast car?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: (Matt Black)
I dunno man, a bumhole or an immature boy. Hehehe, that's pretty funny, but prolly pretty true as well. I dunno, I've got one more day to think about it, then i guess i will make my decision. the salesman said the vette was going to auction this Monday afternoon. Maybe if it comes back I'll know it was meant to be.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: (neat)
if your interested in dragstrip times I'd look for a 92 and up. the LT1 motor with a 6spd is going to be faster in stock form (with plenty of mod's available for it too). price shouldn't be much more for a 92.