I can't speak for the LT1, but in my L98 I've averaged 32+ mpg on 90 mile trips to the NJ shore. :yesnod:

 

If I had the choice to buy another one right now, Id go with a 91 6spd. It has the torque of the L98, but it has the 6 speed and the updated cosmetics. I like torque and the 91 uses SD and not a MAF which will alllow for better ECM tuning. The L98 is also a breeze to work on. My main gripe on the LT1 would be the optispark. Ive heard too many horror stories about that thing. The LT1s do have more horses, but with a few FREE mods, you can bump the 91 L98 to close to 280hp and more torque than a LT1 can stand. JMO.

 

You can't go wrong with either. The general rule of thumb is to buy the newest, lowest mileage, best cared for Vette you can afford.

Take your time, there's more than one Vette out there for you. Don't fall in love. If you find something you are interested post a message here. There are a bunch of Va area owners on the forum that might be close enough to help you check it out. Heck, someone may even know the car.

There are a couple of agencies on the net that will help you find a car, insurance, financing, warranty, etc. (if you can't find any, let me know and I'll e-mail you some links, disclaimer-not associated with any agencies, yadayadayada).

 

LT1 stock and L98 stock with a few tweaks.

 

To answer the original question.
The LT1 has a higher redline,and
produces more power.It is also
highly reliable.Go for the LT1.
bhamvett

 

I thought it was funny

 

THat would be about right, my 88 ran 14.8's my first time out completely stock (I'm a terrible launcher with very high reaction times, my 60' were all over 2). Best was a 14.751 @ 91.29 (I forgot to shift it out of second, trying something diffferent). If I practiced a lot I probably could get to a 14.5 stock.

I think that you just need to find the one you are going to be happy with and set your budget for it. They are all a blast.

My 88 is great, but I'm starting to want an 89 - 90 6 speed. I autocross mine so the tourque band on the L98 is perfect for my driving style.

 

There's lots more differences than the motors. Between 90 and 96 the body had a major and minor change, interior had a minor change, brakes changed, computer changed, 6 speed changed, wheel sizes changed, etc. Here's a link that shows the changes year by year. I'd get the newest one you can but there are major differences year by year and options you may "need" to have that may sway this. I'm biased to the LT1/4 motor but an L98 can be really cherry if done correctly. Best bet- drive them and decide yourself. You really can build whatever you want with either in the future. :flag

 

ZR-1 or '95-6.

 

So far , alot of good info on this thread. As has been said , generally , the newer the C4 model year the better built the car was (constantly improving quality through its lifecycle was a big deal for C4's). Features and performance improved as well. There are alot of changes in the cars along the way. If you want L98 with the newer body , go 91.

If you are going to keep it stock to mildly modded , the LT1 will have a big performance advantage. The L98 can somewhat even that up as you get into highly modded motors but that depends on what you want.

The best regular production C4 (besides ZR1's ) would be the 96 LT4 IMHO. Only year made, C5 performance, best C4 quality etc. Good luck and have fun choosing...... :seeya

 

considering no one jumped in my crap about the list, I would say its rather unbiased!

get the one you like the best... but as someone said "Get the newest you can afford".

those are such true words. the L98 cars are now getting older... and repair can get costly.

If you end up with an LT1, there are ways to improve the durability of the Opti... options exist... you can retrofit the vent system to an earlier opti cap(about $10.00!), seal the edge with RTV, things like that. you can even convert to the later front cover design, allowing the use of the later opti. that also permits the use of a heavy duty LT4 timing chain.

The L98 is capable to produce TONS of horsepower. There is a dude up near Detroit cruising the streets in a 1300hp turbo monster... so yes, it is doable.

I like the later cars because the improvments in refinement. However, others may not like the more relaxed nature of the newer ones.

The LT1 added a level of refinement that had never been seen in a Corvette... except in the ZR1... but we are talking $$$ here, folks!

I love the ZR1... I would love to have one... but they are pricy.. and if they break you are broke. somewhere in the neighbourhood of $2500.00 just for cams is a somewhat scary idea. valve covers are an integral part of the cam mounting system.... unique to each head they are attached to...

A friend of mine loves my LT1 vette... he is so impressed as to how smoothly it pulls... from idle all the way up to redline. he used the term "turbine like". it is a smooth flow of power.

in a street race with an L98, the LT1 would loose if it was a short run, but in a slightly longer run, past 60mph, the LT1 will cream the L98. (this is stock vs stock, all things being equal).

so, flip a coin. the main reason one is better than the other is age, or, lack thereof. the final choice is on you - what you really want!!! that is the most important option here.

I have had my LT1 equipped 92 for almost 2 and a half years now. I have put over 60k miles on it since I bought it. And it has NEVER failed to start, NEVER failed to get me where I am going (based on systematic mechanical failure - I had a flat tire once). When I cruise to Fla, I get 25+ MPG cruising at 75+mph...

it rides nice and handles predictably. mine is equipped with the base FE1 suspension. I would consider that depending on where you live... the Z07 or Z51/2 suspensions might get a bit brutal if you live where the roads are bad.

And after 10 years and over 100k miles, it still gets compliments and looks. No complaints here!

 

I've had both and loved them both. They're all good. Like they tell you, buy the newest, lowest mile car you can afford. Don't worry about L98 or LT1.

Greg :D

 

I think a lot of it depends on what you can afford, the newer lower milage cars, hence the LT1 will probably be more expensive than an older L98 car, when I first started looking for a C4 I was set on an LT1 car, until I found the '87 that I bought, so just look for a car that you like, oh and if you get a pre 6spd car make sure that the 4+3 has been serviced.

 

Ive heard horror stories about the L98 and leaking oil i was about to buy a 90' and then I learned of this

 

eh. all Chevy small blocks leak oil.

 

Both are good and anyone that tells you otherwise is retarded. My advice as others have said is buy the newest one, with the lowest miles, in the colors you want in the best shape that you can afford. A 96 with an LT4 and a 6 speed will be the newest C4 and will offer more power than all the non ZR1 C4's. I had a 96 Lt4 and it was a nice car and so is my old 89 L98.

Good luck,

Jason

 

If I had the choice to buy another one right now, Id go with a 91 6spd. It has the torque of the L98, but it has the 6 speed and the updated cosmetics. I like torque and the 91 uses SD and not a MAF which will alllow for better ECM tuning. The L98 is also a breeze to work on. My main gripe on the LT1 would be the optispark. Ive heard too many horror stories about that thing. The LT1s do have more horses, but with a few FREE mods, you can bump the 91 L98 to close to 280hp and more torque than a LT1 can stand. JMO.


Yea... Ilove my 1991, and very happy with it..... Its a very fast 0-60 car.... Great torque..... And whenIt starts running out of breathe...... Hit the N.O.S. :D ...... And when i do a rebuild... Im going to use a 400 block with it...... the L98 car are also cheaper then the LT1s..... but there are deals to be had

 

Thanks, that's the kind of information I'm looking for. It's a big help!

 

What link? Thats some of the kind of info I'm looking for.

 

Thanks for the help. You can't get this kind of info anywhere else!