how fast are they really?
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NY
Re: how fast are they really? (BIG JIM 54)
On the street, torque is king.
This is how C4's and IROC Z's with much less HP will kill 300ZX's from the stop light. And on the street, he who is ahead and shuts down first..WINS!
BIG JIM
This is how C4's and IROC Z's with much less HP will kill 300ZX's from the stop light. And on the street, he who is ahead and shuts down first..WINS!
BIG JIM
I don't have a lot of posts here either so I will explain that Im not some import guy with blinders on. Ive owned a supercharged mustang and a H/C SS to name a couple, and the 300ZX is a blast to drive on the street if you keep it in the powerband. I understand what you are saying but torque on the street isn't all its cracked up to be. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: how fast are they really? (4thgenvetty35)
Each genertion of engine was improved (more HP) over the prior; but a Corvette is more than engine.
Take out an LT-1 and a L98 for a drive to see how you like the entire car.
You can run 12sec 1/4 miles with any of those engines with some mods; the less $$ you spend on purchase the more you have for mods.
Check out several Vettes, find one you like and go from there. Get one with the Z-51 or Z-52 option for the quick steering response.
And yes "torque is king"; it's the stuff from which HP is made. It's all a matter of the shape of the power band and staying in it as long as possible. Scads of low end torque down low is fun to a point; beyond that it is very tricky to control on the street. It is also run to watch that tach wind toward 6k RPM, so long as you can launch hard.
For example MrMojo has a copla quick LT1s with few mods and Vic'89 has a quick L98 with a few more mods, so you can indeed run 12s with either motor. Both have the ability to run low 12s with the 350cid block.
So don't worry too much about potential, get the Vette you like and can afford and take it from there.
Good hunting.
Take out an LT-1 and a L98 for a drive to see how you like the entire car.
You can run 12sec 1/4 miles with any of those engines with some mods; the less $$ you spend on purchase the more you have for mods.
Check out several Vettes, find one you like and go from there. Get one with the Z-51 or Z-52 option for the quick steering response.
And yes "torque is king"; it's the stuff from which HP is made. It's all a matter of the shape of the power band and staying in it as long as possible. Scads of low end torque down low is fun to a point; beyond that it is very tricky to control on the street. It is also run to watch that tach wind toward 6k RPM, so long as you can launch hard.
For example MrMojo has a copla quick LT1s with few mods and Vic'89 has a quick L98 with a few more mods, so you can indeed run 12s with either motor. Both have the ability to run low 12s with the 350cid block.
So don't worry too much about potential, get the Vette you like and can afford and take it from there.
Good hunting.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,555
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From: Fear causes hesitaiton...and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true. Houston TX
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: how fast are they really? (Dr. Evil)
Other than an LT4 or LT5 my next (and it's a close one to me) favorite C4 would be a 1991 6 speed coupe with the Z07 package. Good luck either way.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
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From: The Motor City
Re: how fast are they really? (Rob 91Z07)
Even though I have an '89 L98 6-speed coupe, which I absolutely love (despite the headaches), if I had to do it all over again I would definitely look at a '96 LT4 car. Especially a GS!
My car is stock, but I'm sure with enough money thrown at it, my L98 could be as fast as a stock LT4. But for the effort (and cost), you would probably be better off just starting with the LT4 and just going up from there.
My $0.02.
My car is stock, but I'm sure with enough money thrown at it, my L98 could be as fast as a stock LT4. But for the effort (and cost), you would probably be better off just starting with the LT4 and just going up from there.
My $0.02.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 573
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From: ALAMOGORDO NM
Re: how fast are they really? (TheCorvetteKid)
I agree with the fact that the LT4 would be a better choice as far as reliability. But, I disagree with the statement, "I'm sure with enough money thrown at it, my L98 could be as fast as a stock LT4. But for the effort (and cost), you would probably be better off just starting with the LT4 and just going up from there." I have an '86 L98. It only had 230 HP and 330 Tq. I paid $9000 for the car. I can tell you that with the extra $4000-$9000 extra dollars that it is going to cost for a LT4, I can build up my car that would kill the LT4 and LT5. You can get a 383 TPI crate motor with 405 HP for $4000, balanced and blueprinted. Don't get me wrong, Get the newest you can afford, for reliability. Get the cheapest if you have plans on building it up. Why spend the extra $$$ for something you are just going to tear down and rebuild. JMO.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 86
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From: lakeland fl
Re: how fast are they really? (ConeKLR)
Cone-
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
Even better, you had an unmodified 91 auto with 2.59 gears that ran 13.8 (which is quicker than any documented stick 91 with shorter gears);
I apologize to you- the solution is obvious........ you are clearly the greatest driver in history.
Better keep your phone line open- I heard that Grumpy Jenkins is looking for a new shoe for his Pro Stocker...... oh heck, why stop there? Winston Cup hasn't been the same since Dale left- and you're clearly faster!
:bs
[Modified by johncazin, 9:58 PM 4/16/2003]
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
Even better, you had an unmodified 91 auto with 2.59 gears that ran 13.8 (which is quicker than any documented stick 91 with shorter gears);
I apologize to you- the solution is obvious........ you are clearly the greatest driver in history.
Better keep your phone line open- I heard that Grumpy Jenkins is looking for a new shoe for his Pro Stocker...... oh heck, why stop there? Winston Cup hasn't been the same since Dale left- and you're clearly faster!
:bs
[Modified by johncazin, 9:58 PM 4/16/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan
Re: how fast are they really? (johncazin)
with only a K&N airfilter (stock housing), I turned a best of 13.67 @ 99mph in my 90 6-speed
EDIT: added sig
[Modified by Raistlin, 5:06 PM 4/16/2003]
EDIT: added sig
[Modified by Raistlin, 5:06 PM 4/16/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: how fast are they really? (4thgenvetty35)
I noticed that few posts touch on anything other than motor. I suppose this is natural, since the original question was about power.
Just keep in mind, 4thgen, the later C4s were more refined and developed. Drive the examples you have to choose from, it may turn out you prefer the later years (particularly the '95 and '96) for reasons other than horsepower.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Just keep in mind, 4thgen, the later C4s were more refined and developed. Drive the examples you have to choose from, it may turn out you prefer the later years (particularly the '95 and '96) for reasons other than horsepower.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: how fast are they really? (johncazin)
Cone-
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
Even better, you had an unmodified 91 auto with 2.59 gears that ran 13.8 (which is quicker than any documented stick 91 with shorter gears);
I apologize to you- the solution is obvious........ you are clearly the greatest driver in history.
Better keep your phone line open- I heard that Grumpy Jenkins is looking for a new shoe for his Pro Stocker...... oh heck, why stop there? Winston Cup hasn't been the same since Dale left- and you're clearly faster!
:bs
[Modified by johncazin, 9:58 PM 4/16/2003]
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
Even better, you had an unmodified 91 auto with 2.59 gears that ran 13.8 (which is quicker than any documented stick 91 with shorter gears);
I apologize to you- the solution is obvious........ you are clearly the greatest driver in history.
Better keep your phone line open- I heard that Grumpy Jenkins is looking for a new shoe for his Pro Stocker...... oh heck, why stop there? Winston Cup hasn't been the same since Dale left- and you're clearly faster!
:bs
[Modified by johncazin, 9:58 PM 4/16/2003]
Next thing you gonna tell me is MrMojo stock LT1 has never ran a 12.9
BTW- Don't get pissed at me because your're a suck butt driver.
Sorry guys but I'm not puting up with this kind of crap anymore.
[Modified by ConeKLR, 11:45 PM 4/17/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: how fast are they really? (Raistlin)
with only a K&N airfilter (stock housing), I turned a best of 13.67 @ 99mph in my 90 6-speed
EDIT: added sig
[Modified by Raistlin, 5:06 PM 4/16/2003]
EDIT: added sig
[Modified by Raistlin, 5:06 PM 4/16/2003]
[Modified by ConeKLR, 1:06 AM 4/18/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
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From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: how fast are they really? (johncazin)
Even better, you had an unmodified 91 auto with 2.59 gears that ran 13.8 (which is quicker than any documented stick 91 with shorter gears);
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 192
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From: Brackley Northamptonshire
Re: how fast are they really? (4thgenvetty35)
When my 88 was stock it did 156mph and was still accellorating, the front end starts to get light and the sweat starts to effect your vision. We don't do so much 1/4 mile trials over hear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
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From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: how fast are they really? (johncazin)
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
[Modified by all4c4lt4, 7:53 PM 4/18/2003]
Safety Car
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: how fast are they really? (all4c4lt4)
So you have a LT4 that runs 12.9 with no mods (tho you have mods listed, but apparently never ran at the strip)-
Cone is correct, a stock LT4 can run high 12's. It's fairly common knowledge for people who are familar with them.
[Modified by all4c4lt4, 7:53 PM 4/18/2003]
Cone is correct, a stock LT4 can run high 12's. It's fairly common knowledge for people who are familar with them.
[Modified by all4c4lt4, 7:53 PM 4/18/2003]
March 10, 2001. 1996 Collector Edition 6spd LT4 Stock ET 12.9 @109mph No Mods.
1996 Collector Edition LT4 New mods:
Power Effects cat with stock OEM resonator
K&N Air filter element
BFG KDW in stock sizes
[Modified by ConeKLR, 7:19 PM 4/18/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
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From: Iowa City IA
Re: how fast are they really? (ConeKLR)
Let me jump in here a sec: the LT4 will run 12's, ive seen them do it in person at the strip. my LT1 ran a 13.2@103 with only the free MAF mod. There were LS1 camaro SS's and C5's out there that night that only managed 14.1's and 13.9's. So yes, the LT1/4 is a quick engine... :cheers: