whats wrong with a C4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
whats wrong with a C4
I have just done 3500 miles in a fortnight (OK, 2 weeks to my colonial friends) and I have a few criticisms of my 89 C4.
Lets start with the good stuff.
Starts first time, every time. Runs like a sewing machine. handles and corners like on rails. Beautiful.
but.......
The 2.59 gear is not even any good on the highway - no grunt to overtake - needs 3.07 or 3.31
brakes are poor - no feel - fade abominably - overheat.
The seats look totally figure hugging, but they gave both of us lower back ache no matter what.
The Bose sucks donkeys.
All in all I love it!!!!
Lets start with the good stuff.
Starts first time, every time. Runs like a sewing machine. handles and corners like on rails. Beautiful.
but.......
The 2.59 gear is not even any good on the highway - no grunt to overtake - needs 3.07 or 3.31
brakes are poor - no feel - fade abominably - overheat.
The seats look totally figure hugging, but they gave both of us lower back ache no matter what.
The Bose sucks donkeys.
All in all I love it!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
Put some 3:07 gears in the rear, some GS or J55 13" brakes on the front, some late model ('94-96) C4 sport seats in the inside, and and aftermarket stero and you have improved the car immensly IMO.
So where you doing the Power Tour or what?!
So where you doing the Power Tour or what?!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (Vette92)
Thats the plan - apart from the seats, I might try some stuffing or something first.
Whats a Power Tour? - Naw - went on vacation from England to Portugal via Belgium France and Spain. Potugal and Spain are great - Politeness prevents me from commenting on Belgium and France.
Whats a Power Tour? - Naw - went on vacation from England to Portugal via Belgium France and Spain. Potugal and Spain are great - Politeness prevents me from commenting on Belgium and France.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
2 summers ago I took my '86 750 miles in a little over 10 hours. My back didn't hurt at all. My complaint was the fact I thought my back window was going to fly off the car. Apparently the famous split in the corners of the hatch weatherstripping were letting in enough air that over 85mph the entire window was shaking very loudly. Other than that the car was a dream.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
Whats a Power Tour? - Naw - went on vacation from England to Portugal via Belgium France and Spain. Potugal and Spain are great - Politeness prevents me from commenting on Belgium and France.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
The 2.59 rear gear in the LT1 has no problem getting up and going, my Bose works just fine.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: (Mr Mojo)
The bose is definitely unreliable and prone to breaking. For normal driving my brakes are great but they do leave some room for improvement for higher speed hard braking. I feel that the suspension is definately a high point of the car...JMO. :auto:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 279
From: Portugal
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
I've actually been giving this some thought lately, but from a "hot rodder's point of view". I'm in the middle of swapping a 427cid small-block into my 1990. What's cool is all the stuff I won't have to worry about. I won't have to upgrade the radiator. It has dual electric cooling fans from the factory. It has the ZF 6-speed which is the same tranny that was in the ZR-1 Corvettes. The drivetrain is strong enough if I don't bolt on slicks. Even the factory fuel lines and fuel pump are adequate. The factory provided the serious hot rodder with a fantastic platform which basically just needs a killer powerplant swapped in and you've got instant Viper killer. That's pretty cool.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (DiabolicalDave)
I dont really need much more power, it is a weekend car, never used at the track, I reckon 3.07 will enable me to turn 2500 to 3000 rpm in stead of 2000 - 2500 at highway speeds. This in effect will give me a ton more horses. If I need more after that it is cam and head porting. Problem is I had an '80 C3 before and I went overboard with that one, it would spin the back wheels and slide all over the place in any gear, Hell - I hardly dared drive it!
I asked my wife (she shared the driving) if she had any criticisms of the car - she did. (wait for it.....) - the indicator stalk is a bit stiff !!!!!!!! (Jeez)
Oh and the brakes - try coming down a twisty moutain road with about thirty yards between U bends - by the time you get to the bottom you dont have any!
[Modified by britvette, 6:20 PM 6/5/2003]
I asked my wife (she shared the driving) if she had any criticisms of the car - she did. (wait for it.....) - the indicator stalk is a bit stiff !!!!!!!! (Jeez)
Oh and the brakes - try coming down a twisty moutain road with about thirty yards between U bends - by the time you get to the bottom you dont have any!
[Modified by britvette, 6:20 PM 6/5/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
I love the 3.54 gears in my 91. There's a hill around here that splits for passing. I can leave it in 5th, and accelerate from 45 to 60 while going up the hill. I can pass anybody in 4th gear... no need to downshift further.
I hate the seats though. My thighs are way too wide for these seats. Thank God I don't have sport seats. I also hate the squeaking top. It squeaks non stop. It reminds me of the POS 81 malibu wagon my mother had when I was a kid.
Other than that, it's a nice car. :)
I hate the seats though. My thighs are way too wide for these seats. Thank God I don't have sport seats. I also hate the squeaking top. It squeaks non stop. It reminds me of the POS 81 malibu wagon my mother had when I was a kid.
Other than that, it's a nice car. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: whats wrong with a C4 (britvette)
Hi Brit, glad to know you love your 89 overall! Thats the best year of the "early" C4's. I assume you have an auto tranny? I'm not familiar with the driveability of the 2.59 rear gears. I do agree the Blose...well Blows, the Gold series (began in 90 I think) is somewhat of an improvment but I'm still not overly impressed with the stereo. I'm sure if you do a brake upgrade, and yank the Blose out in favor of a nice aftermarket, you'll be VERY happy with you vette! The 89 is a keeper for sure! Good luck - from a Yankee! :cheers: :seeya
