Intros New Corvetteforum member introductions & welcomes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

First time Corvette Owner, 96 LT4

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 05:35 PM
  #1  
Gotmath8's Avatar
Gotmath8
Thread Starter
Advanced
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 54
Likes: 21
From: Columbus OH
Default First time Corvette Owner, 96 LT4

This spring I bought a base LT4 w/ 92k miles. I live downtown Chicago rn but will retire in 2 years then we'll build a home and I'll have a garage again where I can work on the car a bit. So far I'm just getting to know the car - this is my first Corvette but I've researched and read a bit leading up to this. I do believe the LT4 cars have seen the bottom of their value and will only increase.

So far I've replaced the center console and replaced the massive OEM shift **** with a cue-ball - what a difference in feel.

There is some decent whine from the transmission in 6th gear while just on cruise...the forums seem to feel that the ZF is just that way but I'd love to find a way to improve that.

The only other issue on my radar is that I suspect the opti is about ready to die. I've a had a few coughs and sputters here and there.

The car seems to have been babied. I'm not a mechanic - I can change the oil, etc - so I am hoping I can find someone who knows LT1/LT4 engines in the Chicago area to inspect things a bit. I don't want to thrash the thing and break a valve spring or something stupid until someone who knows more than me says that I'm good to go.

I'm blathering - really excited about the car and the experience of learning about it and maybe even how to do some of the work myself. I'd love to know of any meet-ups in/around the area for C4 guys - I have a lot to learn.

Kevin
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 08:02 PM
  #2  
Gixxerman's Avatar
Gixxerman
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,273
Likes: 4,210
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Default

Welcome to the Forums
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 08:21 PM
  #3  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,390
Likes: 24,795
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Welcome to the forum. For help with the car's problems, check out the C4 Tech section. To try meeting other members in your area, check out the Great Lakes Regional section of the forum
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 08:25 PM
  #4  
ledger35's Avatar
ledger35
Burning Brakes
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 62
From: Gainesville, Florida
Default

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay with us!
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 09:07 PM
  #5  
Route99's Avatar
Route99
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Default

Welcome to the Forum, Kevin, and congratulations on your C4 LT4!
Old Jun 10, 2021 | 06:45 AM
  #6  
Jeff T.'s Avatar
Jeff T.
Race Director
15 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,756
Likes: 1,211
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Default

Congrats and welcome Kevin!!

Check out Chicago Corvettes on FB.
Old Jun 10, 2021 | 08:43 AM
  #7  
gilhuly's Avatar
gilhuly
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 37,576
Likes: 53
From: Lincoln NE
Default

Welcome to the forum!
Old Jun 10, 2021 | 01:54 PM
  #8  
Anthony F's Avatar
Anthony F
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 813
Likes: 73
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default

Welcome to the forum.
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 10, 2021 | 03:28 PM
  #9  
old stingray's Avatar
old stingray
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,936
Likes: 478
From: EAST TENNESSEE
Default

Welcome aboard.
Old Jun 13, 2021 | 11:35 AM
  #10  
jehuds10's Avatar
jehuds10
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12,813
Likes: 72
From: Moundsville WV
Default

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

Get notified of new replies

To First time Corvette Owner, 96 LT4





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:06 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE