C4-C5 Comparison
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,420
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Really? I've owned and loved C4's much longer than I've owned a C5 and I've always been a C4 supporter. Don't even get me started on C3's I have my share of them as well. I make one comment responding to a C5 bash and you get your feelings hurt? It's post like yours where C4 drivers start getting all sensitive and start reaching for the Kleenex.
Re-read your reply to that post and tell me who you think is doing the bashing.
My feelings are in no way hurt, just stating this is where these threads usually take a turn for the worse.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
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I've owned both. I had and 85 4+3, a polo green 1996 LT4, and a 2002 automatic coupe. I had been vetteless since 2005, and recenty rejoined the Vette family (I wave to all generations). Sandwiched between my Vette ownership was a trio of Ferraris (348, 355, 360). After spending the past 2 years with a 360 Spider, I have returned with the recent purchase of a CE LT4 coupe.
All of my cars have seen track time as well as spirited country jaunts. One thing I've always observed is that fun doesn't always equal speed and vice versa. On the track, the 360 was the fastest of my cars (beat the 355 only because of better brakes). However, the 348 was loads more fun to drive. With the Vettes it seems to be similar. In a straight line, my LT4 was/is faster than my 2002. However, at the track the C5 was marginally faster. However, the C4 was (to me) more fun to drive.
Maybe I'm just a C4 kind of guy, but I really like the cockpit/Batmobile interior. I had this theory that GM was making sure to be able to accomodate the expanding waistlines of Americans with the C5. Maybe that's why the **** of the C5 is so big. I'm the opposite of a claustrophobe, so the C4 fits me better.
As with any generational advance, there are improvements in design, technology, engineering..etc...and Corvettes are no different. The C5 is unquestionably an improvement from an engineering standpoint.
Now that I'm back to being a bang-for-the-buck fan, I just don't think you can beat a late C4 for the price.
All of my cars have seen track time as well as spirited country jaunts. One thing I've always observed is that fun doesn't always equal speed and vice versa. On the track, the 360 was the fastest of my cars (beat the 355 only because of better brakes). However, the 348 was loads more fun to drive. With the Vettes it seems to be similar. In a straight line, my LT4 was/is faster than my 2002. However, at the track the C5 was marginally faster. However, the C4 was (to me) more fun to drive.
Maybe I'm just a C4 kind of guy, but I really like the cockpit/Batmobile interior. I had this theory that GM was making sure to be able to accomodate the expanding waistlines of Americans with the C5. Maybe that's why the **** of the C5 is so big. I'm the opposite of a claustrophobe, so the C4 fits me better.
As with any generational advance, there are improvements in design, technology, engineering..etc...and Corvettes are no different. The C5 is unquestionably an improvement from an engineering standpoint.
Now that I'm back to being a bang-for-the-buck fan, I just don't think you can beat a late C4 for the price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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As to the success of the C5 as a track car compared to the C4, I think it is less the suspension geometry than the improvements in the frame (in terms of stiffness) that allowed for more predictable suspension settings. Coupled with the rear placement of the transmission which allowed for more predictable yaw, it is no surprise that C5 makes for a better road racing platform.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Not that I disagree with your overall point, but the C5s that were successful race cars were never "modified" C5s. They were ground up cars with no connection to the factory built vehicles.
As to the success of the C5 as a track car compared to the C4, I think it is less the suspension geometry than the improvements in the frame (in terms of stiffness) that allowed for more predictable suspension settings. Coupled with the rear placement of the transmission which allowed for more predictable yaw, it is no surprise that C5 makes for a better road racing platform.
As to the success of the C5 as a track car compared to the C4, I think it is less the suspension geometry than the improvements in the frame (in terms of stiffness) that allowed for more predictable suspension settings. Coupled with the rear placement of the transmission which allowed for more predictable yaw, it is no surprise that C5 makes for a better road racing platform.
As for the LeMans comment. I know it was an exaggeration but it isn't much more of a stretch than what I was replying to, using the 1 of 1 Callaway Sledgehammer as an argument for the C4 performance (which happens in EVERY C4 vs. C5 topic on here). Although the "no connection" part is slightly untrue. The C5R and C6R are built on stock frames.
Last edited by RedLS1GTO; Mar 29, 2011 at 07:06 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Details, details. How dare you inject facts into this argument. I personally have the COH bypass and the ECM tuned. By the numbers I'm probably more likely to get struck by lightning than to be stranded by my column lock. If I was really worried about valve springs (which I'm not), I could spend $200 and a couple of hours and never worry again. Or I guess I could take the much easier route to worry free cruising and just buy a C4.
I don't have my ECM tuned. I might get stuck doing 2mph
which scares me so I only drive my C4 except the opti and stupid wiring might go out so.....can I get directions to the nearest Kia dealer? 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I've read here (take that for what it's worth) that only the 01' Z was succeptable to the valve springy thingy, and even that is a small percentage.
I don't have my ECM tuned. I might get stuck doing 2mph which scares me so I only drive my C4 except the opti and stupid wiring might go out so.....can I get directions to the nearest Kia dealer?
I don't have my ECM tuned. I might get stuck doing 2mph
which scares me so I only drive my C4 except the opti and stupid wiring might go out so.....can I get directions to the nearest Kia dealer? 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Long story short... fear of valve spring failure in a "normally" driven Z06 should fall somewhere between the fear of getting abducted by an alien and the fear of getting hit by a crashing airplane... while sitting on your couch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 2,144
From: Schaller Iowa
I've read through this entire thread..and BTW thanks for the great initial write up
I made a New Years resolution to myself that if I don't have a steady girlfriend by the end of 2011...I'm getting another vette and it will be a C5. I'm not getting rid of my 94 anytime soon, as was stated this was one car that as soon as I bought it it felt like MINE from day one. People can..and will..argue such things as handling and overall performance of a C4 vs a C5 even if one is modified and the other stock, both equally modified etc etc etc yada yada yada....
But the ONE thing I do believe everyone can agress on is this...that in my resolution, should it end up being a C5...in the long run it will be cheaper, less headaches, and involve a WHOLE lot less drama than having a girlfriend
astepup said that
I made a New Years resolution to myself that if I don't have a steady girlfriend by the end of 2011...I'm getting another vette and it will be a C5. I'm not getting rid of my 94 anytime soon, as was stated this was one car that as soon as I bought it it felt like MINE from day one. People can..and will..argue such things as handling and overall performance of a C4 vs a C5 even if one is modified and the other stock, both equally modified etc etc etc yada yada yada....But the ONE thing I do believe everyone can agress on is this...that in my resolution, should it end up being a C5...in the long run it will be cheaper, less headaches, and involve a WHOLE lot less drama than having a girlfriend
astepup said that
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
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From: Phoenix Arizona
You are 100% right there man. The best bumper sticker I remember ever seeing read "The more I know about women, the better I like my car". Truer words were never spoken. Good luck with your new C5. There will always be other girlfriends.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,206
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From: Lino Lakes MN
And how many C4s won at Le Mans?? How many won the overall at the 24 hours of Daytona? I could go on and on listing things that modified C5s did that C4s never came close to doing and it still proves nothing.
Comparing cars modified like that is pointless.
It wasn't long ago that I said that same thing to a certain Taurus driver.
I have a C4 that is modified about as much as you can possibly modify one. It is easier at this point to name the things that are still stock as opposed to the other way around. ...and I absolutely love taking it to the track and driving it in anger.
With that said C5 > C4. PERIOD.
Rather than leaving it as a blanket statement I will actually go into detail as to what I am basing that on. I am not going to go into the engine aspect of it too much but as far as making reliable power goes, the LSX is way better than the LT1/4. The LS6 might be one of the greatest 100% stock road racing engines ever created. They have a great power band and are absolutely bulletproof. When stock (again, comparing modified is pointless) I would take an LS6 over a LT5 at the track any day. Before anybody brings up the 24 hour endurance testing... there are countless LS6s that have been raced for years on end and have proven to be incredibly reliable. With road racing, I am not even going to go into the F/I side of things because it is pretty much not applicable.
The suspension aspect is where the C5 starts to show it's real strengths when compared to a C4. It isn't a matter of shocks or springs. It is the overall geometry that is lightyears ahead of the C4. If you take my car for example... the only stock suspension part left is the A-arms. It is fairly comparable to a 100% stock C5 Z06 on equal tires. Even with all of that, the C5Z still rolls the middle of the corners a lot better than I can. A pretty much maxed out C4 suspension isn't much better (if any) than a stock C5 Z06 suspension. When you start throwing bars, shocks, springs, etc on a C5 there is nothing a C4 can do to keep up without a complete suspension geometry change. At that point it isn't really a C4 any more. Stock for stock the C5 has better brakes as well.
Long story short, there isn't a single aspect of performance in which a C4 has an advantage over a C5. Stock for stock... the C5 wins. Modified to a similar extent... the C5 wins by more. On the same note, the ZR-1 has the same disadvantages as the rest of the C4s so no matter how cool the LT5 might be, a stock C5Z will hand a stock ZR-1 it's *** on a road course.
I am not saying any of that to bash the C4. I love mine and love taking it to the track. It's no surprise that the C5 is better in these aspects. The C4 was a better performer than the C3. The C5 is better than the C4. The C6 isn't really much of a jump because it is on the same frame as the C5 but I fully expect the C7 to be a jump again. It's just the way things work. They move forward. It happens with everything. Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, etc... what was among the best in the World in it's day soon becomes obsolete. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale F1 was in it's day an incredible car. Now, the 458 Italia is over 20 seconds faster (an eternity) at The Ring. Progress is a great thing.
When I first got the Z06 I was actually disappointed with the way it handled. It just didn't feel as planted as my old Z51 C4 did. Then, I looked at the speedometer and realized I was going through the same corners at about twice the speed. The C4 feels faster. The C5 IS faster.
Comparing cars modified like that is pointless.
It wasn't long ago that I said that same thing to a certain Taurus driver.
I have a C4 that is modified about as much as you can possibly modify one. It is easier at this point to name the things that are still stock as opposed to the other way around. ...and I absolutely love taking it to the track and driving it in anger.
With that said C5 > C4. PERIOD.
Rather than leaving it as a blanket statement I will actually go into detail as to what I am basing that on. I am not going to go into the engine aspect of it too much but as far as making reliable power goes, the LSX is way better than the LT1/4. The LS6 might be one of the greatest 100% stock road racing engines ever created. They have a great power band and are absolutely bulletproof. When stock (again, comparing modified is pointless) I would take an LS6 over a LT5 at the track any day. Before anybody brings up the 24 hour endurance testing... there are countless LS6s that have been raced for years on end and have proven to be incredibly reliable. With road racing, I am not even going to go into the F/I side of things because it is pretty much not applicable.
The suspension aspect is where the C5 starts to show it's real strengths when compared to a C4. It isn't a matter of shocks or springs. It is the overall geometry that is lightyears ahead of the C4. If you take my car for example... the only stock suspension part left is the A-arms. It is fairly comparable to a 100% stock C5 Z06 on equal tires. Even with all of that, the C5Z still rolls the middle of the corners a lot better than I can. A pretty much maxed out C4 suspension isn't much better (if any) than a stock C5 Z06 suspension. When you start throwing bars, shocks, springs, etc on a C5 there is nothing a C4 can do to keep up without a complete suspension geometry change. At that point it isn't really a C4 any more. Stock for stock the C5 has better brakes as well.
Long story short, there isn't a single aspect of performance in which a C4 has an advantage over a C5. Stock for stock... the C5 wins. Modified to a similar extent... the C5 wins by more. On the same note, the ZR-1 has the same disadvantages as the rest of the C4s so no matter how cool the LT5 might be, a stock C5Z will hand a stock ZR-1 it's *** on a road course.
I am not saying any of that to bash the C4. I love mine and love taking it to the track. It's no surprise that the C5 is better in these aspects. The C4 was a better performer than the C3. The C5 is better than the C4. The C6 isn't really much of a jump because it is on the same frame as the C5 but I fully expect the C7 to be a jump again. It's just the way things work. They move forward. It happens with everything. Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, etc... what was among the best in the World in it's day soon becomes obsolete. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale F1 was in it's day an incredible car. Now, the 458 Italia is over 20 seconds faster (an eternity) at The Ring. Progress is a great thing.
When I first got the Z06 I was actually disappointed with the way it handled. It just didn't feel as planted as my old Z51 C4 did. Then, I looked at the speedometer and realized I was going through the same corners at about twice the speed. The C4 feels faster. The C5 IS faster.
100% going fast and feeling like your going fast are 2 different things.The confidence level of the C5 is completely different than the C4
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
I've had 18 Corvettes in the last 45 years including 7 c-4s. My last 3 Corvettes were c-5s. I'll just go ahead and say it, the c-5 [in my opinion] is a much better car in every way! Not very politically correct I guess as today were not supposed to say anything negative that might hurt someones feelings. Too Bad C-5s rule!
Dave
C-5s rule!Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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St. Jude Donor '10
Gee Id hate to think GM spend tons and tons of money building a worse car!
The C5 is a better car. Is it more fun to drive? Thats a personal thing. Ive had 4 C4's when I was buying, a C5 was certainly an option for me. Born in the mid 70s and growing up on C4's they just happen to be my car of choice.
It doesn't need to be justified.
The C5 is a better car. Is it more fun to drive? Thats a personal thing. Ive had 4 C4's when I was buying, a C5 was certainly an option for me. Born in the mid 70s and growing up on C4's they just happen to be my car of choice.
It doesn't need to be justified.
Last edited by SurfnSun; Mar 31, 2011 at 11:41 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,770
Likes: 171
From: Decatur IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Very good points! I've driven a 98 pace car and love the ride. At that time I had my 84. The 98 rode smooth but the C4 has a better sports car feel. I'd love to own a magnetic red C5, but I'll always be a C4 owner and will never part ways with my 90.
I've driven a 98 pace car and love the ride. At that time I had my 84. The 98 rode smooth but the C4 has a better sports car feel. I'd love to own a magnetic red C5, but I'll always be a C4 owner and will never part ways with my 90.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
As promised I'm going to do my comparison of the C4 and the C5. Not to disparage either one but to give my honest evaluation of the 2 cars.
Cost:
Looks:
Interior:
Driveablity/performance:
Build quality:
Mods:
Cost of ownership:
Overall:
I like my FRC really well. It's a blast to drive and gets over 30 MPG on the highway. I average 24 to 26 in City/Highway, and I drive an equal amount of both.
Have you ever experienced an automatic attachment to a car? Like when I first got my 90 it still seemed like it was the PO's car. As time went by though that did change. But the day picked up the FRC it seemed like I had owned it since it was new. I don't know, kinda weird really.
and
Oh yeah, I've already spent 500 bucks on things
Cost:
Looks:
Interior:
Driveablity/performance:
Build quality:
Mods:
Cost of ownership:
Overall:
I like my FRC really well. It's a blast to drive and gets over 30 MPG on the highway. I average 24 to 26 in City/Highway, and I drive an equal amount of both.
Have you ever experienced an automatic attachment to a car? Like when I first got my 90 it still seemed like it was the PO's car. As time went by though that did change. But the day picked up the FRC it seemed like I had owned it since it was new. I don't know, kinda weird really.
and
Oh yeah, I've already spent 500 bucks on things
I am so surpirsed that no one else commented on this.
This, sir, is what makes you an enthusiast. And in my book, it is by far the best reason to choose and own any of the generations of the Corvette.
I will NEVER forget the day I sat in my '69 for the first time. It was dark and the dash and indicator lights made it look like I was in fighter jet. The steering was so tight I had to rest my elbow on the armrest in order to drive a straight line.
I LOVE my C5 but I will never get the feeling I got from my first C3.
Great write-up RetiredSFC 97.
And,oh yea, that Mod bug thing will eat you alive.
