billschroeder5842

My 91 ZR1 is getting lonely so I'm contemplating getting a stable mate. I'm either going to get 80-82 C3 (which I've had in the past) or a 85-89 C4 which is similar, yet different from my 91.

While my goal is to keep the ZR1 mostly stock I'd probably not be afraid to "hot rod" this next one a bit, so I'd like something that takes modifications well.

Can the CF team give me some "do's and don't's" on what to look for and more importantly- stay away from.

I'm reasonably handy, and with the help of the CF members and a FSM will tackle quite a bit. Howver, I'm not super interested in buying someone else "time bomb"

Whats up with the 4+3 transmission? I see a lot of angst but honestly skip over the posts as I don't have one.

So.... any thoughts! Thanks!

cv67

89s had a lot of upgrades and the black tag ZFs pretty durable
85s probably have less electronics (prefer manual ac no abs)

See posts here and there about being a little tougher to tune if youre doing head/cam etc but sure theres plenty here that have found a way around it.

Like you said best condition/price will probably sway you one way or the other if youre not stuck on a specific yr they are too cheap not to buy (a nice one)

VikingTrad3r

any of them are great for what you want. my advice is to be patient and get one like the guy who just picked up the 86 4+3 low miles for under 5k

too many people think thier unmaintained c4 is worth 7k when its not!

84 are a bargain if u r doing an ls swap.

ive owned 85 86 87. some technical differences but small.

my next will either be the 89 6spd 1 yr only with zf6 and starwars dash. like what brandonsbeast picked up.

one more thing. high option z51 and z52 cars to bring more on market. at least here in canada.

aklim

Pass on 85 since it is said to be harder to scan.

VikingTrad3r

^^^ yep it is. :-)

Patsgarage

It depends on how far you want to take it. The 4+3 is basically an old T-10 with an OD unit piggybacked on it. Not sure how much more power over stock one could take, the 89 only 6MN can handle more power but is getting harder to find. L98 speed parts and someone with the know how to tune the car are also getting harder to find. The later LT1 cars make more power but come with their own set of issues. The main early C4 issues are the Atari dash, electronic climate control, and rubber parts (weatherstripping & suspension bushings) that are all 30~ years old.

billschroeder5842

Okay, you got my interest... what is the "Star Wars Dash?" Is it different from the earlier years?

aklim

I don't know about the LT1. Is it that much better finding speed parts and someone who has both the knowledge AND the software to dyno tune it?

From a performance standpoint, I honestly believe the C4 is a dead platform, relatively speaking. It will, if it hasn't already get harder and harder to keep it running. Right now, if I had to change the ABS sensors, I'm not sure how easy it will be to get all the parts. Front you can get the bearing hubs FOR NOW. Rear seems to be an issue if you have problems and will have to rely on junkyard parts which I really hate for electronics.

VikingTrad3r

its aka the atari dash. same as other early c4's. instant hit with my wife/friends/family.

ak, i can get those parts up here in canada at autovalue or napa? maybe not acdelco.

aklim

We don't have Autovalue. ABS Right Rear is only at the store and not online so not sure. Left Rear doesn't even show up. Front left or right doesn't even come up either. I looked since I might have to clean it since it is tripping at weird conditions so not sure if it is dirty or going south. It still works for the most part so I really don't dare to pull them just in case I cannot replace it.