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I have an opportunity to purchase a 1994 ZF6 car with 40,000 k’s (25,000 miles).
I sold my last C4 about 5 years ago which
was a highly modified Z-51 car with a 421.
This car couldn’t be any different. It’s a ZF6 car with base brakes, base seats and base brakes. The car however is extremely clean and very close to as new condition even though it’s 25 years old.
The last LT1 C4 I was in was a 94 car with 2 mods being a hurst shifter and a set of 4.10’s. Surprisingly the car was quick and fun to drive. I don’t know if that was because of the gears or not.
The car I am mentioning however is bone stock. It’s a one owner car and the owner hasn’t done anything for performance.
I currently own a CTS-V that makes 675 hp and is rather quick. I am not interested in making the C4 compete with a car of this caliber but I hope it’s fun to drive and I think it might be.
I am a little worried about it being a base optioned car. How will the car feel and perform with the base brakes, base seats and base suspension???
I am fell educated on the L-98 C4’s but not so much on the later LT1’s. It makes sense to keep this car stock or close to it as I think it would keep its value more that way. The car is extremely clean and I like the polo green.
It will be good to get back into a C4 I think. I’ve had a C6 since selling mine and rather enjoyed it. In saying all that this is an opportunity to own a low mile C4 again and thinking seriously about it.
Also worried that the mileage might be too low as I’ve heard horrible stories but I’d like to think the mileage isn’t that low to have issues.
Opinions on the car are welcomed. Love to hear how the base stuff performs and feels.
Thanks.
Last edited by 88BlackZ-51; 10-11-2018 at 05:56 AM.
For your intended usage, I think a low optioned base c4 is an excellent choice. Reliable, fairly robust, parts availability is great, and they are fun for what they are!
For your intended usage, I think a low optioned base c4 is an excellent choice. Reliable, fairly robust, parts availability is great, and they are fun for what they are!
Thanks.
Is there a link showing the different suspension and brake options for LT1 cars?
Also what are the known gremlins with these cars? He claims everything works but the radio and power antenna.
Is there a link showing the different suspension and brake options for LT1 cars?
Also what are the known gremlins with these cars? He claims everything works but the radio and power antenna.
The only real "Gremlin" would be the optispark distributor. If it fails, replace it and keep on trucking. Many different options/alternatives. The biggest problem with them in my opinion is they tend to go at the worst possible time lol. Other than that check for steering column play (12 to 6), but that really isn't an LT1 problem rather a C4 problem entirely.
I am not sure of any links to different options, etc...Maybe someone else will chime in with that. I will say, I have a base 94' Coupe (FE1 Suspension/JL9 Brakes), and I upgraded to Z51 Valved Bilsteins, and C5 Front brakes with the DRM rear bias spring. Completley different car and a worthwhile upgrade even just for spirited/aggressive driving on back roads.
Also, I removed the power seat tracks and replaced with manual. Much better, the power seats in all the C4's are rather sloppy in my opinion, and develop a "Rock" back and forth. I hated that.
Last edited by TorchTarga94; 10-11-2018 at 07:33 AM.
The only real "Gremlin" would be the optispark distributor. If it fails, replace it and keep on trucking. Many different options/alternatives. The biggest problem with them in my opinion is they tend to go at the worst possible time lol.
I am not sure of any links to different options, etc...Maybe someone else will chime in with that. I will say, I have a base 94' Coupe, and I upgraded to Z51 Valved Bilsteins, and C5 Front brakes with the DRM rear bias spring. Completley different car and a worthwhile upgrade even just for spirited/aggressive driving on back roads.
Ok thanks. Owner advised that the water pump was replaced last year but that Opti hasn’t been replaced. With those low miles I doubt it’s seen much rain.
How cozy are your seats? This one has the base seats with power driver and passenger.
If it is still on the original opti I would make sure to keep it as long as you possibly can as they seem to be the most stout. Mine lasted 96,000 miles and was still working but replaced due to bearing wobble.
The base seats are great, far better than C5 or C6 in my opinion. I could road trip all over with the base seats.
If it is still on the original opti I would make sure to keep it as long as you possibly can as they seem to be the most stout. Mine lasted 96,000 miles and was still working but replaced due to bearing wobble.
The base seats are great, far better than C5 or C6 in my opinion. I could road trip all over with the base seats.
Good info about the seats. Why did you replace the steering wheel?
It's really clean man. Since you already have a very fast CTS-V, it'll feel slow. Still though, you'll have plnety of fun. As you know, I'm hunt for a zf6 car as well. My z07 ruby spoiled me. And I'll probably try and hold out for a z07 or z51 car. How much are they asking for it?
I prefer the smaller sportier 350mm wheels. In my opinion it makes turn-in a little more precise and doesn't give you the feel that you are in another commuter car. The early 90's were a weird time for airbags. They were huge, ugly, and while they might save lives I like to sit very close to the wheel and pedals per ZF Docs recommendations so in my case an airbag would do more harm than good. According to him, your knee should almost scrape the hush panel when you go to depress the clutch
The only real "Gremlin" would be the optispark distributor. If it fails, replace it and keep on trucking. Many different options/alternatives. The biggest problem with them in my opinion is they tend to go at the worst possible time lol. Other than that check for steering column play (12 to 6), but that really isn't an LT1 problem rather a C4 problem entirely.
I am not sure of any links to different options, etc...Maybe someone else will chime in with that. I will say, I have a base 94' Coupe (FE1 Suspension/JL9 Brakes), and I upgraded to Z51 Valved Bilsteins, and C5 Front brakes with the DRM rear bias spring. Completley different car and a worthwhile upgrade even just for spirited/aggressive driving on back roads.
Also, I removed the power seat tracks and replaced with manual. Much better, the power seats in all the C4's are rather sloppy in my opinion, and develop a "Rock" back and forth. I hated that.
I received the PM and it has been over 15 years since I owned a C4. I agree with the opti being the concern but reading in here recently (I've been wanting another but have no space) a guy is rebuilding them. Rocking seat is a problem with C5 and C4s. I don't know if parts are out to fix it on a C4.
On my 93 I did single adjust Konis, the 96 Grandsport brake which is a J55 with a slightly stiffer caliper. C5 brakes are an option but do not clear factory wheels, the ZR1 style 5 spoke will clear. On a cruiser you might be happy with the factory brakes, 13s are a nice upgrade. The car was very capable on a mountain run.
It's really clean man. Since you already have a very fast CTS-V, it'll feel slow. Still though, you'll have plnety of fun. As you know, I'm hunt for a zf6 car as well. My z07 ruby spoiled me. And I'll probably try and hold out for a z07 or z51 car. How much are they asking for it?
Did I know you were on the hunt for a ZF car? Who is this. I’ve been gone from C4’s for a bit now.
I received the PM and it has been over 15 years since I owned a C4. I agree with the opti being the concern but reading in here recently (I've been wanting another but have no space) a guy is rebuilding them. ROcking seat is a problem with C5 and C4s. I don't know if parts are out to fix it on a C4.
On my 93 I did single adjust Konis, the 96 Grandsport brake which is a J55 with a slightly stiffer caliper. C5 brakes are an option but do clear factory wheels, the ZR1 style 5 spoke will clear. On a cruiser you might be happy with the factory brakes, 13s are a nice upgrade. The car was very capable on a mountain run.
I had stainless lines which you could hear the calipers line up on the rotor not a big deal for me. You should be able to find the J55s online or from a Corvette salvage yard.
My '93 was a base suspension which I believe was the same in '94. '96 Suspensions were sprung softer.
Fixed a typo or 2, maybe I need coffee. The most important was C5 brakes not clearing the factory cheese grater wheels. A spacer might work. Easiest way to search the forum is using Google paste the following to the search:
IMO, if you get the bug to mod and you have.... I'd stay clear of a base. It would be pretty lame to step out of your what I would call suped up family car and in to a vette and feel like it is a step down.
I bought a base c4 and it felt like a 70's car. Not exaggerating. I did buy it to build though, so it did not matter, but it sucked to drive. A real disappointment.
If you are looking for a driving experience I would say don't chance it.
I have a base '92 and I love it. How would a "non-base" '92 differ? It would be heavier and have more content. How does that affect the driving experience? I put Koni's on it and did maintenance and it's been a fantastic car. More FUN, and FEELS just as fast as my '06 C6. Not as fast on paper...but paper isn't "fun".
IMO, if you get the bug to mod and you have.... I'd stay clear of a base. It would be pretty lame to step out of your what I would call suped up family car and in to a vette and feel like it is a step down.
I bought a base c4 and it felt like a 70's car. Not exaggerating. I did buy it to build though, so it did not matter, but it sucked to drive. A real disappointment.
If you are looking for a driving experience I would say don't chance it.
Have you driven a newer vette yet like C5+?
Disagree, the C4 is better than a 70s car and the C4 is a very fun platform to drive. Yes my modded C5s will blow the doors off a bolt on a C4 described above. However, I'd actually prefer my old '93 on a North Georgia Mountain run as I could keep up with stock C5Zs and the '93 was more fun to drive on the street. Konis or billstein sports and 13" brakes still keep the car very street friendly.
BTW a base 94 Suspension is basically the same as 96 Z51. The seats are the primary other upgrade which was lumbar that often leaks. I don't know if the adjustments changed much on the '94 base vs upgrade seats. If you're happy setting in them go for it
10-11-2018, 05:35 AM
Questions on a base low mile (25,000) ZF6 polo.
