Corvette 1984 onwards
Discussion
Martin,
There is tons and tons and tons of this information.
But to get you started, and this is from memory so may be inaccurate:
The C4 Corvette was a 1984-1996 model, replaced by the C5 in 1997.
In early years, the power was lowish [restricted by many emmissions regulations etc.]. The L98 engine [cannot remember if it was availble 'from the start' of the C4] was coupled to an Automatic or a 4-speed manual, with 3 overdrives. A 6-speed was possibly introduced to it in 1989 or 1990. The L98 could have been around 240bhp, but I'm not sure.
The L98 remained until 1992 when a revised small-block - the LT1 - was released, giving 300hp and 300lbft torque or thereabouts.
Both of the above engines were overhead valvie, push-rod designs, V8 with 16 valves. A new engine - co-developed by GM with Lotus - and called the LT5 was a different beast entirely: sharing mainly the same displacement - 5.7L - it was a DOHC design, with 32valves, and pushed out 375-405hp.
It was very expensive compared to the standard Corvette, and compared to the much cheaper LT-1 engine introduce in 1992 it sort of died a death.
In the C4 range, the anniversary 1993 [40th] are a nice buy, as is the 1995 (I think) Grand Sport - Blue, with white stripe down the middle. Nothing other particularly outstanding, apart from the ZR1s, during 84-96.
Was there any particular aspect of the C4 you wanted to find out? Are you a potential purchasor? These answers will help us give you the right info!!
edited to add: 'nothing particularly outstanding' above means no offence, mainly that apart from the mentioned specials, all the rest of the C4s very nice cars, each year having potential 'things' another year didn't, but personal taste can dictate (etc.)
There is tons and tons and tons of this information.
But to get you started, and this is from memory so may be inaccurate:
The C4 Corvette was a 1984-1996 model, replaced by the C5 in 1997.
In early years, the power was lowish [restricted by many emmissions regulations etc.]. The L98 engine [cannot remember if it was availble 'from the start' of the C4] was coupled to an Automatic or a 4-speed manual, with 3 overdrives. A 6-speed was possibly introduced to it in 1989 or 1990. The L98 could have been around 240bhp, but I'm not sure.
The L98 remained until 1992 when a revised small-block - the LT1 - was released, giving 300hp and 300lbft torque or thereabouts.
Both of the above engines were overhead valvie, push-rod designs, V8 with 16 valves. A new engine - co-developed by GM with Lotus - and called the LT5 was a different beast entirely: sharing mainly the same displacement - 5.7L - it was a DOHC design, with 32valves, and pushed out 375-405hp.
It was very expensive compared to the standard Corvette, and compared to the much cheaper LT-1 engine introduce in 1992 it sort of died a death.
In the C4 range, the anniversary 1993 [40th] are a nice buy, as is the 1995 (I think) Grand Sport - Blue, with white stripe down the middle. Nothing other particularly outstanding, apart from the ZR1s, during 84-96.
Was there any particular aspect of the C4 you wanted to find out? Are you a potential purchasor? These answers will help us give you the right info!!
edited to add: 'nothing particularly outstanding' above means no offence, mainly that apart from the mentioned specials, all the rest of the C4s very nice cars, each year having potential 'things' another year didn't, but personal taste can dictate (etc.)
Edited by c4koh on Wednesday 13th December 12:48
Hi guys, thanks for the info.
I'm completely new to American cars having never owned one (or even thought about owning one). I'm looking for a second car as a 'toy' for the weekends and sunny days. I want to get a decent amount of performace for as little cash as possible. In the past i have owned Caterhams, westfields, mini coopers, old rally cars, etc so never anything like a corvette (big, heavy V8 muscle!).
I'm not ready to buy just yet, just doing my homework. Another car that I'm considering is a porsche 928 but the potential running costs are putting me off.
the Corvette appeals for a number of reasons.
1. Cheap to buy
2. Cheap to insure as a second car
3. Cheap and plentiful parts (hopefully)
4. Different to the norm.
5. god owners club scene and plenty of heritage / history
6. Fast (ish)
7. Not sure about the handlng but perhaps you could give some pointers on this?
8. Plenty about so can hopefuly find a good one.
All the best.
Martin.
I'm completely new to American cars having never owned one (or even thought about owning one). I'm looking for a second car as a 'toy' for the weekends and sunny days. I want to get a decent amount of performace for as little cash as possible. In the past i have owned Caterhams, westfields, mini coopers, old rally cars, etc so never anything like a corvette (big, heavy V8 muscle!).
I'm not ready to buy just yet, just doing my homework. Another car that I'm considering is a porsche 928 but the potential running costs are putting me off.
the Corvette appeals for a number of reasons.
1. Cheap to buy
2. Cheap to insure as a second car
3. Cheap and plentiful parts (hopefully)
4. Different to the norm.
5. god owners club scene and plenty of heritage / history
6. Fast (ish)
7. Not sure about the handlng but perhaps you could give some pointers on this?
8. Plenty about so can hopefuly find a good one.
All the best.
Martin.
Sounds like you've got all the info you need right there, Martin. 
Corvettes are great cars as long as you don't mind the left-hand drive. The handling of the C4 was excellent for its time, but a comparison with modern exotica probably wouldn't do it any favours. If you approach them as classic cars then they're very accomplished.
Running costs are low. Parts are easily sourced from the US or from UK specialists.
You really need to find one to have a good look around it. We have quite a few C4 owners on the Club forums, so you could post a message on there and find someone local to you who will show you around a C4 and give you buying advice. www.corvetteclub.org.uk
Let us know how you get on.
Corvettes are great cars as long as you don't mind the left-hand drive. The handling of the C4 was excellent for its time, but a comparison with modern exotica probably wouldn't do it any favours. If you approach them as classic cars then they're very accomplished.
Running costs are low. Parts are easily sourced from the US or from UK specialists.
You really need to find one to have a good look around it. We have quite a few C4 owners on the Club forums, so you could post a message on there and find someone local to you who will show you around a C4 and give you buying advice. www.corvetteclub.org.uk
Let us know how you get on.
Please excuse me for hijacking your quote Steve!
1984 engine was the L83, a carryover from the last engine fitted to the third generation cars. Gave 204 Hp, and 140mph top speed and 7.0 secs 0-60
1985 on is the L98, instead of the cross-fire injection (basically two single point injector set-up) - had tuned port injection (injector per cylinder, better inlet manifold layout) - gave performance typically 6 seconds and less (1986 auto, for example is 5.7 secs, R&T also say this for the 85) and 150mph. But hte L98 came in ever improving specs up to 1992, first addition being ally heads instead of the cast iron (approx 20kg weight saving I think - may be wrong), starting at 230hp then up to 245 hp towaards the end when the engine gained roller cam followers and some other tuning tweaks. Lt1 as stated, came along in 92, 300bhp, some of the last C4's were equipped with a further tuned verion of this, the LT4, (e.g. grand sport) with 330hp. The LT engines were more revvy but less torquey in feel to the L98's, which were the opposite (built for low down pull, and run out of puff at 4-4.5K rpm - suited to autos).
There's not a great deal of tuning stuff for the L83's, although very cheap entrance to Vette ownership, L98's there is arguable the most available, while the LT engines enjoy slightly lower aftermarket parts availability than the L98 (but still loads). LT1's tend to show more of an increase in top end, think you're looking at about 160mph.
Of course there s also the LT5 equipped cars (ZR1'a) - a little more expensive, but engine by comparison very exotic, and 180 licence losing mph out of the box.
Try www.corvetteactioncenter.com/ for a ridiculous amount of Vette information!
Handling against modern cars, I'd say it can hold it's own in a crude fashion against newer stuff, it won't put you out of the running. I had good fun on an airfield day this year in mine, and didn't have too much trouble mixing it (times wise) with other cars (couple of Ultimas, number of Ferraris etc.) - gave me a lot of faith that they're not too old fashioned!
c4koh said:
Martin,
There is tons and tons and tons of this information.
But to get you started, and this is from memory so may be inaccurate:
The C4 Corvette was a 1984-1996 model, replaced by the C5 in 1997.
In early years, the power was lowish [restricted by many emmissions regulations etc.]. The L98 engine [cannot remember if it was availble 'from the start' of the C4] was coupled to an Automatic or a 4-speed manual, with 3 overdrives. A 6-speed was possibly introduced to it in 1989 or 1990. The L98 could have been around 240bhp, but I'm not sure.
The L98 remained until 1992 when a revised small-block - the LT1 - was released, giving 300hp and 300lbft torque or thereabouts.
Both of the above engines were overhead valvie, push-rod designs, V8 with 16 valves. A new engine - co-developed by GM with Lotus - and called the LT5 was a different beast entirely: sharing mainly the same displacement - 5.7L - it was a DOHC design, with 32valves, and pushed out 375-405hp.
It was very expensive compared to the standard Corvette, and compared to the much cheaper LT-1 engine introduce in 1992 it sort of died a death.
In the C4 range, the anniversary 1993 [40th] are a nice buy, as is the 1995 (I think) Grand Sport - Blue, with white stripe down the middle. Nothing other particularly outstanding, apart from the ZR1s, during 84-96.
Was there any particular aspect of the C4 you wanted to find out? Are you a potential purchasor? These answers will help us give you the right info!!
edited to add: 'nothing particularly outstanding' above means no offence, mainly that apart from the mentioned specials, all the rest of the C4s very nice cars, each year having potential 'things' another year didn't, but personal taste can dictate (etc.)
There is tons and tons and tons of this information.
But to get you started, and this is from memory so may be inaccurate:
The C4 Corvette was a 1984-1996 model, replaced by the C5 in 1997.
In early years, the power was lowish [restricted by many emmissions regulations etc.]. The L98 engine [cannot remember if it was availble 'from the start' of the C4] was coupled to an Automatic or a 4-speed manual, with 3 overdrives. A 6-speed was possibly introduced to it in 1989 or 1990. The L98 could have been around 240bhp, but I'm not sure.
The L98 remained until 1992 when a revised small-block - the LT1 - was released, giving 300hp and 300lbft torque or thereabouts.
Both of the above engines were overhead valvie, push-rod designs, V8 with 16 valves. A new engine - co-developed by GM with Lotus - and called the LT5 was a different beast entirely: sharing mainly the same displacement - 5.7L - it was a DOHC design, with 32valves, and pushed out 375-405hp.
It was very expensive compared to the standard Corvette, and compared to the much cheaper LT-1 engine introduce in 1992 it sort of died a death.
In the C4 range, the anniversary 1993 [40th] are a nice buy, as is the 1995 (I think) Grand Sport - Blue, with white stripe down the middle. Nothing other particularly outstanding, apart from the ZR1s, during 84-96.
Was there any particular aspect of the C4 you wanted to find out? Are you a potential purchasor? These answers will help us give you the right info!!
edited to add: 'nothing particularly outstanding' above means no offence, mainly that apart from the mentioned specials, all the rest of the C4s very nice cars, each year having potential 'things' another year didn't, but personal taste can dictate (etc.)
Edited by c4koh on Wednesday 13th December 12:48
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