Talk to me about C4 Corvettes

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dishdude

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I've been keeping an eye out for a C4 Corvette, I realize the 80's aren't the pinnacle of performance but being a child of the 80's, I think they are the sharpest looking generation up until the current. I've been seeing nice ones go for under $10k, but from the ad this one looks like it is in exceptional condition. Any comments from people in the know? It doesn't have the Crossfire injection, but it does have the 4+3.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/5382344617.html
 
That looks really nice. You might want to drive one to see how you'll like it. They feel really wide. The 87 won't have much power. Do you like the look of the grand sport? That's what I'd go for. 345hp
 
What years did they offer the Grand Sport? I really like the '84-'89 interiors, not really interested in speed.
 
It looks good, even with 10k miles I dont think I could give 17k for it. That is in the neighborhood of a low mileage C5 vette. But anything is worth what one is willing to pay. If an 86 4+3 car is what you want that looks like a beautiful example.

I do have a soft spot for the 1991 L98 cars with the 6-speed though. That is probably because it was the first corvette i had ever driven.

Good luck in the search!
 
You guys are killing me, I'm looking for something 80's. There is a teal one for sale too, it even has a car phone! I want the '84-'89 video game digital dash. Easy to work on, parts readily available. It'll get 1-2k miles a year at most...just something fun to bump around in on the weekends. I am not going to be driving fast or aggressively.

 
Originally Posted By: brslds
+1 For the teal one and get the phone working if you can.


LOL!
 
I had a 1991. For what it was it was a nice car. I put lots of miles on it and it was reliable. TPI is OK. I had the aftermarket intake for it. Larger runners. It was a 700R4 car with a shift kit. Also had a tuned EPROM headers and exhaust. Would crack of mid 13's on a good day. The previous owner had installed actual C4 ZR-1 rims.

485124531.jpg


Car is standard GM. Easy to fix and parts are cheap.

Not sure I would pay what they want for that one. Do not get a crossfire car. No fun, and does not respond as well to modifications. The Doug Nash 4 + 3...eh, they are ok if you don't modify it. Try to get something later with an LT1 and 6 speed if you really have to have a C4.
 
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
Don't buy a year with the Crossfire injection. You want Tuned Port Injection.


Cross Fire was 82 and 84 only. 85-91 was TPI. Not sure, but I THINK that 1985 cars had a funky 1-year-only ECM system. I also recall that the TPI engines switched from mass-air to speed density in 1990.

My concern would be the transmission: if anything goes on the 4+3, can you get parts to fix it? (And can you do so without selling your soul?)
 
Originally Posted By: Supercalifragili
Originally Posted By: dishdude
What years did they offer the Grand Sport? I really like the '84-'89 interiors, not really interested in speed.


I could be wrong but I thought 1996 only.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_(C4)

^^ Yup.. 1996 last-of-line edition.

How about the first ZR1.. 405HP. 1990-1995


Too much money...easier to get an L98 or LT1 and tweak it to 405 (or 505) horsepower.
laugh.gif


Hmm...I wonder how close to stock I could get a 500+HP TPI stroker to look.............
 
My '85 had the 4+3, and I never liked the shifting feel; too high effort, and there was always drag going through the gates. The overdrive unit leaked from the pan, and was not fixable. When I did the 6-speed conversion, I literally took the 4+3 to a junkyard and threw it away. Get a 6-speed car. I think they started installing 6 speeds in 1989. The peak of the C4's was the '96 Grand Sport. The ZR1's are fast but fragile, and very expensive to fix.
 
I know that you are looking for an 80s C4, but if it is a C4 that you want, you should be looking at the '94-'96 models which were the most refined (read this as most trouble free of the C4 series) and can be had relatively cheap.

If you must have an 80s model, I would go for the '89 with a ZF6. I had one back in the day and it was a great car.
 
There is a good reason nice mid-80's ones are going for under $10K...under-powered and hence little love. At 30 yrs old if there was broad collector interest wouldn't prices have turned upwards?

I'd rather look at something with at least 300 net HP, or 1992 and up. I personally see the C5's as the best deal out there in bang for buck.
 
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Do yourself a favor & buy a C5, LS1/LS6 with a Tremec T56.

If you really want a C4, '94/'95/'96 LT1 cars are the best.


While I'm actually looking for a newer track rat, I could be seriously tempted by a C4 or C5 Z06- brilliant track toys that are still usable everyday(I don't believe in coddling my fleet).
 
I have driven a number of them over the years and have never been impressed. Poor build quality, [censored] brakes, and they are slow.

For $17k you could get an SL Mercedes which is ten times the car.

But I guess its all what you like, I know a lot of people like them.

My uncle just sold his super mint 1986 convertible, which he was the original owner for like $6k.
 
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