c4 corvette for pro touring?

[Raith87]

I was wondering if anyone has seen any pro touring C4 corvettes? i've got the chance to pick up a C4 for a fairly reasonable price, and i think it would be a fun car to update to a more current setup...

Is there a generally accepted year cutoff for what would be considered a pro touring car?

[srh3trinity]

Don't get wrapped up in the title. If you like the car, buy it, mod it and drive it. If you are an enthusiast, you will fit in fine here.

[Raith87]

i like that advice. thanks Stephen.

[Aficionado]

This may be (looks around furtively) heresy here, but the Corvette in factory trim is a pretty good example of what pro-touring is meant to be.

I like the older 'Vettes myself, but for those who like to criticize the C4, it's always fun to ask them about the Corvette Challenge race series from the late '80's. It only existed because SCCA threw the C4 out after Porsche, who kept getting pounded by it, threatened to pull out of SCCA if they continued to allow the 'Vette to compete. IIRC, in '87 Porsche didn't win a race against the C4....ever.

[Mr_Roboto]

The L98 vettes are probably one of the most single under rated groups of Corvettes out there, and among the best values. No one really remembers them for their looks with nostalgia like the C1/2/3s (even the low-po ones) and the C5/6es are all thought of as way higher power even though coming with a gen 1 350 these cars can have a huge amount of potential.

If I got one, first thing I'd do is ditch the TPI and go to a single plane intake though. Not entirely saying a TPI can't make power, but at the same time I am saying that the fiscals of modding a TPI intake heavily are terrible and you're going to be a few hundred over a set of AS&M runners for a brand new single plane setup so why bother. Add a cam to the mix and she'll probably be another animal entirely. Port the heads or go aftermarket she'll have a very different attitude. The other thing about the TPI is that they're quite annoying to disassemble and reassemble. I've done mine a few times, it's just a hassle although being in a doghouse style engine bay of a van may be skewing this opinion somewhat.

LT-1 vettes are another story entirely. Could probably go very far with a cam and a few other bolt-ons. Better heads that an L98 and a way better intake for higher RPMs stock for stock.

Truly torn on which way I'd want to go for a powertrain. Blown a few 700Rs up not a fan. They can be built up, but I really wonder if it would be worth it for higher HP. The box that would actually appeal to me is the 4+3, but I'm in the distant minority on that I'm pretty sure. It's basically a Doug Nash 4 speed with a Doug Nash OD (later US Gear) unit on it. They are really neat because you can actually run the OD in any gear (the electronics keep you from doing it on a C4) so you can run 25% more gear if you want to. I have a US Gear under drive unit in my van with 3.0s backing it. I'm going to set it up so I have more "attitude" at the flick of a switch. You could do the same with the 4+3 box as I believe it would be 25% OD. The other thing doing a manual gets you is a better quality axle. You get a D44 with a manual vs a D36 with an automatic.

Lastly, if you figure this out post it up I'd be curious to find out. Do they make aftermarket springs with different rates for a C4? I know they used fiberglass springs, but I'm not sure what the support is for them. I'd definitely look into one before buying it as you never know what weight mods you're going to do.

[rchaskin]

I was wondering if anyone has seen any pro touring C4 corvettes? i've got the chance to pick up a C4 for a fairly reasonable price, and i think it would be a fun car to update to a more current setup...

Is there a generally accepted year cutoff for what would be considered a pro touring car?

Do it!!

Those cars do pretty good out of the box.

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

My dad has an '89 convertible. It's not insanely fast but it does handle extremely well. I'm not sure that you can apply the term 'Pro-Touring' to a car that does stock what a PT car aspires to do but that doesn't change the fact that they are great cars.

[thunderzy]

do it!! post pics

[JEFFTATE]

C4's are cool and inexpensive !
I say buy it and drive it !

[silvermonte]

I picked up a 96 c4 two weeks ago, I had no plans to buy a vette but a guy at work was selling it and and needed money to buy a newer vette. I took it for a test drive and like Roboto said in a previous post I had under rated what it could do. I got a pretty decent price for it, that and I think they are getting old enough now that the value on them is falling, but the plan for mine is a DD and a back up to my projects for any autox and track event as it pretty easy to track a vette in stock form.

[srh3trinity]

I have always heard that the c4 vette had a more connected feel than the c5. I like the styling and power of the lt1 version. I don't like the idea of the optispark.

[silvermonte]

Years ago I had a room mate that had a 93 and he went thru 2 stock optis, on the 3rd one he went to MSD and never had another problem.He always drove to the car wash and would wash the motor. Thats one of the reasons Ive never been interested in a C4, but after having this one and reading alot about them Ive come to a few conclusions, first is dont clean the motor while its warm as the early version optis are not vented very well and the steam gets in them and kills them, and if you do kill one just spend the money and get the MSD. The second thing I have found is the later c4's like the 94-95 have some vents that help and I guess the 96 has 2 vents in the cap to prevent this. Has me feeling a little less worried as mine is a 96 but Im still hesitant to wash the motor at the moment. Other then what has happened to my old roomies 93 I dont have alot of first hand experience Im just going off of stuff I have read on the internet in the last two weeks so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[Mustard_N_Catchup]

Lastly, if you figure this out post it up I'd be curious to find out. Do they make aftermarket springs with different rates for a C4? I know they used fiberglass springs, but I'm not sure what the support is for them. I'd definitely look into one before buying it as you never know what weight mods you're going to do.

There is a few companies that make handling springs for them and composite springs as well. ridetech is supposed to be coming out with an HQ series adjustable shocks for them, but I've been waiting for them since I first read about them in Jan(Hint,Hint!lol). The 95-96 come with the J55 13" HD brakes standard, but they were an option on other years and are cheap upgrade. Yes they do make a BIG difference. If you get a 6 speed car, the ZFDoc.com has lots of stuff for the ZF 6 speed, including short throw shifter, that also help tons.


Post pics and detail if you get it.

[Mustard_N_Catchup]

Almost forgot, the all 6 speed cars 89-96 got a Dana 44 rear end with 3.45 gears. Auto cars got the Dana 36 and 2.56-3.08 gears

[alocker]

Dont be scared of the Opti. The info above is correct. I think in 94 the Opti was actually vented connected to the intake with a small hose then vented to pull fresh air through it. Even the regular distributors of this era had issues with moisture (my moms 4.3 comes to mind). They are fun to drive and the interior feels like a race car compared to the C5.

[marolf101x]

You mean these shocks?
http://ridetechshocks.com/gm-shocks/chevy-corvette/1984-87-corvette/

We have RQ on the shelf. We were pushed back a week or so again on the RQ (rebound adjustable monotubes) but they should be here any time!

[Mustard_N_Catchup]

Dont be scared of the Opti. The info above is correct. I think in 94 the Opti was actually vented connected to the intake with a small hose then vented to pull fresh air through it. Even the regular distributors of this era had issues with moisture (my moms 4.3 comes to mind). They are fun to drive and the interior feels like a race car compared to the C5.

92-94 are sealed opti, 95-96 got the Vented. Also all 6 speed 96's got the LT4.


Yes, Britt, I'm the guy that calls every couple of weeks and asks about the HQ SA mono tubes being in yet. LOL

[Mustard_N_Catchup]

http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c4-...category_id=58