I am thinking of getting this LT4 vette.. what are your thoughts?

[Steve1968LS2]

I'm not super familiar with the LT4 but I have been looking for new play car that I can take to the track when the Camaro is down or when I just want to not care as much about track damage. 6-speeds are hard to find in C4's

Here is the car:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rixros...cUKlEBFSuUqsjz

What it has:

----------------------

1996 Chevrolet Corvette LT4 VIN 1G1YY2254T5107052
White with black/grey interior
Chrome GS wheels 17X9.5 & 17X11"
Nearly new Dunlop 315/35/17's in the rear
Targa top

Bose Gold Stereo AM/FM/Cass/CD (single)
Cruise Control, Climate Control (AC blows cold)
Standard (ie, not sport) dual power seats
Everything works.



114,400 mi. and counting. Daily driver, 26mi. fwy commute each way, I work swing shifts, NO stop and go traffic. Runs very strong.

Recent new parts-

Rear wheel bearings
Windshield
Radiator
Water pump
Opti-spark cap & rotor/wires/spark plugs
Cruise control servo
Walbro fuel pump
Hurst short throw shifter
VB&P Sport springs
VB&P sway bars w/urethane bushings(32mm front/26mm rear)
Bilstein sport shocks
Steel braided brake lines/Hawk pads/rear bias spring
Random technology high flow cats
Sylvania Silverstar headlights

Other parts on the car when I bought it (installed @ approx. 65K mi)

Walker DynoMax mufflers
New Opti-spark unit
160* thermostat
Coolant bypass kit
Granatelli high flow MAF
Vortex Ram air intake
Clutch

Misc.-

Breathless performance driving lights complete kit (mounts
in front license plate space) Not installed yet, see here:
http://www.breathlessperformance.com/products/255.asp

Wolf front end bra (installed once for 10 min.)
Indoor car cover
Weatherstripping is cracking, I have new replacements
(aftermarket) not installed.

Take off parts to go with the car (factory parts unless specified)-

Springs (soft ride suspension)
Sway bars
MAF
Air cleaner housing
Shifter
Headlights
KYB "white" shocks, installed for 5k mi.
Right side cat. converter (Left was thrown away-rattling)

Original Sawblade wheels 2- 17X8.5" and 2- 17X9.5"
with nearly new (4k mi) BFG TA KDW's mounted (see pictures)

---------------------------------

He is asking $14k but I think I can talk him down a bit.. thoughts on this deal? I could get an LT1 car a bit cheaper but I would think the LT4 would add a bit more value.

[Bill Howell]

I think that is a bunch high myself. A lot of miles, not for the year, but alot nevertheless. Looks like a well kept car, just a load for a 10 year old vette. I would have issues at 10K much less 14K. I sold a similar 91, five years ago with 60k miles for 10 or 11. C4s were just one gen old at the time, now they are two. Don't let emotions muddy the water.
If it is truely just for playing and track days, why get such a nice one to beat on anyway.
Just my take.

[Van B]

For that kind of money you are not far from getting a C5. You should be able to get a high mileage 99 FRC for around $15 ish if you look hard enough. Of course I work in wholesale, but they are out there.

I would keep looking.

[Steve1968LS2]

I think that is a bunch high myself. A lot of miles, not for the year, but alot nevertheless. Looks like a well kept car, just a load for a 10 year old vette. I would have issues at 10K much less 14K. I sold a similar 91, five years ago with 60k miles for 10 or 11. C4s were just one gen old at the time, now they are two. Don't let emotions muddy the water.
If it is truely just for playing and track days, why get such a nice one to beat on anyway.
Just my take.

KBB is 13,760 in excellent shape.. remember, it's not easy finding and LT4 and a six-speed.. LOTS of automatics out there. Plus I thought the upgrades were good for what I wanted to do (even extra wheels for some R-Compounds).. I would like to find a nicer one cause I imagine I will drive it a alot as a daily.. Oh and a 91 is nothing like a 96 since the 91 had a TPI engine

But, you did give me somehting to think of.. Seriously though.. it's hard to find a six-speed LT1 UNDER 10k.. believe it or not..

Keep the advice coming.. it helps

[nancejd]

I think you should just get a new Z06 and call it a day!:3gears:

[Steve1968LS2]

I think you should just get a new Z06 and call it a day!:3gears:

I want to pay cash.. that aint gonna happen with a new or even used Z06.. besides it won't even get to live in the garage.. that space is all for Penny. I've been looking at C4's all week and haven't found a decent 6-speed under 10k.. crazy..

Anyone know the hp/tq rating of an LT4 compared to an LT1?

[USAZR1]

Nothing wrong with a 96 w/LT4,Steve. That's an excellent car that will run like a bat with a few mods. LT1's weren't available with the ZF 6spd in 96 so that's why you're having problems finding one.

I've owned an 85 w/4+3 & Z51, 93 40th Anniversary w/auto (wife's car),a seriously modded 90 ZR-1,and a Callaway Aerobody 91 ZR-1 (seriously modded,too and #19 of nineteen built). Have a soft spot for C4 Corvettes.

[[email protected]]

i've never been a fan of the c4's dash...BUT i would get a lt-5 power'd vette if i could find someone to remove my left nut and someone to accept it!

[Steve1968LS2]

Yea, the dash is a bit "knight rider'ish" but the car is fun as heck to dive. Used to drive a buddies when we would go auto-x.

C5's a cool but again the "cheap" ones are all automatics.. cheapest one I've found so far:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...n&cardist=1796

[rockdogz]

Yea, the dash is a bit "knight rider'ish" but the car is fun as heck to dive. Used to drive a buddies when we would go auto-x.

C5's a cool but again the "cheap" ones are all automatics.. cheapest one I've found so far:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...n&cardist=1796

Wow, and that one's a bit far away from you!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Wow, and that one's a bit far away from you!!

Yea, vettes in CA go for a premium since our weather is easier on cars.. lol

At first I wanted to spend just $10k.. then I moved up to $12k or so.. the right C5 would run me $17k.. it's easy to start with the "well, it's only xxx $$$ more.." way of thinking. I've always wanted a C4 just cause I love the outside styling and it would be a fun car to shoot around town in, the side benefit is that I would always have a track car even when my '68 is getting worked on.

Still looking for feedback on the LT4.. is it THAT much better than the LT1?

[TA219]

I have no 1st hand expierence but from what i have seen the LT4 hp wise is inline with a stock LS1 but according to this site they generally put down 300 to the rear wheels (my LT1 TA (auto w/ headers and bolt ons) put down 260)
http://www.grandsportregistry.com/faq.htm#6

If price makes the difference then you could buy a LT1 car and do a LT4 conversion for 2k
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...ber=pk12550630

[CAMAROBOY69]

Just spend a couple extra grand and get the C5. I think overall you will be much happier. I personally have never cared much for the C4 corvettes at all. The C4 design has never caught my attention at all. Just my polite opinion.
EDIT! oops I meant the C4 has never caught my attention.

[Damn True]

You might be able for similar money to find somones old spec miata. If all it's for is the track you'd be hard pressed to find a better car in which to hone your skills.

[Steve1968LS2]

You might be able for similar money to find somones old spec miata. If all it's for is the track you'd be hard pressed to find a better car in which to hone your skills.

Track and pleasure driving around town.. while I have always dug Miatas at the track I have seen TWO fatal accidents on the street involving Miata's.. One a decapitation when a SUV hit it head on and went over the hood.

So no Miatas on the street for me

As for the C4/C5 deal.. For the same money I can either get the highest mileage most beat C5 or a very clean C4.. While the LS1 is a better engine I think the LT1/4 would serve me well. And a C4 is on my "list" of cars to own on day. Later when the C7 comes out I will pick us a C5 for dirt cheap..

[Travis B]

A MIATA WTF? They might be good track cars but I would fell like a pretty big homo driving one....

[CAMAROBOY69]

A MIATA WTF? They might be good track cars but I would fell like a pretty big homo driving one....

[Damn True]

A MIATA WTF? They might be good track cars but I would fell like a pretty big homo driving one....

If validation of your sexuality is dependant upon what you are driving.............

[MuscleRodz]

LT-4 is nothing but an LT-1 with a hopped up cam and bigger breathing heads for the most part. Good engine. The ZF-6 speed from the research I have done (since I bought 2 and sold 2 for the '68 Camaro) is not fond of missed power shifts. The trannies are cheaper to buy new than repair which is around 2 grand. For a driver, I have been told by all they are nicer than a T-56.

You could get a ZF tranny in a Corvette in '96. The last one I bought for the '68 Camaro was out of a '96. It is different than all the others and is also better than the earlier trannies. I bought a new bell housing and Centerforce Clutch off ebay and then turned around and sold the entire setup.

$14K may not be high for CA, but it is high for the midwest. Should be closer to $11K-$12K for a clean Vette. Personally, I have been in both and would much rather have an early C5.

Mike

[formula]

found this on the web, thought it might help ya...

http://www.grandsportregistry.com/lt1vslt4.htm

I, for one, like it a lot and would go for it if I could get the price down a bit....I love every even generation of corvettes. C1, C3, and C5 kick butt, but C2, C4, and C6 are my favorite