Need some quick advice guys, I have a 96 WS6 as my weekend toy. But I've found a 84 Corvette that I'm being very tempted by ... So my question is what would you guys do keep my WS6 or switch to a 84 C4 ... ?

84 is the oldest and least capable C4: major suspension upgrade in 88 and the LT1 in 92 make the later ones better in many ways, and still cheap.

What Alan said. I'd rather have an S2000 (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Alrighty then,
So to rephrase my question then ... Which would you rather have my WS6 or an LT1 C4 ?

For a driver I'd stick with the WS6. For a weekend toy a late C4 would have some advantages - lighter, easier to work on the motor, better suspension. Could be a money pit, shop the aftermarket carefully, lots of junk out there priced with a Corvette tax on it. Lack of OEM service replacement parts could be a problem with any midlife GM product. Don't overlook a clean 90/91 6sp with the TPI motor.

That's exactly the one I'd want. I prefer a '91 due to the ZR1 based styling upgrade, but a '90 is also a good car. I'd take a TPI over an LT1 any day of the week, but I refuse to own anything with an Optispark on it.

Oh it's not that bad...it's only ruined 2 HPDE weekends for me....

Sorry this seems to be an ever changing thread ....

But given the suspension and weight considerations alone, would a C4 be that much of a step up from my WS6 ? ? ?

Keep in mind my WS6 already has upgraded sways, konis, strano springs and C6 brake conversion....

Thanks for the advice by the way guys (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Like for like (and with similar HP) the C4 will likely run off and leave your WS6 behind.

I'm sure the aero alone has to make a huge difference between the two.

With the caveat that a 20yr old car will likely need some soft part replacement, any C4 suspension already has way less unsprung weight than the Fbod, can achieve whatever camber and toe you want front and rear, has a lower CG and less frontal area. They will also hide 315 rubber under all 4 corners with no issue.

There are more varied options available than the Fbod, and most new Corvettes sold are autos, so it will take some shopping to find the model that best suits your use.

Here's a handy chart showing the changes in critical dimensions over the years:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html

FWIW I still have this car in the shop, price is negotiable: http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=13333

I've got a 94 C4 and a 95 Lt1 camaro. Both with LT 1's. The C4 has 2800lbs and 330hp and can out perform cars costing 10 times as much as mine. My choice would be the C4 hands down but would stick with the LT1. Just don't pressure wash the engine. The camaro is for CMC.
that's my 2 cents.
Leebo

Are the suspension revisions things that can just be swapped or is it more involved than that?

-Tim

I can't answer that, but if you go here: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html and shoot the question to Hib Halverson I bet he could.

FWIW along with that 88 race car for sale, I have some C4 knuckles, hubs, and control arms upstairs, maybe springs, and a bunch of raceworthy body parts.

Also, the earlier bodies can be updated with the later bumper covers. Here's one I built several years ago:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1130315211050964049iTrEjC
Damn near anything looks good dressed up in race clothes and shot at sunset in the Laguna paddock, but this shot is one of my favorites.

The C4 in my pic is an 86, with rod end links in the rear, some stuff to help the caster issues, a 44hd diff, way too much HP and we beat the crap out of it (or we did, when we had money to run it). Lots and lots of cheap parts floating around. I think the only draw back is caging one.......

I've done 3 of them, one of the keys is to ditch the OEM roof and replace it with a thin glass piece, lets you push the halo up higher. They are a lot smaller than a Fbod, so more fitting/welding is done standing outside rather than crawling around inside.

we actually considered using sheetmetal instead of the glass that's in it now when the halo and a-pillar bars go in. Do you have any pics of the cars you have caged?
I don't know if I could choose between the two..... I love them both....

Somebody sells a fiberglass panel that replaces the OEM piece with no underside framework, it bolts on. The black car has one of those. I think I just stripped the frame off the OEM piece for Evans car. In any case the cage makes up for the loss of chassis rigidity without the OEM structural roof panel.

in addition to Joes' 88, linked earlier in this thread

Evans 88: http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/8...vette_c432.html
the build is in here: http://community.webshots.com/user/wavslav
Here's the only pic I have of the bracket that I fabbed to connect a TKO to the C4 C-beam: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1100107847050964049JmgZyh

Scotts 91:
http://para.noid.org/~c4racer/C4RACER/BF/home/
http://para.noid.org/~c4racer/C4RACER/BF/home/index001.html
http://para.noid.org/~c4racer/C4RACER/Oct-04/index.html

This post has been edited by Blainefab: Oct 5 2011, 09:15 PM

I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't get past the first few pics of Evans 88 (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I had a '96 LT4 C4, and I still have an LS1 f-body. Any LTx engine kinda sucks...optis aren't fun. That said, they make decent power and don't have the oiling problems of the LSx engines.

As far as suspension, the C4 wins hands down. There is never any brake hop. Ever. I never once brake hopped my C4, no matter how many stupid things I did. That alone counts for a lot IMO. Brakes are about even. Stock J55 C4 brakes are decent. I ran 335's on mine, on 17x11's. Didn't fit perfect, but got the job done. Finding a 6 spd C4 is kind of hard, most of them are autos. But, if you can find 6 spd, you're set.

I would avoid any 88 and earlier cars, unless something has been done to replace the 4+3. Not worth the headaches unless you're going to man up and go to a dog ring 4 spd.