The C4 - The Hot Handler
C3
C5
The C4 lasted from early 1983 (as a 1984 model) until in 1996. In 1997 it was replaced by the C5.
1984
The 1984 was the first year of the C4 and came with a 4-speed automatic or a 4+3 Overdrive manual. It kept the same engine as 1982 but with a 5hp increase. Of the things not liked about the '84 was the rock hard ride and the gimmicky digital gauges.
Base Price: $21,800
Total Production: 51,547
Brakes: All-disc
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a new 4+3 overdrive manual(really a 4-speed but with electronically controlled companion gearset giving gas-saving overdrive ratios)
Engine L83:205hp, 290lb-ft of torque, 350cu(5.7liter), Compression: 9.0:1, Cross-fire fuel injection carried over from '82
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51: Coupe only, 16 inch wheels
1985
The L83 was replaced by the L98 because of "Tuned Port Injection" which added 25hp. The suspesion was softened because of '84 complaints of a hard ride.
Base Price: $24,400
Production: Total: 39,729; Manual Trans.: 9576
Brakes: All-disc
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a 4+3 overdrive manual(really a 4-speed but with electronically controlled companion gearset giving gas-saving overdrive ratios)
Engine L98:230hp, 330lb-ft of torque, 350cu(5.7liter), Compression: 9.0:1, new Tuned Port fuel injection
Performance
0-60: 5.7 sec
Quarter-mile: 14.1 sec @ 97mph
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51: Coupe only, 16 inch wheels
1986
The convertible was re-introduced mid-year. The '86 was Indy Pace car that year and the cast-iron cylinder heads were switched to aluminum. 125lbs were shedded off because of the switch and other changes. Other changes to the engine included dual exhausts and higher compression.
Base Price: Coupe: $27,027; Convertible: $32,032
Production: Coupes: 27,794; Convertibles: 7315
Brakes: All-disc with Anti-lock braking system
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a 4+3 overdrive manual(really a 4-speed but with electronically controlled companion gearset giving gas-saving overdrive ratios)
Engine L98:235hp, 350cu
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51: Coupe only, 16 inch wheels
1987
Roller valve lifters took horsepower up to 240. Z52 suspension option debuted to bridge the gap between the base and the Z51 option.
Brakes: All-disc with Anti-lock braking system
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a 4+3 overdrive manual(really a 4-speed but with electronically controlled companion gearset giving gas-saving overdrive ratios)
Engine L98:240hp, 350cu
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51: Coupe only, 16 inch wheels
Z52: Coupe as well as Convertible, 16 inch wheels
1988
Total Production: 22,789
Base Price: Coupe: $30,000; Ragtop: $35,000
Tire Size: Base: 225/50ZR16, Z51 & Z52: 275/40ZR17
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a 4+3 overdrive manual(really a 4-speed but with electronically controlled companion gearset giving gas-saving overdrive ratios)
Engine L98:240hp, 350cu
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51: Coupe only, 16 inch wheels
Z52: $970, ordered on 70% of all Vettes, 16 inch wheels
3.07:1 Performance axle: Coupe only, fitted on 4497 cars, added 5hp to 245hp, got freer-flowing mufflers
1989
The "4+3" 4-speed manual was replaced by a 6-speed and the Vette got 17-inch wheels and tires. A lift-off fiberglass hardtop was a new convertible option for a cost of $1995 and the Z52 option became standard.
Brakes: All-disc with Anti-lock braking system
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Transmission: 4-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic or a new 6-speed manual
Engine L98:240hp, 350cu
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51
Lift-off fiberglass hardtop: Convertible only, $1995, 64lbs
FX3 Selective Ride Control (For cars with 6-speed manuals and the Z51 handling option)
1990
ZR-1 Option re-indroduced. ZR standing for "Zora Racer", referring to Zora Arkus-Duntov. This option put out tremendous power and reached incredable speeds, for a price of course.
Base Price: Coupe: $32,000; Convertible: $37,000; ZR-1: nearly $59,000
Production: Total: 23,650; ZR-1's: 3049
Engine L98:250hp, 350cu, Redline: 4500
Options
Lumbar bolster seats
Z51
Lift-off fiberglass hardtop: Convertible only, 64lbs
FX3 Selective Ride Control (For cars with 6-speed manuals and the Z51 handling option)
ZR-1 Option:375hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve, standard Z51/FX3 suspension, wider tires, different tail working, Cost: $27,000 on to base
ZR-1 Performance
Top Speed: 175mph
0-60mph: 4.5 seconds
1991
The tail of the base Corvette was changed to look just like the ZR-1's.
Production: Total: 20,600; ZR-1's: 2044
Base Price: Coupe: $32,455; Ragtop: $38,770; ZR-1: $64,138
Engine L98:250hp, 350cu, Redline: 4500
ZR-1 Option:375hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve
1992
The arrival of the LT1 came this year and was much more potent then the L98. Traction control was new and standard this year. Exhaust outlets on all models became rectangular in shape.
Production: Total: 20,479; ZR-1: 502
Engine LT1:300hp, 330lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 5700
ZR-1 Option:375hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve, gained identifying front-fender badges this year
1993
The LT5 was boosted to 405hp and the LT1 gained some torque. It was the 40th birthday of the Vette and a special addition package for $1455 with Ruby Red paint and color-matched leather labled with "40th" logos.
Production: Total: 21,590; Convertibles: 5692; ZR-1: 448; 40th Edition: 6749
Engine LT1:300hp, 340lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 5700
Options
40th Anniversery Edition: $1455, Ruby Red paint and color matched leather with "40th" logos
Passive Keyless Entry: Autmoatically locked or unlocked the doors and hatch as you left or apporached the car
ZR-1 Option:405hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve, Cost: $31,258
ZR-1 Performance
Top Speed: 179mph
0-60mph: 4.4 seconds
Skidpad: 0.92g
1994
Production: Total: 23,330; ZR-1: 448
Engine LT1:300hp, 340lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 5700
ZR-1 Option:405hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve
1995
Another Indy Pace car version came out with a Dark Purple Metallic over Artic White paint scheme.
Production: Total: 21,590; ZR-1: 448; Indy Pace Car Replicas: 527
Base Price: Coupe: $36,875; Ragtop: $43,665
Engine LT1:300hp, 340lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 5700
Options
Indy 500 Pace Car replica: 527 made
ZR-1 Option:405hp, 350cu, LT5 engine DOHC 32Valve
ZR-1 Statisitics
Engine
LT5 engine with DOHC and 32 valves. Engineering assistance from England's Lotus.
Horsepower: 405
Torque: 385lb-ft
Max RPM: 7000
Compression: 11.0:1
Bore x Stroke: 3.90 x 3.66 in. / 99.0 x 99.3
Drivetrain
| Gear
| Gear Ratio
| RPM
| MPH
|
| 1st
| 2.68:1
| 7000
| 58
|
| 2nd
| 1.80:1
| 7000
| 86
|
| 3rd
| 1.31:1
| 7000
| 118
|
| 4th
| 1.00:1
| 7000
| 154
|
| 5th
| 0.75:1
| 6050
| 178
|
| 6th
| 0.50:1
| 4050
| 178
|
Final Drive Ratio: 3.45:1
Engine RPM at 60MPH in the 6th: 1360
Performance
Top Speed: 178 mph
0-60: 5.2 sec
0-100: 11.4 sec
1/4 Mile: 13.4 sec / 109.0
Lateral Accel. Skidpad: 0.91 G
Misc.
Wheelbase: 96.2 in
Wheels F/R: 17x9.5/17x11.0
Curb weight: 3512 lb
Width: 73.1 in
Height: 46.3 in
EPA city/highway: 17/25 mpg
Weight Distribution F/R%: 52/48
1996
The 5 year long ZR-1 was ended and this would be the last year of the C4. In 1996 you could choose from the Grand Sport and the Collectors Edition as well as the standard. The Grand Sport had a blue color scheme with a single white racing stripe down the center of the car. The Grand Sport came standard with the 330 hp LT4 engine rather than the 300 hp LT1. Also the LT4 was optional on other Vettes.
Production: Collector's Edition: 5412
Base Price: Coupe: $37,225; Convertible: $45,060
Engine LT1:300hp, 340lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 5700
Engine LT4:330hp, 340lb/ft of torque, 350cu, Redline: 6300
Options
LT4 Engine
Collectors Edition: Cost: $1250, Sebring Silver paint, 5-spoke alloys, and Collectors markings.
Grand Sport: Cost: (Coupe: $3250; Convertible: $2880), gave ZR1 wheels and tires, red hashmarks on the left front fender, LT4 standard
Goto Top