jumping ship
 

Hello. I have a 2000 grand prix gtp. It is like 250 horsepower, 300 torque.

I love those mid 80's vettes. What year was it that the vette lost that digital dash/guage cluster for the manual? I know that the 90 vette has mechanical guage. And I know the 85 had digital.

Also, what kinda speed (time) decrease am I going to have by switching over to a mid 80's vette from my gtp?

And is there any particular 80's model that I should purchase over another?
Or all they the same 350ci?

Thanks!

I would avoid the models with cross-fire injection (also known as mis-fire injection). I think they were 1984 and maybe 1985. Basically, it had a cross-ram manifold with two TBI injection bodies. The tuned-port injection worked much better and made more power.

And actually I would guess that a tuned-port vette would be as fast or faster in the quarter mile than your GTP.

Look for a 1992 that has the lt-1....you will be much happier, they look better, and it is a better platform to mod off of.
The 91 has the updated body but it is the older L98 motor.
Vettes are expensive as it is....so I dont see a point in buying a late 80's vet when you can spend a couple grand more and get the lt-1. The two cars dont look much different anyways, so you should like the updated body just as much....so I would try and go for the better motor, unless you find some kind of a killer deal on an l98 and you can afford to mod it.
And with the gas prices....I would also shoot for the lt-1 instead of the l98. And definately get a 6 speed, this will also help with the gas mileage and increase the fun factor.

If you must get the L98/80's style I would go with the 90-91 as they have the speed density motor and are a bit faster than the 85-89 mass air cars.
But then again....back to my point....why get a 1990-1991 car when you can get a 92 with 50 more horsepower :)

just my .02....good luck

welcome fellow grand prix. i also own a 01 arctic white gtp. runs mid 13s fun car,, but got bit by my uncles 2000 ss. drove his 2-3 times and had to get my own. proud owner of a 01 pewter m6 ss.

Good luck on your search for whatever car you end up getting! oh and welcome :)

Hope ya get one, I know nothing about those years, so I'm going to keep out of it!

Welcome!

1984 is to be avoided, it had the crossfire motor and was very poorly built (I owned one, what a nightmare car!)

1985 was the first year for the Tuned Port motor.

1986 was the first year for antilock brakes, and halfway through the year they switched to aluminum heads. The convertible came back this year too.

1988 was the first year when the 17" wheels became optional.

1989 was the first year when the 17" wheels were standard, and the 6 speed came out this year.

1990 was the first year for the new interior with the new dash that had mostly analog gauges (speedo still digital though)

1991 was when they refreshed the exterior. All 91-96s had the same exterior.

1992 was the first year for the 300hp LT1.

Your best bet is to try for a 95 or a 96, as they greatly improved the C4 in the last couple of years, mostly in the noise and vibration category.