Why arent LT1 vettes popular?
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 856
Likes: 0
From: In a house
Why arent LT1 vettes popular? I was just thinking about this tonight and realized I don't really see any LT1 vettes in anyone's sig. Even on parts sites they have stuff for LT1 F-bodys but not Corvettes.
They are very popular. Take a visit to www.corvetteforum.com. There is an extremely busy C4 corvette section concerning the LT1. Or better yet, visit Carlisle PA during the world's largest corvette meet. You will see enuff LT1 Corvettes to last you a lifetime...lol. BTW, I have a 1996 Lt1 Vette
Trending Topics
The C4 was in production for too long. I think from 1985-1997. I think the long run contributed to some lack of popularity and the styling by earlier and later accounts, was a bit bland IMHO.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
They are very popular. Take a visit to www.corvetteforum.com. There is an extremely busy C4 corvette section concerning the LT1. Or better yet, visit Carlisle PA during the world's largest corvette meet. You will see enuff LT1 Corvettes to last you a lifetime...lol. BTW, I have a 1996 Lt1 Vette
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: st louis, mo area
I was looking at a silver 96 CE LT4 vette before I got the bird. Didnt seem to make much sense to me to spend double what the bird would cost for a corvette with no mods whereas the bird was outfitted to support 1000 hp. From a strict performance standpoint (which is where i'm standin), the bird wins every time. From a collectible standpoint (i never stand here), the vette would have won.
If you are a drag racer (like most here) or street racer even, the C4 Corvette has the limitations that 1. Modifications are more expensive than an F-body and 2. The independent rear is not favorable for drag racing. The next issue appears to be that the change to the LS1 motor and C5 body eclipses the C4 Corvette to the point that they are no longer truly desirable by comparison. This is from both a handling as well as a power standpoint. There are lots of mods for C4’s and they can be made to be good cars, but it would be cheaper and easier to start with a C5 than a C4.
With the F-body the platforms are basically the same other than the engine and some minor upgrades to braking and other systems. Even the transition from the 3rd to 4th Gen F-body isn’t as big as the C4 to C5 Corvette IMO. You might also find in the future that the 5th Gen Camaro is in some ways less desirable than the 4th Gen due to its increased weight. It’s only real advantage in a drag race is the LS3 engine which can be transplanted into a 4th Gen. Likewise and LS1 cannot easily be transplanted into a C4 Corvette (though it can be done) in the same way an LS3 could be transplanted into a C5 Corvette from a C6.
The C5 is basically the starting point for an performance minded Corvette owner. C3’s are slow and C4’s are slow and common. In some ways even the much slower C3 Corvette is more desirable to most due to the Stingray body style. I’d definitely rather own a C3 than a C4 but would prefer a C5 Z06 over either.
With the F-body the platforms are basically the same other than the engine and some minor upgrades to braking and other systems. Even the transition from the 3rd to 4th Gen F-body isn’t as big as the C4 to C5 Corvette IMO. You might also find in the future that the 5th Gen Camaro is in some ways less desirable than the 4th Gen due to its increased weight. It’s only real advantage in a drag race is the LS3 engine which can be transplanted into a 4th Gen. Likewise and LS1 cannot easily be transplanted into a C4 Corvette (though it can be done) in the same way an LS3 could be transplanted into a C5 Corvette from a C6.
The C5 is basically the starting point for an performance minded Corvette owner. C3’s are slow and C4’s are slow and common. In some ways even the much slower C3 Corvette is more desirable to most due to the Stingray body style. I’d definitely rather own a C3 than a C4 but would prefer a C5 Z06 over either.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Marysville. WA
I have a 96 C4 Lt1 that I drag race and drive on the street. I bought it new in 96 and have 62K miles on it. As long as you stay in the 1.6x 60' times the D44 rear end will hold up. I have run 12.03 @ 116mph with a hot cam still pass smog and drive it to work. I also have a 95 Camaro that runs 12.70 and it's my Daily driver. I love the Vette but the parts are a little more $. If I had the money I would get a C6 Z06 but that's just me.
Corvette markup, LSx anything is more popular and the interiors on the C4's are hideous. I love doing different stuff and have always liked the idea of a TT C4, but the interiors suck.
The newer style C4 interior was fine. i think it was 94 up. I had a 94 and actually liked the interior and thought it was actually a very comfortable car. With a 6 speed the cars came with the D44 which is stronger than a damn 10 bolt atleast. They are fun cars and would love to own one again. And i will, someday.