Adrian:
Purely my opinion . . . you can e-mail me privately as well.
The 88 through 91, with the L98, is popular and felt to be most competitive
because of the immense torque band. When I co-drove an '88 Z51/4+3 in '94
and '95, the one I drove was constantly tested against the '92 LT1/Z07/six
speed that I owned (leased?), and the '88 was always quicker. Some quick
answers to some of the questions you pose:
* The '93 on up LT1 had a different cam that had more mid-range torque than
the '92 LT1. Definitely noticeable.
* The Z51 package on the '89 and '90 had the different bars, springs, and
other items as you suggest. However, if you got a Z51 with FX3 (adjustable
shocks), it came with the base springs.
* The Z07 from '91 through '95 had stiffer springs and different bars. The
larger brakes available only on the Z07 went across the board in '95 (I
think).
* In '96, the Z07 package had the springs from the '95 base package, and
the '96 base car had even softer springs.
* Of course, some people love the LT4 available only on manuals in '96. I
did not extensively test one.
Given total freedom to find a C4 for autocrossing, I would opt for a '91
Z07/six-speed, but that is purely my opinion. That also depends what types
of events you want to focus on, tight Detroit area courses or the "speed
creep" courses that is being currently discussed.
Al Chan
"Thompson,
Adrian (A.L.)" To: autox@autox.team.net
<athomps9@visteo cc:
n.com> Subject: Best stock C4 Vette
autocrosser
Sent by:
owner-autox@auto
x.team.net
04/09/01 11:24
AM
Please respond
to "Thompson,
Adrian (A.L.)"
I'm thinking of getting a C4 Corvette later this summer and have some
questiosn for the Corvette guru's out there
First, what would people recommend as the best year for a daily (summer
only) driver/stock class autocrosser? I see that the 88 - 91, or earlier
L98
cars are the most popular. Why do people favor these over the later LT1
cars? I would have thought the 300hp LT1 would have a big advantage over
the
up to 245hp L98's. Is it the greater low end torque or something else that
people like?
Next options, is it worth trying to search out a Z07/Z51 option? On the
88-91 cars I think this is shocks, springs, bars and brakes and might be
worth it. On the LT1 cars I think they all got the brakes so it's just
springs and bars. If so I'm probably OK with a base car as I'm not sure I
want the stiffer ride on the street, especially with the C4's poor rigidity
and squeak/rattles. I live in SE Michigan and anyone who knows Detroit
roads
would understand the preferance for softer springs.
I was thinking of a 92 LT1 with as few options on it as I can find. I think
the later cars were better put together and I like the later interior and
the LT1 engine, although I actually prefer the styling of the earlier cars.
Also I'd find it hard to sell my Mustang to get a less powerful/slower car,
especially for the odd trip down the 1/4 mile. Having said that I do want
the best autocrosser.
Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
Adrian Thompson.
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