I currently own a '91 ZR1, but also love the '96 LT4s. You have a gem of a C4. A few suggestions that might help. 1) To stop that notchiness in the ZF manual transmission, change the fluid and use the OEM GM Synchromesh fluid. It's easy to do and keeps the synchros and trans in good shape. 2) Purchase the actual GM service manuals for both the car and LT-4 engine along with a really good OBDII scanner. The biggest mistake many owners make on these cars is throwing parts and money at it trying to fix problems without proper diagnostics. It'll drain your wallet fast if you don't "dig in" a little yourself as far as maintenance. 3) This is kind of unnecessary, but will help to see where YOUR engine stands in power. The LT-4 is a badass engine, but rate at 330hp from the factory. The main reason for that rating was because of the incoming LS1 for the C5 rated at 345hp. There have been numerous LT4s rated anywhere from 330 to 390 horsepower. Many improvements were made from the LT1 to LT4. The value of these cars are going up fast so you got a good one in time. Enjoy it!
Just got my 94 from my mother for my 40th birthday. I was with her when she got it in 96. I have loved the car ever since. They are so comfortable and so fun and such a solid car. I know the C4's aren't looked at as the most sought after Corvette, but I do know that most people that drive them completely understand why they are such a great car. Looks like you've got yourself a good one as well. Enjoy!
Good video c4 Corvette is a diamond in the rough. Great cars. I owned a 68 L79 (327 with 350 HP) with Manuel, 92 with Automatic and now own an 05 Z51 with Manuel. All great cars, all have their own unique attributes. Looking forward to the next video
Congratulations on selling the Scat Pack Matt! It sounds like you don't miss it. These C4's are great cars and their value has increased a lot over the past 3 or 4 years. If you like it, keep it for awhile. I understand that you don't want to sink a ton money into the car. I did on my C5 and I kind of regret it because it has cost multiple thousands of dollars in parts and labor. Can I tell you that the car has been fun and seems to run great. But this is the route I've been on with this example of a Corvette. New parts list which wasn't absolutely necessary but more for peace of mind and setting a known baseline because of unknown repair history. And I had the money and great shop near by that works on the LS platform a lot. They're called Viking Automotive Repair. They're not the cheapest shop in town, but they have done most of the work on the car, and the owner is a WIZ with HP Tuners. I mean, the factory coolant temp on the C5 is 226 degrees when the cooling fan turns on; kind of hot. One of the first things Wes, the owner did was reprogram the cooling fans to turn on and keep temps around 185. I didn't know he could do that, just hook his laptop to the car and reprogram factory parameters. HP Tuners is a good program. All new fluids of course including trans. pan drop and filter change. ATI Super Damper and ARP bolt to replace a wobbly harmonic balancer, it's nice. New belts and tensioners. New A/C compressor and condenser; the old one was noisy but ice cold air still. "Upgraded" sway bar end links; the C5's are plastic, the C6's are aluminum and bolt right up. New Bilstein shocks, tie rod ends and alignment. Lots of new gaskets from front seal, timing cover, valve cover, head gaskets, intake manifold, upper and lower oil pan as the later LS1 is a two-piece oil pan. New MLS exhaust manifold gaskets installed with the Kook's headers. Rear differential brace which looks kind of cool and is functional. New cheap ZR rated tires. New GM radiator and Dexcool coolant. The old radiator was seeping coolant from a hairline crack. You know from my other post on your earlier vid that I had a Brian Tooley Racing stage 1 cam installed which explains a lot of the new gaskets. Nothing was really leaking except some oil seepage from the upper oil pan. My '97 Volvo 850R leaked oil, and power steering fluid right out of the rack, so for a few years I made a mess out of my old driveway. To stop the leak necessitated the rebuilding of the engine because of high crankcase pressures due to worn piston rings blowing oil out of the PCV system under the intake into the turbocharger inlet which literally sucked oil out of the engine under higher boost. Lower the boost? Heck no. The car is gone and I don't miss the mess and riding around with a quart of power steering fluid and oil. The Vette on the other hand has been a welcome surprise in that the fluids stay up and the car doesn't make a mess out of the driveway. And I can get parts for it! That's a big reason why I went with a domestic and got away from a old European car. You didn't do bad paying $15K; the car looks clean and sounds good in the vid. I paid $15k for mine at a car lot and they gave me $750 trade in for the old Volvo. Umm, I found $1000 cash hidden in the car that was obviously forgotten by a previous owner. The Carfax showed that it spent several years in Kentucky, sold at auction in Kentucky and bought by the car lot in Georgia where I bought it. The cash was in a bank envelope that had a Kentucky addressed bank. So it's not like it was from the car lot where I bought the car. I bought a cat-back exhaust and some new tires. Hey Matt, my name is Matt too and two Matt's don't make a Mike. Lol.
Hey there Matt. It's been a solid fun car. Got back earlier tonight from cruising around and just stood behind it listening to the upgraded cam chop and lope for a minute until I shut it off. MPG cruising is around 18 city, about 27 highway. The tuner did a good job. It's kind of quick but not a gas hog while staying out of full throttle. It's an automatic with a trans. tune too. He had to because of the higher 3.15 gear ratio differential that was installed. He tightened up the shift firmness too so it spins a little hitting second gear. Fun stuff for sure.
You probably have a skip-shift eliminator installed on your 6-speed ZF gearbox. The light will still come on, but the skip-shift solenoid won't activate anymore. Love your LT4, enjoy that car!!
I own and have had quite a few corvettes. The C4’s are still my favorite above the C5 and C6’s. The grind is usually the slave cylinder that is not uncommon.
I bought a 96’ Collectors Edition LT4 Convertible last year. I’ve had an 89 Z51 6speed and an 01 6 speed convertible, the C5 was just slightly faster because the manuals actually had around 375lb-ft torque which really makes the difference when you drop a gear and step on it. My 96’ feels just SLIGHTLY behind my C5 in terms of speed and overall performance. One thing I noticed in this video was your oil temp gauge was at zero the entire time. My LT4’s oil temp gauge also always sits at zero. I wonder if thats a common issue. The digital readout works fine though so I haven’t bothered messing with the physical gauge. I want a C6 too one day, for upgrading purposes and because I miss having an actual trunk.
The C5 is quicker manual versus manual in the same conditions for sure. The oil temp gauge does come up if you watch, and definitely works. It takes some time to get heat into this oil though!
That's not normal. Try changing the fluid and use the GM Snchromesh fluid. Worked great in my ZR1 when I did that. I tried Amsoil fluid, but swapped it back out with GM fluid and it shifts like butter. I love Amsoil products and run them in my car, but that ZF works better with OEM fluid. It's a tad thicker and slicker than the Amsoil fluid.
It could also be a clutch bleed issue, but if so it would be more than just 3rd. I'd agree with the comment above. Try changing that fluid. Use either GM, or the pennzoil synchromesh manual trans fluid.
I have a 96 LT4 with 38k miles. I wish I had time to drive it more. Had it for about 15 or 16 years. In that time just fluids,a radiator, and charcoal canister. It has been a lost cost vehicle. The window seals will be my next issue.
Hey guys I am new to this channel. I own a 1993 white on black. Lots of improvements but almost completely stock. Happy to meet some that enjoy these cars :)
Sounds like a great car! Thanks for watching and keep your eyes peeled for more videos on this car by subscribing! I need to do some steering and suspension work, in the process of deciding if I want to tackle it myself.
Not a car guy, but trying. Bought an LT4 from my buddy and its just been a host of repairs. Now I don't take it out much because I'm afraid of getting stranded.
@@mattquerio have had the clutch slave replaced, then the water pump. Now I have an engine light and some strange metal clanking noise in the back. I have a corvette expert that works on it, but think he’s getting sick of me.
I've had every corvette except c1 and c8. I currently have a C3 convertable with ls3 and six speed and a C7 z06. My C4 is still one of my favorite vettes! I sold it to buy a C6 that wasn't one of my favorites.
C3s are fun cruisers. I had a 68 with a base 327 and a 4 speed. The C7 Z06 is a dream car of mine. I think that's the last great attainable vette I want. The C7 Zr1 is a beast, but it's crazy money, and not nearly as liveable as a Z06. 650hp is plenty.
You can bypass the skip shift with a 10 dollar plug in. They have no EGR valve . All have Dana 44's. A bunch of the 6397(i think) of them were sold without any options , destined to be track cars. Mine has two tops and a spare tire carrier. They made 504 white ones.
I think it's bypassed, but the light still comes on... perhaps I'm wrong! 6359 LT4 cars. 3350 were "base" vettes, meaning non grand sport, non collectors edition. 1000 were grand sport. 2009 were collectors edition.
Yeah ya know... it really just comes down to what you like. The C5 is better in most measurable areas, but to me... the LT4 has a cool factor. Nobody expects a C4 to move like this, and I think most people expect a C5 to be a much quicker car. But the numbers are very close. But hey, you can't go wrong with either 🤷♂️
Adding on this, people really sleep on the c4. For example, (I don’t condone street racing but…) i was cruising in my LT4 and a scat pack challenger came up behind me and got in the right lane to try and pass. I dropped from 6th gear around 70mph to 4th and stepped on it as he tried to go around, I stayed about 1 car length ahead the entire time and he couldn’t pass me. I was genuinely surprised that I kept up right there with a scat pack. He backed off after that and didn’t try again LOL.
how many miles dose your vette have? i have one with the lt1 1995 it has 64k miles and drive amazing im only 19 i hope you make tutorial videos whe you replace parts on the car !
It has 63,550 as of today. I think it's great that young guys are getting into the C4s. So much fun for the money. I just did a transmission service, and a rear lowering kit. The videos are on my channel!
If you plan on keeping it... recommend you buy a new Dewits radiator and fan setup it will keep the temp at 190 all day long.. i also changed out my optispark and water pump
Neat cars, I have a nice example. A lot of fun to drive. 26 mpg. Can't seem to put it up for sale lol , have a 13 GS also and don't drive the LT4 much anymore ,52k miles , bone stock.
@@mattquerio white/grey. The GS is the white real anniversary model with silver stripe. Diamond blue guts. Thought about a silver skunk stripe for the 96 to kinda make them match.
I currently own a '91 ZR1, but also love the '96 LT4s. You have a gem of a C4. A few suggestions that might help.
1) To stop that notchiness in the ZF manual transmission, change the fluid and use the OEM GM Synchromesh fluid. It's easy to do and keeps the synchros and trans in good shape.
2) Purchase the actual GM service manuals for both the car and LT-4 engine along with a really good OBDII scanner. The biggest mistake many owners make on these cars is throwing parts and money at it trying to fix problems without proper diagnostics. It'll drain your wallet fast if you don't "dig in" a little yourself as far as maintenance.
3) This is kind of unnecessary, but will help to see where YOUR engine stands in power. The LT-4 is a badass engine, but rate at 330hp from the factory. The main reason for that rating was because of the incoming LS1 for the C5 rated at 345hp. There have been numerous LT4s rated anywhere from 330 to 390 horsepower. Many improvements were made from the LT1 to LT4.
The value of these cars are going up fast so you got a good one in time. Enjoy it!
Thanks for all the tips and kind words. I agree, throwing parts at these cars is all too common....
Just got my 94 from my mother for my 40th birthday. I was with her when she got it in 96. I have loved the car ever since. They are so comfortable and so fun and such a solid car. I know the C4's aren't looked at as the most sought after Corvette, but I do know that most people that drive them completely understand why they are such a great car. Looks like you've got yourself a good one as well. Enjoy!
I know a couple of people who own late version C4 Corvettes and love them.
I'm one of those guys :)
Same with me.. I got a 96...
Good video
c4 Corvette is a diamond in the rough.
Great cars.
I owned a 68 L79 (327 with 350 HP) with Manuel, 92 with Automatic and now own an 05 Z51 with Manuel.
All great cars, all have their own unique attributes.
Looking forward to the next video
Thank you man! I agree, and I appreciate you watching!
Congratulations on selling the Scat Pack Matt! It sounds like you don't miss it. These C4's are great cars and their value has increased a lot over the past 3 or 4 years. If you like it, keep it for awhile. I understand that you don't want to sink a ton money into the car. I did on my C5 and I kind of regret it because it has cost multiple thousands of dollars in parts and labor. Can I tell you that the car has been fun and seems to run great.
But this is the route I've been on with this example of a Corvette. New parts list which wasn't absolutely necessary but more for peace of mind and setting a known baseline because of unknown repair history. And I had the money and great shop near by that works on the LS platform a lot. They're called Viking Automotive Repair. They're not the cheapest shop in town, but they have done most of the work on the car, and the owner is a WIZ with HP Tuners. I mean, the factory coolant temp on the C5 is 226 degrees when the cooling fan turns on; kind of hot. One of the first things Wes, the owner did was reprogram the cooling fans to turn on and keep temps around 185. I didn't know he could do that, just hook his laptop to the car and reprogram factory parameters. HP Tuners is a good program.
All new fluids of course including trans. pan drop and filter change. ATI Super Damper and ARP bolt to replace a wobbly harmonic balancer, it's nice. New belts and tensioners. New A/C compressor and condenser; the old one was noisy but ice cold air still. "Upgraded" sway bar end links; the C5's are plastic, the C6's are aluminum and bolt right up. New Bilstein shocks, tie rod ends and alignment. Lots of new gaskets from front seal, timing cover, valve cover, head gaskets, intake manifold, upper and lower oil pan as the later LS1 is a two-piece oil pan. New MLS exhaust manifold gaskets installed with the Kook's headers. Rear differential brace which looks kind of cool and is functional. New cheap ZR rated tires. New GM radiator and Dexcool coolant. The old radiator was seeping coolant from a hairline crack. You know from my other post on your earlier vid that I had a Brian Tooley Racing stage 1 cam installed which explains a lot of the new gaskets. Nothing was really leaking except some oil seepage from the upper oil pan. My '97 Volvo 850R leaked oil, and power steering fluid right out of the rack, so for a few years I made a mess out of my old driveway. To stop the leak necessitated the rebuilding of the engine because of high crankcase pressures due to worn piston rings blowing oil out of the PCV system under the intake into the turbocharger inlet which literally sucked oil out of the engine under higher boost. Lower the boost? Heck no. The car is gone and I don't miss the mess and riding around with a quart of power steering fluid and oil.
The Vette on the other hand has been a welcome surprise in that the fluids stay up and the car doesn't make a mess out of the driveway. And I can get parts for it! That's a big reason why I went with a domestic and got away from a old European car.
You didn't do bad paying $15K; the car looks clean and sounds good in the vid. I paid $15k for mine at a car lot and they gave me $750 trade in for the old Volvo. Umm, I found $1000 cash hidden in the car that was obviously forgotten by a previous owner. The Carfax showed that it spent several years in Kentucky, sold at auction in Kentucky and bought by the car lot in Georgia where I bought it. The cash was in a bank envelope that had a Kentucky addressed bank. So it's not like it was from the car lot where I bought the car. I bought a cat-back exhaust and some new tires. Hey Matt, my name is Matt too and two Matt's don't make a Mike. Lol.
Your C5 sounds like a blast!!!
Also, I haven't seen a 850R in 20 years. Gorgeous cars.
Hey there Matt. It's been a solid fun car. Got back earlier tonight from cruising around and just stood behind it listening to the upgraded cam chop and lope for a minute until I shut it off. MPG cruising is around 18 city, about 27 highway. The tuner did a good job. It's kind of quick but not a gas hog while staying out of full throttle. It's an automatic with a trans. tune too. He had to because of the higher 3.15 gear ratio differential that was installed. He tightened up the shift firmness too so it spins a little hitting second gear. Fun stuff for sure.
Love my 94 has been a great car
Can't beat a C4 for the money!
excellent video about this nice LT4!
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it and thank you for watching!!
Nice driving vid. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
You probably have a skip-shift eliminator installed on your 6-speed ZF gearbox. The light will still come on, but the skip-shift solenoid won't activate anymore. Love your LT4, enjoy that car!!
Oh ok, I didn't know the light would still illuminate with the eliminator installed! Thank you for the insight, and thank you for watching!
dude!!! you have to expect spending a bunch of money, buying any used car. you are doing good. don't stress!
You're right, but you know how it is getting in deeper than it is worth. But you are certainly right.
I own and have had quite a few corvettes. The C4’s are still my favorite above the C5 and C6’s. The grind is usually the slave cylinder that is not uncommon.
Thanks for the tip. C4s are the one that get me, I'm with you.
I bought a 96’ Collectors Edition LT4 Convertible last year. I’ve had an 89 Z51 6speed and an 01 6 speed convertible, the C5 was just slightly faster because the manuals actually had around 375lb-ft torque which really makes the difference when you drop a gear and step on it. My 96’ feels just SLIGHTLY behind my C5 in terms of speed and overall performance. One thing I noticed in this video was your oil temp gauge was at zero the entire time. My LT4’s oil temp gauge also always sits at zero. I wonder if thats a common issue. The digital readout works fine though so I haven’t bothered messing with the physical gauge. I want a C6 too one day, for upgrading purposes and because I miss having an actual trunk.
The C5 is quicker manual versus manual in the same conditions for sure. The oil temp gauge does come up if you watch, and definitely works. It takes some time to get heat into this oil though!
The skip shift was most likely disabled by unplugging it. The light will still come on, but the gate blocking feature won't work.
I think you're spot on!
Does third gear feel more notchy than the other gears that’s how mine feels, never grinds it’s just notchy idk if that’s normal
That's not normal. Try changing the fluid and use the GM Snchromesh fluid. Worked great in my ZR1 when I did that. I tried Amsoil fluid, but swapped it back out with GM fluid and it shifts like butter. I love Amsoil products and run them in my car, but that ZF works better with OEM fluid. It's a tad thicker and slicker than the Amsoil fluid.
It could also be a clutch bleed issue, but if so it would be more than just 3rd. I'd agree with the comment above. Try changing that fluid. Use either GM, or the pennzoil synchromesh manual trans fluid.
@@herkloader34 where did you get that fluid? I have amsoil in mine I just did the hydraulics too I’ll try that
@@herkloader34 is part #88900333 correct?
@Aqua350Lt1 I have driven 5 zf6 C4's. In my experience, 3rd is always the notchiest.
It's a good time to own a late ('92 and after) C4. They're going up in value a lot right now. I'm seeing some go for more than C5's.
I agree that it's a great time to own one. They are a fantastic car, and to me have a more vintage car feel over a C5. A C5 feels like any used car.
@@mattquerio My bad I didn't see this comment sooner lol but you're 100% right, the C5 is way more basic and just lacks the coolness factor
I have a 96 LT4 with 38k miles. I wish I had time to drive it more. Had it for about 15 or 16 years. In that time just fluids,a radiator, and charcoal canister. It has been a lost cost vehicle. The window seals will be my next issue.
They are such a lovely car to drive. They don't ask for much. Letting them sit is probably the hardest thing on them. What color is it?
@@mattquerio it’s red with red/black interior.
Crazy to think the lt1 c4s were being sold as cheap as 1-3k three years ago and lt4 cars were only higher when a collector owned them.
Hey guys I am new to this channel. I own a 1993 white on black. Lots of improvements but almost completely stock. Happy to meet some that enjoy these cars :)
Sounds like a great car! Thanks for watching and keep your eyes peeled for more videos on this car by subscribing!
I need to do some steering and suspension work, in the process of deciding if I want to tackle it myself.
Not a car guy, but trying. Bought an LT4 from my buddy and its just been a host of repairs. Now I don't take it out much because I'm afraid of getting stranded.
What kind of repairs have you had to do?
@@mattquerio have had the clutch slave replaced, then the water pump. Now I have an engine light and some strange metal clanking noise in the back. I have a corvette expert that works on it, but think he’s getting sick of me.
I actually love the automatic (LT1) C4
You really can't go wrong with any C4. If someone prefers the auto, there is nothing wrong with that. I've had 2 automatic C4s.
I've had every corvette except c1 and c8. I currently have a C3 convertable with ls3 and six speed and a C7 z06. My C4 is still one of my favorite vettes! I sold it to buy a C6 that wasn't one of my favorites.
C3s are fun cruisers. I had a 68 with a base 327 and a 4 speed. The C7 Z06 is a dream car of mine. I think that's the last great attainable vette I want. The C7 Zr1 is a beast, but it's crazy money, and not nearly as liveable as a Z06. 650hp is plenty.
15K is what these go for now?! Holy shit man
Clean LT4s like this, yes. This is a 63k mile example in excellent condition. LT1 auto, you can cut that in half.
The manuals are like double the price.
You can bypass the skip shift with a 10 dollar plug in. They have no EGR valve . All have Dana 44's. A bunch of the 6397(i think) of them were sold without any options , destined to be track cars. Mine has two tops and a spare tire carrier. They made 504 white ones.
I think it's bypassed, but the light still comes on... perhaps I'm wrong! 6359 LT4 cars. 3350 were "base" vettes, meaning non grand sport, non collectors edition. 1000 were grand sport. 2009 were collectors edition.
it should have the skip shift unless someone put the CAGS eliminator in there.
I keep flip flopping on C5 manual vs C4 LT4. The C4 is just a little more raw and special feeling. But man is that C5 easy to get in and out of....
Yeah ya know... it really just comes down to what you like. The C5 is better in most measurable areas, but to me... the LT4 has a cool factor. Nobody expects a C4 to move like this, and I think most people expect a C5 to be a much quicker car. But the numbers are very close. But hey, you can't go wrong with either 🤷♂️
Adding on this, people really sleep on the c4. For example, (I don’t condone street racing but…) i was cruising in my LT4 and a scat pack challenger came up behind me and got in the right lane to try and pass. I dropped from 6th gear around 70mph to 4th and stepped on it as he tried to go around, I stayed about 1 car length ahead the entire time and he couldn’t pass me. I was genuinely surprised that I kept up right there with a scat pack. He backed off after that and didn’t try again LOL.
@@alenzach😅 Love it. Im in the market for one now myself.
@ I’ll sell you mine haha. Now I want a C6. And im sure once I get one ill want a C4 again, but next time, it will be a ZR1
how many miles dose your vette have? i have one with the lt1 1995 it has 64k miles and drive amazing im only 19 i hope you make tutorial videos whe you replace parts on the car !
It has 63,550 as of today. I think it's great that young guys are getting into the C4s. So much fun for the money. I just did a transmission service, and a rear lowering kit. The videos are on my channel!
Look at that massive airbag steering wheel.
Airbag game strong.
hey, i like your style.
Back at you bro 😎
Awesome car✌️
Thank you!!
If you plan on keeping it... recommend you buy a new Dewits radiator and fan setup it will keep the temp at 190 all day long.. i also changed out my optispark and water pump
Yeah at some point the opti will need serviced. When that time comes I might just go torqhead. I've wanted to do it on my other LT4s.
I love on my 95 that it has a short throw shifter 😊
I've been thinking about trying to find one!
Neat cars, I have a nice example. A lot of fun to drive. 26 mpg. Can't seem to put it up for sale lol , have a 13 GS also and don't drive the LT4 much anymore ,52k miles , bone stock.
I don't blame you for keeping it. They're a lot of fun. I'm sure the C6 GS is a blast though, I'd love to have one. What color is your LT4?
@@mattquerio white/grey. The GS is the white real anniversary model with silver stripe. Diamond blue guts. Thought about a silver skunk stripe for the 96 to kinda make them match.
Might be a dumb question but what is your camera setup?
For this video it was my cheap samsung phone suction cupped to my driver side window!
So to be clear your 2 grand into it and paid 15 .. so that’s what you mean by 17 grand correct?
I'm not 2 grand in yet, but I will be by the time I'm happy with it. So yes I'll be 17 into it.
I have a 92 Auto that I put 307 gears in, I did many other mods for the track and this thing Hall ass
The 3.07s change the game over 2.59s! That alone is a completely different car compared back to back.
Belle Tire is the worst place to take your car. You're guaranteed to be told something is wrong with it.
I agree. The only thing I see is I do need rear wheel hub assemblies. Front upper ball joints aren't bad, but I'll do them at some point as well.