Which corvette will you prefer? A 1984 or a 1980?

[gearhead]

The 1984 has more modern advancements and a more modern line while the 1980 still has the classic stingray lines. If you were to choose between the two which would it be?

[niky]

I really like the C4 Corvette... while the C3 may have more classic lines, the 1980's one isn't as sweet as earlier versions, due to an emissions-strangled engine. If I were going for a Stingray, I'd hit the pre-smog Vettes of the early 70's.

But a C4 would definitely be a sweeter car to drive... more modern, more power, better suspension, etcetera...


To hell with it... if we're dreaming, give me a freaking DOHC-headed ZR1

[gearhead]

I really like the C4 Corvette... while the C3 may have more classic lines, the 1980's one isn't as sweet as earlier versions, due to an emissions-strangled engine. If I were going for a Stingray, I'd hit the pre-smog Vettes of the early 70's.

But a C4 would definitely be a sweeter car to drive... more modern, more power, better suspension, etcetera...


To hell with it... if we're dreaming, give me a freaking DOHC-headed ZR1

LOL.Would it be possible you think to convert a L98 into a mock ZR1 in terms of performance at least.

Unfortuntately the choice is only between the two that are available to me at the moment. The 1980 and the 1984.

Would it be possible to turn a 1980 into a car with more HP? with perf upgrades?

[gearhead]

or put hi-perf parts on a 1980?

[niky]

More HP is easy. It's in handling that it'd be difficult to get the 1980 close to the 1984. But you'd probably never find reason to push the car to its limits, so it's not a big deal. Anong specs and trim levels ng dalawa?

It's up to you. Both would be high maintenance toys, but very classy toys, great for bar-cruising ... and secondhand prices aren't that bad... how much yung budget mo? around 1m plus lang?

----

RE: ZR1 - There are a bunch of differences between the ZR1 and the regular C4, made to accomodate the bigger engine and tires. It may be simpler to just buy the ZR1.

[gearhead]

More HP is easy. It's in handling that it'd be difficult to get the 1980 close to the 1984. But you'd probably never find reason to push the car to its limits, so it's not a big deal. Anong specs and trim levels ng dalawa?

It's up to you. Both would be high maintenance toys, but very classy toys, great for bar-cruising ... and secondhand prices aren't that bad... how much yung budget mo? around 1m plus lang?

----

RE: ZR1 - There are a bunch of differences between the ZR1 and the regular C4, made to accomodate the bigger engine and tires. It may be simpler to just buy the ZR1.

Unfortunately no ZR1s yet. Both are matics yet need to inspect further to see what they came optioned with. I can only tell from the VIN that the 1980 has an L48 and the 1984 an L98. Must check my books when I get home to see the HP spec.

Yup a boy has got to have his toys.

[redorange]

Since you mentioned that they were both automatics I wouldn't pick C4's made before 1988 because the automatics of the C4 up until that time were known to be problematic. 1984 was also the model year which had 47,000 Corvette's recalled for cruise control problems. The C3 may be better just based on that alone. However, neither years for the Corvette were exactly great as the C3 was way past it's prime and the 1984 C4 used the same engine as the last generation C3 because the L98 wasn't placed in the Corvette until 1985.
The L48 was 190hp but easily tuned to 300hp and the L98 with TPI was 230hp.


ZR1's are great but a C5 Z06 could do just as well for a lot less money.

[nicolodeon]

Neither, I prefer the 1st Corvette and the Mako Shark version.

[gearhead]

Guys. These are the only choices. The parameters are set and the cars are for evaluation since the circumstances may have me choose only between the two. Try to work with the parameters.

Now will TPI be a prob? Wouldn't an old car using a carb be easier to maintain?

[niky]

Technically, yes. Older electronic systems aren't that easy to maintain.

[nicolodeon]

Guys. These are the only choices. The parameters are set and the cars are for evaluation since the circumstances may have me choose only between the two. Try to work with the parameters.

Now will TPI be a prob? Wouldn't an old car using a carb be easier to maintain?

Ooops, he he...Sorry bout that. Between the two, I'd go for the 1980 Corvette. I'm not much familiar with the engines and stuff of the two but I like the lines on the 80 'Vette compared to the '84. The lines on the '80 Vette are....well...***y. I find the styling of the '84 Vette a bit bland.

[gearhead]

Ooops, he he...Sorry bout that. Between the two, I'd go for the 1980 Corvette. I'm not much familiar with the engines and stuff of the two but I like the lines on the 80 'Vette compared to the '84. The lines on the '80 Vette are....well...***y. I find the styling of the '84 Vette a bit bland.

no worries man. Maybe I should ve written it clearly in the beginning. I too like the ***y lines of the 80 compared. In the end both have t-tops and the 80 will get heads turning.

[empy]

ugh...not a big fan of either choice. but between the two on Manila streets i suspect you won't need balls-to-the wall performance and handling out of either one.

i personally think the C4 is the worst model of the Corvette. no character, and not so much innovation, while other sports car marques modernized their offerings at the same time. teh ZR1 was a step in the right direction, but too rare and too cost prohibitive

for that reason i will vote for the Stingray. nice lines, classic profile...not the greatest performer, but a ballsy image.

[gearhead]

M54, that s what I figured. Will boil down to a looks issue and then possibly need to work on engine.

OT: re: ur pitstop thread. remember what I said about Parisiennes. That's why it is fun to hang out with them even in Manille. And as for Argentines there is a key to them in their motherland. To make them friendlier.

[empy]

^hehe, some of my (single) friends were able to figure out that "key" while we were there. or at least i think so, judging from how "friendly" :naughty2: the Argentine chicas were to them.

anyway, bttt - i asked my friend who owns a 76 Stingray and he says he owns it mainly for the looks and the sound of the engine. most of the guys here around FL grew up lusting after the Vette Stingrays, and now that they're older and can afford to buy toys...they all have one. his is orange-red with t-tops and an aftermarket dual exhaust

[deedee]

i agree with M54.the C4 dont appeal to me neither.id rather have the 80 body lines.id go for the 80 vette but only if it has the 350ci engine and not the 305.you can find out which engine it has by looking at tne VIN number.LG4 = 305ci and L82 = 350ci.as far as modifying the engine,itll pretty much will depend on how much money you wanna put in the engine.the GM350 is so easy to modify and tons of aftermarket parts to make tons of HP.
i would go with old school highrise manifold anf 4 barrel carb just to keep the nostalgia look and effect.

[the_wildthing]

1980 non California if keeping the old engine but I would do an engine swap at that age anyway.

[blue1108]

i've always been a fan of the vette since i was a kid. the 80 has more appeal than the 84 vettes pro it does not have the same performance. personally i'd go for the ZR1. the looks of the late generation models gives it justice anyway. and now they have the performance to boot!!! i still remember my cousin's old boss mustang fastback and my uncles 85 vette. pg my reunion kse kmi we always knew pg padating na sila bcoz we could feel the ground shaking....GRRRRRR.....gives me shivers every time i hear those engines rumbling....