96 LT4 Corvette Review

Scott talks about his 1996 Chevrolet Corvette LT4 the last of the C4 Corvettes and goes into great detail about all the modifications that have been done to it. He takes a deep dive into his engine build and why' he decided to build a 397 stroker. He also shows footage of him driving the car on the street and the track. #96LT4Corvette #C4Corvette #FugitiveVette #autocross #NorthStarAutoTech #C4StillRelevant

[@jasonkepic1132]

Unreal how amazing these cars are still..I finally got one, a 93 Ruby Red Anniversary pkg. My father and I always loved them, yet..we always managed to talk ourselves out of ever getting one lol. He passed last year and with the little money he had left to offer, I bought one! It hasn't been running for awhile and it KILLS me when I see them! Awesome car, beautiful! Sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@6mtzhp55]

If it doesn't run now, what does it need?

[@FugitiveVette]

Thanks 🙏 appreciate it! I’m sorry your father passed. I’m glad you bought a C4! Get it running and you will really enjoy!

[@JDeubel]

@@FugitiveVette yes you will enjoy it they are a great cars very underrated car I will take a C4 over any Mustang for f-body any day of the week!

[@JDeubel]

Check out the American Racing headers they are the best headers on the market for C4S is that what I see hanging below your car is the headers you definitely need to change that get with your buddy order American Racing headers you can get Cadillac converter since you're in California!

[@JDeubel]

I would also switch over to the ltcc coil pack conversion kit my car revs to 7200 with the new system!

[@mattquerio]

Absolutely sick car man. One of the most beasty LT4s out there.

[@FugitiveVette]

Appreciate it! ✊

[@ericbitzer5247]

I'm almost at the end of the video where you're driving it, and I got to say, what an incredible car and I thoroughly enjoyed all the knowledge and upgrades you shared on your Corvette. I only drove one once. It was a friend's girlfriend's 1999 Corvette that was only three years old at the time. I had six cars and three motorcycles and drove plenty of other people's cars and the Corvette was the most responsive car I ever drove in every way. Throttle, steering, brakes, nothing else was as responsive as that Corvette. I haven't been able to drive at all for twenty years now because of my eyes. I have retinitis pigmentosa and every year Wills Eye Hospital says the technology is getting better and maybe next year. Hopefully this year will be the year. Speed was like a high for me and I miss driving and riding. I'm always looking at what I want when I can get behind the wheel again. A C4 Corvette seems like a good option for me. And I would like to do a few things like that accumulator. Having 30 pounds of pressure before starting the car is definitely great for the engine. As well as an oil cooler. Anyway enough of my rambling. Awesome Corvette you have there and I love the upgrades.

[@FugitiveVette]

Thank you 🙏 I’m glad you like the car! Plus thank you for telling your story. I hope your vision will be 💯 restored! Otherwise I hope the rest of your health is optimal! Would love to hear about you driving again! Hauling ass in a Vette!

[@caseys_cozy_garage]

This guy looks tough but very friendly

[@unclefester6501]

How does this not have 1.5 million views? Spectacular review. I don't think you have an LT4 anymore with all the mods but you covered all of it.

[@FugitiveVette]

Thanks 🙏 appreciate

[@FugitiveVette]

😂 your probably right! Although the heads are still 195cc like factory because they’re AFR they flow like 220. Appreciate the feedback.

[@FugitiveVette]

And by all means please 🙏 share on social media.

[@petercermak1910]

Hi, Very nice video. I agree with you on the headers. Jim Hall at TPIS made my 1.75 long tube headers for my Blueprint racing engine. I went with their forged 396 long block and AFR heads. BBK 58 throttle body too. Heat is a huge problem. I added Greenwhich hood vents from Ecklers. My thermal camera shows that they work wonders. I also had to run a 3 core radiator and a new Turbo condenser for air flow. To run the whole thing, I went with a Fitech 38350 computer system. It handles all the engine management. My C4 is a Z52 made in 87.

[@FugitiveVette]

That sounds awesome! 😎 thanks 🙏 for the info. Who makes the 3 core radiator? That’s great that you have a stand alone fuel management much better than stock PCM?

[@petercermak1910]

The Fitech and Holley stand alone systems are so cool. Being able to program on the fly using their handheld or your laptop is wonderful. My chip guy retired, but I am glad I spent the extra $2K. My new system runs the engine, and the old system runs the rest. I have both ECM's side by side. The radiator came from Champion radiators, and the condenser, which was smashed from years of debris hits, came from Turbo Nation.@@FugitiveVette

[@petercermak1910]

FYI, I had to eliminate the right passenger air vent to get the additional ECM installed.@@FugitiveVette

[@catboi1188]

​@@petercermak1910Hahaha that's more than I have in my complete engine 😂 I suppose I'll have to step up to a modern engine management system soon

[@garypiont6114]

Real nice,

[@Z06-viper]

Sweet I’ve been waiting for this video!!!!!

[@FugitiveVette]

Yes 🙌 finally got it done!

[@kentowens2179]

Nice car, great video. I like my '95 C4, fast and goes down crooked roads fast. Great car to drive, like no other.

[@FugitiveVette]

Yeah it’s definitely special! Thanks 🙏 for the view 😊

[@giorgiocisilino4874]

c4 were pretty advanced back in the day,i'm 6'3" and easy for me to get in and out,like your videos lots of info and i like that.

[@FugitiveVette]

Thanks 🙏 appreciate it! Very fun cars to race!

[@rickyvondiesel6181]

Have you seen the (Torqhead LTD) coil pack conversion for the c4 ?? Eliminates the opti spark system all together .

[@FugitiveVette]

I have not. I’m definitely gonna check that out! Thank you!

[@THE_ORIGINAL_I-SEARCHdotFUN]

Oh I forgot. There is I am told a C4 club; with members in the 900 to 1100 hp. Something of a secret. Why not exactly sure. Mine with STS should get up to 7 to 900 hp. Thanks for being so cool.

[@Aqua350Lt1]

Thanks for sharing all the mods, I was wondering do you have the stock factory zf6? I heard they’re strong

[@efstorms]

Dude this was awesome thanks for taking the time to put it together, love the car! I just bought a 94 LT1 in December of 2021 and am learning as much as I can about the car and what all can be done to it.

[@FugitiveVette]

Glad 😀 you enjoyed the vid! I will be providing more content in the future. If you have any questions give me a holler.

[@FugitiveVette]

Is your car a 6 so manual?

[@efstorms]

@@FugitiveVette yep 6 sp manual 70k on the clock now bought it with 64k and just spending time getting it running solid and getting to know it. Need to do some track days soon now and figure out the direction I want to go with it.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@efstorms sounds great 👍 you will love it on the track! Make sure to get a performance alignment. It will blow your mind how well they can handle when prepped properly.

[@efstorms]

@@FugitiveVette solid advice I’ll do that, do you have a recommendation on an X brace? I assume chassis rigidity will be high on my list after a few track outings 😁

[@bonzainews]

I wish you lived close to Cletus McFarand's Freedom Factory, I would love to see what you can do on a banked oval with this monster. You would be a real contender.

[@FugitiveVette]

A long time ago when my town had an oval banked track my club had a race on it only the inside of it had a road course so we used the outside bank turns plus the inside road course total fun 🤩

[@jazamora7521]

Great content, hopefully I will be picking up my first c4 next week. My c6z will be jealous for sure😅

[@FugitiveVette]

Oh nice! What year C4 are you getting?

[@jazamora7521]

@@FugitiveVette it's a 96

[@FugitiveVette]

@@jazamora7521 oh nice! LT4? Or LT1 auto?

[@kimadams7632]

If you were Auto , crossing those years, we must’ve autocross together I had the quasar blue C4

[@bohemianraceart]

I really enjoy your car bro, the stance the wheels the engine package just a awesome build bro. And yes the c4 is a timeless and elegant design. GM really nailed the 80s 90s wedge shape sports car, the large overhang in the front and short rear. Proportioned perfectly. Side note I cut my teeth as Saturn Mechanic straight form GM ASEP school. But anyways blessings bro 🙏 ✌️

[@FugitiveVette]

Thank you 🙏 appreciate the love. Saturn Mechanic! I have a Saturn Ion Redline, the only car I ever bought new with 193k miles!

[@bohemianraceart]

@@FugitiveVette 😊😊🤣 great cars and they were affordable. The V6 models were interesting started as a sabb engine then went to a Honda engine. Not to hard to work on. GM just never put much effort into the performance side of things with the brand IMO. But yep a Saturn tech who loved the JDM scene and loved the Corvette a little bit more. Interesting that you didn't go super expensive on the suspension setup but yet how effective it is. Just goes to show the c4 haters that these are a great generation of car. And it's LS every thing now but back in the day it was LT in everything 🙃 😅 🤣. ✌️ bro.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@bohemianraceart word! LTs were the hot ticket item! Now they making a come back!

[@TheRealDarthVadar]

Little fun fact in 1996 all 6 speeds came with the LT4 all automatics came with the LT1 big difference in engines especially beings the LT4's are underrated by 20 / 30 and 40 bhp in some cases 😮 because Chevy didn't want to make the LS1 look bad which was on it's way in 1997

[@FugitiveVette]

Yeah 👍 a guy name Hib Halverson Dyno tested 100 LT4 Vette’s and all of them made between 315 to 340 rear wheel horsepower. 360 to 385 Hp at the fly wheel. Really impressive. ✊

[@TheRealDarthVadar]

@FugitiveVette Absolutely awesome 👌 it's like a gift that keeps on giving here u think u have a 330 bhp engine and you really have a 360 bhp engine few decent bolt ons and your 400 or more.

[@Pipe-Baccy-Happiness]

​@@TheRealDarthVadarwould you please list out some of these available bolt on options you mention?!

[@TheRealDarthVadar]

@@Pipe-Baccy-Happiness definitely headers off road pipes & high flow mufflers first it will sound absolutely fantastic loud and nasty if your lucky u could grab from 25 to 35 more bhp could do a cold air intake throttle body high flow mass air sensor underdrive pullies just to start that should add even more bhp and they are mods that don't require digging into the engine but after u get all that you will need a tune to maximize it get your fuel/air/timing right

[@mikepierce4739]

I just picked up a 94 LT1 with 60k on the clock. The first owner did all of the performance mods. Exhaust, air intake from vortec systems. Also racing cam, roller lifters and roller rockers. I have no desire to race or abuse my car.

[@FugitiveVette]

Really happy for you! It’s great when you buy a car and all the work is done! You get to drive and enjoy 😉

[@mikepierce4739]

@@FugitiveVette I was a professional tech back when these were new. So I know how to care for them. My car was never abused. Very prosperous men owned this car. I have brand new carpet and tires and everything in it works. For a great deal. I feel extremely fortunate to have found this, and able to act on it.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@mikepierce4739 I’m glad you got it and it’s clean! It’s nice to have more C4 Enthusiasts. ✊

[@catboi1188]

Why not do your own work brother...its so very rewarding...you can tell everyone admiring it that you built it yourself

[@sebbonxxsebbon6824]

I used a 6.0 inch rod in my 383 so the pistons are very light.

[@FugitiveVette]

Nice!! Great acceleration!

[@VetteWerks]

I'm wondering what I'll be doing with mine. Maybe 355 build

[@387crash]

Hey, you mentioned your friends wrecked c5. Is that a silver one with a wing on it? Heavy front damage?

[@FugitiveVette]

His was actually red and mostly stock. It was a bad accident and it happened a long time ago. 2009

[@387crash]

@@FugitiveVette got it. I saw a silver one online and thought it may have been the same one by chance. Awesome content. Thank you!

[@darylfowlkes356]

I’ve got a 1994 LT4 With the Lingenfelter engine upgrade. I’m looking for a fuel rail it looks the same as yours. Where can I get a new fuel rail from?

[@FugitiveVette]

That’s awesome 👏🏿 Ljngenfelter is dope! I think my fuel rail is stock. I have to find out if it’s aftermarket.

[@kimadams7632]

I used to autocross with Dave. Does he still have his black C4

[@GT-dw2dt]

Where do you get high performance leaf springs from? The places that have them are either FE1 or z51 rates (sport).

[@FugitiveVette]

So Z51 is ideal in most cases. It’s definitely stiff enough for auto cross or road racing and should be perfect 👍 for aggressive street driving since that ride will not dramatically change. When I got my stroker motor I had to make some important decisions regarding suspension and set up. The car was pitching and diving wildly due to the torque and HP increase. At the time I could not find factory Z51 Springs. They were no longer available and no aftermarket part compared to it. So I went a different route. I chose the more aggressive and much stiffer Vette Brakes high performance springs. The front spring is 875lbs and the back is a 475lbs spring. Made a real crazy improvement in the handling! It felt like race car quality handling along with Dave’s incredible alignment skills. So you have to decide what you want to do. Z51 which I think is great for track and better for the street. Or go for the crazy stiff race springs. I drive my race car on the street to test how it’s running and it’s still a joy to drive on the street. Hope this helps. Let me k is if you have any additional questions?

[@GT-dw2dt]

@@FugitiveVette thanks for the quick reply! Is VBP still in business? I tried their website but it does take me to a products page.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@GT-dw2dt they might not be in business at this point. Let me check.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@GT-dw2dt so they have a 1800 number. Try calling that on Monday. Are you planning on turning your C4 into mostly a track car? Or just a fun weekend car?

[@gdsstudio974]

Did you install DRM Camber Rod and Trailing arm brackets?

[@FugitiveVette]

It’s RD Racing Camber Brace. My mechanic David Bonar of North Star Auto did the install. That’s up front. In the rear I have Vette Brakes Toe Rods. They’re adjustable and really do a good job of holding the camber in place.

[@gdsstudio974]

@@FugitiveVette Excellent. Check out the Doug Rippie Motorsports Trailing Arm Brackets, They are suppose to help with better weight transfer.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@gdsstudio974 I will! Thank you 🙏

[@THE_ORIGINAL_I-SEARCHdotFUN]

Hey I would love to share a build. But not being a troll at heart, I will PM you instead. It is a 383/88. 94 C4 LT1. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@FugitiveVette]

Thanks 🙏 brotha! Appreciate

[@lanebarker297]

Houston TX - Scarface!

[@RomVlad]

I have to say that was a very entertaining and informative video. Your car is gorgeous and impressive. When I was a teenager in the 1980s, my brothers had C3s so that was always my inspiration. However, they are out of my price range, especially the chrome bumper cars. So, I decided to drive a c4 manual and wow was I impressed. I’ve also driven the C5 z06 and loved it, but those are rising out of my price point. And honestly, I almost prefer of the raw feeling of the C4. So, next weekend I’m supposed to be picking up my first Corvette, a 96 LT4 car. The stance and wheel/ tire combo of yours looks awesome. I know they are 17x11 and 12 with 315s, but can I ask what wheel offset and did it require any modifications to fit? And maybe I missed it, but your car looks lowered, how did you do that, lowering bolts in rear and front spring modification? Thank you for your content, it inspires me.

[@FugitiveVette]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! So, as far as the Wheels, I believe there are 50mm offset. The springs are custom. I have an 800 pound spring in the front in a 475 in the back. The car is lowered, but like you said, it was a different set of bolts to lower it.. happy 😃 I inspire you!

[@FugitiveVette]

Oh and congratulations 🎉on the LT4! Best of the C4!

[@RomVlad]

@@FugitiveVette Thanks, and appreciate the info. I also drove a 92 with a built ls3 six speed swap. 494 wheel hp- wow was that fun lol. But it’s not near as nice condition (it was a wrecked auction car) and I think the excellent condition, never wrecked, original paint lt4 will be more valuable in the long run.

[@FugitiveVette]

@@RomVlad you right on that! 96 LT4 is really rare! Happy for ya! ✊

[@RomVlad]

@@FugitiveVette Can I ask you a technical question? I looked at this 96 and it was very nice shape but I noticed two things: first, it had some oil drips hanging from underneath, hanging from the pan and also about a foot and a half in front. It’s an old car, I get it. But secondly, when I got in to drive, I thought I still had it neutral but was not- the engagement of the clutch didn’t start until about 75-85 % off the floor. I’ve driven manuals and this seems very odd but I don’t know if this is common for a zf. I just wanted your opinion, I don’t know if it’s a problem or just extremely annoying -it’s hard to find info and thought you might have an idea. Thanks, I love your content!

[@JDeubel]

You need a switch to coil overs it is a night and day difference in handling braking and ride!

[@marknowakowski6590]

Hay on those batteries u mentioned I’ve owned three of them and the deep cycle one is really the only one to buy. Because the other ones don’t last as long as that one.

[@FugitiveVette]

Good to know. I find other batteries are much worse especially for my Z06

[@marknowakowski6590]

@@FugitiveVette I’ve bought glass mat batteries from other companies that only last three years before they take a crap so if I would want a nice solid paperweight I’d keep ‘em but that In store 20 dolla credit keeps callin me back.

[@sebbonxxsebbon6824]

434 and go all out.

[@goatg2747]

Would a stock c4 make for a good daily ?

[@FugitiveVette]

I daily drove mine for 6 years I loved it!

[@goatg2747]

@@FugitiveVette do you have an email so I can contact you ?

[@FugitiveVette]

@@goatg2747 [e-mail]

[@steveo3947]

What type of wheels and dimensions are those?

[@FugitiveVette]

CCW Wheels. 17 x 11 in the front 17 x 12 in the back. I run Hossier 315 35r 17

[@steveo3947]

Thanks so much! I'm wanting to go with the same pattern in 18". Black spoke with silver lip to go on my base Nassau blue 88

[@FugitiveVette]

@@steveo3947 that’s gonna look nice 👍 plus you will have more tire options with the 18 inch wheel.

[@dominicschiezmann9308]

How much whp does this vette make?

[@FugitiveVette]

When the engine was brand new with no miles it made 424 to the wheels. I’ve got enough miles on it where I’m pretty sure it’s making more like 450 now.

[@dominicschiezmann9308]

@@FugitiveVette OK, thanks for responding. It's certainly a nice Vette, what do you think its 0-60 & 1/4-mile times are?

[@FugitiveVette]

@@dominicschiezmann9308 I’m not set up for drag racing it would definitely be traction limited without a very soft drag radial. I can tell you when I was club racing One of our members in my car club would use a radar gun down the straightaway. My car was always as fast as some of the fastest vets on the straightaway. As fast as C6 Z06s and the like. That was top speed.

[@catboi1188]

Headers are a pain in the ass 😢

[@JDeubel]

You want to talk about oiling issues when those mod Motors first came out in '97 my cousin had a cobra and that thing would spin rod bearings like nobody's business every time he did a road course event the thing would Spin A rod bearing to the point that Ford would no longer warranty his Motors after replacing 4 of them!

[@FugitiveVette]

Good Lord! That wild. Someone needed an AccuSump!

[@JDeubel]

@@FugitiveVette he traded it in and bought a C5

[@johnwheeler8964]

How about them cedars eh

[@JDeubel]

392 or 397? Cuz usually it's a 396?

[@shawnkennedy8425]

I was thinking the same thing I didn’t think Chevy made a 397

[@ericbitzer5247]

I'm almost at the end of the video where you're driving it, and I got to say, what an incredible car and I thoroughly enjoyed all the knowledge and upgrades you shared on your Corvette. I only drove one once. It was a friend's girlfriend's 1999 Corvette that was only three years old at the time. I had six cars and three motorcycles and drove plenty of other people's cars and the Corvette was the most responsive car I ever drove in every way. Throttle, steering, brakes, nothing else was as responsive as that Corvette. I haven't been able to drive at all for twenty years now because of my eyes. I have retinitis pigmentosa and every year Wills Eye Hospital says the technology is getting better and maybe next year. Hopefully this year will be the year. Speed was like a high for me and I miss driving and riding. I'm always looking at what I want when I can get behind the wheel again. A C4 Corvette seems like a good option for me. And I would like to do a few things like that accumulator. Having 30 pounds of pressure before starting the car is definitely great for the engine. As well as an oil cooler. Anyway enough of my rambling. Awesome Corvette you have there and I love the upgrades.