C4 Corvette Model Year Differences and Collectability

[@ednieves3973]

Mark did a very professional presentation. He is my go to guy for parts for my award winning 1995.

[@vetman78a]

Mark presented this at our Pittsburgh Tri-State Chapter NCRS seminar and all attendees thought it was very well done and we all learned a lot. Mark is the C4 expert in our region and I’ve purchased parts from him for my 1994 ZR1. I recommend Mirrock Corvette to everybody. They sell thru eBay.

[@Conman1181]

I just picked up a 1990 FX-3, steel blue metallic, automatic, clean inside and out. Its not perfect, but turns heads, and runs perfect so far. Got it for 5500, and everyone that has seen it says I stole it for that price.

[@efrainberrios8494]

I have a 1984 Corvette with 51,000 miles and runs like new!...I love that car!

[@WARHOG561]

You need to drive it more!

[@MarksC4Corvette]

I buy all my used parts from you... I've never once been disappointed! Welcome to KZbin!

[@crealedc]

Hey Mark, I'm going to stop by the place in the next couple of days I'm picking up a C4 1996 collectors edition should I consider buying an Opti spark from them while I'm there? Or do they only sell used parts?

[@2jzlife958]

Love the Video and Explaining....I have a 1995 corvette convertible C4, Dark Red Metallic. they're pretty Rare..... Thanks for explaining people What C4 really is..👍👍👌

[@mattcrow5183]

I just wanted to say, this is a great video. I am looking to get into the C4 market and this was very helpful. I always enjoyed the styling of this car as a kid.

[@troypatillo1688]

Great video. A lot of good information. I blame Chevrolet for the low value of the C4 ZR1s. Had they not completely abandoned them and parts were more readily available, folks wouldn't be afraid to purchase them. One of the most durable engines Chevrolet ever made.

[@troypatillo1688]

That would have been awesome!

[@SkipButler1]

Very informative. I am the original owner of a 1990 Coupe with ZF S6-40 manual transmission that I am gradually restoring.

[@pantera6169]

I have had 14 c4's. I currently love my 87, easy to fix.

[@johndawhale3197]

87 is the best model :)

[@TheBlkac1]

Damn!😯😟 14 Yeah I have a 87 C4 Corvette, I'm restoring it. It runs pretty good, really fun to drive👍🏿

[@ozzstars_cars]

Good to know. Most importantly no matter what year Corvette, drive it!

[@Dylan2996oct]

Great video, everyone has there favorite year and you see why that is now. They're all little different. I personally love 1989, you got a true 6 speed manual and still that retro 80's look inside and out.

[@corvettejimmy3323]

Excellent presentation, mark. Interest and values of the c4 corvettes will only increase as time goes on...

[@TamasKalman]

this is still the best/most informative detailed video about C4 generations. thank you!

[@davidwilson2657]

I stayed with the full presentation because it is a well researched and well structured one, but mostly because I almost bought a 1996 Grand Sport. The car is a green convertible, meaning of course that the owner misrepresented it. I did not know what to look for when I travelled 6 hours to drive it, but of course it had no Grand Sport number. The price was reasonable enough for what it is and I almost made an offer on it. Then I realized that the owner had to know all along it was not a Grand Sport, and with a private sale being able to trust the seller is very important. The whole process happened before you produced this video. As soon as I saw the picture of the Grand Sport convertible you use as an example of the 1996 car I am reminded of how long it took before I found a picture of a 1996 Grand Sport convertible. Pictures of the 1996 GS coupe are easy to find, finding a pic of the convertibles is about as easy as actually finding the car.

[@ednieves3973]

Mark, this is an excellent presentation. Your delivery was very structured and it flowed perfectly. Would love to have you do this for our Florida NCRS Winter Regional.

[@LMAOOOOOO]

Just asking why did you comment again 3 years later to say this?

[@Swarm509]

Excellent video for someone wanting to buy a C4, especially near the end when he starts to talk about parts availability and ease of working on them. I was holding out for a 1996 manual trans LT4 coupe but realize they may be quite hard to find and more expensive with the full OBD2 (although I like the idea of having that tech if something goes wrong). A 1994 to 1995 manual trans coupe will now be my go-to search locally (middle of the country in Canada). Also C4's up here are going between $8000 for an early beater car up to $15,000 for 1996 silver auto trans convertible. Seems like they may finally be going up in price as people find out about these cars.

[@GuruZ84]

I'd love to see such an awesome video for the C5 as well. very good job guys, I enjoyed the video

[@CC_Top_Solutions]

That would be pretty sweet!

[@larryroberts839]

I have a 1984 C4 corvette production number 100199,I found this car in the back yard of a farmers house, this one is definitely a keeper. Oh, by the way I paid $2500 for it.

[@3.2Carrera]

I love the C4 vettes and own an '89 A4 with 14k miles and a '90 M6 with 45k miles. Love them both.

[@WARHOG561]

You need to drive them :) !

[@matthewstevenson1267]

The graphs are a great visual tool. The total corvette run one was especially interesting

[@samstrolia]

I love my 89'. It has the FX3 ride control, and you can really feel the difference with the three settings

[@davenobleswimmer7235]

My Shocks are shot but the ride is so good I was afraid to replace the shocks. I wonder how much rougher my ride would be with new Bilstein adjustable Shocks

[@bobcuster8930]

Excellent information! You know your C-4 Vettes!

[@craigt5906]

Great video I own an 89 my 7th C4 but just a MINOR correction the 17” wheels in 1988 were also available on all Z52 cars

[@CC_Top_Solutions]

I noticed that too. In general, not much mention of the Z51/Z52 or later Z07 cars and their impact to the driving experience (or potential value).

[@calumhamiltonthelord4423]

I just bought a 92 C4 in the color bright aqua and I love it!!! It’s my first car in my own name and that I bought myself and I’m obsessed with how amazing this car is!!

[@dukeman7595]

You covered a lot and and one can learn from it. I know this is an old post, however, I wanted to make a comment or two. Thank you for a wonderful fact filled presentation.

[@flagoutlaw]

Love the amount of info that you gave in this presentation. I picked up a 86' Just 2 months ago, It has wheels from a 91' on it lol.

[@billyvandusen4262]

Just bought, owned less than a year 1985 c4 with 65,000 on it... waiting to get it out of storage lol. Very impressed with it! 😁

[@RetroCarsForever]

Great presentation, helped me choose my 1996 LT4. Thanks!

[@DroneDude808]

I own a pristine stock condition 96 CE LT4 convertible w/ 37k miles. I was happy to hear that these are becoming "sleeper collectibles". I don't see them for sale often but when I do they've been modified and have a lot of miles on them. Great presentation.

[@DroneDude808]

I'm not in the market since I already own one. Your friend was selling a 96 w/ 40k miles for $2400? Something isn't right...

[@paulallen2551]

Nice job, Mark! Great to have a face to go along with the voice on the phone!

[@peter455sd]

Love the C4,a blast to drive

[@anthonycurrey3368]

No mention of the very popular 87 & 88 Z52 options.

[@pgo301]

Really enjoyed watching this and I know every little thing can't be mentioned but the BIG difference that's not mentioned is the 90 ZR1 to 91 base is the exhaust system went from a split-duel exhaust to a wider rectangular dual exhaust. Certainly giving much better acceleration on top of the increased HP.

[@anthonysaguin7347]

Very informative. Great presentation. I have a 96 CE and it's worth much more to me as a personal car. The driving experience is great. Fantastic blend of muscle and sport. Great feel. V8. Sleek. Targa. Space age interiors. My kind of car.

[@davidsafely732]

The Z51 for 1984 - 4+3 had about 6,100 or so cars produced. It was a very rare option.

[@kingpenny78]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 most knowledgeable video on the c4 iv seen! Thanks so much

[@RALTBOB1]

Thank you great video. I’ve been meaning to watch it for several months and finally found the time to sit down and watch it too it’s completion. At present I have a 1990 convertible which I am enjoying it as well as working on it. However the one I really would like to get is a Grand Sport convertible. They are beautiful cars. Once again thank you very much, great useful information.

[@WastedJoey]

The 1989 C4 with the Z51 package is the one for me

[@billdCT97]

Looking to buy a C4. Really great information to understand differences year to year

[@homosapienssuk1730]

What year are you going to target?

[@billdCT97]

@@homosapienssuk1730 I decided on a 91. I like the new body and new interior but really like the L98 and its low end torque

[@Long-nd8bq]

Very informative. I like the 91 because it was the quirky year (new bumpers, newer dash, newer 6-speed ZF, but still had the L98). I personally am looking for a 92-96 LT1 6-speed (or LT4 if 96) black on black coupe.

[@davenolan5709]

Do you like the l98 engine over the LT1?

[@chucknasty8417]

@@davenolan5709 L98 is basically a truck motor. Extreme low end torque

[@jimaagenes8445]

Great video! Thanks for the info! Hoping to own a ZR 1 one day, love polo green.

[@zr1daringuillet710]

Hi Jim. I own a 1993 Polo Green ZR1. 1 of 22 produced in 1993. It's and amazing car.

[@claudeperrault4164]

Hi, what a great informative video. Well done! I have been a Corvette lover all my life and I have owned a C3, two C6 (base and Z06) and I currently own a 2019 C7 Z06 and I absolutely love it. Yes, it is a manual one. I have learned so much about the C4 from you and I thank you for it. Again, well done!

[@Bentsi2002]

thank you for the great informative video, i have a 95 red convertible with the hardtop, love that car.

[@gusgiesel]

Yes, this is a great video. I have a 1995 base 6-speed car that is all stock (and nearly all original) and it is a wonderful driving car. Everything still works! I've watched some of your other videos and I appreciate your knowledge, and sharing it with everyone. Thank you.

[@Spyke-lz2hl]

Really nice presentation!

[@fgill76]

I love my 1990 black on black automatic driver. Nice video, thx!

[@cardo1111]

Excellent and informative presentation thanks for posting it 👍🏽

[@rockandrollbuddha9902]

Fantastic Video. I like this sort of stuff. Fun. I'd like to see a video that shows the different hood supports along with their mounting locations and brackets. Include information about which design allows the hood to open/close the easiest and which the hardest, etc...

[@MirrockCorvette]

Rock-N-Roll Johnny we have this information as a write up on our website. mirrockcorvette.com/c4-parts-guide/hoods/

[@bretthatfield2516]

Exterior difference on '84 & '85? If you can't see the Cross Fire/Tuned Port strip on the side, 1984 had turned-down exhaust tips, 1985 had a straight out exit.

[@slickorick1]

I own a 94 C4 and I love the car because of the way it rides, the looks that it gets but most of all I love that because it was made before 96 here in Illinois I DO NOT have to go every 2 years to the state EPA facility to get checked out.

[@imdeplorable2241]

I owned a '90 convertible for 14 years so, I am biased. I bought a '90 because it was the most advanced of the early body-style C4s. I referred to it as a "transitional" Corvette because it had the early body (which I preferred) and the newer interior and upgrades, like the wheels and repositioned ECM. So, when I am asked, "What year C4 should I get?", I always recommend a '90.

[@billbill9392]

I know what you mean, I like the front ends better on the early C4's but the interiors on 90 and up are to me a lot better got a 92 ( I was born in 92 and also the LT1) but yeah I enjoy the squared up front ends more, everything else though i'm good on prefer my tail lights then the 80's big circles (hell the latest gen Camaros agree they seem to have the same style)

[@danielreynal8993]

Great video!! I have a 1991 ZR-1 and i love it..

[@scottgrygiel1377]

Another external difference between the 84 and later years was that the 84's exhaust tips pointed downwards. The 85 and up had exhaust tips that pointed straight out.

[@noobnoob3489]

2 are fake though on the 85 they are for looks. 4 tip

[@loenigma69]

Great presentation!

[@Jimmyjamesgarage]

That’s was very good. Tons of information on the C4’s!!!

[@puterami123]

Great video. I enjoyed it. With that said, I have to disagree on the opti spark information. First, it was not vented to reduce moisture. It was vented to draw out the ozone gas. The opti was placed below the water pump and when those would start leaking the coolant would also take out the opti, hence, moisture problem. Also, you cannot just swap a non-vented to a vented. Not the same beast. Last, just don't swap it "because". The OEM optis with the Mitsubishi sensor actually last the longest where the others do not (OEMs are not manufactured anymore). If a person really wants to replace an OEM opti, I highly suggest having the Opti Doctor refurbish the original keeping the Mitsubishi sensor. Thanks for the hard work here! (I have a 96 base coupe daily driver) BTW, you also said "all six-speeds got the LT4". I'm pretty sure that you meant to say the other way around - all LT4s got the six-speed. :-)

[@jsprz5928]

Can I add a vented to my 94 non vented car? Or do I need to make other changes ?

[@volt101x]

1994 C4 was also the year A/C Refrigerant R12 to R134 👍

[@brianmclean8857]

Outstanding presentation.

[@johntrishstrange7378]

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Thanks Mark!

[@eddiebrown9590]

Eddie from Australia, just about to get the first Vette of my own an 89, white auto here in Australia, and am doing the research, come across your MOST EXCELLENT vid,, Thank you for that.. I would like to ask if the Maf from the 94 LT1 would work on the L98 electrics as i want the extra airflow as part of a performance package i am working on, any other ideas would be appreciated.

[@anthonypsomas1183]

I’ve had an 88 35th Anniversary car for almost 20 years now. Very informative video. Thank you!

[@espritmike]

One feature i remember was that the '84 4+3 manual trans had the OD switch on the center console by the shifter and the '85 and later cars had the button on the top of the shifter in the place where the release for an automatic car was.

[@toodanderson351]

Yep.

[@6SpeedTA95]

This was excellent, a good refresher for someone who grew up wanting a C4 and plans to buy one next year. Any thoughts or comments on optispark issues? I'm looking at snagging a ZR1 or LT4 car.

[@DragoonWarrior790]

I recently got a 96 with 93K miles. You'll want to replace the optispark like he said, and also check for any signs for coolant leaks. The water pump sits right over the optispark and has this release opening for when the seal in the pump goes bad. That means it's going to leak right onto the optispark. There is an aftermarket mod to change it from a distributor to a coil pack design. I haven't invested in this yet, but it's something on my to do list. Another important thing to check is the LCD display on the dash. Mine is very faded from age and very difficult to read at times. The pop up headlights are another point of potential repair. Any plastic parts like the vents and dash can become brittle with age and can break easily. The rubber housing/hoses that connect the air box the holds the air filter (to the mass airflow sensor if equipped) to the throttle body are also hard to find as I found out. Mine are cracking and need to be replaced soon. Oil leaks are another potential issue. I still have to replace the gasket for the intake manifold so it quits leaking oil out the top/back side of the engine. It's not bad enough that I have to add oil between changes, but it leaks down the engine and on to the transmission so I get a smell of burning oil when they get hot enough. I sill love the car, but be ready to do some fixing and hope you don't have too many problems with parts failing that are discontinued.

[@tomstrickland6002]

I thought the 1992 had a big change in the small block motor. First year of the LT1 and reverse cooling. The horse power was 300 but the torque was lower than the L98 motor. I think you should have mentioned the problem with the dual mass flywheel on the ZF cars; extremely hard to find and you can't resurface them. Also engine balancing (externally balanced) was a problem for the LT1 when you change the flywheel as it has the pins that are installed on the outer rim of the flywheel in certain patterns. Otherwise, this was a great presentation.

[@danielmckenzie6858]

I am glad my C4 was on top of your list of best ones to get, I do really love my car, it costed me a little more than I wanted to pay but I was in love and had to get it, $9200, and I put another $2500 in needed repairs, getting ready to replace the lousy radio that I put in it last year run amps to the speakers soon with new speakers. My Corvette is tuned to the hill and she never shames me, except a ZR1, C5 Corvette was the only lose by just a little, but that was ok, it was another Corvette with the 6.2 and tuned to hell!

[@dannyhelderdenkende6647]

Thank you for this Nice video! Greetz from Poland.

[@timconnell5878]

Another difference between the 84 and 85 is in the style of the exhaust. The 84 had turned down tips and the 85 was almost straight back.

[@robvoyles]

I have an 85 L98 coupe and a 96 LT4 Coupe. love them both.

[@samuel_lament_of_hathor]

This guy knows a ton (though how would i, a novice, know?). Impressive mastery of your field.

[@scottrussell4488]

Nice video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@jetsteeltherealdeal7827]

Great video

[@retiresoon5639]

The hood on the 84 was unique to that year also. It had cold air delivery for the cross fire injection molded in. I had a 91 and it was a great car. I don't think I could get in to a C4 now.

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

I'm on the market looking at the C4 vets right now so thanks for your video it was very helpful

[@wally197220]

I decided to go ahead on a Collector Edition LT-4 coupe with 63000mi. Hopefully it doesn't depreciate much more in the next 3-5yrs. Either way, I bought it to drive not sit around to be looked at.

[@CC_Top_Solutions]

Thats awesome! I drove my 93 Z07 on a little over 4k miles of road trips last summer. Great times!

[@Dowlphin]

(Drunk, i.e. totally debate-immune) headcanon: Chevrolet Chief designer was worried that a lightning might strike him if he didn't design a Corvette cabrio and he realized how foolish he was for needing to be afraid of a lightning strike to do it and practiced repentance, and he was lucky because God loves Corvettes. Trust me, your chance to be struck by lightning is lower if you drive a Corvette cabrio in the rain than if you drive a closed one in sunny weather. (And if you still get struck by one, you go straight to Valhalla, so there's nothing to fear as long as you manage to follow a simple, basic rule: drive a Corvette)

[@jfsjr46]

Mine has the exact same problems. This will help be able to fix it! Thanks so much!

[@mikesuperglide]

Great video, I wished you would have included when the A/C system was changed over to R134 though.

[@jamesflames9930]

1994

[@elliottclark5415]

If the Grand Sport is as thrilling to drive as my 1991 C4 ZR-1, I must have one. ZR-1 for life!

[@TamasKalman]

amazing video, fantastic details. thanks for sharing!

[@stevenkaskel3469]

I am original owner of a '91 with FX3 ride control, 6 speed in dark red metallic. 91k miles, original clutch and even original windshield wipers, lol. Still brings a grin to my face when I drive it!

[@mrdeanv4414]

Awesome video and very informative..! I have a 95 c4 that I purchased in April this year with less than 88 000 original miles and this morning we had our 1st cold snap and I couldn't get the heater to work.... any ideas?

[@MuzixMaker]

Thermostat?

[@mrdeanv4414]

@@MuzixMaker changed it already

[@vladpootin5973]

Corvette C4, Reagan Era American sportscar, iconic and magnificent, timeless design that has aged with grace. It set new standards when it was debuted and then kept getting better still as it evolved through its production years culminating in 1989- with the introduction of the mighty ZR-1 „King of The Hill“. In many comparison tests Corvette C4 bested the likes of porsches, ferraris and lotus !

[@hinterseerherold]

Great video 99% correct! The simple being yelling all the time from the crowd was annoying.

[@destruxandexploze2552]

I am curious, from 1988 to 1989 did the suspension change at all? I know 87-88 is a massive change, but I’m trying to do suspension on my 88 and see ridetech coilover kit for 89-96, is there any reason it wouldn’t bolt in to an 88? Is there some sort of change between 88-89 that would cause this?

[@MirrockCorvette]

The 88 cars have a taller shock tower mount on the frame rails that is the same height of 84-87 cars. 89 the height reduced making the 88 have a unique shock since length is like earlier cars but lower mounting is like the later cars.

[@destruxandexploze2552]

@@MirrockCorvette So does 1988 also have different sway bars? Do 89+ fit or is it pre-87 sway bars that are interchangeable?

[@hudsondonnell444]

At the 22:30 mark you mention that the L98 went from a MAF sensor configuration to a speed density config. I would love to know why GM did so in 90, as they would have to revert back to MAF in 94 on LT1s. Ford changed from speed density to MAF in California cars in 88 all others followed in 89.

[@stevohmelike]

Absolutely great video

[@c5scottman]

I've always been able to spot an '84 from the rear by looking at it's exhaust tips pointing down.

[@FredFlintstone21]

Awesome video! Thanks for taking the time to make the slide presentation! I learned alot!👍👍

[@josephjacobson3831]

Great video! I have a 95. Something you could have mentioned as a difference between the 95 and 96 is the oxygen sensors. The 95 had 2 and the 96 had 4. Again, great video! Joseph

[@glennbrooks2848]

95 triple black, auto, convertible. 85k on her. Daily driver her now after many years of previous owner driving weekends here and there. Wonder what its worth now

[@MirrockCorvette]

Joseph Jacobson there are thousands of differences over the years of these cars. Like said in the video there is no way we could mention everything.

[@Saint696Anger]

Cool I have a 95 and just subscribed

[@loenigma69]

I'd be curious to know if there are identifiable differences in paint colors. I know 84 had three two-toned paint options, perhaps other years didn't. That or the colors themselves could be an easy indicator of production year. Another note, 1984 did have the highest production year for any C4 making them very common, however some of the options (such as the two-toned paint I mentioned) were less produced. Only 17% of all 84 Vettes were two-toned, whereas the three most common colors: red, black, and white comprise 53% of all Vettes produced that year. Factors like that should effect market value.

[@haroldleaming2625]

I have a 1986 convertable yellow with graphite interior Pace car, i am 55 but when im in tbst car I am 21 again! There's no other car that.makes me smile, i was 19 when the C4 came.out.and it was a "really.big deal"!

[@rodneyt9224]

Thanks for the info I have a 96 collector edition red interior convertible lt1 with 67000m that I paid too much for I wish this info came out 2years ago

[@dpfitforlife81]

I am curious about the Corvette numbers with B2K option since it was an option through General Motors. Also known as the Calloway Corvette.

[@CC_Top_Solutions]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was interesting in the collectibility section, discussing the 40th anniversary vettes and mentioning the different options. Z07 was not mentioned. I haven't observed it, but there is a possibility that Z07 cars in general (but 40th anniversary ones even more) may become quite collectible given the rarity and the actual difference in driving feel. I also laughed aloud when the mention of the best driver came up. My girfriend and I had an 89 Z52 car, now we have an 88 Z52(155k miles, $3300)...yup, hands down, best for hop in and drive! I daily it and don't even worry if it starts to rain on me with the top off.

[@winstonmccollum8992]

One correction..........the 95 Indy Pace car has the body color between the front lights like a 96.........this was the first C4 painted like that.

[@graycav56]

Great show. (Even though I own an 84 stick with 110k on the odo!)

[@arnoldschertzer4975]

Wonderful content! Does anyone know if Chevy made a white hatchback with red leather and the LT4 mill?

[@crealedc]

Can someone point me to a forum where I can get answers I'm a first-time buyer for a c4 96 The car has been a garage Queen for 10 years his new tires on it got 23,000 miles on it I've been told to swap out the shocks, all the fluids, the Opti spark, the fuel system? I'm hoping to turn the car into a daily driver