Watch This Before Buying a C4 Corvette 1984-1996

[@AutoMotivate]

Hopefully this helped you all out! Parts mentioned (Make sure they fit): MSD Optispark Distributor: amzn.to/3ej9Fzj Weather Stripping Renewer: amzn.to/3nH35W4 Headlight Motor: amzn.to/2PKA2o5 Fuel Pump:amzn.to/3gYJvnc Steering wheel puller: amzn.to/3wOgLBV Steering wheel lock plate remover: amzn.to/3c69Ufc Process on replacing Headgasket on L98: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3XCdHWbpbKgg68 4L60 Common problems broken down: www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/4038606-c4-auto-tranny-problems-read-this.html Fixing the steering wheel wobble: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gny1ZIeEmMabo9k Replacing Optispark Distributor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imGVgH6aaZKohbc Replacing Fuel Pump: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4m4m557psR7Y7M

[@rubyred93chev]

_Great links right here, and good job Chris. (Just remember, research, research, research, and I promise your videos will get more views). Here are a few key items you missed: the L98 in the fourth generation Corvette, aka C4, was from 1985 through 1991. It would have been good to discuss the second generation Opti-Spark as well(being far more reliable), plus the L460-E (in the C4: 1994/95/96) versus the L460. The decent points you've mentioned are pretty common knowledge especially if a potential buyer does their homework on the 1984 to 1996 Chevy Corvette. (If a person can turn a decent wrench, and likes GM products, the car is worth the money and time they'll put into it for sure). I've owned seven(1991 thru 1996) C4s and still drive a '96 Corvette convertible today. At the end at the end of the day, it's a really good car to own, and work on. Cool points about the steering wheel issues(design flaw within Chevrolet). And yes __www.corvetteforum.com__ is a great avenue to ascertaining accurate information._ *Subscribed.*

[@Yobettev]

Wow... dude I am not meaning to be rude or anything... But... uh... I own a shop where all I do is work on Corvettes... do you even know anything about these cars... for starters the L98 ran from 1985 to 1991 not 1986. Second... they are NOT prone to blowing head gaskets... though they are SLIGHTLY more likely to than other engines from the same era WHEN THEY OVERHEAT... and that is only because they had aluminum heads starting in mid 1986... also the automatic transmissions in these cars from 1984 until 1991 were the 700r4 the 4L60e was introduced in 1992 and is the exact same transmission but it has some of its functions controlled by the computer... that all being said... a normal 700r4 or 4L60e has 7 clutches whereas the ones put in the Corvettes have 9 for added strength and they tend to last LONGER than others. Most of the other information in your video is wrong too... the headlights do NOT have electrical problems... they have problems with the gears getting stripped. I have been working on C4 Corvettes since 1997 and have NEVER seen one with the gears stripped in the mirror... and so on... The only thing that was really CORRECT in this video was the information about the optispark... and then said that it was a relatively easy job... take a look in the labor manual... it takes a long time and is not that easy... unless you are an experienced mechanic, don't try it. Lastly... you didn't even mention any of the ACTUAL problems (other than the optispark) How about the fact that the dash guage clusters have trouble after time... or that fact that the 1995's have an OBD II port but have an OBD I computer or the fact that the early manual transmissions (the Doug Nash 4+3 ones) have a tendency to have the over drive unit go bad... seriously... if you are going to make a video do the research and get it RIGHT.

[@AutoMotivate]

🤔 thanks for taking to to write, however, I do have folks validating these issues. Sure, I may have missed a few but that doesn’t equate this video to be false. You stated I was wrong about the headgasket issue, then proceeds to state that it did have headgasket issues. Sure, for the average Joe, replacing the optispark would be difficult, however, for someone with just a bit of car knowledge and a video should easily walk you through it. The main focus for these videos are to help folks realize that they don’t need to go to a pricey mechanic for simple fixes. Thanks for stopping by! Hopefully some of your comment will be useful for some one 🙏

[@Yobettev]

@@AutoMotivate First off, if you have people validating the information then you need to get new ones, because the information in this video is so far off base it's not even funny... I am not writing about the fact that you missed a few common issues I am writing about the fact that the "common problems" in your list are NOT common problems. Secondly, I did NOT state that they DID have head gasket issues. I stated that they are SLIGHTLY more likely than others engines of the same era IF they OVERHEAT. Lastly... most professional mechanics don't want to replace optisparks... and if they do they charge in the neighborhood of $1200 to do so. They charge that much because it is a very time consuming process and it is a bit hard to do.

[@hayleybmadiggunter6798]

I also own a shop and towing service. I also have a 85 Z51 with the Doug nash. I couldn't agree with you more. As you know some people you can't tell nothing because they know nothing.

[@dukeman7595]

Yobettev: As I stated The guy is full of shit, and talking out his ass..

[@jasonstrang3447]

Thanks for responding with what I wanted to correct. I couldn’t even finish the video.

[@paulmoss7940]

Three years ago I searched out a nice 96 LT4. Been enjoying learning about it ,lots of fun to drive.

[@CBRyan_600rr]

I just bought my 1987 corvette for $6000! Automatic, 106k miles. Love this car so much.

[@carlitodefriko6641]

Found one down the street 76k miles,manual,convertible for $6500...im looking at it this week

[@AGC.2jz]

How is it treating you? Would it be a bad first car? I’m also Looking into an auto

[@GiannaL]

@@AGC.2jz wouldn’t recommend a car old enough to be your dad as a first car.

[@EllisHudsonn]

your car looks sick, great car dude

[@richardcoram1562]

Just like to let you all know that my '86 is still purring along today even better and reliable than the day I bought it in 2000 with 77,374 miles... It turned 36 years old 2 months ago as it was built in late '85.Today, the original motor and TH(turbo hydramatic). 700 slush box are still strong and function perfectly.. with 200,000 hard driven miles. Neither has been broken apart for internal issues, and have never had a head removed or gasket replaced. That's not to say most add on's have been replaced, and some at least twice, but these are things that you have to expect a future replacement. My list: 1. Battery ( buy the Duralast from auto zone)when removing your battery and replacing it . You do not have to remove a panel. Just unbolt (3) the cruise control diaphragm and tilt battery to pull up and out same procedure installing. Re-connect cruise. 2.fuel filter( located at fuel line mounted under body on right side under passenger door area.) 3. Eventually, Spark plugs, wires and, distributor module. 4.fuel pumps I'm on 3rd one.however the original lasted 100,000mi. 5.water pump 6. timing chain, ( while there, found bad harmonic balancer- replaced). 7.new valve cover gaskets, (@ 122,000) 8. starter, ( had issues on removal, got new free exhaust manifold gaskets). 9. alternator( also on 3rd bracket, now reinforced!). 10. At 150,000, new oil pump,new main seals, front and rear, and all new gaskets. No more drips on the floor!! Oil pressure back to normal 35/ 45/ 55 lbs. 11.steering column loose, repaired. 12. I do a complete flush and fill of coolant every 3/4 years. I change my oil filter every 3k to 4k miles,oil change every 6k to 7k miles. I always add a bottle of Slick-50 high mileage at oil change. I do a full service on the transmission about every 40k. Thats filter, screen, o-rings and I Add 1 bottle of Slick-50 transmission additive I'VE PUT ON NEW ORIGINAL SEAT COVERS. Rear deck mat, floor mats. The Bose system will still make your ears bleed!!!! Without any pain. I dropped the 16 inch original turbo vent wheels early on because 3 were un- balancable. I went with the OEM 2000 Vette 5 spoke 17" front, 18" rear. The offset was different but 2" billet spacers corrected that. I hope you ALL enjoy many happy exciting miles in your time capsules Stay safe and watch out for that other driver, because they won't be lookin' out for you! PS; A important reminder, if at all possible refrain from using ethanol blends of gasoline. You can search online and find a station near you, or maybe not near but you need to make the drive and fill up with the straight no additive gas. Its more expensive than the ethanol blends, but you'll save your cars fuel system and injectors damage, and replacement cost. That's the one thing zI forgot to mention. Its costly unless you can do the injector replacements yourself. Today my car will average between 24/26 on road trips. Depends on a headwind or tailwind

[@mr.mercury4247]

Diehard is a better battery. Go to advance get a platinum diehard or an optima and do the car right.

[@richardcoram1562]

@@mr.mercury4247 Die hard is a good battery and your choice. I'll stick with the Duralast.👍

[@richardcoram1562]

@@mr.mercury4247 What year, and how many miles on your machine ?

[@mr.mercury4247]

@@richardcoram1562 1989 58,000 and I'm just giving you a hard time. I work at Advance. 😂

[@richardcoram1562]

@@mr.mercury4247 Lol!!, I had a feeling you were a battery salesperson! Heck they're both the best batteries for the bucks, and both made by Autozone . I've used both . Tried one Interstate and only got 3 years out of it. That was way back in the last millennium though. You have a beautiful car if its a driver, or show car. The mileage on yours is enviable ! Hey, thanks for kickin' it back to me. Curious, does Advance sell the complete distributor, or only the rotor cap. I'm thinking I may need a new distributor. Ebay does have them. Take care workin' man, stay safe.

[@fedhater1]

Nope, my 88 has had no issues aside from routine maintenance items...do yourself a favor, stay away from the LT1...the L98 is a very reliable engine,

[@callanreimann6023]

LT1 is a million mile engine, no? Don't understand how any other configuration could possibly be more reliable

[@deltanine2468]

Some one needs some education.

[@kennethmccartney6468]

I purchased an 88 ragtop.. 46 k.. auto; Everything works just fine, except the Bose .. 8000 $ No better money spent.

[@PilotEricG]

The corvette line is my dream car line. Hopefully one day I can own a c8 but for now ima start with the c4

[@kimadams7632]

Almost everything you’re mentioning will happen to any car after so many years

[@lyfull]

bought a 96 corvette about a year and a half ago and wooooooo nelly it was money put for the first few months, had to send off the cylinder heads to get refurbished because there was so much carbon build-up it was causing the valves not to seat correctly causing a misfire once it reached operating temps (yes I exhausted literally any other options before I got to that point) then while I was there I replaced the opti spark with a cheap one i bought off rockauto (this was a huge mistake) bout a month in it failed and i had to buy and OEM ACDelco optispark (please do yourself a favor and just spend the extra cash to get OEM) then one of the o2 sensors gave out and was running like shit so I had to replace that too but I finally got it to the point where it's reliable. just remember you never know what you're going to get but I love my c4 none the less

[@richardcoram1562]

Absolutly correct if you're keeping your C4 stock. Always use OEM when available. I just replaced the original Delco distributor (200,000 miler)with a brand new one from Advance Auto parts, also o.e.m wires . Very reasonable prices, and the distributor wasn't available in store, but it was overnighted and had it by 10:00 am next day.

[@jopoveromo1054]

the 95 and 96 optispark I believe is improved, don’t know about the improvement to reliability but I guess I’ll find out.

[@AutoMotivate]

They aren’t bad cars by any means!

[@DaneSaysStuff]

95 saw the introduction of the vented opti. I never had a single problem with an opti myself, and my cars saw rain and I washed the engine bay like I was trying to drown a fish.

[@jopoveromo1054]

@@DaneSaysStuff damn you might have gotten lucky, even though they are vented I would assume it’s still not a good idea to get electronics wet. But idk anything, I haven’t owned it for more than a few days.

[@niktokun7677]

@@jopoveromo1054 what do ya think of it now?

[@jopoveromo1054]

@@niktokun7677 it’s been perfectly reliable, more than anything I own or have owned I’m very surprised, I drive it everyday and start it something like 4 times a day.

[@smithp573]

It’s not “retro” 80s styling. It’s 80s styling. Because duh, it was styled IN THE 80s.

[@AutoMotivate]

So it’s retro 80s styling?

[@williamharris7995]

Thanks I'm interested in the 85 so far what I seen on videos I like but my wife will drive it as well but on trips so the automatic I think will work out for us

[@mattc9875]

Good choice, I have one, same style as the 84, stiff suspensions, no crossfire injection and no VATS system. Mine has a holley carb swap, TPI was the ancestor of modern injection and not easy to tune or fix

[@richardcoram1562]

The TH700 automatic is one great transmission. I shift mine a lot, but also do full services about every 4/5 years. Put this picture of the days and times our C4s were born, into your mind ...ok, The National Speed Limit was dropped from 65 - 70 DOWN to 55 mph. ( why all mandates are bad) in 1974-75. The 55 posted speed limit lasted for about twenty years, or until around 94 - 95, then went up to 65 , and kept rising up to 70mph. TODAY Texas has a cool 75 mph limit as do a few other states.I think Arizona has a.top of 95 mph. So, here we go.pushing the R.P.M.red line between shifts. 1st gear * 45 2nd gear** 95 3rd gear ***135 4th gear **** 150 + welcome to the BUCK 50 CLUB!!.🐑 Your C4 with the Turbo Hydramatic 700 transmission

[@kennethalexander7802]

I have a 85 with a 4 spd and love it

[@WarriorsPhoto]

I personally am beginning to like the C4 Vette. That cockpit style interior of the later models is amazing to sit in. Plus those iron blocks do last a long time. I can't imagine anyone getting an automatic Corvette but to each their own. Has anyone owned a Doug Nash 4 speed model? How good is that transmission?

[@keltechindustries20901]

This is a good video right now I’m in the process of trying to buy a manual C4 Corvette however, it doesn’t run, but it is a manual and the body and interior looks really good so wish me luck.

[@zikegladion6848]

Changing a fuel pump in a Taco Bell parking lot isn’t too bad, for the record.

[@Yobettev]

LOL... easiest electric fuel pump change ever... I did my first one in the parking lot at Pep Boys when I was 19.

[@gummybacon123]

currently watching this in my C4 cor- wait no i’m broke

[@vcall6121]

The automatic is better in almost every year of c4 700r4 is a great trans and can be built with a b&m shift kit and ratchet shifter the manual c4 in the early cars(maybe even until 92) was a 4 SPEED MANUAL + 3 AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE GEARS. It’s absolute garbage. You failed to mention the crossfire injection cars which are an issue the L98 TPI with a built automatic will be plenty of fun I know cause it’s the same thing as a trans am essentially and that car was awesome. Lastly I have a 96 57k mile C4 that’s literally babied. It’s auto and it’s no problem for the car this power train and the auto l98 was quite a few 90s GM high performance cars please stop telling people the auto is not good, in fact the it’s the only car that I WOULD NEVER buy with manual if it’s a pre 92 car

[@Yobettev]

Actually it was 1990 when they introduced the 6 speed.

[@dennisthemenace7748]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 man i have 1995 lt1 never have problems just few little things that should happen ur talking about a 26yrs old already car and is reliable.. c4 r more desirable..im in a corvette club and i have seen c7 gen that needs motor replaced and c6 gen that had more problems than a c4🤷‍♂️

[@VettemanLT5]

The L-98 was introduced for the 1985 car.

[@ranbymonkeys2384]

85 had the L98 engine

[@cenat181]

Nice video brother! Just bought 1991 c4 with 25000 mileage and head blown in less than 2 weeks.! Apparently the head was blown and owner didn’t mention it I also trust the car since had just 25000 miles on it! Now to fix is about 5-6G

[@paulmoss7940]

You could LS swapo cheaper .

[@cenat181]

@@paulmoss7940 where?

[@richardcoram1562]

Man that's a bummer!. Sorry to hear that. My 86 has the late (iron) L heads, not the Early aluminum. . Now 200,000 miles and just replaced the original old Delco Remy Distributor, with a brand new one from Advance Auto Parts. OEM is the best way to go, also added new wires. Car runs great, and improved fuel average is the most obvious result . . Let's go Vette 'n!

[@Fljeff7]

Can be made a 3 day daily driver with knowing you have a solid back up daily driver

[@frankiodeelux3159]

Common issues like blown head gaskets and blown transmissions? Really? Not unless you beat the daylights out the car. This is total nonsense - C&S Corvettes and Mirrock Corvettes have much better informative C4 buying guides. Do yourself a favor and check out those guys

[@AutoMotivate]

Look up the head gasket issue 👍 a lot of people talk about it.

[@frankiodeelux3159]

@@AutoMotivate I belong to a casual meet up group with at least a half dozen various C4's and nobody mentions head gaskets blowing.

[@hash46176]

Im buying one with the 4+3 manual transmission and its a project car

[@vcall6121]

It’s a really bad transmission I think every car I’ve seen with the Nash trans was DOA. It’s awful

[@Thekickbackartist]

You do not pull the intake for opti replacement

[@lorriebuxton2041]

Steering wheel looseness is caused by people using it to get in and out of car just don't touch steering wheel getting in and out

[@samleo6784]

Luckily I work at O'Reilly's auto parts

[@petercarrillo5095]

Thanks for the info bro. But keep in mind that your talking about a 30+YEAR CORVETTE. The doors and hood should be flying off already and the soul has probably left the car! ANY vehicle brand over 30+YEARS today is having ALL those issues or more. Normal wear and tare bro. Still an awesome car for a project or A CHEVY GUY who is mechanically in tune. I will admit that I don't recommend a sports car as a first car for an 16-18 year old with NO MECHANIC SKILLS. Still I'll take any info on the Corvette, because I have the 91. But I know my mechanics. (THANK GOD!!)

[@msledge50]

You do realize these c4 's are 25 to 30 year old cars..So you are going to have problems just like any other 30 year old car.I had c4's and they had no more preblems then any other car.

[@AutoMotivate]

That’s exactly why I made the video!

[@randymack1782]

never owned, looking at 1, but also power window switches, specially from leaky window seals. and seen seat stitching sun dry rotted, from lack of use & seams bust soon after buying.

[@Yobettev]

Power window switches are on the center console from 84 to 89 on these cars and were moved to the door in 1990. Never have seen one of the switches go bad because of leaky door seals... but it is possible, in theory.

[@tylorrutyna_8462]

I have a C4 1988 corvette convertible red ..

[@tylorrutyna_8462]

It also only has 16,000 miles! ..

[@AestheticLio]

@@tylorrutyna_8462 There a few that has caught my eye around my area. How good are they with gas? And also how’s the maintenance? I’d buy one in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for the fiberglass. Many shops won’t touch that sheesh within a ten foot pole

[@tylorrutyna_8462]

@@AestheticLio my dad has been friends with this dude since the early 90s when they were in the military..well his friends dad bought the car in 88 and had all the upgrades done and custom parts made for it ..well he passed it onto his son and his son drove it for awhile but than he stopped and it sat for years ..so all the original parts were still in it from 88 ..and it only has 16k miles ..also still smells new …well he had to move so he was selling everything and so he knew I liked 80s cars/music/etc and my dad also liked the car so he sold it to my dad for little over $6k ..we had to put a little bit of work into it cuz it had all the OG parts but it runs amazing and it’s beautiful the paint still looks new ..car smells brand new ..runs amazing..

[@Yobettev]

@@AestheticLio On the older ones the mileage was not TOO bad... but not great. The LT1's actually did pretty good though... my 95 usually gets between 28 and 31 MPG on the highway.

[@jamess720]

There quick cars for the H.P they dont weigh much so 240 hp to 300hp a basic c4 is fun to drive.

[@Roadrunner-g3e]

L98 CAME OUT ON 1985 NOT 1986

[@redbaron2448]

Great video, do you have a video on the 98 Vette?

[@brianpeacock9444]

GREAT VIDEO MAN!!

[@dukeman7595]

You're the first guy to say the L98 blows head gaskets frequently.. So, therefore I think you are full of shit, any car can have a head gasket issue, however, the SBC is not one that does..

[@AutoMotivate]

Look it up

[@c.rosler9598]

Thank you helped me so much

[@AutoMotivate]

Glad I could help 🙏

[@peterantonsen3539]

Great Chanel 👍👍

[@GSXSF-250]

Better to drop a new engine more reliability and more power. Same with the transmission.

[@dondanana9573]

at that cost just get a c5 or c6. lolol

[@aidenog7380]

@@dondanana9573 c5s are like 10-15k c4s are like 5k and I can make a 400whp ls with a hood tranny with 3k easy

[@ChefofWar33]

@@dondanana9573 No lol. An ls dropout is like 1000 for something really powerful.

[@chrisyangtze8403]

This guy's just getting all information from the internet..he can't drive one or have one Ahhhhhh 🍑🥵👏💯😁🙈🙉🙊😭🐝🍯🤗🤥🤥🤥🤥

[@AutoMotivate]

You are right! From other owners who drove one and owned one!

[@LibertyAndUnion]

Hm. Sounds like every other car.

[@AutoMotivate]

You right, all cars have a wobbly steering wheel, failing headlight motors (because, you know all cars have flip up headlights), and have their waterpipe damage their distributor ( again, because every car has their Opti spark distributor located underneath the waterpump)

[@LibertyAndUnion]

@@AutoMotivate relax man i was just making light of it.

[@cwbusrides]

What happened to the animations

[@AutoMotivate]

I am wanting to have more of a personal experience with my viewers. It is very hard to do that with a 100% animated video. With that, people tend to think if the video is fully animated, or a video without a face, it isn't trustworthy. All in all, I just want to build a stronger connection with my viewers/subscribers.

[@cwbusrides]

@@AutoMotivate Can you do a video on 1999-2004 wj grand cherokee

[@AutoMotivate]

I’ll start working on that! I actually owned a 2000. Loved it!

[@cwbusrides]

@@AutoMotivate What color and engine

[@AutoMotivate]

The I6 and it was a darker tan color. It had 220k miles and sold it for 2k a few years back

[@ErminioFancel]

ARTICULATE.

[@AutoMotivate]

no

[@MostlyBuicks]

Qwazy Wabbit.

[@AutoMotivate]

You are correct, I speak different from the way you expect. Get used to diversity, my friend

[@undeadbrosm41a39]

69th comment

[@deltanine2468]

Very informative, but dude you look like a vampire!!

[@AutoMotivate]

I feel like one sometimes

[@Cheerupfukface77]

The ugliest vette ever built