Why shouldn't I buy a C4 Corvette? Is going out of my way to find a ZR1 worth the premium? Are there any good reasons to buy a gen 3 firebird/trans am/camaro instead.All I'd want to do is give it some really good tires, nice brakes, and nice suspension.
ZR1 is based, otherwise at least try to find a LT4.The only good 3rd gen is a Turbo Trans Am.
>>28937808If I'm willing to spend the money on some aftermarket heads and a cam, or even just a crate long block, do I have to give a shit about what motor variant it has?Besides the LT5, what were the notable differences between the ZR1 and regular models? Where there any meaningful updates over the production run to be aware of?I'm partial to the 1983-1989 interior over the later one. I'm open to doing some engine work or even a swap to pick up the extra performance.
>>28937817That poor seat
>>28937797>Are there any good reasons to buy a gen 3 firebird/trans am/camaro instead.nostalgia + simpler but yeah in 2026 a c4 is definitely the move, you can find a zf 6spd/l98 c4 for the same $5-7k you'd pay for a clapped auto third gen or even a driver quality manual lt1 t56 catfish >is a zr1 worth the premiumnta but they go for c5 z06/c6 z51 money which is a vastly superior carpersonally want a lt1/l98 6spd c4 but im looking at s197 4.6 3v gts and nb2/nc miatas out of fear of a 40 year old gm snowballing into a big project
The early ones with those wheels look kino.
>>28937835So what if I find a manual '85-89 L98 with a blown motor or something but really nice body and interior, then drop a new motor and a TKX into it?I want the C4 for the vibes, I know I could spend the same money on a newer car and get far better performance.
>>28937858i mean if you're willing to take on a project sure, im sure you can find that for $3-4k if not a blown motor just a clean runner with a auto. i think a t56 is also realistic/cheaper too. https://threepedals.com/products/transmission-install/transmission-crossmember/muscle-rods-c4-corvette-t56-adapter-bracket/i personally like the 1989 for the l98/6spd and digital dash combo. personally zr1s are cool but i'd be scared to price out a rebuild for it. could also do a 1996 c4 collectors edition too, those are a cool $10-14k all day long. missed out on a $8500 1996 6spd w/105k miles in tampa that might still be for sale and the 330hp lt4 will be enough to keep you entertained.
>>28937858Nobody stopping you, my only 2 cents is avoid the 4+3. There's a bajillion recipes for whatever power you desire with any chev smol block, I wish I could convince my buddy to ditch the tpi and throw on whatever intake, roller rockers and carb for super cheap HP but he wants the purity of staying oem + other issues (heater core/AC) that he rather get around tol
>>28937797they're all old and shitty and not even as cool as the other older and shittier corvettes
>>28937797Mine was a creaky, leaky shitbox and was only 4 yrs old. I cant imagine that +40yrs has improved any of that.ICONIC body style and classic 80s vibe though. For vibes I strongly prefer the early models interior but dash electronics will prob need refurb and every surface will show heavy wear.All of them are targas which is nice for croozin. I had a 4+3 and it was weird and clunky even when new. I dont think an auto would even be a downgrade there. I think only the 84 had the crossfire injection so i'd be looking at 85+ for the better port injectionNone of them are fast by modern standards but thats true of almost anything these days.
