Looking to purchase a 92, why HP Difference Between 90-92 and 93-95?

[5ABI VT]

From my experience the LS1 6 speed traps slighty higher than the LT4. Given that the C5 is lighter it sure lends some credibility to the LT4 being slightly underrated. Ive seen 2 LT4s trap 106-107. My friends LT4 I went to the track with with nothing but a B&B (newer restrictive system) just last year trapped 106 mph. Back when I had bolt ons on my 93 LT1 I was trapping around 111 and Stock 6 speed LS1s were slightly slower at 108-109. The only car I went up against was in 1999, and it was a stock 97 6 speed with a Borla stinger cat back and he was 109.

I guess just for comparisons sake I had Long tubes and Corsa with a haibeck chip and I was just under 118 mph. My friends LT4 car only has a chance when im not paying attention

[csavaglio]

My CE LT4, which was stock, trapped between 108 and 109 consistently and, as I mentioned, usually ran 12.7. All uncorrected and actual numbers.

I never dyno'ed that car, although, from the dyno sheets I've seen of other LT4s, they seem to vary quite a bit, but usually higher than the rated hp numbers would suggest.

Personally, I think the LT4 is one of the most under rated (both by people's opinions and the hp numbers) corvette motors.

I agree 100% with WeGone. Up to 100, stock to stock, the LT4 keeps right up with the LT5. But 0-100 is the LT4's game and not the LT5's. Two very different powerplants with two very different personalities.

[Z06scentair]

Originally Posted by edram454

c5's are not slow. ever drive a fixed roof coupe 6 speed? very quick and light. these cars can be easily modified to make big horsepower.

Spot on! Nimble in stock form is what I like to call it!

My 02z has a 408 with a YSI Trim blower, with a 2.75" pulley this car is not for the faint of heart!

HP before the blower/larger heads/cam was 532 rwhp and 502 rwt.

The car needs to be retuned after the head/cam swap last year. My buddy is on me to retune the car and get it back into action......oneday soon!

[5ABI VT]

Theres a lot of variables when it comes to track times. I only compare what ive seen at my local track and what ive run side by side. My brothers ss for the life of him couldn't crack 14.0 on street tires totally bone stock. Went to Englishtown and ran 13.4. no changes at all. Different track.. differet altitude and all the other variables etc etc.

Im not knocking the LT4 but Theres been a ton of bs about hp numbers over the years. There was one thread about how some were 370 hp even 390hp for a few %. SOrry but that is . If a 390 hp Lt4 existed.. weighing in 200 lbs less than a zr1 we would see trap speeds over 116-117 mph rivaling c5 z06s. Just not happening. Ive never seen an LT4 factory fresh run over 110 mph without some mods like headers or gears intakes etc. My 93 trapped 104 mph stock. I knew a guy who hung out with us that we went to the track with in a 96 LT4 like I mentioned earlier and he trapped 107 mph. 104-107 mph is about 30-40 hp. Right on par with GMs ratings.

I can definitely see why the LT5 may feel slower at lower speeds. It has longer runners tuned for certain rpms. at part throttle and certain rpms it only runs on half the runners. It can make for a soggy feeling engine at low speeds. GM also didn't add any gear to it. For a motor making higher torque and hp it sure could have used it. On top of that it weighs 200 lbs more. all those contribute to the slower low end feel.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 5ABI VT

From my experience the LS1 6 speed traps slighty higher than the LT4. Given that the C5 is lighter it sure lends some credibility to the LT4 being slightly underrated. Ive seen 2 LT4s trap 106-107. My friends LT4 I went to the track with with nothing but a B&B (newer restrictive system) just last year trapped 106 mph. Back when I had bolt ons on my 93 LT1 I was trapping around 111 and Stock 6 speed LS1s were slightly slower at 108-109. The only car I went up against was in 1999, and it was a stock 97 6 speed with a Borla stinger cat back and he was 109.

I guess just for comparisons sake I had Long tubes and Corsa with a haibeck chip and I was just under 118 mph. My friends LT4 car only has a chance when im not paying attention

I think I did 116-118mph back in 00 at the gathering in my stock 90

[We Gone]

Back to the original question, Right now I have seen some fantastic deals on 90-92 cars and would jump on them with out any thought about the HP difference. At the prices I see you will have more than enough left to put the HP even.

[KILLSHOTS]

Originally Posted by We Gone

Back to the original question, Right now I have seen some fantastic deals on 90-92 cars and would jump on them with out any thought about the HP difference. At the prices I see you will have more than enough left to put the HP even.

I agree with Steve. Marc says all it takes is headers, exhaust and a tune to get to 410-420HP. Those mods will certainly cost less than the premium you'll pay for a later car.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by We Gone

Back to the original question, Right now I have seen some fantastic deals on 90-92 cars and would jump on them with out any thought about the HP difference. At the prices I see you will have more than enough left to put the HP even.

I like the seats/interior/ride/trans noise on the earlier ones better

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I like the seats/interior/ride/trans noise on the earlier ones better

Exactly the reason I have a 92.

[8cam]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I like the seats/interior/ride/trans noise on the earlier ones better

I love the early seats, and I like the style of the 90...which is why I have a 90.