johnny diamond

I am looking at two (at least) C4s. 1991 and 1995. about same price, etc. seem comparable cars. I know they have different engines.

Is one a better buy than the other? in daily driving will I notice the horsepower difference? Is one more pleasurable to drive? any reason to prefer one over the other?

Thanks.

corvette Stu

everything about the 95 is better and improved then the 91. They may look the same but that's about it.

zr1fred

Probably, yes, meh, yes. Condition being equal, the 95 is the better car. Its also 4 years newer.

Winnin'

The 95 has 60 more horsepower. You will notice the difference.

c4cruiser

GM made improvements to the C4 for each model year. And in some cases, there improvements made during the production run.

You will find the seats are more comfortable and physically larger. The suspension is a little softer depending on whether or not the car has the base suspension or the performance suspension RPO Z07.

If the 95 has an auto trans, it will be electronically controlled. And as mentioned, the LT1 will have more HP and torque over the '91's L98 motor. The '95 will also have 13" front rotors as standard; the '91 will have 12" rotors that are thinner.

MRPVette

AVID

Another vote for the '95. I looked at early C4's for a long time because I always loved the styling of those early cars, then one day I looked at a '94. I haven't looked back since, you will greatly appreciate the newer vehicle and the refinements that come with it.

dtana

More HP, definitely..............but more torque?? How do you figure?

illenema

94 and up have less chassis rattles

Lord.Baal

the white dials are pretty ugly though

Paul Workman

Well, that's the trouble with hanging one's hat on PEAK values - torque, in this case. Consider:

The L98 produces only about 20-25ft# more torque when it peaks than the LT1 is making at that rpm, but the LT1 is making 100 ft# MORE than the L98 at around 4800 rpm, and continues to make usable torque 1000 rpm beyond that of the L98.



Considering rear differential ratios of 3.07 for the L98s vs. 3.45 for the LT1, RWT favors the LT1 by ≈ 6%, all else being equal - both the 91 and the 95s had the ZF/M6 transmissiion.

So, comparing torque under the curve - averaged over 0-5800 rpm, the LT1 has the practical torque advantage as well, in spite of that moment between ≈ 2800 and 3800 where the L98 peaks above the LT1, and hence that is where the LT1 HP advantage comes from.

However, stoplight to stoplight, or on an autocross course, or even on a twisty mountain road, the L98 cars - with their peaky torque curves and all, will do very well, especially for their time (ask any Corvette Challenge driver!).

65Z01

Go with your gut; get the one that really says "buy me".

I prefer the fit of the early seats and the star-wars dash appearance.

With a few mods I had my prior '88 up to 300chp and would out run any bond stock LT1 in the 1/4 mile. Of course the LT1 can be modded as well.

dtana

Interesting & thanks for that chart, which I haven't seen before............but I'm not sure the part I highlighted is entirely appropriate considering the fact that the L98 is really out of breadth at 4500rpm. There's no doubt the '92-'95 LT1 had a flat & long torque curve & that overall it certainly kept torque over say 300lbs for much longer than a L98................but I'm not sure I would have characterized it as having "more" torque, because it really doesn't, nor does it feel like it does either.

BTW, why does that chart look like it has the LT1 HP at 315, when it's supposed to be 300? Or did I have too many beers tonight?

corvette Stu

I know a guy who has a "bond" stock 94 that runs a 13.02 1/4 mile is your modded 88 run better than that ?

JD Shredds

It depends on what YOU like as a potential owner, as well as condition, mileage and style combinations. The L98 has a very strong, torquey low-end, so unless you intend to push the car at higher speeds (i.e. racing), you'd be just fine with either engine on the streets.

With that said, the C4 did get more refined as time passed. If you have two cars in equal condition and mileage, the '95 is very likely to be the better car. But don't get too caught up in that. Pick the C4 that speaks to you.

This.

84wuzmy1st

Do both cars have the same gear ratio? 3.07 more fun than 2.59.

Paul Workman

Well, the L98's (practical) torque advantage is narrowly confined between about 2600 ± and 3800 rpm. Otherwise the LT1 paces the L98 up to about 2600 rpm, and then tromps the L98 above 3800. Furthermore, the peak advantage of the L98 Vette is further mitigated by (correct me if I'm wrong) the taller differential gearing; 3.07 for the L98s vs. 3.45 for the LT1 (both the 91 and 95 have the ZF transmission). I believe the "seat of the pants gauge" is awarding the L98 surge between 2600 to 3800 rpm too favorably.

As for the 315 hp, it would be a guess as to why 315 vs. "300", except to say no two motors are identical...and neither are dynos or conditions during the test. Peak torque for the 95 LT1 is advertised as 340# feet. That of the 91 L98 varies between 350 and 355, depending on source quoted.

But, in the end, BOTH cars have performance capabilities that exceed that of perhaps MOST Corvette drivers have anyway. So, the advantages one over the other may be somewhat esoteric and lost on all but those few that thrash their Corvettes.

I have had a 95 and own a 90 now. Motor (LT1 vs. LT5) performance aside, the 95 is on another level, refinement wise, e.g., ride quality, ASR, etc. (In fact, I removed my 90 sport seats from my ZR-1 and replaced them with standard 95 seats. Love 'em!)

Just my 2 cents.

84wuzmy1st

I had a 92 Auto with the 2.59 and I currently have an 85 Auto with the 3.07 and my first car was an 84 Auto with a 3.07 rear and I can tell you having the 3.07 makes any corvette LT-1 or L-98 more fun to drive IMHO. If I were choosing between the 91 and 95 and both had = miles and wear and color was the same I would choose the one with better options (Z51, G44, Etc) and call it a day. Drive both, see which one you prefer. If you plan on doing a lot of 0-speed limit driving I don't think you will notice a performance difference between the 2 cars given the same axle ratio. 70-120 freeway sprints would be a different story. Just my 2 cents.

corvette Stu

I agree with the statement on the 91 seats my buddy has them and yes they are made for kids not adults. My 95 Sport Seats are very comfortable, no comparison between the two, but his has the rare orange piping around the black seats.

dtana

Or you can just get a 6 speed manual (like I did) which offered the same 3.45 for both the LT1s & the '90-91 L98. I tested 8 L98 6 speeds & 5 LT1 6 speeds while shopping for a C4 last year. All the cars were stock. I have no doubt whatsoever that the LT1 is the quicker & faster car. I can also tell you that the L98s felt like they had a bit more torque off the line. But (like the graph illustrates) it really does fall off a cliff after 4000rpm or so. Midrange power LT1s win handily. Just my observation from driving lots of C4s pretty much back to back.