One of My "Friends" is looking at a cheap, C4.

"Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer" (dash-doorhandle-and-bondo)
02/23/2019 at 10:21 • Filed to: None

Always stuck in first or second gear, hence the friends reference, but back on black, tpi, and about 5 thousand Canadian Drachmas. How bad could it be? It’s just a 700r4 right?

DISCUSSION (21)

Tohru > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 10:34

if it’s a 94-96 it’s a 4L60-E. Otherwise, 700R4.

The Snowman > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 10:39

700r4 stuck in 1-2 is normally clutch pack. Full rebuild....

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > The Snowman
02/23/2019 at 10:41

I will relay this info.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Tohru
02/23/2019 at 10:42

its a TPI era car, Around 86-87.

OmerCarrothers333 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 10:50

TPIs and 700R4s are really reliable and common combination. If your friend can’t walk into any parts store and get what he needs cheap, then that shop suuuuuuuucks.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 10:55

Total transmission rebuild, but these are early computer systems. So you cannot switch between 700R4 and 4L60E, but if you can find a donor car, manual swap should be easy.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 11:03

Run away.

Unless he is going to LS and T56 swap it

Fuckkinja > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 11:32

The tv cable has to be adjusted correctly. When the clutch pack burns up the trans will shift into 3 gear but will not engage. My old plow truck has this problem. It’s still plows fine with a top speed of less than 25 mph.

Swap a manual in the vette. 700r4 are not worth fixing in my mind.

Gerry197 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 11:36

Not an 84' right? I would stay away from cross-fire injected cars as well.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Gerry197
02/23/2019 at 12:18

no, it’s a TPI, the idea was to add lightness, get new tires and autocross. Is missfire injection 84 only on c3? I know it’s a red headed stepchild in vette circles.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/23/2019 at 12:19

idea is to buy cheap and torture to death.

Gidges > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 12:20

Why would you torture and destroy a Corvette? :c

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Gidges
02/23/2019 at 12:24

it’s not a nice one, unlikely to ever be nice again but the ratty bits can be removed adding light ness. Intended for autocross, which takes a year off the life of your car in an afternoon. It’s realistic use of a car that would cost more than it’s worth to put right.

Gerry197 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 12:36

It was 84' C4 as well, and yes, it’s most definitely the red headed stepchild of the Corvette universe. Though I honestly never sampled it myself, everyone says stay away.

Where are you located, I’ve seen this C4 which lightness was already added. However, its a cross-fire vette:

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d/downey-1984-chevrolet-corvette-z51/6819295180.html

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Gerry197
02/23/2019 at 12:40

that’s just a google photo of a black c4, not the actual car, which I’m sure is currently a snowbank in Manitoba. (where even nice cars lead a rough life)

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Gerry197
02/23/2019 at 12:44

Crossfire looks cool though, if on a budget, I’d avoid corvette entirely.

Kinja'd!!!

has anyone managed to slap 2 carbs up there?

Gerry197 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 12:44

Oh, looked too pretty I thought :)

I’ve always had a soft spot for C4 Vettes. It won’t be until the C6 (or C5 Z06) that I would call the Vette an actual “good” car, but the C4 is the one I would buy right now, mostly for budget reasons, but that car was the 80s/90s distilled.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Gerry197
02/23/2019 at 12:47

rough paint, rough interior, rough life, but still has some fun to give as a mostly functional Corvette. Could donate body panels and glass to others and be a track kart. He’s not under any delusion of making it nice again.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 14:37

Ok never mind. Buy and strap nitrous too

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer
02/23/2019 at 18:35

5K..., rough but mechanically decent aside from the automatic gearbox?

Step 1... cheap gearbox replacement/rebuild if possible, plan on manual swap at some point.

Step 2 ... strip body and interior down to basics (think C2 Grand Sport Roadster format) , take glass out/off, interior to minimum, etc... and sell off salvageable parts for other C4s to use.

Step 3 ... use money to make sure the rest of the car is mechanically sound, if not pretty.

Step 4... roll-cage to make it legal for motorsports classes, brake pads, grippy tires... maybe some lightweight wheels if there is a budget left.

Step 5... RACE

Step 6... if it remains competitive , keep building... manual swap, maybe a 5.3 aluminum LS swap for more power and lighter weight and better weight distribution , bigger brakes, adjustable suspension, etc...

Power for Pennies: Build a 400hp Chevy LS Motor for Under $1200 - earlier OPPO material...

Step 7... if it keeps going, motorsport bodywork upgrades, single-piece lightweight clamshells without headlight pockets, fender flares for wider rubber, etc... and step up to forged racing wheels, etc...

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
02/23/2019 at 19:42

We’re just bench racing at this point, friend already autocrosses, in ANYTHING (Grand am GT, A/G body chev, scirrocco, volvo, 124 etc. He has house/kids priorities so it won’t go beyond step 5, but he sees the fun potential in a cheap ‘vette. he’s been welding gussets in his cheap firefly convertible due to the weight red uction mother nature did to its floors and rockers. A Corvette that no one will miss is right up his alley.