How Good Is My Car???

[British Bob]

Hi guys,

You have all been great , helping me with the various issues of the last few days.

As an aside, I realise more and more that I know very little about my car.

Can anyone tell me what I actualy have. I know that it is a 1986 black convertable c4 4+3 and that it looks great and goes very fast indeed but what engine do I have in terms of model, whats its supposed bhp and info like that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeb]

Try this link.....http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/1986/86specs.html

BTW, congratulations on finally finding the problem with the starter. Those types of malfunctions can be mind blowing....especially if they go away when you are in close proximity to a mechanic.

 

[Achilles]

Hi guys,

You have all been great , helping me with the various issues of the last few days.

As an aside, I realise more and more that I know very little about my car.

Can anyone tell me what I actualy have. I know that it is a 1986 black convertable c4 4+3 and that it looks great and goes very fast indeed but what engine do I have in terms of model, whats its supposed bhp and info like that.

Thanks in advance.

You have an L-98 engine w/ 230 hp if it has the cast iron heads (early model). Or you have 235 hp with alluminum heads (late model). It is a very good car. Some may argue that it is not an LT-1 (300 hp) or an LT-4 (330 hp). But then again those engines are not an LS-1 either, and so on and so on. The point is, there will always be something better out there. You have a good car and it looks like a nice ride. Be happy with it and enjoy it until you're ready for your next Vette.

I have an 86 Z51 coupe, 235 hp 4+3 and also a 95 coupe with the LT-1. Both cars are stock and the LT-1 is much faster than the L-98, but I love driving the 86. Due in part to the 4+3 tranny. Shifting just makes it feel like a race car.

Just owning a Vette, is a dream come true.

 

[c4cruiser]

Bob- This link will give you lots of info about your 86 vert: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/1986/index.html To get to theis link from the main CAC page, put the mouse cursor on the "Tech Center" button and go down the pop-up menu to "Model Center" and click once. In the page that opens, select your year in the list of C4 years and click on it. The page in the above link will open.

To find what is exactly on your car, look at the RPO sticker which should be either under the center console lid or the rear storage compartment lid. There will be a series of 3-digit codes that identify the components and options on the car. The codes can be deciphered here:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/rpo/8496rpo.html

BTW, if the RPO code decal is missing, you can get a copy of the "build sheet", a sheet that the assembly line workers used to know what to add to the car as it was being assembled at Bowling Green and a copy of the window sticker that showed the description of the standard equipment and options, their cost, and the name of the selling dealer.

These are available from the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Go here: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/ and click on the "Build Sheets" link on the list on the left side of the page. This would be great information for a show display (and who wouldn't show a grat car like yours!!) and for documentation. You may want to e-mail the NCM first to determine any special requirements for ordering from England.

 

[XLR8]

Hi guys,

You have all been great , helping me with the various issues of the last few days.

As an aside, I realise more and more that I know very little about my car.

Can anyone tell me what I actualy have. I know that it is a 1986 black convertable c4 4+3 and that it looks great and goes very fast indeed but what engine do I have in terms of model, whats its supposed bhp and info like that.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Bob. I know you've had some issues with your baby recently, and though I'm not mechanically inclined and NO help under such circumstances, I trust you've gotten some great feedback from members here that are.

As for info about your Vette, I looked up the '86 model in my Corvette Black Book and here are some things I found.

-A 350ci, 230hp (iron cylinder heads) or 235hp (aluminum cylinder heads) and cloth seats were included in the base price. Do you have leather seats? Base seats, leather and sport seats, leather were available options.
-The convertible model was introduced after the start of 1986 and was the first Corvette convertible since 1975.
-The 1986 Corvette was the pace car for the Indy 500 and all convertibles sold were designated as pace car replicas.
-1986 production was 35,109 total - 27,794 coupes, 7,315 convertibles.
-Convertible top colors for 1986 were 3,685 black, 2,682 white,948 saddle.

Maybe this info interests you and maybe not. I would suggest checking out the Learning Center and Tehnical Center here on the site for more info. You could also order copies of the original build sheet and window sticker for your car from the Corvette museum. You can also order a copy of the original dealer invoice from GM for 50 bucks! It really just depends on how much of your car's history you're interested in and what your willing to pay to obtain it.

Hopes this helps.
JAG

 

[British Bob]

Try this link.....http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/1986/86specs.html

BTW, congratulations on finally finding the problem with the starter. Those types of malfunctions can be mind blowing....especially if they go away when you are in close proximity to a mechanic.

Thanks Mate,

Good bit of info there.

What inexpencive mods can I do to increase the power out put.

BB

 

[British Bob]

Wow

What a response!!!!!

You guys are great. I can sleep better knowing that when ever I have a question I can turn to you all for the fast and comprehensive answer.

And you are right

It is a fantastic car to drive and be associated with.

This web site is a fantastic and I am proud to be associated with it.

Thanks again

Speak to you all again soon.

 

[Jeb]

Thanks Mate,

Good bit of info there.

What inexpencive mods can I do to increase the power out put.

BB

I have no idea. Mine's bone stock and other than keeping it tuned right to a knat's ass, I haven't fooled around with it. Yet.

I'm sure there are others here who can help you with this.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Thanks Mate,

Good bit of info there.

What inexpencive mods can I do to increase the power out put.

BB

Bob, if I'm not mistaken, all the 86 verts came with the aluminum heads

Search for "Free Mods" should get you started on some small power increases, next would be a freer flowing exhaust, then headers, cut plugs, P&P intake and runners, or Siamease runners, higher gear rearend, chip, then you're into the heads and motor. All of this of course goes without saying that you are properly tuned with quality parts in good cond.

The possibilities are endless For no - low cost mods read Mad Mic's posts. He's gotten the most I've seen out of a stock 86. Have fun and read read read

 

[B17Crew]

I had an ’86 auto Yellow coupe. I loved that car, it’s been quite a while since I drove it (sold it to move to a later model) but I swear that thing could out corner my current LT4, which has the base FE1 suspension. It handled very well, I used to enjoy getting in the twisties with it, it was a car that was easy and willing to direct in the corners.

I liked the auto tranny it had as well, it was tight and responsive, by tight I mean that it would instantly lunge you forward, it was right in step with the input from the torquey L98 engine. I had driven a friends L98 equipped ’89 Trans Am and it’s tranny felt sloppy at 5,000 miles compared to my ’86s.

Enjoy your ’86, they are as good as gold.

B17Crew

 

[Achilles]

Bob, if I'm not mistaken, all the 86 verts came with the aluminum heads

I believe you're right. If I'm not mistaken, the convertible was released later in the year when the aluminum heads were available.

 

[Edmond]

Congrats on the car. How good is it? It's very good!

 

[Rogue]

What inexpencive mods can I do to increase the power out put.

BB

My Corvette has a similar powertrain to yours. I fitted mine with a freer flowing cat-back exhaust from Dynomax. Looks great. Sounds great. And it's suppose to add maybe 5 bhp to it. I also put a K&N air filter and K&N Metal Open Top filter housing. Maybe got 1 bhp from that. Finally, I put the Throttle Body Airofoil to smooth out airflow at high RPM. Maybe got 1/2 a bhp? Overall, I spent no more than US$600 on these engine mods, the exhaust system costing the most. I splurged on having polished stainless steel mufflers!

After all the mods, which I did all at the same time, made a noticeable difference in that the engine felt more responsive and more eager to rev to its modest redline. It doesn't really matter to me how much power it has because I already love the L98's deep well of torque: all 350 ft. lbs. of it! That, in my opinion is what makes this powertrain a whole lot of fun to drive, and gives the car that characteristic "American V8" muscle car feel (sneaky-fast; not trying too hard but still goes fast) that you just can't get with small, high revving inline 4's and V6's. Best of all, the car still gets 24 mpg in the highway if I'm conservative (it gets 16-18 mpg in the city thanks to my heavy foot).

I got all my parts from Mid-America. http://www.madvet.com

 

[vettin]

The 86 Convertibles are nice i have one and im workin on it now gonna paint it maybe sometime this summer not sure what color though

 

[Vette Dawg]

I don't know much about mods since I don't own a 'Vette yet. But I have heard that exhaust, Superchargers, Turbochargers, Cold Air Intakes, etc . . . can be good mods! I don't know if Mid-America Motor Works ships to England, but they have some performance mods and other cool stuff for sale on http://www.madvet.com/-/shop?store=3 Hope this helps,

- Dawg :cool


EDIT: Hey buddy your in luck! They DO ship to the UK!!!!!


P.S. You can order a catalog online!

 

[Vette Dawg]

My Corvette has a similar powertrain to yours. I fitted mine with a freer flowing cat-back exhaust from Dynomax. Looks great. Sounds great. And it's suppose to add maybe 5 bhp to it. I also put a K&N air filter and K&N Metal Open Top filter housing. Maybe got 1 bhp from that. Finally, I put the Throttle Body Airofoil to smooth out airflow at high RPM. Maybe got 1/2 a bhp? Overall, I spent no more than US$600 on these engine mods, the exhaust system costing the most. I splurged on having polished stainless steel mufflers!

After all the mods, which I did all at the same time, made a noticeable difference in that the engine felt more responsive and more eager to rev to its modest redline. It doesn't really matter to me how much power it has because I already love the L98's deep well of torque: all 350 ft. lbs. of it! That, in my opinion is what makes this powertrain a whole lot of fun to drive, and gives the car that characteristic "American V8" muscle car feel (sneaky-fast; not trying too hard but still goes fast) that you just can't get with small, high revving inline 4's and V6's. Best of all, the car still gets 24 mpg in the highway if I'm conservative (it gets 16-18 mpg in the city thanks to my heavy foot).

I got all my parts from Mid-America. http://www.madvet.com

Oh crap, I didn't notice your post. I'm full of sh*t.

 

[Vettefan87]

If all you want to do is spend time working on your car with no money, then cut the lid off your stock filter housing, descreen your MAF, pull your plenum and grind off the ridges that are right behind the TB. You can port match the gaskets. You could even pull off the intake and port that too, since it is very restrictive. You can also add some timing to your car if it doesn't knock. Also gut your main cat, or get a test pipe depending on emissions over there. Those are all free mods that do not cost anything but your time,that I can remember right now.

The other mods that I have done was bought an airfoil, install Vortex Ram Air, buy a Hypertech Thermo master chip. TPIS coated headers, and Harlan Sharps 1.6 Roller Rockers. I have also ported my plenum, and port matched the gaskets. Hope this helps. Mad-Mic has done all this to his car and produces great numbers. This summer I will be curious to see what I can get my car to run.