LT4 Not as stock as I thought and now torn.

[TANWare]

Hi all fellow LT-4 owners,
Well I just got my first Vette, a Pollo Green 1996 LT-4 on 4/19/2013. I live in NJ and after much research I found my car in Virginia, a 365 mile 7 hour one way journey. This made for a full day of driving down and back to pick up the car getting in at 3:00 am on Saturday with my son-n-law.

Now I purchased this particular example as it had low miles but more importantly looked 100% stock and no major mechanical mods. The look other than stock is the extra rear LT-4 emblem and it was missing the LT-4 engine badge on the console, that has been fixed. I have since found out the 1-4 shift lock has been modified. While I want bone stock car I can see I do not want that back.

I am also now torn, while I love it stock I want just a bit more. Not more power or sound but panache. This as in LED's every where possible to replace the normal lights and HID's where possible too.

Then comes the other customizations. These are the bolt on items. Such as louvers for the tail lights and backup lights. I have even seen a few tasteful rear spoilers but loathe the idea of drilling the body itself.

So in the end I am not so much the purist I thought I was. A true one would never have these thoughts or yearnings. Especially this early in the game...............

 

[Huskerman]

LOL...go for it....make that baby just like you want it......it's your car......enjoy!

 

[TANWare]

For the last few days I have been enjoying. in 17 years things have changed so much. This with LED lighting, HIDs and double din radio/gps infotainment centers.

 

[jmhorn52]

Its ok to personalize your car. Its yours to enjoy. Mine has been changed somewhat. LED tailights, Corsa exhaust, SLP intake with K&N filters. There is more I would like to do but being on fixed income it can be expensive.

 

[96gs917]

Welcome aboard Tanware. I think your choice of Polo Green was an excellent one. My Polo Green LT4 has been
lightly modified with a Corse exhaust, and K&N filter. I think you should do what you want with the car, as long as
it makes you happy.

Enjoy.

 

[TANWare]

Welcome aboard Tanware. I think your choice of Polo Green was an excellent one. My Polo Green LT4 has been
lightly modified with a Corse exhaust, and K&N filter. I think you should do what you want with the car, as long as
it makes you happy.

Enjoy.

Thanks, I just put in the K&N and did not realize I had a severely dirty stock air filter. I am sure it was affecting performance as with a good clean filter it definitely runs smoother. The entire air filter was 100% dust covered, the dirty brown, and some type of lint or something. The Green Color though was not a real factor.

Although I would have liked the higher end suspension the fact this car was original option select a ride and performance brakes were my decision makers with the LT-4 option. I am really loving the color though. I actually don't like the silver as much on these so I tried to stay away from the CE and Vert's are not something I personally like in my cars..........

 

[LT4CE]

I'm smiling, because I went through many of the same thoughts when I first got mine. I wanted to add the hopefully tasteful and subtle LT4 emblems, but can't find the one that goes on the rear, so I've settled for the one that presses into the DIC. I thought about buying the Z06-style LT4 Billet Aluminum emblem, but it doesn't look that good to me, and at close to $100, does not seem worth it. I won't put that data plate on top of the cup holder cover lid... that's not my taste.

As for non-LT4 Corvette items, I toyed with the idea of putting those colored acrylic letters into the rear bumper lettering, but decided against it. I think people know it's a Corvette without me having to do that. I did buy the clear sill covers with the Corvette lettering. I also added a cushioned console cover, with a C4 logo. Those seem somewhat practical, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Other than that, I'm focusing on maintenance and some performance upgrades, which are pending. I also added the K&N air filter, but the exhaust will be my first relatively large expense that is performance related.

I agree with what others have said, which is do what you want. It's your Corvette. Some may not agree with it, but since it's not their Vette, too bad. I have to say that I hate to see when somebody goes too far (flames, or painting it pink, or some other gawd awful color) but that's just my $0.02. My preference is to keep it it relatively close to looking how it looked when it came off the factory line.

 

[TANWare]

I could only find the LT1 rear emblem not the LT4 one, even that one was unpainted. They were an Ecklers emblem originally. I have one on mine and have to say I like it. I have already ordered the clear front plate cover that will keep the front contour. I already have the console placard for LT-4 and am thinking of the info center transparent LT-4 cover.

The two outside wings of my sun visors are drooping, very annoying, so that will be another cost soon. I agree though in the "tasteful" additions but I guess we all have varied views on what is tasteful. What one person considers desirable another scoffs at. I guess I should stop thinking of what others see and just make it mine.

My problem there is resale value. I see most people who sink tons of money in these never realize much, if any, of it back. As an example There is a GS out there for about $25,000 with under 25,000 miles. My hesitation on it is they claimed about $30,000 in performance upgrades. That to me spells non original so it is a driver only and a gas guzzler that takes away from the driver issue. TBH the LT-4 is fast enough for the streets at least for me.

As it is have put about 1,000 miles including the ride back from VA. Around town for the short hops I am seeing 20.5 MPG. This is as good as my 2012 Sorento. I would hate to have modifications lower those numbers.