LT4 Tell me about the LT4!

[BigBrakeFuelie]

I recently purchased my first Corvette.A 1980.I`m still having fun with it but already planning my next Vette.The LT4 is very interesting from what I`ve read in the Corvette mags and on this site.
For those of you who are lucky enuff to have one what is it that makes this engine special?What is the calling card so to speak?Low end grunt?snappy throttle response?Would like some opinions.

 

[twiget]

Congrats on your new '80.

Calling cards of the LT4 huh? It's got low end torque akin to the L98, and even more top end than the LT1. Another feather in the cap of the LT4, is that it's top speed is eclipsed only by the ZR-1 (of the C4 and older cars). It's also pretty much regarded as the best pushrod motor to ever make it's way into the C4's.

Jason

 

[vetsvette]

check out www.lt4.com

 

[A96LT4]

The 6300 RPM redline is the most outstanding feature of the LT4 engine. My rear wheel horsepower measured 305 at a little under 6000 RPM, so the flywheel HP should be 345 - 350.

 

[sothpaw]

dynoed hp

Is that stock? If not, what mods?

 

[vetteguy]

Low end grunt, snappy throttle response.
All of the above, Guy

 

[A96LT4]

Mods on my 96 LT4

The mods on my car are a K&N air filter, a Granatelli MAF sensor, and Walker "Dyno-Max Turbo-Boost" mufflers.

 

[B17Crew]

BigBrake, I had ’94 LT1 six-speed, traded it for my LT4. Most noticeable thing to me was the additional 600 rpm, it’s very nice (LT4 redline is 6300 rpm vs 5700 rpm in the LT1).

Aside from the engines great performance, you have three choices for LT4 packaging. The venerable Grand Sport, the Collectors Edition, or the wolf in sheeps clothing – ’96 regular issue paint color options, ie Torch Red, Artic White, etc.

...Take one out for a test drive.

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

Thanks for the responses fellas.One thing I noticed was that they rated the LT4 at 330hp. Most owners agree that it was underated intentionally because of the upcoming C5.How do you compare the LT4 with the LS1 engines that were put in the C5`s?I believe they are rated at 345hp.

 

[twiget]

A few years ago, when I was in the market for a new 'Vette, I took a '98 hardtop for a test drive. The car was very strong, and I very much enjoyed driving it. However, the week earlier I had taken a '96 LT4 for a test drive, and I was disapointed in the hardtop, because it wasnt clearly superior to the LT4. Then I took my GS for a test drive (down devil's slide on Hw1 in California). Man, I fell in love with her!:love

IMO, stock for stock, the LT4 is a better engine. However, I think they are so close that it would fall mostly on the skill of the driver. Of course, once you take into account the engineering improvements in the C5 over the C4... it becomes shades of grey. But, like I said, stock for stock, I'd take an LT4 any day.

Jason

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

It sounds like a real fun to drive car.I`m targeting a 96LT4 as my next Vette in the future.Are all 96 Corvettes with 6 speed manual trans an LT4?I also like the fact that it is unique and sort of special.That appeals to me.Not being one of the herd.

 

[vetteguy]

In 96 all LT4's are six speed, all LT1's are auto. There are only 6359 LT4's made. Guy

 

[swoosh]

The LT4 sounds strong. What if i were to swapped the LT4 into my 96 automatic trans? It should hold up?

 

[twiget]

I know of one '96 that has an LT4 with an auto tranny. It' s CE that was apparently done by a GM powertrain engineer and some Corvette factory workers in the spare time. The article I saw about the car was only about 2 paragraphs long and no mention of how the tranny held up.

I would have to think that the auto would hold up fairly well because the only reason GM didnt make auto LT4's is due to emmission reasons. They couldnt get the LT4 to pass emissions when it was coupled with an auto tranny.

Jason

 

[vetsvette]

close

They didn't want to go through the hassle or expense of getting it certified for a one year only motor.

 

[lt4 gs]

Re: close

They didn't want to go through the hassle or expense of getting it certified for a one year only motor.

now about my Norwegian Forest Cat...........

 

[vetsvette]

mmmmm...

Norwegian Forest Cat..... I hear they are right tasty if you cook 'em real slow with John Boy's Grillin' Sauce.

 

[lt4 gs]

Re: mmmmm...

Norwegian Forest Cat..... I hear they are right tasty if you cook 'em real slow with John Boy's Grillin' Sauce.

and here I thought you were an animal lover????? Silly me........:Silly :Silly :Silly :Silly :bash

 

[Arisa]

That's funny you guys hi-jack thread over here too. :cool

 

[A96LT4]

I believe they are rated at 345hp.

When my car was dynoed, the next car on that dyno was a stock 98 coupe. Each car had 3 runs with the same lab tech stepping on the gas. That LS1 car dynoed at 300hp, 5 hp lower than my LT4, at the rear wheels. I believe that proves that the LT4 was stronger, but the margin of error of the test equipment and my slight mods may have caused the difference.