Chevrolet Corvette C4
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The Chevrolet Corvette C4 is a sports car introduced at the close of 1982 production as a 1984 model and ended in 1996, meaning that there's no such thing as a "1983 Corvette" (though 44 prototype 1983s were built, of which #23 survives today and is housed at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green). It is the fourth generation of Chevrolet Corvettes built and marketed by Chevrolet.
The C4 Corvette is known for its sleek look. Instead of fiberglass, it was made from reaction injected molding plastics, a sheet molding compound. The C4 coupe also is the first Corvette to have a glass hatchback (except for the 1982 Collector's Edition) for better storage access. It also had all new brakes with aluminum calipers. The Corvette C4 came standard with an electronic dashboard with digital liquid crystal displays for speed and RPM. The C4 was a complete redesign of the previous generation, and the emphasis was on handling. The C4 Corvette was proclaimed the best handling car ever when it was released. This handling came with the benefit of a solid, uncompromising ride. The unit-body frame used in the C4 was prone to rattles and squeaks due to minimal sound deadening. Also due to the external unit-body frame, the door sills were quite deep and entry and exit have been likened to a "fall in and climb out" experience. The emergency brake was relocated in 1988 for easier entry and exit.
From 1984 through 1988, the Corvette was available with a Doug Nash "4+3" transmission - a 4-speed manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears. This unusual transmission was a synergy that allowed corvette to keep a stout 4 speed, but add an overdrive. As technology progressed, it was replaced by a modern ZF 6-speed manual. However, the C4 performance was hampered by its L98 250 hp (186 kW) engine until 1992, when the second-generation LT1 was installed, markedly improving the C4s performance. 1996 was a high point of small block Chevrolet development and the 330 hp (246 kW) LT4 was installed in all manual transmission cars.
The 1986 Corvette is notable for being the first car with an electronic anti-theft system. GM had created the Pass Key I, where each key contained a special pellet that could be detected and identified by the car's computer system by detecting electrical resistance. Being early in the rollout of this new technology, there were only 15 different resistance values available.
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[edit] B2K Callaway Twin-Turbo
In 1987, the factory B2K option appeared at dealers. The option's price was almost equal to the base price of the corvette.
The Callaway Corvette was a Regular Production Option (RPO B2K), the only time in Chevrolet's history a specialist manufacturer was entrusted with a technically advanced high performance RPO. The B2K option was eventually replaced by the ZR1 option, though they coexisted from 1990-1991. The early B2K's produced 345 hp and 450 ft·lbf of torque. [4] The later B2K's produced 450 hp and 613 ft·lbf of torque. [5]
A derivative of the Twin Turbo Corvette, the 880 hp Callaway SledgeHammer, recorded a speed of 254.76 mph on Ohio's Transportation Research Center track, still the fastest street driveable car in the world, although it did not achieve this speed in street-legal trim.[citation needed]
[edit] ZR-1
During 1986, General Motors acquired Group Lotus, the UK based engineering consulting and performance car manufacturing firm. The Corvette division approached Lotus with the idea of developing the world's fastest production car, to be based on the C4 generation Corvette. With input from GM, Lotus designed a new engine to fit in place of the L98 V8 that was powering the standard C4. The result was what GM dubbed the LT5, an aluminum-block V-8 with the same bore centers as the L98, but with four overhead camshafts, 32 valves. Lotus also designed a unique air management system for the engine to provide a wider power band by shutting off 8 of the 16 intake runners and fuel injectors when the engine was at part-throttle, while still giving the ZR-1 a stellar 375 hp when at wide open throttle.
In addition to the engine, Lotus helped GM design the ZR-1's upgraded braking and steering systems, and helped them pick the settings for the standard "ZX3" active suspension system that Chevrolet was fitting to the car, helping to ensure that the vehicle was more than just a modern-day muscle car with a big engine and no real capability on the track.
GM found that the engine required special assembly, and that neither the Corvette plant in Bowling Green Kentucky nor any of their normal production facilities could handle the workload, so Mercury Marine corporation of Oklahoma was contracted to assemble the engines and ship them to the Corvette factory in Bowling Green where the ZR-1s were being assembled.
The vehicle went on sale in 1990 and was available only as a coupe. It was distinguishable from other Corvette coupes by its wider tail section, 11" wide rear wheels and its new convex rear fascia with four square shaped taillights and a CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp) attached to the top of the hatch glass instead of between the taillights.
The ZR-1 displayed stunning ability both in terms of acceleration and handling capabilities, but carried with it an astonishingly high price. MSRP for the ZR-1 in 1990 was $58,995, almost twice the cost of a non-ZR-1, and had ballooned to $66,278 by 1995; it has been rumored that some dealers successfully marked units as high as $100,000. Even at base MSRP, this meant that the ZR-1 was competing in the same price bracket as cars like the Porsche 964, making it a hard sell for GM dealers.
In 1991, the ZR-1 and base model received updates to body work, interior, and wheels. The rear convex fascia that set the 1990 ZR-1 apart from the base model found its way to all models, making the high-priced ZR-1 even less distinguishable. Further changes were made in 1992, including extra ZR-1 badges on the fenders and making traction control a standard feature, and in 1993, when Lotus designed modifications were made to the cylinder heads, exhaust system and valvetrain of the LT5, bringing horsepower up to 405. In addition, a new exhaust gas recirculation system improved emissions control. The model remained nearly unchanged into the 1995 model year, after which the ZR-1 was discontinued as the result of waning interest and the fact that Chevrolet had never been able to sell them easily. A total of 6,939 ZR-1s were manufactured over the six year period.
Not until the debut of the C5 platform Z06 would Chevrolet have another production Corvette capable of matching the ZR-1's performance, however.
Although the ZR1 was extremely quick (0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, and onto 180+ mph), the huge performance of the LT5 engine was matched by its robustness. As evidence of this, a stock ZR1 set a number of international and world records at a test track in Fort Stockton, Texas on March 1, 1990, verified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), including:
7 New International Records: 100 Miles @ 175.600 MPH; 500 Miles @ 175.503 MPH; 1000 Miles @ 174.428 MPH; 5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH; 5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH; 12 Hours Endurance @ 175.523 MPH; 24 Hours Endurance @ 175.885 MPH for 4,221.256 Miles
3 WORLD RECORDS - IRRESPECTIVE of CATEGORY or CLASS: 5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH; 5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH; 4,221.256 Miles @ 175.885 MPH
These records remain unbeaten today by any subsequent Corvette, including both the C5 and C6 Z06s.
[edit] CERV III
In June 1985, Chevrolet Chief Engineer Don Runkle and Lotus' Tony Rudd discuss creating a new show car to show off their engineering expertise. The project would become the CERV III (Corporate Engineering Research Vehicle III). It was first unveiled in Detroit Automobile Show in January 1986 as Corvette Indy prototype car.
[edit] Special Editions
[edit] Pace Car Convertible
A yellow convertible was the pace car for the 1986 Indianapolis 500 race. This marked the return of the convertible body style, absent from the Corvette lineup since 1975. All 7,315 1986 convertible Corvettes had special Pace Car Replica decals.
[edit] 35th Anniversary
The 1988 35th Anniversary edition was a white coupe with a black top. 2,050 were built.
[edit] 40th Anniversary
The 1993 40th Anniversary package was available on all models. 6,749 were sold.
[edit] Indy Pace Car
In 1995 a C4 convertible was again the pace car for the Indianapolis 500, and a special pace car edition was offered. 527 were built.
[edit] Grand Sport
Chevrolet released the Grand Sport (GS) version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4 Corvette. The Grand Sport moniker is a nod to the original Grand Sport model produced in 1963. A total of 1,000 GS Corvettes were produced, 810 as coupes and 190 as convertibles. The 1996 GS came with the high-performance LT4 engine, producing 330 hp (246 kW) and 340 ft·lbf (461 N·m) of torque. The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle, and black wheels and two red stripes on the front left wheel arch added to its distinctive look.
[edit] Collectors Edition
The 1996 Collectors Edition was the last of the C4 Corvettes, just as the 1982 Collectors Edition was the last of the C3. It included Sebring Silver paint and special trim. Of the 5,412 built, 4,031 were coupes and 1,381 were convertibles. It cost $1,250 extra.
[edit] Production notes
| Year | Production | Base Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 51,547 | $21,800 | C4 hatchback body is popular. Digital instrumentation is controversial. L83 engine continued from 1982 |
| 1985 | 39,729 | $24,891 | More powerful L98 engine introduced. |
| 1986 | 35,109 | $27,027 | First convertible since 1975. Third brake light, antilock brakes, and key-code anti-theft system are new |
| 1987 | 36,632 | $27,999 | Callaway twin-turbo offered through dealers with GM warranty. |
| 1988 | 24,839 | $29,480 | New wheel design. 35th Anniversary special edition. |
| 1989 | 26,412 | $32,045 | ZF 6-speed manual replaces Doug Nash 4+3. |
| 1990 | 23,646 | $32,479 | ZR-1 is introduced with DOHC LT5 engine. Interior redesigned to incorporate drivers-side air bag. |
| 1991 | 20,639 | $33,005 | Restyled exterior. Last year for the Callaway B2K twin turbo. |
| 1992 | 20,479 | $33,635 | New LT1 engine replaces the L98. Traction control is standard. |
| 1993 | 21,590 | $34,595 | Passive keyless entry is standard. 40th Anniversary special edition. |
| 1994 | 23,330 | $36,185 | New interior including passenger airbag. |
| 1995 | 20,742 | $36,785 | Last year of the ZR-1. Minor exterior restyling. Indy Pace Car special edition. |
| 1996 | 21,536 | $37,225 | Optional LT4 engine with 330 hp. Collectors Edition and Grand Sport special editions. |
| Total | 366,227 |
[edit] Engines
| Engine | Year | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L L83 V8 | 1984 | 205 hp (153 kW) | 290 lb-ft (393 Nm) |
| 5.7 L L98 V8 | 1985–1986 | 230 hp (172 kW) | 330 lb-ft (447 Nm) |
| 1987–1989 | 240 hp (179 kW) | 345 lb-ft (467 Nm) | |
| 1987 (B2K Callaway) | 345 hp (257 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | |
| 1988–1989 (coupes with 3.07 rear) | 245 hp (183 kW) | 345 lb-ft (467 Nm) | |
| 1988-1989 (B2K Callaway) | 382 hp (285 kW) | 562 lb-ft (761 Nm) | |
| 1990-1991 | 245 hp (186 kW) | 345 lb-ft (467 Nm) | |
| 1990-1991 (coupes with 3.07 rear) | 250 hp (186 kW) | 345 lb-ft (467 Nm) | |
| 1990-1991 (B2K Callaway) | 403 hp (301 kW) | 575 lb-ft (779 Nm) | |
| 5.7 L LT5 V8 | 1990–1992 | 375 hp (280 kW) | 370 lb-ft (501 Nm) |
| 1993–1995 | 405 hp (302 kW) | 385 lb-ft (521 Nm) | |
| 5.7 L LT1 V8 | 1992–1993 | 300 hp (224 kW) | 330 lb-ft (447 Nm) |
| 1994–1995 | 300 hp (224 kW) | 340 lb-ft (460 Nm) | |
| 1996 | 300 hp (224 kW) | 335 lb-ft (454 Nm) | |
| 5.7 L LT4 V8 | 1996 | 330 hp (246 kW) | 340 lb-ft (460 Nm) |
[edit] See also
| Chevrolet Corvette timeline | [edit] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||||
| Coupe | C2 | C3 | C5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hatchback | 3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance | FI | L84 | BB | Big block | ZR-1 | 4 | Z06 | Z06 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
