Post by tachout on Sept 22, 2008 20:10:50 GMT -7
In the last couple of weeks, I have seen a few more of the C4's. Maybe I am just noticing them more. Then this week, I have heard more than one person sugest that Snowman get a C4 to race, and keep his Black Beauty for cruising. I also got an E-Mail from someone else with a C5 that is thinking about a C4 to build up for drag racing. So with all that in mind I decided to bring it and share my thoughts with everyone. These are my thoughts, and right or wrong they are just my opinions.
I think the C4 platform is a good one for racing a corvette. The cars are cheap, and you can find them in a couple of different engine configurations. It you take an older C4 with the L98 it uses most of the same technology of the small block chevy with the added Fuel injections. A ton is written about them on now to make them breath, and what is wrong with their designs. The parts are not as easy to find as say for the C5 and C6 anymore because they are just not as popular. I would love to see a couple more of these being raced out there. I know NOSVette has a really mean one, and Crossfire has his that is about as consistant as it gets. I have mine, although it needs direction. I started wanting it to just drive, then make into a car I could take to shows, then to the track. I think I just need to decide what I want to do and stick to it.
I think with the engine in the shape it is in, I have decided on a direction for now. I have, for now decided I want a mean street car/ drag car. I plan on still driving mine on the street, but I think I want to race it pretty hard. I am going to do a tear down on the engine and find out what is wrong, and then go from there on the engine build. Also fix my trans and see if with a ton of work and effort I can keep up with Crossfire this next season. If anyone is serious about building one of these C4's up this winter, get back with me, and I would be more than happy to share with you what I am doing, and maybe if I have something you need, that I am not using we can trade parts. If there is something like a cage that you want, and I am building one, maybe we can learn from each other, and go from there. I know Vince has a ton of experience with the C4 as to others. I am going to be calling on his experience most, since I am going to use his lift and all to get my engine and trans in and out, and he knows the direction I am going. Nice thing is I have a trailer so once the engine and trans are out, I can put the car back on the trailer and drag it home. Then work on the engine and trans, and when they are ready to put back in, I can then just stick it in, and hook it up. Once hooked up, and running I can get it out fo there, and start working on its break in before the season. I plan on spending some time doing a ton of underhood cleanup. I want it to be as clean looking under the hood as it is on the outside. Just my thing. I want it to be able to race on friday, get a quick hose down, and whip down and be ready to drive to a cruise or car show the next day without being too much of a big deal. I want it to be repectable, as I am going to drive it to and from work, and to the neighborhoods I work in, and have to keep up a certain appearance for these yuppies I work with. Just the thing I am going to do. Not sure the direction the car with take in the long run but for now, I am going to photo a lot of what I do in the offseason and share if everyone doesnot mind. Some of it will be way beyond what you would want to do with your own car, and may seem unnecessary, and some of it may be not the way you would do it, or not as far as you would do it. Either way, feel free to comment, and if I do not agree, that is my opinion on how I am doing mine. We all have our ways of doing things. Hopefully mine will live up to what I want it to do. I plan on using some new and some used parts. Used parts where I can for the most part, because a part that does not see wear but is used is going to be cheaper and allow me to use those fund someplace else. I will always be looking for deals on this or that, and I am sure I will make a mistake here or there, but that is how I will learn.
Just thought I would share.
I think the C4 platform is a good one for racing a corvette. The cars are cheap, and you can find them in a couple of different engine configurations. It you take an older C4 with the L98 it uses most of the same technology of the small block chevy with the added Fuel injections. A ton is written about them on now to make them breath, and what is wrong with their designs. The parts are not as easy to find as say for the C5 and C6 anymore because they are just not as popular. I would love to see a couple more of these being raced out there. I know NOSVette has a really mean one, and Crossfire has his that is about as consistant as it gets. I have mine, although it needs direction. I started wanting it to just drive, then make into a car I could take to shows, then to the track. I think I just need to decide what I want to do and stick to it.
I think with the engine in the shape it is in, I have decided on a direction for now. I have, for now decided I want a mean street car/ drag car. I plan on still driving mine on the street, but I think I want to race it pretty hard. I am going to do a tear down on the engine and find out what is wrong, and then go from there on the engine build. Also fix my trans and see if with a ton of work and effort I can keep up with Crossfire this next season. If anyone is serious about building one of these C4's up this winter, get back with me, and I would be more than happy to share with you what I am doing, and maybe if I have something you need, that I am not using we can trade parts. If there is something like a cage that you want, and I am building one, maybe we can learn from each other, and go from there. I know Vince has a ton of experience with the C4 as to others. I am going to be calling on his experience most, since I am going to use his lift and all to get my engine and trans in and out, and he knows the direction I am going. Nice thing is I have a trailer so once the engine and trans are out, I can put the car back on the trailer and drag it home. Then work on the engine and trans, and when they are ready to put back in, I can then just stick it in, and hook it up. Once hooked up, and running I can get it out fo there, and start working on its break in before the season. I plan on spending some time doing a ton of underhood cleanup. I want it to be as clean looking under the hood as it is on the outside. Just my thing. I want it to be able to race on friday, get a quick hose down, and whip down and be ready to drive to a cruise or car show the next day without being too much of a big deal. I want it to be repectable, as I am going to drive it to and from work, and to the neighborhoods I work in, and have to keep up a certain appearance for these yuppies I work with. Just the thing I am going to do. Not sure the direction the car with take in the long run but for now, I am going to photo a lot of what I do in the offseason and share if everyone doesnot mind. Some of it will be way beyond what you would want to do with your own car, and may seem unnecessary, and some of it may be not the way you would do it, or not as far as you would do it. Either way, feel free to comment, and if I do not agree, that is my opinion on how I am doing mine. We all have our ways of doing things. Hopefully mine will live up to what I want it to do. I plan on using some new and some used parts. Used parts where I can for the most part, because a part that does not see wear but is used is going to be cheaper and allow me to use those fund someplace else. I will always be looking for deals on this or that, and I am sure I will make a mistake here or there, but that is how I will learn.
Just thought I would share.