Trade my 96 SS for a 92 vette?

[rjc1629]

So, I came across this ad on craiglsist...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/5258883771.html

The guy is interested in trading for my 96 SS. I've been thinking about selling my car because I like to mod my cars and I don't want to mess up a nice stock LT1 SS. I've always liked C4's and I've gotten into autocrossing, so the vette would be much better for that. Here is some info on both cars:

My 96 SS:
- 79k miles
- LT1/T56 6 speed
- all stock except a tune
- repainted 2 years ago
- cracked dash & sagging headliner but no rips or tears anywhere
- fairly new tires
- rebuilt front suspension
- new bilstein shocks all around

His 92 Corvette:
- 120k miles
- LT1/ZF 6 speed
- FX3 selective ride control
- factory paint with a few minor blemishes
- some drivers side seat bolster wear
- hairline crack in the acrylic top
- folder full of receipts and maintenance records (opti, sensors, starter, etc...)

Do you think this would be a fair trade considering the higher miles on the vette? Any of you guys gone from an f-body to a c4? How did you like it? Also, how hard is tuning since it's a speed density/prom car?

[gmpowered]

Dont do it the c4s are fugly.

[rjc1629]

I already stated that I like C4's...:rolleyes:

[MrAngry]

I'd be all over the Vette if autocross and driving comfort are what you're after. He's pretty dead on with the price.

Ignore the haters, that's a great car.

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[Fastbird]

You'll be hard pressed to find a tuner to work with a prom chip car anymore. You'll be harder pressed to find one local enough to dyno tune it. Just the simple facts. 24x it and your options open greatly, but that's a costly endeavor.

I'd be cautious of the FX3. That can get EXPENSIVE to fix.

I think his price on the Vette is a tad high considering the cracking acrylic top and mileage mainly, but factoring in that the interior got updated big time in 93 (dash mainly) also. Blemishes are to be expected.

All that said.......I'd do it. The C4 is an exceptional car to drive, much smaller and more nimble than the F-Body is.

[rjc1629]

I have read about something called the "Ostrich". It's basically a reprogramable prom that has a USB cable attached and you can tune on the fly. I don't mind doing it myself with tuning software if I have to. Since I don't plan on anything other than bolt-ons the cost of 24x is hard to justify.

http://www.moates.net/ostrich-20-the-new-breed-p-169.html

I looked at the FX3 replacement parts and they are pretty expensive.

I think the only dash change in 93 was the passenger glove box was replaced with an air bag. At least that's the only difference I can see. The major update was 89 I believe.

[Fastbird]

I have read about something called the "Ostrich". It's basically a reprogramable prom that has a USB cable attached and you can tune on the fly. I don't mind doing it myself with tuning software if I have to. Since I don't plan on anything other than bolt-ons the cost of 24x is hard to justify.

http://www.moates.net/ostrich-20-the-new-breed-p-169.html

I looked at the FX3 replacement parts and they are pretty expensive.

I think the only dash change in 93 was the passenger glove box was replaced with an air bag. At least that's the only difference I can see. The major update was 89 I believe.

I thought the gauges and digital displays were upgraded in 93. May be wrong.

Just be careful with the Ostrich. Long time ago when I was working with Alvin@PCMforLess with my car he was doing real time tuning on the prom stuff with the ostrich, and while capable, you still had to save the file, burn the chip, and reinstall everything afterwards. That in itself isn't so big, but factor in (and this may have been corrected) the ostrich's capability to randomly fritz the prom computer out to where it would be non functional for about 20 minutes......and you can see the potential issue. We had that happen to my car when we were tuning it. Only saving grace was I had two 93's and just grabbed the ECM out of the other car. And again I add, this might have been corrected by now. I simply don't know for sure.

[popo8]

Let me start by saying... the c4 is one of my fav vettes up until the c7z. With that being said, and as a recent owner of a GS clone... I loved every bit of my TPI powered automatic c4 and it had who knows how many real miles. I only sold it because it was not an lt car and i wanted to focus on my TA and I also have the camaro.

With that being said... fastbird makes a great point about tuning. Its been getting difficult to find tuners who want to touch an LT1 car... much less finding one to burn chips. I can only imagine the equipment will also become more and more rare.

If that does not scare u, then i say have the vette gone over... a compression check... and if it all checks out ok... go for it.

Idk if u have a family or plan on having one, but if so... remember ur giving up the rear seat and storage for road trips is wayyyyyyyyy limited.

If none of that is an issue, then i say go for it. C4s are the car equivalent of a glove.

Finally, one thing to also take into consideration. Your build. Im 6'4" tall and about 250-260 lbs and I was pushing the limits of comfort, and that was with the larger S.E. sports seats.

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[Dan]

I say no. Nononno. I love c4 vettes, but like popo said, your build. I hate the seats in the c4. They are very uncomfortable for me. I would have to immediately remove the seats for myself to like. I also think it's not equal trade. You have a 96 SS, that's a 92 c4. If this was a 94, 95 or even 96 I would consider it more.

And remember it's a sports car. Everybody beats on them.

[harner]

I'd keep your car and find a cheaper Vette to play with. They do exist, like the 87 vert I'm selling :)

Seriously though, they are really neat cars. Fastbird said it right about the suspension - that might be a rare option but that could be a bad thing with those miles. If you get the car to drive that's one thing. I wouldn't get the car to mod, though. Just my 2 cents.

[popo8]

I say no. Nononno. I love c4 vettes, but like popo said, your build. I hate the seats in the c4. They are very uncomfortable for me. I would have to immediately remove the seats for myself to like. I also think it's not equal trade. You have a 96 SS, that's a 92 c4. If this was a 94, 95 or even 96 I would consider it more.

And remember it's a sports car. Everybody beats on them.
The sports seats from the gs or ce edition are comfy and wide.

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[shownomercy]

Trade your car for a C5 FRC or similar. IMO you are coming out behind on the proposed trade.

[popo8]

Trade your car for a C5 FRC or similar. IMO you are coming out behind on the proposed trade.
Dont listen to him... LTX FTW...

Im just playin... do whatever makes YOU happy.

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
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[rjc1629]

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think my build would be an issue as I am 5'-10" and 210 pounds. The mileage and tuning issues are what really concerns me.

I looked on hagerty's car value site and it shows the vette valued at $7,100 and still trending down a bit, the 96 SS shows $10,400 and trending up. I know I won't get that kind of money for my car, but its still going to be worth more than the vette I'm sure.

I would trade for a c5 in a heart beat, but I don't think that will ever happen. It takes someone who really wants an LT1 SS to pay that kind of money.

[Neil350]

Reading fastbirds post reminds me of why I went 24X on mine. I dealt with Ion on the tuning, I thought I bricked the ECM changing a chip, ended up being a bad chip. The early LT1 ECMs are costly and hard to find. I sold the one out of my 93 for a decent bit.

[popo8]

No issues finding tuners for 94 on up... hell we have Moe right here.

That chip burning is what would worry me.

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
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[rjc1629]

I saw that Solomon still tunes the 92-93 cars for $125. Since I'm planning for bolt ons only, I'm sure mail order would be fine.

[popo8]

I saw that Solomon still tunes the 92-93 cars for $125. Since I'm planning for bolt ons only, I'm sure mail order would be fine.
Really? Thats great to hear, although there has been alot of negative talk about his tunes lately. I have nooooo 1st hand knowledge tho, so Im not saying anything negative.

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[rjc1629]

I have his tune on my 96 and have had no issues.

[popo8]

Isnt that car mostly stock though?

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[rjc1629]

Ya, I don't think the tuning would be much different for stock vs bolt-ons but I could be wrong.

[rjc1629]

So I looked at the corvette Sunday. It's a nice car, it definitely has been taken care of. The crack in the top is a lot bigger than I thought, it's about 12" long. There are some scratches on the front bumper and the top corners of the rear valance. There is some wear on the interior and the weatherstripping could stand to be replaced. Overall, I think it would take around $1500-2000 to bring it up to the condition my SS is in. Based on that, I think I'm going to try and see what I can get outright for my car and look for a newer, lower mileage C4 (preferably a 96 LT4). If anyone is interested, shoot me a PM :D. I'll probably get an ad up in the for sale section soon.

[Vicious95Z28]

I don't think I could part with the SS man. Ya just don't see many LT1 SS cars. I've never seen one in my area.

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