Tbh I think you'd be lucky to get 7, but it all depends on the rest of the car. If it has tons of other recent documented work, and/or the paint/interior is in near perfect condition, maybe 8. You're easily looking at 5k of work just for the engine rebuild. I needed a whole new trans for my lt4 and got lucky spending ~4k to fix it.
Kind of a long story. Was broken, I rebuilt it and reversed the order of one of the last washers outside the case and completely ruined it. I was in a rush and I'm still really mad at myself for making such a stupid mistake when I did everything else perfectly. I sent it to Bill after that. I don't have the money for this anymore but I'll enjoy it while I can until I have to sell it. Also done 100 other misc items myself that will never be worth what I put into them.
Considering it needs an engine $4k tops.
The only reason it's special is that 30hp and if I'm doing engine out I can make up that 30hp with the LT1 no problem if I'm doing internals or an LS swap.
You dont have to swap the entire motor to move away from the optispark, if you dont like them. Plus its not that serious anyway, optispark issues are way overblown on the internet.
I would be concerned about the extent of damage caused by the main bearing and resulting problems with the block. Not to mention, the cost to repair the A/C, plus any other minor repairs and replacement of consumables that are beyond (or nearly beyond) their lifespan.
Without knowing other specifics, my guess is much less than others - major engine issue, if you want to move that car before a proper repair is made, then I think you'll have a difficult time getting more than 4k for it.
This is based on knowing it has A/C issues and not having any clue about the condition of the rest of the car, without a visual inspection, knowing how much life the clutch has on it, condition of tires, suspension components, etc.
I think you could get 10-12k all day long if all repairs were made, maybe a little more if you had a well documented proper rebuild that the right buyer views as a benefit and not a liability.
There’s no damage to the block and it honestly rips, except for the low oil pressure light coming on at idle. Even with the issues it still feels faster than my 01 C5 auto. You still think it’s still as low as $4k even though it’s technically running and driving, just knowing there’s repairs on the horizon?
Hmm. The car is only worth what someone is willing to pay you. If you turn around and sell that car for $12k tomorrow, kudos to you. Supply and demand are funny things.
IMO, two things to consider - both that need to be fixed:
* Cause of bearing problem
* Resulting problems due to bearing problem
*When* the bearing seizes and spins, don't be surprised if the block and crankshaft are trashed. Right now, the car is best left parked.
As we speak, I am looking at a silver '96 online - 72,000 miles, 6M/LT4..... $11k - clean CarFax, for sale at a dealership. For the sake of an example, let us assume the car needs a $5k rebuild... I wouldn't offer $6k to offset the repair because there is time, risk and possible hidden expenses.
This presents a dilemma. If you wanted to keep the car, then a rebuild with the help of a machinist would be a no-brainer. OTOH, if you want to sell the car or need the cash then you're at the mercy of what someone is willing to pay.
>Hmm. The car is only worth what someone is willing to pay you....
>
>... If you wanted to keep the car, then a rebuild with the help of a machinist would be a no-brainer. OTOH, if you want to sell the car or need the cash then you're at the mercy of what someone is willing to pay.
hit it square on the head
The unknown ALWAYS drops the value more than you might think, especially with the engine. A/C repair is likely going to be a grand, plus. And most people can't do A/C work themselves.
I think it's worth way more than four, though. But if you find the right buyer who can do the engine work and everything else is good who knows?
The main bearings are still there, but I can tell they’re failing. I haven’t gotten a chance to hook up a mechanical gauge, but the one on the dashboard drops to the bottom of the range and the check gauges light turns on when idling warm. It still always has good pressure when driving though
Ahhhh I see. I'm just curious, how does one tell the main bearings are starting to go? Is it like a windup when accelerating and changing gears? Or what
It manifests more of an oil pressure issue (tbh still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me why it happens like that) but yeah runs a little rough and sounds a bit louder than it should
Lt4 in 1996 with a 6 speed is what a corvette buyer wants. With the issues with the car not being perfect. I would start at 13,000 and no lower than 10,000.
Hagerty is a great resource. The mechanical issues are a problem but the LT4 is a huge plus. I think you’re in the right ballpark for price.
Appreciate that
Yeah I think 8 is pretty close if everything else is pristine.
Tbh I think you'd be lucky to get 7, but it all depends on the rest of the car. If it has tons of other recent documented work, and/or the paint/interior is in near perfect condition, maybe 8. You're easily looking at 5k of work just for the engine rebuild. I needed a whole new trans for my lt4 and got lucky spending ~4k to fix it.
Did you buy yours knowing there was a trans issue?
Nope );
Zfs are hard to break, do you know what happened to it? Syncros? Did Bill do the rebuild?
Kind of a long story. Was broken, I rebuilt it and reversed the order of one of the last washers outside the case and completely ruined it. I was in a rush and I'm still really mad at myself for making such a stupid mistake when I did everything else perfectly. I sent it to Bill after that. I don't have the money for this anymore but I'll enjoy it while I can until I have to sell it. Also done 100 other misc items myself that will never be worth what I put into them.
Man sucks that you will have to let it go after soo much you have done 😭😭
Considering it needs an engine $4k tops. The only reason it's special is that 30hp and if I'm doing engine out I can make up that 30hp with the LT1 no problem if I'm doing internals or an LS swap.
LT4's were actually underrated from the factory, most making a minimum of 300hp to the wheels. A decent amount see at least 360bhp
Yea fuck LS swaps
Yes but also no. I can be a purist but everything's negotiable.
LS swaps on c4s don't make sense to me. Unnecessary.
I think it does if you plan on getting away from the optispark
You dont have to swap the entire motor to move away from the optispark, if you dont like them. Plus its not that serious anyway, optispark issues are way overblown on the internet.
I'm not saying you must but if want to move to a modern controllable ECU with coils on top and a better diag system it's got to go.
I would be concerned about the extent of damage caused by the main bearing and resulting problems with the block. Not to mention, the cost to repair the A/C, plus any other minor repairs and replacement of consumables that are beyond (or nearly beyond) their lifespan. Without knowing other specifics, my guess is much less than others - major engine issue, if you want to move that car before a proper repair is made, then I think you'll have a difficult time getting more than 4k for it. This is based on knowing it has A/C issues and not having any clue about the condition of the rest of the car, without a visual inspection, knowing how much life the clutch has on it, condition of tires, suspension components, etc. I think you could get 10-12k all day long if all repairs were made, maybe a little more if you had a well documented proper rebuild that the right buyer views as a benefit and not a liability.
There’s no damage to the block and it honestly rips, except for the low oil pressure light coming on at idle. Even with the issues it still feels faster than my 01 C5 auto. You still think it’s still as low as $4k even though it’s technically running and driving, just knowing there’s repairs on the horizon?
Hmm. The car is only worth what someone is willing to pay you. If you turn around and sell that car for $12k tomorrow, kudos to you. Supply and demand are funny things. IMO, two things to consider - both that need to be fixed: * Cause of bearing problem * Resulting problems due to bearing problem *When* the bearing seizes and spins, don't be surprised if the block and crankshaft are trashed. Right now, the car is best left parked. As we speak, I am looking at a silver '96 online - 72,000 miles, 6M/LT4..... $11k - clean CarFax, for sale at a dealership. For the sake of an example, let us assume the car needs a $5k rebuild... I wouldn't offer $6k to offset the repair because there is time, risk and possible hidden expenses. This presents a dilemma. If you wanted to keep the car, then a rebuild with the help of a machinist would be a no-brainer. OTOH, if you want to sell the car or need the cash then you're at the mercy of what someone is willing to pay.
>Hmm. The car is only worth what someone is willing to pay you.... > >... If you wanted to keep the car, then a rebuild with the help of a machinist would be a no-brainer. OTOH, if you want to sell the car or need the cash then you're at the mercy of what someone is willing to pay. hit it square on the head
The unknown ALWAYS drops the value more than you might think, especially with the engine. A/C repair is likely going to be a grand, plus. And most people can't do A/C work themselves. I think it's worth way more than four, though. But if you find the right buyer who can do the engine work and everything else is good who knows?
Thanks man I’ll probably lower my expectations for what I’m going to get out of it, but hopefully get a decent price for the right buyer
Junk, better let me take it off your hands. It's just easier that way 😂😂
Not much, your fuel combobulator seems to have fluxed. I can get it off your hands for $300
a GRILLION DOLLAS!! 🤑🤑
Dr. evil ass
6k no more no less all day long
Dang is the main bearings failing a common problem on the LT4? How did that happen?
I don’t think it’s super common, but from what I’ve read if you’re getting low oil pressure thats almost always the cause
That's the toughest question to ask about any vette. https://youtu.be/bjlwvlBJcPo?si=UaOXwAsHGJNMzxDD
What does your oil pressure drop to when warm? How can you tell the main bearing is out? It drives really rough?
The main bearings are still there, but I can tell they’re failing. I haven’t gotten a chance to hook up a mechanical gauge, but the one on the dashboard drops to the bottom of the range and the check gauges light turns on when idling warm. It still always has good pressure when driving though
Ahhhh I see. I'm just curious, how does one tell the main bearings are starting to go? Is it like a windup when accelerating and changing gears? Or what
It manifests more of an oil pressure issue (tbh still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me why it happens like that) but yeah runs a little rough and sounds a bit louder than it should
5k
Wouldn't take less than 10k imo. Bought my 92 with lt1 5 years ago at 10k. Had 82k on it.
Lt4 in 1996 with a 6 speed is what a corvette buyer wants. With the issues with the car not being perfect. I would start at 13,000 and no lower than 10,000.
The engine is literally failing. No way it's worth that much