Newbee

[davber]

Hello All,

I'm hoping to purchase a C4 soon. I'm sure I want a manual transmission and I see that early C4 cars have a 4+3 transmission. This is probably a stupid question but what does 4+3 mean? I've looked all over the net and I can't get a straight answer.. I'm assuming it has something to do with the overdrive but I'm not sure. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Also, this is a big question but, what are the gotcha's with an early C4? I only have about $8000.00 to spend so I'm probably limited to something older than 1990. I'm basically just looking for advice on what to look out for on these cars. I've had many different cars but never a vette.

Thanks,

Dave.

[FinWolf]

Dave welcome to the forum Im shore you will get a answer soon. All I can say is 4+3 is 7 :lol: but I know that don't help any.

[FinWolf]

here is your answer.


Corvette 4 + 3 Overdrives


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This transmission incorporates a Super T10 4 speed with an automatic overdrive. The overdrive can come on in second, third, and fourth gears.... thus 4 + 3! It is only used in Corvettes made in 1984 to 1988 and is not recommended to be swapped into street rod applications.

The 4+3 Overdrive was plagued with many design problems in 1984 to late 1985 cars. The main problems were an underdesigned bearing in the carrier assembly, a direct clutch thrust washer breakage problem, and a pump sealing problem. The carrier bearing failed because of poor bearing design, bad preload, and poor lube to the bearing. This was resolved with GM part number 14105940. It incorporated a heavy duty bearing, and feed oil to the bearing. It was up to the technician to preload it correctly. When a carrier goes bad you will hear bearing noise in direct drive and it will go away in overdrive. Sometimes it can sound like a tire whirring noise. The Direct Clutch thrust washer would break because it could spin in the case. Once broken it would jam in between the overdrive piston and case. This would cause the overdrive to get stuck in two modes and burn up. The new piston GM# 14091496 resolves this problem by putting anti-spin tangs on it. It was redesigned by us for GM again in 1997 to utilize better heat treating capabilites. The pump assembly on 1984 and early 1985 cars used a rear pump cover with no seal between the output shaft and cover. The new cover uses a teflon sealing ring to prevent pressure loss and pump whine. The GM number for the new spool is 14091349.

[davber]

Thanks for the reply. I suspected that to be the case but I couldn't find anyone to confirm it. It sounds like I should narrow my search to 1986 or newer cars if I want a manual transmission.


Dave.

[FinWolf]

They are out there for 8000 here is one

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=155461550&dealer_id=&car_year=1986&make=CHEV&distance=any&max_price=8000&model=CORV&end_year=1988&advcd_on=n&min_price=8000&address=18929&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1986&color=&cardist=365

[FinWolf]

here is the all of them I found

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=CORV&start_year=1986&end_year=1988&min_price=8000&max_price=8000&distance=any&advanced=y&advcd_on=n&make=CHEV&address=18929&search_type=used&x=32&y=6

[DavisZR1]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to get all your Corvette answers or to just shoot the breeze.:cheers:

[alzado77]

Dave, They are out there for even less than that, you just have to look around. I've wanted a Vette my entire life and last Febuary I finally got one. I didn't know what year I wanted, I just knew it had to have potential and have a standard transmission. I was also on a very limited budget and wanted to pay cash that I saved on a Med cruise in the Navy. I had a worse situation than you as I only had $7,000. To my surprise I found a 1990 6 speed coupe that I couldn't believe was only $7,000! Bright yellow paint. I've learned alot in the past year now that I own a vette. There are two things that make the prices skyrocket. The first is the mileage. Mine had 138,000 miles on it so that makes it less desirable. The second is how close to original and untouched the car is. You will learn that alot of Vette owners frown on modifications and aftermarket parts etc. Unlike myself..lol, I'll change anything I can afford if it looks good. There are tons of people out there that modify the heck out of them too. But the more original and the less mileage definitely makes them worth alot more. I just wanted something that would turn heads at each stop light and that I could fix up slowly as I got more money. What I got for $7,000 was a 6 speed that handles great and is a blast to drive, a great paint job (still need to get the rear bumper painted as it has a crack in the paint but the rest is flawless), and an engine that runs great with no problems. The car had several small problems that I'm slowly working out. It was driveable the way it was but I like to get every little thing repaired. The rims had been curbed, the tires were in poor condition, a couple of the lights were out, several interior parts were cracked/worn, rear spindles were worn out, and the car needed weather stripping. I've since replaced both rear spindles, added chrome rims, new tires, added a converticoupe kit, slotted/drilled rotors, fixed any damaged interior parts, new free flow exhaust including cats, added seat covers that look like the seats were recovered, and now I'm adding chrome to the engine. It's still got a long way to go but it gets alot of attention no matter where I drive it. The point I'm trying to make is don't sell out short and end up wishing you had waited to find the perfect one for you. You should be able to find at least a 90-92 in that price range in decent shape that has tons of potential. I saw a 1990 6 speed coupe in good condition on ebay go for $5500 last month! The guy was selling it quick cause he was in the military and heading over seas. Just keep your eyes out. I don't want to make anyone mad but the 6 speed really makes the car tons of fun to drive and I never could understand why they put automatics in vettes. Email me I'll send you a picture of it. As with every vette owner, I love to show it off. I might be a poor man but I finally got a vette and it's great to be part of the fraternity! Good luck, this is a great site that really helps you out as there are alot of vette guys out there with experience to help, Al

[davber]

Thanks for the good advice,

I'm really looking forward to getting a vette. I just have to sell the 74 TR6 I've got right now. I've got a few bites on it so hopefully it won't take too long..

Dave.

[FinWolf]

AL post some pic's here for us to see your car I love custom vettes.

[alzado77]

Accidentally posted the same message twice and it won't allow me to delete one of them. Still trying to learn how to navigate around this forum. Got the Newbee blues!

[alzado77]

I would love to post a picture if I knew how....lol My vette is nothing special compared to most out there but I'm still proud to take it anywhere I go. I envy those that can afford a new one. Right about the time I do something new to mine and think it is really starting to kick butt I drive up next to a new C5 and it put's mine to shame. But that's the nice thing about this hobby, even those without a ton of money can get into it. Everywhere you go almost every other vette owner gives you the thumbs up or a wave. Nothing like owning a Corvette! I'm on duty and stuck on the ship tonight, I'll try to post a pic tomorrow when I'm at home. Thanks for putting a smile on my face by asking tho! :) Al

[TopVette]

Welcome aboard Davber and Alzado77 (in case I missed you before). I'm one of the old timers here along with FinWolf and a few others. We've been here from the beginning. Fatherlarry and Mike Kotze and Bob Pache are the most knowledgable and dedicated Corvette enthusiasts that I've encountered on any forum that I've been on. And, they do it all without sponsors or profits. They just keep this forum going at their own expense for us, and for that I am grateful.

As far as your C4, as far as what I've heard and read, the years '88 and up most of the bugs have been taken out, especially in the automatic tranny. Good luck with your decision and Save The Wave:wave:

[FinWolf]

Al first off thanks for serving our country. If you want to post a pic you can do it right from your hard drive. At the bottom of the page where you post at it says browse hit that button and you can pick a pic from your H/D the forum will link it. Hope it helps.:wave: we all would love to see your car.

[alzado77]

Well, here it is. Not the best picture but it was starting to get dark! It's ton's shinier then it looks in this picture. I guess I better stop cleaning it every once in awhile and take some quality pictures of it! Thanks Al

[brooklynvette]

Welcome aboard .....great looking Vette. I like the Z06 chrome wheels on the C4. They look better than the ZR1 '95 wheels.:cheers: ;bt :chevy: :usaribbon

[FinWolf]

Al I like can you get more pic's of the back. what did you do with the back window.

[Y2KFRC]

Al beautiful car!!!!:cheers: ;bt

[alzado77]

Thanks for all the compliments! FinWolf, as far as the rear window goes, I took it out and it is sitting in my garage and I'm trying to figure what the heck to do with it. I installed one of those Converticoupe Kits. Here is another picture of it. Would I recommend these to others? It depends. I like it because it makes my vette a little different from everyone elses and it gives it a roadster look. I get quite a few compliments on it. It still lifts up so you can store stuff in the back. It has a window that snaps in and out of it. I don't use the window because I can see better without it in. There isn't enough room for anyone to crawl into my converticoupe window so I just leave it out. Your original alarm etc still works. The only downside I can see to this thing is that your car is definitely not as secure. It would be easier to break into if someone had their mind set to it. If the car was kept outside all the time in the rain it would get a little wet inside so I wouldn't recommend this to someone that doesn't store there car inside a garage. The occasional rainstorm etc is not a problem, just wouldn't want to keep it outside all the time. It is basically waterproof but if rainy and windy a bit of water might find it's way in. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Each time I tried to take a picture of it it was either too dark out or the weather was crappy. I wish they had a forum so that guys/gals could give the ups and downs of aftermarket parts they have tried on their vettes like this converticoupe thing I have on mine. The pictures in the magazines never show stuff good enough! Al

[alzado77]

Here is another that shows it a little better

[FinWolf]

I never seen anything like that. It looks cool. But As you can see by my car you can tell I like diferent "custom" stuff. As far as trying things you all ways can post what you want to do and if somebody has all ready did it they can tell you all the pit falls.

[CORVETTE95]

Hi Alzado77. You have a beautifull car. will you exchange your 1990 back window hinge for my 1995 window hinge or sell your back window? the hinge on the 1995 window does not have the third brake light. let me know.;bt

[alzado77]

J.C. Sorry, mine doesn't have it either. My car has been updated with front/rear parts off of a 91 or 92 to make it look newer. The brake light on mine is located in the middle of the rear bumper. That is the way I purchased it so I do not have the 3rd brake light......sorry

[CORVETTE95]

Well to bad, thanks for the reply. Your car is one beautifull car. I am installing a ZR1 kit on my 1995. I will post pictures when the car is done.:)